Books of Titans Podcast

In his introduction to The Theban Plays, Charles Segal highlights the question Sophocles asks in his plays:“Why should a man or woman of noble character and good intentions have to bear a life of suffering?”If Antigone is the woman of nobel character and Creon the man of, arguably, good intentions, why must they suffer? Why must bad things happen to good people?Sophocles uses character, circumstances, and divine agency to address this question.In this episode of the podcast, I highlight the themes, important ideas, and the one image I still have in my head after having read Antigone by Sophocles.Books of Titans is a listener-supported podcast. To support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Books of Titans at booksoftitans.substack.com/subscribe

Sophocles was a friend of Herodotus and a contemporary of the other Greek tragedy playwrights Aeschylus and Euripides. He wrote over 120 plays and seven of those survive. The Theban Plays (Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone) cover major events in the life of the mythical king Oedipus of Thebes and of his children.In this podcast episode, I talk about the two Sophoclean plays about Oedipus and share what I learned about Sophocles' discussion of prophecy, the Greek concept of a curse, and the little tiny light at the end of this disastrous tunnel of tragedy.I read translations by David Grene, Paul Woodruff, and Robert Fagles. Get full access to Books of Titans at booksoftitans.substack.com/subscribe

Seven plays survive out of more than 70 written by Aeschylus during his lifetime. Last week, I covered The Oresteia, his famous trilogy, and this week I cover his four other surviving tragedy plays.I highlight the following three contrasts I've found throughout Greek Literature and share what we learn within these Aeschylean plays:* Fate vs The Will of Zeus* Ares (force) vs the Areopagus (debate/civilization)* Family Curse vs Human Agency Get full access to Books of Titans at booksoftitans.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 13 from his 2024 Reading List - The Oresteia by Aeschylus.Show Notes* Aeschylus* Purchase The Oresteia* Support the Podcast - Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting* The Books of Titans Book Subscription with Landmark Booksellers* The Great Books Reading List* 2024 Reading List* Reading Resources* Books of Titans Website Get full access to Books of Titans at booksoftitans.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 11 from his 2024 Reading List – Fables by Aesop. Show Notes Aesop Purchase Aesop's Fables Support the Podcast – Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting The Books of Titans Book Subscription with Landmark Booksellers The Great Books Reading List 2024 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans... The post Aesop's Fables appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 9 from his 2024 Reading List – The Odes by Pindar. Show Notes Pindar Purchase The Odes by Pindar / Translation by C.M. Bowra Support the Podcast – Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting The Books of Titans Book Subscription with Landmark Booksellers The Great Books Reading List 2024 Reading... The post The Odes by Pindar appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad talks about the cataclysmic will of Zeus. The Cypria, a lost work with stories predating the Iliad, provides a clear-cut purpose for the will of Zeus. Is it true? Why did Homer ignore it in the Iliad? How does it change the reading of the “will of Zeus being fulfilled” in... The post The Cataclysmic Will of Zeus appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 5 from his list of 200 Great Books  – The Atrahasis: The Babylonian Flood Myth. Show Notes Purchase Enuma Elish / Translation by Timothy Stephany Purchase Myths from Mesopotamia / Translation by Stephanie Dalley Enuma Elish Podcast Episode Support the Podcast – Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting... The post The Atrahasis appeared first on Books of Titans.

It's Homer vs Hollywood. How does the 2004 film Troy stand up to its inspiration, The Iliad? What did Hollywood get right, what did they butcher, and should you watch the film? The post Homer's Iliad vs Hollywood's Troy appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses The Iliad by Homer, book 5 for his 2024 reading list. This is his second reading of the epic. Show Notes First Podcast – Nov 2023 Author: Homer Robert Fitzgerald Ransom by David Malouf My Thoughts about The Iliad The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources... The post The Iliad by Homer (2nd Reading) appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 5 from his list of 200 Great Books  – Enuma Elish: The Babylonian Creation Epic. Show Notes Purchase Enuma Elish / Translation by Timothy Stephany Purchase Myths from Mesopotamia / Translation by Stephanie Dalley Support the Podcast – Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting The Books of Titans... The post Enuma Elish appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Jason A. Staples, Ph.D., a historian of early Judaism and Christianity, answers 4 questions Erik poses about the Bible. Additionally, Dr. Staples answers some questions about his latest book Paul and the Resurrection of Israel. Here are a few of the questions addressed in this episode: The land of Israel is promised... The post Q&A #3: The Bible with Dr. Jason Staples appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses The New Testament (translated by David Bentley Hart), book 4 for his 2024 reading list. Show Notes David Bentley Hart Support the Podcast – Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting The Books of Titans Book Subscription with Landmark Booksellers The Great Books Reading List 2024 Reading List Reading Resources... The post The New Testament (David Bentley Hart Translation) appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses The Writings of the Hebrew Bible, book 3 for his 2024 reading list. Show Notes Robert Alter The Writings – Psalms, Proverbs, Job, The Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Qohelet (Ecclesiastes), Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles The Hebrew Bible: A Translation & Commentary by Robert Alter Support the Podcast –... The post The Writings (Hebrew Bible Book 3) appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses The Prophets of the Hebrew Bible, book 2 for his 2024 reading list. Show Notes Robert Alter The Prophets – Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, The Twelve Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) The Hebrew Bible: A Translation &... The post The Prophets (Hebrew Bible Book 2) appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad shares how he takes notes in books and how it has helped him to remember what he reads. Show Notes Muji 0.38 Pens Support the Podcast – Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting The Great Books Reading List 2024 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans Website The post On Taking Notes in Books appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses The Five Books of Moses of the Hebrew Bible, book 1 for his 2024 reading list. Show Notes Robert Alter The Hebrew Bible: A Translation & Commentary by Robert Alter Support the Podcast – Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting My Thoughts about The Five Books of Moses The... The post The Five Books of Moses appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses each of the books on his 2024 reading list, one that largely focuses on the Ancient Greek writers. This is year two of The Great Books+ Project. Show Notes Erik's 2024 Reading List The Great Books Support the Podcast – Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting Reading Resources Books... The post 2024: My Big Fat Greek Reading List appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses Paul and the Resurrection of Israel: Jews, Former Gentiles, Israelites by Dr. Jason A. Staples, book 53 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: Dr. Jason A. Staples Purchase a Signed Copy Paul and the Resurrection of Israel Podcast Episode / Jason's First Book: The Idea of Israel... The post Paul and the Resurrection of Israel by Jason A. Staples appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad stacks each of the 50+ books from his 2023 reading list on his desk, picks them up, and shares the key remembrances from each book. Show Notes Erik's 2023 Reading List The Great Books Project Bibliotheca Bible Support the Podcast – Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting Email me with... The post 2023: Reading Year in Review appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses the Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson, book 49 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Elon Musk Author: Walter Isaacson Podcast Suggestion: On Musk with Walter Isaacson Support the Podcast – Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting Purchase this book from Landmark Booksellers My Thoughts about Elon Musk The... The post Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses the Address to Young Men on Reading Greek Literature on how they might derive profit from pagan literature, book 43 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: St. Basil the Great Version: Loeb Classical Library Read for Free Online My Thoughts about On Greek Literature The Great Books... The post On Greek Literature by St. Basil the Great appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses The Homeric Hymns, book 42 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: Homer Version: Oxford World's Classics / Translation by Michael Crudden My Thoughts about The Homeric Hymns The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans Website The post The Homeric Hymns appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses The Odyssey by Homer, book 41 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: Homer Emily Wilson Translation Purchase The Odyssey from Landmark Booksellers My Thoughts about The Odyssey The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans Website The post The Odyssey by Homer appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses The Iliad by Homer, book 38 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: Homer Emily Wilson Translation Purchase The Iliad from Landmark Booksellers My Thoughts about The Iliad The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans Website The post The Iliad by Homer appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad explores three pressing concerns of our modern era: depression, division, and distraction. He then draws on timeless lessons from books to offer insights and solutions. Show Notes Man's Search for Meaning Podcast Episode The Gulag Archipelago Podcast Episode Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Podcast Episode Frederick Douglass by... The post Three Powerful Ideas from Books for our Time appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses The Greek Way by Edith Hamilton, book 37 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: Edith Hamilton (1867 – 1963) Podcast Episode about Mythology by Edith Hamilton My Thoughts about The Greek Way The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans Website The post The Greek Way by Edith Hamilton appeared first on Books of Titans.

CORRECTION: I made a pretty silly statement in this episode that literature doesn't deal with the issue of guilt. What I meant to say is that the solution to guilt is not provided in literature, something I heard and am now paying attention to. I then use as evidenced by the stories of Hercules where... The post Mythology by Edith Hamilton appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses The Histories by Herodotus, book 31 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: Herodotus Landmark Edition of The Histories My Thoughts about The Histories The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans Website The post The Histories by Herodotus appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses Persians: The Age of the Great Kings by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, book 20 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones Assyria Episode Babylon Episode The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans Website The post Persians by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses the poetry of Sappho through the translations of Aaron Poochigian in Sappho: Stung with Love Poems and Fragments and Anne Carson in Sappho: If Not, Winter, Fragments of Sappho. This is Great Book #10 and books #33 & #34 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: Sappho Translators:... The post Sappho appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses Theogony & Works and Days by Hesiod, book 32 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: Hesiod Translator: M.L. West The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans Website The post Theogony & Works and Days by Hesiod appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses Babylon: Mesopotamia and The Birth of Civilization by Paul Kriwaczek, book 19 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: Paul Kriwaczek Assyria Episode The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans Website The post Babylon by Paul Kriwaczek appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad looks back at 2023 so far and shares the ideas that have stuck out with the start of the Great Books+ Project. The post 2023: Mid-Year Checkup appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri, book 28 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: Daniel Nayeri Everything Sad is Untrue Review The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien (Story vs Happening Truth) The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of... The post Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad pairs two books together: In Praise of Good Bookstores by Jeff Deutsch and On Writing (and Writers): A miscellany of Advice and Opinions of C.S. Lewis, books 24 & 25 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Purchase In Praise of Good Bookstores Purchase On Writing (and Writers): A Miscellany... The post Book Pairing: In Praise of Good Bookstores (Jeff Deutsch) and On Writing (C.S. Lewis) appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad pairs two books together: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson & Reimagining Apologetics by Justin Ariel Bailey, books 22 & 23 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Gilead Reimagining Apologetics The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans Website The post Gilead by Marilynne Robinson & Reimagining Apologetics by Justin Ariel Bailey appeared first on Books of Titans.

A special episode where Erik Rostad recounts bookish adventures through Scotland and England, including the infamous Guacamole Incident. Show Notes: My Wife's Music – Stephanie Staples Scotland Bookstores Armchair Books Edinburgh Books Blackwells Waterstones Oxford Bookstore St. Philips Books London Bookstores John Sandoe Books Jarndyce Hatchards (since 1797) Tea and Tattle Cecil Court (Bookstore Alley)... The post Bookish Adventures in the UK appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire by Eckart Frahm, book 18 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: Eckart Frahm The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans Website The post Assyria by Eckart Frahm appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses Moses Among the Idols: Mediators of the Divine in the Ancient Near East by Amy Balogh, the book paired with Great Book #5, the Enuma Elish. Show Notes OnScript Podcast Episode: Amy Balogh – Moses among the Idols Purchase Moses Among the Idols Author: Amy Balogh The Great Books... The post Moses Among the Idols by Amy Balogh appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 4 from his list of 200 Great Books  – The Rig Veda. Show Notes Guidebook: The Hindus by Wendy Doniger Translator: Wendy Doniger Video about Hinduism Enheduana Podcast Episode The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans Website   The post The Rig Veda appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses the new first book from his list of 200 Great Books  – Enheduana: The Complete Poems by the World's First Author. Show Notes Purchase Enheduana from Landmark Booksellers Translator: Sophus Helle Gilgamesh Podcast Episode The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans Website   The post Enheduana appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses the second book from his list of 200 Great Books  – Writings from Ancient Egypt and six other books about Egypt. Show Notes Ancillary Books Read in Addition to Writings from Ancient Egypt: Egyptian Art The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt by Toby Wilkinson King Tut Akhenaten and... The post Writings from Ancient Egypt appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Jason A. Staples, Ph.D., a historian of early Judaism and Christianity, answers 6 questions Erik poses about the Bible. Here are a few of the questions addressed in this episode: How should we read the Apocrypha? What is a curse? How is our understanding of a curse different from ancient times? Can... The post Q&A: The Bible w/ Dr. Jason Staples appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses two books – Civilizations of Ancient Iraq by Benjamin & Karen Foster and Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic by Sophus Helle. Show Notes Versions / Translations for this Episode: Guidebook: Civilizations of Ancient Iraq / Benjamin & Karen Foster Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient... The post Civilizations of Ancient Iraq and Gilgamesh appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses the first book from his list of 200 Great Books  – The Epic of Gilgamesh. Show Notes Versions / Translations: Gilgamesh / Stephen Mitchell Version The Epic of Gilgamesh / Andrew George Translation Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic / Sophus Helle Guidebook: Civilizations of Ancient Iraq /... The post The Epic of Gilgamesh appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad covers the top ideas from over 2,757 hours of reading from 2017 – 2022. These are the most important topics that show up in multiple books. The post The Most Important Ideas from 6 Years of Reading appeared first on Books of Titans.

Erik Rostad makes the case for reading straight through the Bible. The why, the how, and the logistics. Show Notes Bible Map App Kings of Israel & Judah Christian Standard Bible – CSB Reader's Bible, Gray Cloth Over Board Purchase the CSB Version of the Bible Bibliotheca Version of the Bible ($10 Discount) Erik's Thoughts... The post The Case for Reading Straight Through the Bible appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 52 from his 2022 Reading List – The Dawn: Political Teachings of the Book of Esther by Yoram Hazony. Show Notes Author: Yoram Hazony Purchase The Dawn Reading Resources Books of Titans Website   The post The Dawn by Yoram Hazony appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Jeremy Anderberg and Erik Rostad discuss Jeremy's recent article How to Read More Books in 2023. Listen in for some helpful tips on making reading a lifelong habit. Show Notes How to Read More Books in 2023 by Jeremy Anderberg Read More Books Substack / Jeremy Anderberg The Big Read Substack /... The post How to Read More Books: A Discussion appeared first on Books of Titans.

In this episode, Erik Rostad stacks each of the 52 books from his 2022 reading list on his desk, picks them up, and shares the key remembrances from each book. Show Notes Erik's 2022 Reading List The Great Books Project Bibliotheca Bible Support the Podcast Email me with thoughts, questions, book discussion The post 2022: Reading Year in Review appeared first on Books of Titans.