How complex was Oedipus? How do you solve a problem like Medea? Nero or hero? Alexander, how Great? We're talking interviews with historical heroes. We're talking Cleopatra, Queen Nefertiti, Marcus Aurelius, Michaelangelo, Xenophon, Boudica, Hypatia, Frida Kahlo, and Constance Wilde. Take this with a pinch of salt because there are also some etymology and idiom origins. Interviewees include a labyrinth of guests, from archeologists to astronomers. Music by: Tertia Artwork by: Ottoline
Welcome to an episode of Sappho, sex, rock and roll. Discover the first female voice of Western literature. This singer-songwriter from Lesbos pioneered female poetry and music. Only 1 percent of her work is left so this exclusive interview is seriously exclusive. It is a common misconception that Sappho wrote about desire, childbirth, the beauties of the natural world, and just girly things. But the reality is she wrote about politics, tyranny, and sexuality. This was all burnt by some angry, prudish Christians. We ask compelling questions such as, what constitutes the female gaze, and how does it differ from the male gaze? And, how different were female drinking parties from male 'symposiums?'
This is the ultimate guide to Istanbul. Meet lovely men from Istanbul selling us garments. Listen to three Syrian brothers debate the modification of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and their Holy scriptures. Be enlightened by Refik Anadol's digital art world. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Louise Walsh tells the fascinating story behind her 'Monument to the Unknown Woman Worker.' This sculpture sparked the longest ever debate in the Belfast city council. The controversy was all about sex work, the commemoration of women, and sectarian politics. This expression is thrown around a lot, but Walsh does truly talk for Ireland. Enjoy.
Spinoza is back to make everyone wake up and smell the coffee - you are never free until you recognise your own freedom. He questioned the Torah's sacredness and was excommunicated from his Jewish community at only 23 years old. Fear not; his relationship with God and spider-fighting is explored and analysed. This man is gentle, fascinating, and pretty controversial. This episode was originally on a radio show. Contribute to my Patreon if you like.... Become a Patron!. (Thank you).
Diogenes the dog is an exclusive interview with the 5th-century cynic who lived in a barrel (sorry, wine casket.) I ask him a plethora of questions, such as "why did you remain single by choice?" and "what's up with you masturbating and defecating in public?" Adored by Alexander the Great and hated by Plato, this man will shock and baffle you. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
How does the etymology of avocado relate to the word protestant? What do the words genetics, genesis, and genuine all share in common? Does crocodile mean a pebble worm, and squirrel the 'shadow-tailed' and why? Plenty more of this available right here, right now. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This episode is fact and fun-fueled. Pt 1 - The rip-roaring Romans popping off after winning the euros, followed by a quick sidetrack of a history of parks from Ancient Rome to Mussolini's fascist regime. Pt 2 - The Circus Maximus - what raucous activities went down here then? Pt 3 - An interview with Aldo Giannotti - the curator of the exhibition “Safe and sound” in the Mambo Art museum. The exhibition explores surveillance. Why do we feel safe with cameras watching us?
They say curiosity killed the cat, and that's why Advice from Aristotle Pt.2 is back. Aristotle gets a bad rep, but maybe his 'reason conquering all' is a useful logic to bring to the table? Why did Aristotle the investigator say “You can find beauty in the tiniest, ugliest thing?” So what's up with moths the size of birds? What animals do you intuitively dislike? Who would you rather sit down for a meal with, Plato or Aristotle? Why do journalists do courses on Aristotle? Can Aristotle cancel “cancel” culture? How fine a line it is between patriotism and nationalism? Listen to the whole spectrum with me and the fantastic Olivia Fane.
What's the difference between Plebeians and Patricians? Was emperor Claudius the first pro-immigration leader? Did dolphins disrupt fishing? Who are those fellas, Romulus and Remus then? Was Cicero such the cream of the crop? All these questions are answered and discussed walking around the ancient site of Ostia Antica.
Did Aristotle think women need to have orgasms to get pregnant? Or that masters can be more 'slavish' than their own slave? Does Aristotle like 'ugly' animals? There is no ancient thinker who can speak more directly to the concerns and anxieties of contemporary life than can Aristotle. Olivia Fane and I deliberate Aristotle's approach to slavery, women, and animals. We chat about how his advice teaches us not to compare ourselves to others, to train ourselves to be good people and to have the different parts of our soul in harmony.
Paris the Pacifist? Paris just stressed, depressed and Helen obsessed? Paris the love warrior? This interview with Paris of Troy really changed my perspective on the man. He is more than the cowardly home wrecker that meets the eye. Ipso facto, Paris has some inspiring insights on women in the Homeric Age of Greece, on the gods' intervention in war, imperialism, and the greed of men. You can listen and decide for yourself whether he wanted to liberate Helen from the shackles of Menelaus and what society expected of her. Or whether he wanted the most beautiful woman in the world as his own property. He is entering the studio, I repeat, he is entering the studio…
Apart from sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a freshwater system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us? Victor Principe and I compare and contrast religion and plagues in Ancient and Modern Rome. Ever wondered about the transition from Paganism to Christianity in the Roman Empire? Ever wondered how the Ancient Romans dealt with their equivalent of Covid-19? Ever wondered about religious practices in the Roman Empire? Then we are your gateway to that knowledge.
'Therapy with Frida' delves under the skin of the iconic painter. The Daughter of the Mexican revolution. We discuss her self-portraits, her relationships with Diego Rivera and Trotsky, her communism, and the fatal moments that led to her famous quote “Doctor, if you let me drink this tequila, I promise I won't drink at my funeral.” She is entering the studio, I repeat, she is entering the studio…
Most people know her as the wife of Oscar Wilde, but Constance was a phenomenon in her own right. What most bypass is Constance's invention of the divided skirt, her campaigns for women's rights, and her pioneering fashion designs. Today I explore Constance, as an individual, to discover why she stayed so loyal to Oscar despite his public affairs and exile from society. She is entering the studio, I repeat, she is entering the studio…
The tantalising thing about Cleopatra is that little evidence survives from century Egypt itself. So “The Cleoportrait” conquers Roman propaganda painting her as a debauched temptress using sex appeal as a political weapon. We ask her about her marriage to her brother and her relationships with Caesar and Mark Anthony right up until the Battle of Actium. She is entering the studio, I repeat, she is entering the studio…
'Go hard or Go Homer' explores homosexuality in Ancient Greece; a homosexual Utopia or Peadophile Utopia? I also get Xenophon from 430BC, an aristocratic elite, and Socrates's best mate into the studio to ask him about this love life.
So why do Philosophers get murdered? Socrates was minding his own beeswax (kind of) before he got poisoned with Hemlock. Today we talk to Hypatia, Alexandria's preeminent philosopher, and arguably the leading mathematician in the world up to this date. 335AD Alexandria witnessed dramatic division between Christians, Jews, and Pagans and Hypatia's story shows the dangers of religious strife that end in bloodshed.
Grove is in the heart explores the English language; steeped in history and bursting in character. Do you ever hear expressions such as "Bee's Knees" and "Taste of your own medicine," and wonder what it all means? Ever been a curious George hearing words like "Gang" "Protein," and "Bungalow"? And why do hurricanes have female names? This episode is not appropriate for Grannies and children!
And we are back with the ancient marble sculpture of Laocoön and his sons, spotted at the Swiss National Museum in an exhibition, named “The Exhausted man.” This statue is placed in comparison to Zinedine Zidane, who Cosimo Amati chats about. This sculpture depicting a man strangled by serpents has provoked rampant speculation about masculinity from Ancient to modern times. Another thrilling piece of news is that I get Michelangelo into the studio for an investigation into his alleged forgery. He is entering the studio, I repeat, he is entering the studio...
‘Sandals and Scandals' is the mantra of Nefertiti from 14th century Egypt. Supposedly, this queen, priestess, wife, mother, political revolutionary, beauty icon, and maybe even pharaoh, has been shrouded in mystery and intrigue, but no longer. The Sass pot is entering the studio, I repeat, she is entering the studio…
“I do think that evil in response to evil is a recipe for disaster"....“What injures the hive, injures the bee,"... “We all love ourselves more than other people but care more about their opinion than our own"... Just 3 of the many quotations coming your way when you tune into Marcus Aurelius from 160AD. Marcus has a penchant for goodwill despite dealing with plagues, greedy brothers, constant invasions, and the tough at the top job of being Roman Emperor. The most powerful position in the world at this point. He is entering the studio, I repeat, he is entering the studio...
Boudicca has been mythologised and redefined to suit varying contexts, established as a savage, a guardian of national identity, a champion of women, and a mother. Finally, we hear her story straight from the horse's mouth. With inappropriate language and themes, this episode is not for children or grannies She is entering the studio, I repeat, she is entering the studio….
Tourism contributes to roughly 30 percent of the economy in Greece and 15 percent in Malta. This episode will travel from the Mycenean ruins in Greece, Calyposos cave in Gozo, and to a Caravaggio in St John's Cathedral in Valetta, the capital city of Malta, and we will be starting with the Ggantija temples in Gozo. Historians of Art and others will be asking; why do we go to places such as Malta and Greece? They are, after all, Mediterranean islands. But is it to dive into the rich history or to dive into the blue seas? Music by: Tertia
Kitty Agnew and I discuss the origins of... Killing two birds with one stone? dress to kill? Have a humble eye? Collectives nouns such as A Discretions of priests? a Skulk of thieves and foxes? Music by: Tertia
Greece, once the bedrock of Western civilization. Now, drowning in an economic crisis. This episode reaps out all perspectives possible on modern Greece, whilst also diving into comparisons with Ancient Greece, in regards to politics, sexual relations, respect for women, architecture.
Relaxing tour around the Roman Baths with commentary you say? Back at the historical studio, we interview Boudicca from 50AD and Hadrian 120AD to gain their insights of the Baths.
Archeologist Angus and I delve into the enduring symbol of Ancient Athens - the Acropolis. On top of which stands the Parthenon, Athena Nike Temple, and the Frieze. It's not all sunshine and rainbows because missing from the Acropolis are the "Elgin" marbles, stored away in the British Museum. This really grinds Angus's gears, particularly in the current climate of post-colonialism.
Olly O Toole and I canvass over the life of the crazy cat Alexander the Great, the man who overthrew the Persian Empire. From the drunken rages to the military conquests.
Cleopatra digs it and I dive into .... Tutankhamun, Mummification, the Pyramids of Geezers, Queen Nefertiti, Pompeii excavations, and plenty more.
if you need a holiday, come and see me. We explore the origin of particular Irish Idioms, some Folklore, and the dark depths of witchcraft.
Evil or genius? Nero or Hero. The reign of the most theatrical Roman emperor ever recorded.
Dev, an astronomer at the Dublin Institute For Advanced Studies, and I combine constellations with Greek Mythology. Orion, Perseus, Andromeda, Pleides, Callisto, the beasts of Heracles all achieve immortality in the Sky.
Aerona and I discuss our Classical Quarantine Houses Concluded gang: Ovid, Demeter, Caligula, Apollo, Cleopatre, Pericles, Circe, Medusa.
You may have heard on the grapevine that Kitty and I break the ice with a herd of harlots and incredulity of cuckolds.
Are all the Greek Mythological statues victims of Medusa?
Etymology baby. This episode explores the history behind words such as "bankrupt," "Malaria," "Quarantine," "Clue," "Genuine," "Ostrasise," "Matrimony" and many more.
The Delphic Oracle was a cruel mistress.
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