Podcasts about athenian

Here it is — the 2nd installment of CJ’s already-epic mini-series, ‘The Mad Dream of Conquest,’ set in the Peloponnesian War in 5th-century BC Greece. Join CJ as he shares an overview of some of the events of the first half of the Peloponnesian War, including: Spartan-led Peloponnesian invasions of Attica (the countryside around Athens), which used the traditional Greek tactic of ‘ravaging’ farms in order to try to provoke the Athenians to confront them in a decisive hoplite battle Athens’ refusal to do so, as they followed Pericles’ strategy of being purely defensive on land while waging naval & amphibious warfare against the coastal strongholds of the Peloponnesian League The horrific plague that afflicted Athens for the first few years of the war, which likely killed 20-30% of Athens, including, eventually, Pericles himself The leadership void left by Pericles, which was filled by men of much less competence, none of whom ever enjoyed the supermajority support that Pericles had The ‘Peace of Nicias,’ concluded in 421 BC, which was never fully adhered to & wouldn’t last long The growing political feud between Nicias & the Athenian doves vs. Alcibiades & the Athenian hawks The appeal for Athenian assistance from a few Sicilian poleis against Syracuse, the most powerful polis on that island, & the Athenian debates over the wisdom of intervening there, dominated by debates between Nicias & Alcibiades The decision of a majority of the Athenian Assembly to intervene on a massive scale Religious/political scandals that created serious potential problems for the Athenian expedition to Sicily on the eve of its departure The departure, to great fanfare, of a massive Athenian & allied force to Sicily Like this episode? Support the Dangerous History Podcast via Patreon! You can also throw CJ a $ tip via Paypal here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=D6VUYSYQ4EU6L Throw CJ a $ tip via Venmo here: https://www.venmo.com/u/dangerousmedia Or throw CJ a BTC tip here: bc1qfrz9erz7dqazh9rhz3j7nv696nl52ux8unw79z Other ways to support the show (including CJ’s PO Box) Amazon Affiliate Links (buy ANYTHING from Amazon using any of these links & CJ gets a small commission at no cost to you!) The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War A War Like No Other: How the Athenians and Spartans Fought the Peloponnesian War by Victor Davis Hanson The Peloponnesian War by Donald Kagan The Life of Greece: The Story of Civilization, Vol. II by Will Durant Links Support the Dangerous History Podcast via Patreon Subscribe to the Dangerous History Podcast Youtube Channel Follow CJ on Twitter/X Follow the DHP on Instagram Follow the DHP on Facebook Hire CJ to speak to your group or at your event

Aristagoras leaves Sparta empty-handed but finds a more receptive audience in Athens. Can Athens help "Make the World Safe for Democracy" in the 490s BC??In this episode, Bernie and Dan follow the Ionian Revolt from the Athenian embassy and the dispatch of the famous twenty ships to the.... What happens next you'll need to listen!Along the way, we discuss Athens' curious mission of spreading democracy, the cult of Cybele and her self-castrating priests, and how an intervention would set Greeks and Persians on a collision course for generations.The story is really heating up!This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski.Contact information:E-mail: zimwaupodcast@gmail.comhttp://facebook.com/fanofhistoryhttps://twitter.com/danhorninghttps://www.instagram.com/dan_horning/Music: “Tudor Theme” by urmymuse.Used here under a commercial Creative Commons license. Find out more at http://ccmixter.org/files/urmymuse/40020 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Athenian Democracy provides innovative readings of ancient theorists to reveal both the complexity of democracy's achievements and its limits. In Athenian Democracy: Modern Mythmakers and Ancient Theorists (U Notre Dame Press, 2026), noted political scientist Arlene W. Saxonhouse offers fresh and provocative explorations of ancient political theorists, lending new insights about democracy's foundations and principles. These insights are more relevant than ever in a moment when the viability of democratic regimes is under scrutiny. Saxonhouse provides an in-depth discussion of the modern mythmakers (Hobbes, Paine, Hamilton, Mill, and Arendt, among others) who, in praising or excoriating Athenian democracy, have in fact distorted it to support their own assessments of democracy. She then offers detailed reinterpretations of the writings on democracy of four ancient theorists who had directly experienced life in the first democratic regime: Herodotus, Thucydides, Plato, and Aristotle. Saxonhouse argues that the mythmaking that often attends our views of Athenian democracy—whether as a flawed, slaveholding regime that fostered factions and oppressed women or as an ideal regime of egalitarian and participatory democracy—blinds us to the deeper understanding of democracies that these ancient theorists can offer. Arlene W. Saxonhouse is the Caroline Robbins Collegiate Professor of Political Science, Emerita, at the University of Michigan. She is the author of numerous books and articles dealing with ancient Greek political thought, including Free Speech and Democracy in Ancient Athens and Fear of Diversity: The Birth of Political Science in Ancient Greek Thought. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Athenian Democracy provides innovative readings of ancient theorists to reveal both the complexity of democracy's achievements and its limits. In Athenian Democracy: Modern Mythmakers and Ancient Theorists (U Notre Dame Press, 2026), noted political scientist Arlene W. Saxonhouse offers fresh and provocative explorations of ancient political theorists, lending new insights about democracy's foundations and principles. These insights are more relevant than ever in a moment when the viability of democratic regimes is under scrutiny. Saxonhouse provides an in-depth discussion of the modern mythmakers (Hobbes, Paine, Hamilton, Mill, and Arendt, among others) who, in praising or excoriating Athenian democracy, have in fact distorted it to support their own assessments of democracy. She then offers detailed reinterpretations of the writings on democracy of four ancient theorists who had directly experienced life in the first democratic regime: Herodotus, Thucydides, Plato, and Aristotle. Saxonhouse argues that the mythmaking that often attends our views of Athenian democracy—whether as a flawed, slaveholding regime that fostered factions and oppressed women or as an ideal regime of egalitarian and participatory democracy—blinds us to the deeper understanding of democracies that these ancient theorists can offer. Arlene W. Saxonhouse is the Caroline Robbins Collegiate Professor of Political Science, Emerita, at the University of Michigan. She is the author of numerous books and articles dealing with ancient Greek political thought, including Free Speech and Democracy in Ancient Athens and Fear of Diversity: The Birth of Political Science in Ancient Greek Thought. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

Athenian Democracy provides innovative readings of ancient theorists to reveal both the complexity of democracy's achievements and its limits. In Athenian Democracy: Modern Mythmakers and Ancient Theorists (U Notre Dame Press, 2026), noted political scientist Arlene W. Saxonhouse offers fresh and provocative explorations of ancient political theorists, lending new insights about democracy's foundations and principles. These insights are more relevant than ever in a moment when the viability of democratic regimes is under scrutiny. Saxonhouse provides an in-depth discussion of the modern mythmakers (Hobbes, Paine, Hamilton, Mill, and Arendt, among others) who, in praising or excoriating Athenian democracy, have in fact distorted it to support their own assessments of democracy. She then offers detailed reinterpretations of the writings on democracy of four ancient theorists who had directly experienced life in the first democratic regime: Herodotus, Thucydides, Plato, and Aristotle. Saxonhouse argues that the mythmaking that often attends our views of Athenian democracy—whether as a flawed, slaveholding regime that fostered factions and oppressed women or as an ideal regime of egalitarian and participatory democracy—blinds us to the deeper understanding of democracies that these ancient theorists can offer. Arlene W. Saxonhouse is the Caroline Robbins Collegiate Professor of Political Science, Emerita, at the University of Michigan. She is the author of numerous books and articles dealing with ancient Greek political thought, including Free Speech and Democracy in Ancient Athens and Fear of Diversity: The Birth of Political Science in Ancient Greek Thought. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

Athenian Democracy provides innovative readings of ancient theorists to reveal both the complexity of democracy's achievements and its limits. In Athenian Democracy: Modern Mythmakers and Ancient Theorists (U Notre Dame Press, 2026), noted political scientist Arlene W. Saxonhouse offers fresh and provocative explorations of ancient political theorists, lending new insights about democracy's foundations and principles. These insights are more relevant than ever in a moment when the viability of democratic regimes is under scrutiny. Saxonhouse provides an in-depth discussion of the modern mythmakers (Hobbes, Paine, Hamilton, Mill, and Arendt, among others) who, in praising or excoriating Athenian democracy, have in fact distorted it to support their own assessments of democracy. She then offers detailed reinterpretations of the writings on democracy of four ancient theorists who had directly experienced life in the first democratic regime: Herodotus, Thucydides, Plato, and Aristotle. Saxonhouse argues that the mythmaking that often attends our views of Athenian democracy—whether as a flawed, slaveholding regime that fostered factions and oppressed women or as an ideal regime of egalitarian and participatory democracy—blinds us to the deeper understanding of democracies that these ancient theorists can offer. Arlene W. Saxonhouse is the Caroline Robbins Collegiate Professor of Political Science, Emerita, at the University of Michigan. She is the author of numerous books and articles dealing with ancient Greek political thought, including Free Speech and Democracy in Ancient Athens and Fear of Diversity: The Birth of Political Science in Ancient Greek Thought. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

He brings to life the surviving fragments of timeless wisdom from the lost plays of ancient Athens. Consider sayings such as, “The truly happy man ought to stay at home,” “Hunger, and lack of coin, put a stop to love,” and “Hades, alone of the gods, does not enjoy bribes.” These and many other memorable lines from Greek dramatists like Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Menander were preserved centuries after their creation, thanks to Stobaeus—a fifth-century AD scholar who collected them to instruct his son.Stobaeus's anthology offers the only glimpses we have of countless lost Athenian plays: concise, eloquent verses chosen with a father's wisdom. Some fragments spark “aha” moments, others deliver wit or dark humor, and many offer profound moral insight.With this volume, James Romm becomes the first to translate these fragments into verse for English readers. Vividly rendered and elegantly presented, Since You are Mortal . . . is both an ancient and enduring guide to living a thoughtful, virtuous life.He is the author of Since You're Mortal . . .: Life Lessons from the Lost Greek Plays. https://www.jamesromm.com/http://www.yourlotandparcel.orgSupport the show

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 6-5-2026.1900 ADAMS BOULEVARD LA. Jeff Bliss highlights the stark contrast between Seattle's controlled homelessness and the pervasive crisis in Los Angeles. The discussion transitions to California's jungle primary, where late-arriving ballots in the Los Angelesmayoral race show statistically improbable gains for Karen Bass and Nithya Raman, fueling accusations of election irregularities. Jeff Bliss previews the opening of a massive, multi-story In-N-Out Burger in Las Vegas, predicting it will become a celebrity destination similar to Hollywood's historic clubs or New York's Stork Club. He also reflects on a rare 1955 invitation from Walt Disney, noting its role in establishing Disneyland's enduring cultural legacy. Richard Epstein examines the 14th Amendment's opening clause, distinguishing the robust rights of citizens from the conditional privileges of aliens. He argues that naturalization was historically a federal prerogative, noting that early statutes, influenced by Thomas Jefferson, included explicit racial exclusions for persons of African or Asiandescent. Richard Epstein disputes the "plain meaning" application to the 14th Amendment, arguing that "subject to the jurisdiction" requires natural allegiance rather than mere physical presence. Critiquing the Wong Kim Ark ruling, he suggests that children of legal permanent aliens should inherit their parents' status rather than automatic citizenship. Jim McTague reports on the cautious economic sentiment in Lancaster County, where despite falling gas prices, consumers remain budget-conscious. While tourism remains strong at venues like the Sight and Sound Theatre, local officials recently rejected a proposed data center in Columbia due to technicalities and concerns over its utility. Lorenzo Fiori provides an optimistic update on Italy's economy, noting improved employment rates across various demographics. He highlights a landmark legislative shift toward nuclear energy, with small plants planned by 2034. For travelers, he recommends San Miniato, a strategic, less-crowded Tuscan village famous for its white beans. Bob Zimmerman dismisses NASA's sheltering orders on the ISS as an overreaction to routine Russian repair work on the Zvezda module. He details SpaceX's massive IPO, which aims to raise billions, and observes that private space station firms like Axiom and Vast continue to secure significant capital despite SpaceX's market dominance. Bob Zimmerman surveys global spaceport developments, contrasting Spain's investment in French Guiana with the liquidation of the UK's Sutherland facility due to red tape. He debunks claims that the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas is an alien craft and notes that unpredictable sunspot activity continues to defy scientific models. Andrew Bayliss recounts how Pericles provoked the Peloponnesian War by steering Athens toward confrontation with Sparta. He details the Athenian strategy of retreating behind city walls and relying on naval imports, a move that tragically facilitated a devastating plague, claiming thousands of lives, including Pericleshimself. Andrew Bayliss profiles Lysander, a Spartan general of modest origins who secured crucial Persian funding to challenge Athenian naval supremacy. Lysander achieved victory not through direct combat, but by using deception to capture the Athenian fleet while the crews were uncharacteristically casual and off their ships. Andrew Bayliss explores the aftermath of Sparta's victory, noting that Lysander's immense power and ambition ultimately led to his death during a failed siege. Sparta's dominance eventually collapsed at the Battle of Leuctradue to a dwindling citizen population, reducing the once-mighty superpower to a minor village. Andrew Bayliss critiques the modern application of the "Thucydides Trap" to US-China relations, arguing that the original Peloponnesian War was not inevitable. He suggests the conflict was precipitated by specific provocations and accidental circumstances, drawing parallels to the circumstantial outbreak of the First World War. Henry Sokolski warns of China's fast breeder reactor program, which produces super weapons-grade plutonium capable of fueling efficient nuclear triggers. He also notes South Korea's growing interest in developing independent nuclear capabilities and submarines to counter threats from North Korea and China, despite international non-proliferation standards. Henry Sokolski explains the strategic significance of deploying Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA), such as the F-35, to reinforce NATO's nuclear deterrent in Europe. He observes that while Moscow and Beijing oppose these deployments, the aircraft act as vital "glue" for alliances, ensuring that American nuclear guarantees remain credible. Richard Epstein analyzes the Wong Kim Ark decision, arguing that Justice Horace Gray erroneously applied birthright citizenship to the children of ineligible aliens. He further critiques the expansion of the Equal Protection Clause in the 20th century, claiming it was originally intended for criminal matters rather than civil benefits. Richard Epstein discusses the legal complexities of a proposed executive order to end birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens. He highlights the rise of "manufactured citizenship" through birth tourism and predicts the Supreme Court may eventually distinguish between transient visitors and those seeking permanent residency.

Andrew Bayliss profiles Lysander, a Spartan general of modest origins who secured crucial Persian funding to challenge Athenian naval supremacy. Lysander achieved victory not through direct combat, but by using deception to capture the Athenian fleet while the crews were uncharacteristically casual and off their ships.1881 LYSANDER ORDERS THE ATHEN WALLS TORN DOWN.

Andrew Bayliss recounts how Pericles provoked the Peloponnesian War by steering Athens toward confrontation with Sparta. He details the Athenian strategy of retreating behind city walls and relying on naval imports, a move that tragically facilitated a devastating plague, claiming thousands of lives, including Pericles himself.1880 ATHENS

In this episode of Ethnocynology, David chats with friend of the show Dr. Alyce Cannon, who is an expert in classics and dogs in the classical world. The discussion begins with an overview of Alyce's research an ancient Greece and how dogs appear in pottery after the great Athenian plague. Then they begin to discuss Odysseus's dog Argos in Home's Odyssey: his roles, significance, and sad story. And discussed as well as whether or not he will be in the new Christopher Nolan version of the epic poem. Towards the end of the episode, the two discuss dogs and popular media and why the dog always has to die in films, and what this means for the human mind and it's connection to the ancient Classics. Transcripts For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/ethnocynology/38 Links: History of Dog Course davidianhowe.com Davidianhowe.com/store ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet APN Shop Affiliates Motion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why history's greatest Athenian leader may be wildly misunderstood todayWas Pericles really the mastermind behind Athens' Golden Age — or have historians spent centuries exaggerating his importance?In this explosive episode of History Rage, acclaimed classicist and Cambridge professor Paul Cartledge tears apart the modern obsession with “Periclean Athens” and argues that ancient democracy was far more complex than the story of one great man. From the origins of democracy and demagogues to the brutal realities of Athenian politics, this is a fascinating deep dive into Ancient Greece, the Peloponnesian War, Sparta, rhetoric, and political power.Paul explains why Pericles could never have ruled like a dictator, why Athens executed failed politicians, and why modern comparisons between Pericles and modern autocrats completely miss the point. He also explores the cultural mythmaking around the Parthenon, the famous Funeral Oration, and the role of Thucydides in shaping Pericles' legendary reputation.The conversation also shines a spotlight on Aspasia of Miletus — often unfairly dismissed as Pericles' “mistress.” Paul argues passionately that Aspasia was Pericles' intellectual equal and one of the most misunderstood women in ancient history.If you love Ancient Greek history, classical civilisation, democracy, Sparta vs Athens, Greek philosophy, or the politics of historical memory, this episode is essential listening.In this episode:Was Pericles really responsible for Athens' Golden Age?How Athenian democracy actually workedWhy the word “demagogue” changed meaningThe truth about Aspasia of MiletusPericles, Sparta and the outbreak of total warAncient rhetoric and political persuasionWhy historians still argue about Pericles todayPaul Cartledge's book:Pericles: Statesman, Demagogue, EccentricBuy through the History Rage Bookshop:https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781836392002See Paul at Chalke History FestivalPaul is speaking at the on Wednesday 24th June.Tickets available here:https://www.chalkefestival.com/Follow Paul Cartledge:https://www.classics.cam.ac.uk/directory/paul-cartledgeSupport History Rage:If you enjoy the podcast, you can support History Rage on Patreon for bonus content, livestreams, book giveaways and more:https://www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow History Rage:https://historyrage.comhttps://x.com/historyragehttps://www.instagram.com/historyragepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/historyrage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the failed revolt against Persian rule, Cyprus experienced a brief and uneasy calm. But that peace quickly unraveled, as the island was drawn into the heart of the renewed conflict between Athens and Persia, becoming a key battleground in a decades-long imperial struggle. In this episode, we explore the turbulent and often overlooked 5th century BCE in Cypriot history -- the period between the failed Cyprus Revolt and the rise of Evagoras I. Dr. Christian Körner joins the History of Cyprus Podcast once more to help us navigate a challenging historical landscape, where much of what we know comes from fragmentary, Athenian-biased sources like Diodorus and Thucydides. As the Greco-Persian Wars intensify, Cyprus is repeatedly drawn into the conflict. We trace four major Athenian-led campaigns culminating in the death of General Kimon. Were the Athenians seen as liberators or invaders? And is the idea of “freedom” for Greek cities in Cyprus truly about independence -- or merely the exchange of one overlord for another?

CJ decided he needed a break from modern US history as he continues to recover & reset his life, so this is the first episode of a new DHP miniseries set during the Peloponnesian War in 5th century BC Greece. The series will primarily focus on a famous Athenian military expedition to Sicily that occurred right in the middle of that conflict, an expedition that, to CJ, is eerily similar in some ways to the current war with Iran. This first episode, though, is backstory & world-building, setting the stage for the massive, complex & costly Peloponnesian War of 431-404 BC during which the Sicilian expedition occurred. Join CJ as he discusses: A brief overview of ancient Greek history, from the Bronze Age through the Persian invasions of 490 & 480 BC. The growing rivalries & tensions between the Peloponnesian League (led by Sparta) & the Delian League (led by Athens) in the aftermath of the Persian Wars, including Athens’ increasingly aggressive & destabilizing imperialism, & Sparta’s fears about it The rise of Pericles & the construction of the Athenian Long Walls The ‘first’ Peloponnesian War of ~460 BC-445 BC, which ended with a treaty known as “The Thirty Years’ Peace” The rising tensions & conflicts that caused the Thirty Years’ Peace to only last about half as long as it was intended to The ancient Greek historian Thucydides The escalating conflicts that led, in 431 BC, to the outbreak of the Second Peloponnesian War (sometimes just referred to as “The Peloponnesian War”), a conflict that would end up dwarfing the previous war in duration, cost, death & destruction Like this episode? You can throw CJ a $ tip via Paypal here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=D6VUYSYQ4EU6L Throw CJ a $ tip via Venmo here: https://www.venmo.com/u/dangerousmedia Or throw CJ a BTC tip here: bc1qfrz9erz7dqazh9rhz3j7nv696nl52ux8unw79z Amazon Affiliate Links (buy ANYTHING from Amazon using any of these links & CJ gets a small commission at no cost to you!) The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War A War Like No Other: How the Athenians and Spartans Fought the Peloponnesian War by Victor Davis Hanson The Peloponnesian War by Donald Kagan The Life of Greece: The Story of Civilization, Vol. II by Will Durant Links Support the Dangerous History Podcast via Patreon Subscribe to the Dangerous History Podcast Youtube Channel Follow CJ on Twitter/X Follow the DHP on Facebook Hire CJ to speak to your group or at your event Other ways to support the show

I like stories; true stories are the best and can inspire us in our Christian walk.Today, we take a high-level overview of the Battle of Marathon. From this battle, the Athenian hoplites used a two-word flex, “I ran.”As children of God, we don't flex, but we do greatly rejoice at every instance of redemption. We also note that once we suit up in the full armor of God, we pray:“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,” Ephesians 6:13-18We highlight Charles Haddon Spurgeon:Charles Haddon Spurgeon:“No young mother ever rejoiced so much over her first-born child - no warrior was so exultant over a hard won victory. Oh the joy of knowing tat a sinner once at enmity has been reconciled to God by the Holy Spirit, through the words spoken by our feeble lips.”Our So What?Together, let's commit not to “I. Ran.” But “I Prayed” “No young mother ever rejoiced so much over her first-born child - no warrior was so exultant over a hard won victory. Oh the joy of knowing that a sinner once at enmity has been reconciled to God by the Holy Spirit, through the words spoken by our feeble prayers.” (Modified) Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab."What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."Robert Murray M'CheyneAssistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossardwww.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 008 Episode 029

This is a teaser of the bonus episode, "Themistocles Pt 3 found over on Patreon.Themistocles doesn't just “win” the Battle of Salamis, he engineers the conditions that make winning possible. We pick up the story with Athens' high-stakes decision to pour wealth and politics into sea power, expanding to a fleet of triremes that will soon face Xerxes' massive second Persian invasion. Along the way, we talk through how Themistocles steers Athenian thinking, including his influence on how the Oracle of Delphi is understood, and why the Hellenic League's unity is always more fragile than the legend suggests.From Artemisium to Salamis, the episode tracks the ugly mechanics of coalition warfare: commanders who want to withdraw, rival cities protecting their own interests, and a strategy debate that becomes personal. We walk through Themistocles' most important arguments for fighting in narrow waters, his confrontation with the Corinthian commander Adimantus, and the pressure he puts on Eurybiades by reminding everyone that the Athenian fleet is the keystone of Greek defense.Then comes the turning point: when persuasion won't hold the alliance together, Themistocles acts in secret. We unpack the Sicinnus message, how it tempts Xerxes into blocking the straits, and how Aristides' return confirms the trap has closed. The result is a decisive naval victory at Salamis, followed by messy post-battle politics, Themistocles' brief celebrity, and hints of the backlash that soon pushes him into the background until his next dramatic chapter.If you enjoy deep dives on ancient history, Greek strategy, the Persian Wars, and the leadership choices behind famous battles, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the series.Support the show

Athens didn't just lose in Sicily. It ran out of time, ran out of space, and finally ran out of choices. We pick up the story at the moment the expedition is already wobbling, when Nicias can see the danger but can't bring himself to force the clean decision that might save the army. From there, every delay becomes a gift to Syracuse and every half-measure turns into another locked door on the way out.We walk through the campaign's brutal turning points: Syracuse learning fast under pressure, the arrival of Gylippus and the sudden jump in enemy competence, and Demosthenes' desperate night attack on Epipolae that almost works until confusion shatters it. Then the escape window slams shut. An eclipse stops the withdrawal, the Great Harbour becomes a cage, and Athenian naval supremacy is stripped down into a close-quarters brawl that ends with a broken fleet and an army stranded on hostile ground.From the march toward Catana to the collapse at the Asinaris River, we follow Thucydides' stark account of morale, discipline, deception, and fear. We also step back and ask the bigger ancient history questions: is the Sicilian Expedition best explained by Nicias' hesitation, Alcibiades' recall and defection, volatile Athenian democracy, imperial overreach, logistics and geography, enemy adaptation, or sheer contingency like disease and timing? If you care about the Peloponnesian War, military leadership, and how great powers stumble into catastrophe, this is the episode that connects the battlefield to the system behind it. If this helped you see Sicily more clearly, subscribe, share the show with a friend who loves ancient Greece, and leave a review so more listeners can find it. Support the show

Sailor Noob Crystal is the podcast where a Sailor Moon superfan goes episode by episode through the 2014 Sailor Moon reboot series!The Sailor Senshi are now three, and it's time to complete the search for their Princess and the Silver Crystal! Can they swing a victory at a fancy masquerade ball or will the Dark Kingdom dance on their faces?In this episode, Kal talks about the history of magatama in Japan. Plus, being weirdly at sea, rats vs. crows, Athenian propaganda, prequel pitches, The Dark Moonie, going off your wheatcakes, repiloting, Luna C. Cat, Crystal Taco Bell, Bicuriousagi, Silverkingdomchair, Mr. Tsukino thirstposting, "hot, but not to trot", the Moon Crystal pushup, Umino face, tuxedo interruptus, three quarters of Four Kings, the Pluto of precious minerals, a middle-class kofun, and Usagi Famine Watch!Love is the ultimate accessory!Give the gift of a Sailor Noob Patreon subscription to your favorite noob!https://www.patreon.com/sailornoob/giftWe're on iTunes and your listening platform of choice! Please subscribe and give us a rating and a review! Arigato gozaimasu!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sailor-noob/id1486204787Leave us a comment on Spotify!Become a patron of the show and hear our live-action PGSM, Animedification, Utena, Ghibli, and Evangelion podcasts!http://www.patreon.com/sailornoobPut Sailor Noob merch on your body!http://justenoughtrope.threadless.comSailor Noob is a part of the Just Enough Trope podcast network. Check out our other shows about your favorite pop culture topics and join our Discord!http://www.twitter.com/noob_sailorhttp://www.justenoughtrope.comhttp://www.instagram.com/noob_sailorhttps://discord.gg/7E6wUayqBuy us a coffee on Ko-Fi!https://ko-fi.com/justenoughtrope

This week we bring you a special episode from Valerie Pastrana, one of our 2026 Podcast Fellows, who explores ancient Athens as the first democracy, asking where democracy came from, who invented it, and how democratic it really was. Valerie explains that “democracy” (demos + kratos) emerged in late sixth-century BCE Athens but applied only to active male citizens—adult, free, Athenian-born men who completed military training—excluding many residents. Against a backdrop of aristocratic conflict, coups, and crisis, Cleisthenes introduced reforms around 508 BCE to curb elite domination, including a Council of 500 selected by lottery (sortition). The Assembly (ecclesia) met about 40 times a year on the Pynx, with up to 6,000 citizens voting on major decisions and practicing ostracism. Courts (dikasteria) used large citizen juries chosen daily by lottery, with paid jurors and one-day trials. The episode ends with reflection questions and previews a Roman-focused next episode. 00:00 Network Introduction 00:23 Ancient Athens Setup 00:49 What Democracy Means 01:13 Who Counted as People 01:40 Athens Before Reforms 02:25 Cleisthenes Revolution 02:44 Council of 500 Lottery 03:21 Assembly on the Pynx 04:36 Courts and Juries 05:27 Agora Thoughts Reflection Know a student interested in democracy and podcasts? Send them over to our fellowship to apply: https://www.democracygroup.org/fellowship Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fr. Peter George Flynn reads Paul's famous speech to the Athenian philosophers on the Areopagus — the most intellectually demanding moment of his missionary career. He unpacks Paul's brilliant rhetorical move: using the altar to the Unknown God as his opening, quoting the Greeks' own poets, and arguing that what their best thinkers were groping […] L'articolo Catechesis – St Paul at the Areopagus: What Went Wrong? – Fr Peter George Flynn OFMConv proviene da Radio Maria.

Glad to have you listening with us today! I've been interested in reading the Harvard Classics, and plan to share a few stories from each volume as I go. This is Volume one, containing multiple ancient philosophies, and here we will focus on one in particular. Today I will read you a bit of the classic writing that is actually pretty interesting and fun to read. This is The Apology of Socrates, written by his student Plato. Socrates was a great philosopher, who very much annoyed everyone. Everyone except his students at least. The Apology, is an apology in the classical sense meaning a defense of, so this is Socrates defending himself in the Athenian court of Law, with his life on the line. I hope you enjoy!We hope you enjoy this sneak peak, and as always if you enjoy the story then we invite you to visit your local library and ask them to reserve it for you! If you can't find it at your library, then you will want to follow my Project Gutenberg guide, so please check it out to learn more!- Check out the Library Systems official website where you can find links to free resources, school and career guides, and news about our upcoming events! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pawls.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on YouTube and enjoy our backlog of digital story hours and other great content! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@pawls365⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Original background track is The Talons Of Adventure, The Antlers Of Romance by Doctor Turtle, music from the freemusicarchive.orghttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Doctor_Turtle/none_given_1561/Doctor_Turtle_-_You_Um_Ill_Ah1/The Talons Of Adventure, The Antlers Of Romance by Doctor Turtle is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.Alterations were made by us to make it fit the length of our content.#library #books #pawlskids #kidsstorytime

An Athenian theater director discusses drama's role as a building block of civil society since ancient times, and recommends some Greek destinations that are especially fascinating for the theatrically inclined. Then a pair of tour guides offer their picks for lesser-known Greek islands that promise a break from the bustle and expense of tourist centers such as Mykonos and Santorini. And an outdoor enthusiast lets us in on the wisdom of finding a good home base to unlace your boots on a multi-day European hiking trip. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

“History is really interesting because it's about people. And people are interesting. So there are plenty of different ways of doing this, and I think there's room for everybody.” — Adrian Goldsworthy The greatest rivalry in antiquity is also uncomfortably relevant to us today. In Athens and Sparta: The Rivalry That Shaped Ancient Greece, the classical scholar Adrian Goldsworthy covers the long fifth century BC, from the Persian Wars that forced Athens and Sparta into alliance, through the Peloponnesian War that set them against each other. The parallels of the rivalry between Sparta and Athens are uncannily relevant today. Goldsworthy traces the NATO-like structure of the Athenian alliance, with its familiar complaint that the allies weren't paying enough. He notes that Athens, which outgrew its ability to grow its own food, had to secure its grain supply from the Black Sea — in the same way as closing the Straits of Hormuz has disrupted modern supply chains. And he observes that the Spartans won the Peloponnesian War by getting Persian money — while the Athenians were doing exactly the same thing. Persia, he notes, is always lurking in the background. There would be no “west” without it. Five Takeaways •       Athens and Sparta: Two Experiments, One Greek Longing: Both city states were driven by the same competitive Greek impulse — the desire to excel, to be the best. But they ran radically different experiments in how to achieve it. Athens: radical democracy, open society, maritime empire, philosophy, drama. Sparta: apartheid military state, in which a tiny Spartan elite was freed from all labour by a vast population of helots, so that they could devote their entire lives to being warriors and citizens. Two models for a polity that still structure political argument today. •       Thucydides: Essential but Embittered: The History of the Peloponnesian War is the essential source — and the problematic one. Thucydides was an Athenian general who failed to save a city from a Spartan-led force and went into exile as a result. He is analytical and apparently balanced in ways that seem modern. But he cannot hide his biases: the demagogue Cleon gets speeches written for him that make him look like a self-interested buffoon. And his silences are as revealing as his words — large events, including an Athenian disaster in Egypt, are mentioned only vaguely. He tells us what he wants to tell. •       The NATO Parallel: They Weren't Paying Enough: The Delian League — the Athenian alliance that emerged after the Persian Wars — has a structural similarity to NATO that Goldsworthy notes carefully. Athens, like the United States, is the dominant naval power that has mobilised for a great threat and then chosen not to demobilise. The allies, like European NATO members in successive administrations' complaints, weren't willing to send ships or men. They'd just send a bit of cash. The Athenian fleet ends up overwhelmingly Athenian. As the threat recedes, the other states increasingly resent the protection they're receiving from it. •       Persia Is Always There: The Spartans won the Peloponnesian War by securing subsidies from the Persian Empire. The Athenians were doing the same thing. The irony: both sides of the Greek world's greatest internal conflict ended up funded by the barbarian power they had united to defeat a generation earlier. Goldsworthy draws the modern parallel delicately: America is now fighting a war in Iran, once known as Persia. Europe chose not to join. The question of who Persia is in any given age is always live. Persia, he says, is always there. It always has been. •       Athens as a Theme Park: The Roman Legacy: In the Roman period, Athens and Sparta became what Goldsworthy calls “university cities or, in Sparta's case, a theme park.” Sparta, having lost any real military or political power, invented a public performance of its old customs — a tourist attraction for Roman visitors who wanted to see the old ways enacted. Athens was a university town for the Roman elite, whose children went there as we might go to Oxford. What we think we know about classical Greece is partly filtered through this late antique nostalgia — a celebration of how great we used to be. About the Guest Adrian Goldsworthy is a historian, novelist, and YouTuber with a DPhil from Oxford. He is the author of Athens and Sparta: The Rivalry That Shaped Ancient Greece (Basic Books, May 12, 2026), Caesar: Life of a Colossus, Augustus: First Emperor of Rome, How Rome Fell, Philip and Alexander, Rome and Persia, and many other books. He lives in Penarth, South Wales. References: •       Athens and Sparta: The Rivalry That Shaped Ancient Greece by Adrian Goldsworthy (Basic Books, May 12, 2026). •       Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War — the essential and problematic source, discussed at length. •       Episode 2897: Patrick Wyman on Lost Worlds — directly referenced in the interview as a contrasting style of history. •       Episode 2892: Jason Pack on the Iran war — the companion episode on the modern Persian conflict, referenced in the interview. About Keen On America Nobody asks more awkward questions than the Anglo-American writer and filmmaker Andrew Keen. In Keen On America, Andrew brings his pointed Transatlantic wit to making sense of the United States — hosting daily interviews about the history and future of this now venerable Republic. With nearly 2,900 episodes since the show launched on TechCrunch in 2010, Keen On America is the most prolific intellectual interview show in the history of podcasting. WebsiteSubstackYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotify Chapters: 

While we didn't have too much difficulty with today's crossword, there were a few clues that made us pause and wonder. We were intrigued by 42D, Seven-stringed instrument that gave the guitar its name, KITHARA; awed by the memorable 11D, Prolifically posting about one's kids online, in a neologism, SHARENTING; and dutifully impressed by 4D, September to April, in the oyster industry, RMONTHS.All in all, another fine crossword by Simeon Siegel.Show note imagery: DRACO, an Athenian lawyer responsible for some highly draconian laws.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Diodorus Siculus was a 1st-century BCE Greek historian from Agyrium in Sicily who wrote during the late Roman Republic. His most famous work, the Bibliotheca historica ("Historical Library"), is a massive universal history in 40 books that aimed to chronicle the world's history from mythological times to his own era. In this excerpt, we hear of Cimon, a well-known Athenian general from the 5th century BCE, who helped expand Athens' power in the eastern Mediterranean. His connection to Cyprus comes from his final campaign in 450 BCE, when he led an expedition to free the island from Persian control. He died during the siege of Citium (now Larnaca), but his forces later won a naval battle near Salamis, Cyprus, before returning home. In my next episode, I welcome back Dr. Christian Korner Dr. Christian Körner to discuss Cyprus in the 5th century!

Dr. Roel Konijnendijk, the Darby Fellow in Ancient History at Lincoln College, at the University of Oxford, joins Lexie to examine psychological warfare and imperial brutality in antiquity, citing Persian punishment of Miletus and Athens and Athenian reprisals, explore Greek ambivalence about war's glory and horror, myth-bust Sparta as less uniquely militarist than popularly imagined, and look at reenactment as experiential rather than evidentiary. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week's exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Bluesky, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com! Originally recorded July 8, 2025. Learn more about Dr. Konijnendijk: https://lincoln.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-roel-konijnendijk/ Follow him on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/roelkonijn.bsky.social Follow him on Twitter: https://x.com/Roelkonijn Get updates on his Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions: https://www.askhistorians.com/amas Custom music by Brent Arehart of Arehart Sounds and edited by Dan Maday. Want a transcript of the episode? Email us at theozymandiasprojectpodcast@gmail.com and we can provide one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Glad to have you listening with us today! I've been interested in reading the Harvard Classics, and plan to share a few stories from each volume as I go. This is Volume one, containing multiple ancient philosophies, and here we will focus on one in particular. Today I will read you a bit of the classic writing that is actually pretty interesting and fun to read. This is The Apology of Socrates, written by his student Plato. Socrates was a great philosopher, who very much annoyed everyone. Everyone except his students at least. The Apology, is an apology in the classical sense meaning a defense of, so this is Socrates defending himself in the Athenian court of Law, with his life on the line. I hope you enjoy!We hope you enjoy this sneak peak, and as always if you enjoy the story then we invite you to visit your local library and ask them to reserve it for you! If you can't find it at your library, then you will want to follow my Project Gutenberg guide, so please check it out to learn more!- Check out the Library Systems official website where you can find links to free resources, school and career guides, and news about our upcoming events! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pawls.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Follow us on YouTube and enjoy our backlog of digital story hours and other great content! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@pawls365⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Original background track is The Talons Of Adventure, The Antlers Of Romance by Doctor Turtle, music from the freemusicarchive.orghttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Doctor_Turtle/none_given_1561/Doctor_Turtle_-_You_Um_Ill_Ah1/The Talons Of Adventure, The Antlers Of Romance by Doctor Turtle is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.Alterations were made by us to make it fit the length of our content.#library #books #pawlskids #kidsstorytime

IntroductionThis guide covers the four Revised Common Lectionary readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A (May 10, 2026). Ascension Thursday falls four days later (May 14), and these texts are shaped by the awareness that Jesus is preparing to leave — and that what he leaves behind is not a void but a presence. Acts shows the gospel reaching into Athens. The psalm testifies to coming through hard places intact. First Peter calls the church to be ready to explain its hope. And John 14 promises the Spirit to people who are afraid of being left alone.From Art in the Christian Tradition, Vanderbilt Lectionary PageThe ReadingsActs 17:22–31The First Lesson — Paul at the AreopagusSummaryStanding before the Areopagus in Athens, Paul addresses a sophisticated audience of philosophers and civic leaders. He opens by observing that the Athenians are clearly a religious people — he even found an altar inscribed ‘To an Unknown God.' That unknown God, he says, is the one he has come to tell them about. This God made the world and everything in it, does not live in human-built temples, and does not need anything from us — God is the one who gives life and breath to all people. God made every nation from one source and set their boundaries, so that people might search for God, who is never actually far from any of us. Paul quotes their own poets: ‘In him we live and move and have our being,' and ‘We are his offspring.' If that is true, then God cannot be represented by gold or silver or stone carved by human hands. God has overlooked times of ignorance, but now calls all people everywhere to turn around, because a day of judgment is coming — appointed through a man God raised from the dead. At that, some laugh, some want to hear more, and a few believe.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The Sixth Sunday of Easter falls just before Ascension, and this reading from Acts, while jumping ahead in the timeline a bit, bridges the two: it shows the gospel already moving outward into the wider world, beyond the familiar territory of Jerusalem and Judea. Paul is standing in the intellectual capital of the ancient world and holding his own. We may want to use this as a moment to reflect on what it means for faith to travel into unfamiliar places.2. Paul finds common ground before he makes his central claim. He does not begin by telling the Athenians what they are missing — he starts with what they have already built and what they are already reaching toward. That approach is worth examining as a posture for the church's engagement with people outside it.3. The description of God in this passage is notable for what it does not say as much as what it does. God needs nothing, is not confined to a building, and is closer to every human being than they realize. This is a picture of God that many in a congregation may not have fully absorbed. A sermon could simply dwell in it.4. The mixed response at the end — mockery, curiosity, belief — is a realistic picture of how proclamation lands in the world. Not every sermon ends with a packed altar call. As preachers, we may need to remind ourselves — and help congregations hold this reality — with some peace rather than treating every unresolved response as a failure.Significant Cautions⚠ This passage overlaps significantly with last week's NL reading (Acts 17:16–31 is the same text). Preachers who used the Narrative Lectionary last Sunday should be aware their congregation has just heard this passage. Consider either going deeper into a specific element they did not explore, or framing the repetition as an opportunity to return to something worth sitting with longer.⚠ Paul's opening compliment about Athenian religiosity has limits — he goes on to call them to turn from what they have built toward the God he is proclaiming. Preachers should hold both moves together rather than presenting Paul as simply affirming whatever spiritual seeking people are doing.⚠ The phrase ‘times of ignorance God overlooked' needs care. It is not a blanket dismissal of all religious life outside Christianity, but it does signal that Paul sees this moment as a turning point rather than a continuation of business as usual. There is truth, even truth about God, that can be learned outside of our religious traditions.Psalm 66:8–20The Psalm — Tested, Tried, and Brought ThroughSummaryThis portion of Psalm 66 shifts from a call to general praise into something more personal and hard-won. The speaker describes a period of severe testing — God allowed the community to be burdened, passed through fire and water, and brought to what felt like a breaking point. But they came through to a spacious place. The psalmist then moves to personal testimony: I cried out to God, and God listened. If I had held on to anything wrong in my heart, God would not have heard — but God did hear, and did not take away steadfast love. The psalm closes with praise for a God who kept listening.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The testing described in this psalm is not metaphorical softness — it involves being ridden over, fire, and flood. This is real hardship, and the psalm does not apologize for naming it. We may use this as an opening for honest conversation about seasons of life that feel like they are breaking something in us.2. The movement from ‘you brought us through' to ‘I cried out and was heard' — from communal memory to personal testimony — mirrors what often happens in a healthy congregation. Corporate faith provides the framework; personal experience fills it in. Both matter, and neither replaces the other.3. The conditional in verse 18 — ‘if I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened' — is worth addressing carefully. It is not a claim that only morally perfect people get heard. It is an observation that a life turned deliberately away from God is also a life turned away from the relationship that makes prayer possible.4. The phrase ‘brought us out to a spacious place' is one of the most evocative images in the Psalter for what deliverance feels like. It is not just relief — it is room. We can use this image to describe what life on the other side of a hard season can look like.Significant Cautions⚠ Verse 18 — about God not hearing those who cherish wrongdoing — has been used harmfully to tell people whose prayers seem unanswered that they must have some hidden sin. That is a pastoral minefield. The psalm is a personal expression of gratitude, not a theological formula for how prayer works.⚠ The testing in this psalm is framed as something God allowed or even directed. That raises honest questions about theodicy that, as preachers, we should not sidestep or resolve too quickly. It is fine to acknowledge that the psalm holds this tension without resolving it neatly.⚠ The call to ‘bless our God' at the opening of this section can feel jarring if a congregation is in the middle of the fire rather than on the other side of it. Preachers should be aware that not everyone in the room is at the thanksgiving end of this psalm's arc.1 Peter 3:13–22The Epistle — Ready to Give a Reason for Your HopeSummaryThe letter addresses people who are vulnerable — outsiders in their communities, prone to mistreatment for no good reason. The writer asks: who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if they do, you are blessed for it. Do not be frightened. Instead, set Christ apart as holy in your heart, and be ready at any moment to give anyone who asks a clear, gentle account of the hope that lives in you. Keep your conscience clear so that those who slander you will be put to shame. It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong. Christ himself suffered once for sins — the just person for the unjust — to bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit. The passage ends with a reference to Noah and the flood, connecting that rescue through water to baptism, which the writer describes not as the removal of dirt but as an appeal to God from a clear conscience, made possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The phrase ‘always be ready to give an account of the hope that is in you' is one of the most practical calls in the New Testament. Many people in a congregation have never been asked to articulate what they actually hope in, or why. We can use this as an opportunity to help the congregation practice that clarity — not as a debate technique, but as an honest personal testimony.2. The instruction to give that account ‘with gentleness and respect' is often overlooked. The call to be ready is not a call to be aggressive or combative. The manner of the answer is part of the witness. We can explore what it looks like to speak about faith in a way that invites rather than shuts down.3. The passage puts suffering for doing right in the context of Christ's own suffering. This is not abstract — the writer is speaking to people who know what it is to be mistreated for no good reason. The solidarity offered here is not a philosophical argument but a shared experience.4. The Noah and baptism connection at the end of the passage is compressed and a little hard to follow, but the key idea is worth lifting out: what saves is not the water itself but the resurrection of Jesus, to which the water points. Baptism is described as an appeal — a turning toward God. We can use this to open up what baptism means in practice for people who were baptized long ago and may not think of it often.Significant Cautions⚠ The question ‘who will harm you if you are eager to do good?' can sound naive to people who have experienced serious harm despite living with integrity — victims of injustice, discrimination, or abuse. We need to acknowledge this rather than letting the verse imply that right living guarantees protection (the Job Principle).⚠ Like last week's epistle text, this passage has a complicated history of being used to demand passive endurance from people in genuinely harmful situations. The same cautions apply: this is not a command to remain in danger. Naming that history explicitly can be a pastoral gift.⚠ The Noah passage has been used in Christian history to make exclusivist claims about who gets saved — only eight people, and so on. I think we should resist this reading. The writer's point is not about the narrowness of rescue but about its reality and about what it points toward.⚠ The reference to Christ preaching to spirits in prison is one of the most debated passages in the New Testament. Preachers do not need to resolve what it means, but they should not pretend it says something it does not. It is fine to acknowledge the difficulty honestly and keep the focus on the surrounding text.John 14:15–21The Gospel — The Promise of the SpiritSummaryThis passage continues Jesus' farewell conversation with his disciples on the night before his death. He tells them that if they love him, they will keep his commandments — and he will ask the Father to give them another Advocate who will be with them forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees nor knows the Spirit. But the disciples know the Spirit, because the Spirit lives with them and will be in them. Jesus then says something that sounds paradoxical: he is going away, but he is also coming back. He is not going to leave them as orphans. On that coming day, they will know that Jesus is in the Father, they are in Jesus, and Jesus is in them. The passage closes with a restatement of the love-obedience connection: whoever has and keeps Jesus' commandments is the one who loves him, and that person will be loved by the Father and by Jesus himself, who will make himself known to them.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The word translated ‘Advocate' or ‘Comforter' or ‘Helper' (depending on the translation) is the Greek word paraclete — literally, one called alongside. The image is of someone who comes to stand next to you in a difficult situation. We can explore what it means in practice to live as though that presence is real and active.2. Jesus says he will not leave them as orphans. That word — orphans — is striking in this context. It captures the specific terror of being left without the primary person who oriented your life. This is the emotional reality Jesus is addressing, and it is one many people in the congregation may know in various forms.3. The connection between love and obedience in this passage runs both ways: love leads to keeping Jesus' commands, and keeping his commands is itself the expression of love. This is not about earning anything — it is about the natural relationship between genuine love and the way it shapes behavior. Preachers can help the congregation feel the difference between obedience as duty and obedience as the overflow of a real relationship.4. The mutual indwelling described at the end — Jesus in the Father, believers in Jesus, Jesus in them — is one of John's central images for what resurrection life looks like. It is not a distant, transactional relationship. It is something more like being woven into one another. This image can do real pastoral work for people who experience faith as mostly external obligation.Significant Cautions⚠ The love-obedience connection has been used to make people feel that any struggle or failure in keeping Jesus' commands is evidence that they do not really love him. That reading turns the passage into a source of shame rather than invitation. The context is encouragement, not accusation — Jesus is promising the Spirit precisely because he knows his followers will need help.⚠ The statement that the world cannot receive the Spirit because it does not see or know the Spirit should not be used to draw a sharp line between insiders and outsiders in a way that produces contempt for those outside the church. The passage is about the disciples' particular relationship with the Spirit, not a verdict on everyone else.⚠ The ‘coming back' Jesus describes in this passage is not straightforwardly about the second coming. In John's Gospel it more likely refers to the post-resurrection appearances and/or the coming of the Spirit. Watch out for confident claims about eschatological timelines.Thematic ConnectionsAll four texts this week are, in different ways, about what sustains people when familiar support is removed or threatened. Paul speaks to people whose religious frameworks offer them something real but incomplete. The psalmist has come through fire and flood and has a story to tell about it. First Peter speaks to scattered, vulnerable people and tells them to hold their hope clearly and gently, ready to name it when asked. And John 14 speaks directly to the fear of being left — promising that what comes next is not abandonment but a new and closer kind of presence.John 14:15–21 is the natural preaching center this week, especially with Ascension approaching. The promise of the Spirit — the one who comes alongside, who will not leave the disciples as orphans — is exactly the word that the season calls for. But First Peter's practical charge to be ready to give a gentle account of one's hope is an equally powerful angle, especially for congregations who want to think carefully about how they talk about faith with people outside the church. Either text rewards a sermon that takes its time.Narrative LectionaryIntroductionThis guide covers the Narrative Lectionary reading for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year 4 (May 10, 2026). The primary text is from Paul's letter to the Philippians — one of the warmest and most personal letters in the New Testament. Paul is in prison when he writes it, and he opens by telling the Philippians how grateful he is for their partnership with him in the work of the gospel. Even his imprisonment has turned out to be good news of a kind, and he finds himself genuinely glad no matter what. The supplemental text from Luke 9 gives a sharp image from Jesus about what greatness looks like in the kingdom of God — it looks like a child.The ReadingPhilippians 1:1–18aThe Primary Text — Partnership in the GospelSummaryPaul writes from prison — we do not know exactly which one — to the congregation at Philippi, a community he clearly loves. He opens with warmth and unusual candor: every time he thinks of them, he gives thanks. He is confident that the good work God began in them will keep going until the day of Christ. He holds them in his heart, and he longs for them with something that sounds almost like homesickness. He prays that their love will keep growing in knowledge and discernment, so they can tell what really matters and arrive at the day of Christ full and unblemished.Then Paul gets honest about his situation. His imprisonment, far from shutting down the gospel, has actually spread it — the whole imperial guard has heard about Christ, and other believers have been emboldened to speak more freely. There are people preaching Christ out of goodwill toward Paul, and there are others doing it out of rivalry, trying to stir up trouble for him while he is stuck in prison. But Paul does not seem to care much about their motives. Christ is being proclaimed, he says, and in that he rejoices.Key Ideas for Preaching1. The tone of this letter from the very first lines is worth naming. Paul is in prison. His situation is objectively bad. And he opens by saying he gives thanks every time he thinks of the Philippians, that he holds them in his heart, that he longs for them. This is not forced positivity — it is a picture of what genuine community does for a person in a hard place. Preachers can open up the question of what it means to be the kind of congregation that someone in trouble thinks of with that kind of warmth.2. Paul's confidence that God will complete what God began is stated simply and without qualification. He is not worried about the Philippians' spiritual state. He trusts that the God who started something in them will see it through. Preachers can explore what it looks like to hold people in that kind of faith — not anxiously checking whether they are keeping up, but trusting that God is at work in them even when you cannot see it.3. The imprisonment has spread the gospel rather than stopped it. The whole imperial guard knows about Christ because of Paul's chains. This is a striking reversal — the attempt to silence him has given him a captive audience. Preachers can use this to explore the theme, repeated across Acts and the epistles, that what looks like a setback for the church often turns out to be a door.4. Paul's response to people preaching Christ out of bad motives is remarkable: as long as Christ is proclaimed, he is glad. He does not pursue the rivals or try to correct them from prison. He chooses to focus on what is actually happening — the name of Jesus is getting out — rather than on the impurity of some people's intentions. This is a mature and somewhat counterintuitive posture, worth examining honestly with a congregation.5. The prayer in verses 9–11 is one of the most beautiful in Paul's letters. He prays not that the Philippians will be protected or comfortable, but that their love will grow in knowledge and discernment — that they will be able to tell what really matters. That is a prayer worth sitting with. What would it look like for a congregation to grow in that specific kind of wisdom?Significant Cautions⚠ The joy and gratitude in this letter can be preached in a way that makes suffering sound easy if you just have the right attitude. Paul's joy is real, but it is the product of deep relationship with God and with this community — it is not a technique anyone can simply adopt. Preachers should present it as a witness to what is possible rather than a standard people are failing to meet.⚠ The people preaching from rivalry and selfish ambition are a real presence in this passage. Paul dismisses their motives but celebrates their message getting out. Preachers should not use this as a blanket endorsement of any and all Christian proclamation regardless of how it is done. Paul is making a specific observation about his specific situation — he is not saying that motives never matter.⚠ The confidence that God will complete what God began can become a way of avoiding accountability — if God is going to finish it anyway, why does anything we do matter? That is not Paul's intent. (cf. “God forbid” in Romans 6.) His prayer for growing love and discernment assumes that the Philippians have real work to do. God's faithfulness and human responsibility sit alongside each other in this letter without one canceling the other.Luke 9:46–48The Supplemental Text — Greatness and the ChildSummaryThe disciples have been arguing about which of them is the greatest. Jesus, knowing what they are thinking, takes a small child and stands the child beside him. Whoever welcomes this child in my name, he says, welcomes me — and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Then comes the line that turns the argument upside down: the one who is least among all of you is the one who is great.Key Ideas for Preaching1. Placed alongside Paul's letter to the Philippians, this passage reframes what Paul's partnership and humility actually look like in practice. Paul is grateful, generous with his affection, and completely uninterested in asserting his own status in this letter. The disciples are arguing about rank. The supplemental text makes the contrast sharp: the way of the kingdom runs in the opposite direction from the way of competition.2. The child in this passage is not a symbol of innocence or charm — in the ancient world, a child had no social status whatsoever. Welcoming a child meant extending care to someone who could give you nothing in return. That is the act Jesus holds up as the measure of greatness. Preachers can use this to ask who the equivalent of that child might be in the congregation's own context.Significant Cautions⚠ The image of the child can easily slide into sentimentality — a cute child as a feel-good illustration. The passage is actually quite pointed. It is addressed to people who are in a dispute about their own importance. Preachers should let the sharpness of the original moment come through rather than softening it into a general lesson about being kind to children.⚠ The phrase ‘the least among all of you is the greatest' has been used to romanticize powerlessness — as if suffering itself confers spiritual status, or as if people with no power should be content with their situation because they are actually the greatest. That is a distortion. Jesus is speaking to people with power about how to use it. He is not telling people who are already marginalized that they should be grateful for their position.Thematic ConnectionsBoth texts this week describe what a life shaped by genuine partnership and genuine humility actually looks and feels like. Paul in prison is more concerned with the Philippians' flourishing than with his own circumstances. He rejoices when Christ is proclaimed even by people who mean him harm. He prays not for his own release but that his friends' love will keep growing in depth and discernment. The disciples argue about who is the greatest, and Jesus answers by standing a powerless child in the middle of them. These texts hold together a vision of community where status is not the organizing principle — love and welcome are.The Philippians passage is substantial enough to anchor the sermon entirely. Paul's joy from prison is one of the most compelling images in the New Testament, and there is more than enough in verses 1–18a for a full message. The Luke text works best as a brief bookend — either opening with the disciples' argument to frame what kind of community Paul is describing, or closing with Jesus' answer to let it land as a final image. Either way, the two texts together press the same question: what does it look like to care more about others' flourishing than about your own standing? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lectionarypro.substack.com/subscribe

Athens is the greatest naval power in Greece, yet in Sicily it starts to feel helpless. We pick up the story at the moment Nicias sends a careful, politically protective message home and the Athenian Assembly hears what it wants to hear: send more ships, send more men, and force victory. That decision to double down shapes everything that follows, because it gives Syracuse and Gylippus time to do what Athens assumes no one can do, learn fast enough to beat the Athenian navy.We walk through how the Syracusans adapt their triremes and tactics for the cramped waters of the Great Harbor, where classic Athenian maneuver warfare matters less than brute collisions, grappling, and discipline under pressure. Demosthenes arrives with major reinforcements and tries to end the campaign with an immediate strike, including a daring night assault on Epipolae. Thucydides' account of the darkness, the noise, and the sudden collapse into confusion makes the disaster feel personal, not abstract, and it pushes the generals into a brutal debate: withdraw now while the sea is still open, or stay and gamble on uncertain intelligence and political cover.Then fate, religion, and timing collide when a lunar eclipse delays a secret departure, exposing Athenian intentions and letting Syracuse close the trap. From there the narrative accelerates into the decisive naval battles, the death of Eurymedon, a blockade at the harbor mouth, and a final desperate attempt to break free with improvised “Iron Hands” designed for close-quarters combat. The end result is not just a tactical loss but a morale collapse so complete that crews refuse to man the ships again.If you want the Sicilian Expedition explained with clear stakes, leadership lessons, and vivid ancient naval warfare details, press play. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend who loves history, and leave a review so more listeners can find the series. Support the show

New Guest Expert! On this week's Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Nicholas D. Smith about Athens, the Peloponnesian War, Socrates and so much more. Author of many books on ancient Greek philosophy and contemporary epistemology, Professor Smith dives deep into Athenian life and shares some exciting and controversial views about the life and death of Socrates. Afterwards, Patreon subscribers can revisit the board with Fact Checker Faryn Einhorn and producer Clayton Early to see if the verdict holds up. Not on Patreon yet?! Click below and join us!Join our Patreon!Tell us who you think is to blame at http://thealarmistpodcast.comEmail us at thealarmistpodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @thealarmistpodcastFollow us on TikTok @thealarmistpodcastSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/alarmist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the Athenian criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime (and who didn't exist) and the district attorneys (there were none of these either), who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories. Dun dun. This week the guys take a close look, complete with dramatic reading of a cross-examination, at the rough-and-tumble world of late 5th century Athens and her notorious cutthroat law courts. On the menu is Against Eratosthenes, the most famous oration of Lysias, a resident alien (metic), who became wealthy as a hired gun speechwriter (logographer). Following the end of the Peloponnesian War, Sparta installed a brief and brutal aristocratic regime known as the Thirty Tyrants. These ruffians proceeded to murder many metics, including Lysias' brother Polemarchus (their father Kephalus makes a favorable cameo in Plato's Republic). Now, Lysias impeaches one of those tyrants, Eratosthenes, in a bid to get justice for his dead brother. Can he use his lean, unadorned style, and brilliant character portrayal (ethopoeia) to balance the scales? Also: Celebrate Rome's birthday today! Use coupon code ROME2779 at latinperdiem.com for 20% off any Latin class.

A legend of the great Greek city of Athens, Themistocles rose from obscurity to save ancient Greece and helped shape one of the greatest naval powers in history. Yet his story ends in exile, condemned as a traitor and serving the very empire he once defeated: Persia.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Michael Scott to explore the extraordinary life of Themistocles. Together Tristan and Michael delve into the political intrigue of early Athenian democracy, charting Themistocles' dramatic rise and equally dramatic fall. How did he persuade Athens to invest in its fleet and defeat Persia's great navy? Why did his career end in disgrace? And how did this architect of Greek victory ultimately find himself in the service of the Persian Empire, the very enemy he swore to destroy?MOREHow to Party Like an Ancient Greek:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyThe Persian Wars: Xerxes, Thermopylae and Salamis:Listen on AppleListen on Spotify Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailTwo ways to support the show and unlock bonus episodes:Download and subscribe to Ekho: ancientlanguage.com/ekho/Subscribe to New Humanists+ for bonus episodes: buzzsprout.com/1791279/subscribePlato's Academy was not just a philosophic debating society. It was, in the words of the historian H.I Marrou, "a seminary that provided councillors and law-givers for republics and reigning sovereigns." The Academy was small, elite, and functioned like a fraternity whose members could take concerted political action. But creating a secret society of philosopher-politicians was probably not Plato's original goal. He was born into a reactionary clique of the Athenian aristocracy which had attempted to destroy democracy and refound the city on Spartan political forms. But the defeat of his cousin Critias and the rest of the Thirty Tyrants destroyed this political movement and gave a permanent ascendancy to democracy in Athens. With no place left in Athens for his politics, the execution of Socrates, and the subsequent failure of Plato's own efforts to turn tyrants in other cities into philosophers, he settled for the philosophic education of the young as a form of "politics in exile."In doing so, Plato became one of the "masters of the classical tradition" alongside Isocrates, in the sense that both figures laid out the forms, content, and priorities education in the West would take in antiquity thenceforth. Plato's educational vision is on the one hand quite conservative, preserving the musical and gymnastic education for the young which the "old Athenian education" had centered upon, but also revolutionary in ultimately envisioning a complete transformation of society in order to be fully instantiated.In this episode of New Humanists, Jonathan and Ryan discuss H.I. Marrou's chapter on Plato in the study "A History of Education in Antiquity."H.I. Marrou's A History of Education in Antiquity: https://bookshop.org/a/25626/9780299088149Plato's Republic: https://bookshop.org/a/25626/9780465094080Plato's Laws: https://bookshop.org/a/25626/9780226671109NH episode on Martin Luther's "To the Councilmen of All Cities in Germany": https://www.buzzsprout.com/1791279/episodes/13419426New Humanists is brought to you by the Ancient Language Institute: https://ancientlanguage.com/Links may have referral codes, which earn us a commission at no additional cost to you. We encourage you, when possible, to use Bookshop.org for your book purchases, an online bookstore which supports local bookstores.Music: Save Us Now by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comSupport the show

He is also called 'Mark the Athenian' because he was born in Athens. When his parents died, he pondered the transience of all earthly things, gave his goods to the poor, and embarked on a plank in the sea, asking God to lead him wherever He desired. By God's providence, Mark was cast up on the shores of Libya, where he settled as a hermit on a mountain called Trache. (Some say it was in Ethiopia, but this seems less likely.) There he lived for ninety-five years, never seeing another human being.   Saint Serapion visited him before his death and recorded his life. Serapion asked Mark if there were any Christians whose faith was so great that they could say to a mountain 'Get up and cast yourself into the sea,' and it would be so. Immediately the mountain on which they stood began to move like a wave, but Mark raised his hand and stilled it.   On his deathbed, St Mark prayed for the salvation of all men and gave up his soul to God. Saint Serapion saw an angel carrying Mark's soul, and a hand extended from heaven to receive it. Saint Mark was about 130 years old when he reposed.

Welcome to AthCastMusic, the music of Athens,Georgia now and then. My name is Marlene SokolStewart, and this is my podcast. Hello, hello,hello, everyone. I hope everyone's doing well.It's been crazy flying around this country withthe TSA crap going on, but... We made it backto Athens fine and I made it here to record thisepisode and I'm very happy about that becausemy guest today is Randall Bramblett and he isa fine, fine musician and an Athenian still ashe moved here in 1970. And he's still here. Myconversation was great. It was just great. RandallBramblett is a singer, songwriter, and multi - instrumentalist,born in Jesup, Georgia, but based in Athens,Georgia. His music is rooted in south funk, blues, R &B, psychedelic punk, jazz, and wherever the hell else he wants to go. His music spans a careerof solo work, collaborations, and being the leaderof the band. He played with the Allman Brothers,Steve Winwood, Bonnie Raitt, Sea Level, WidespreadPanic, Levon Helm, the Atlanta Rhythm section,Delbert McClinton, Betty LeVette, you name it.Because there's just too many people to list.It really is phenomenal what this man has accomplished.He went to UNC with the intent to major in psychologyand to join the seminary. But that was not tobe after hearing artists like James Taylor, CaroleKing, and Bob Dylan and thinking, you know what,I probably could do this. Once he abandoned thatpathway, he moved to Athens to write songs and see how it would carry him. It led to much more than songwriting. It led to a plethora of creativitythat couldn't be stopped. His music continuesto grow like grapes on a vine, always tastingdifferent and always depending on the weather.He probably says yes, too many times and playswherever time will take him. We talked about beginning his music, when he went to UNC, how he got involved with Sea Level, Steve Winwoodand some of these other artists and just howhis life has been since he started this wonderful journey. So here is my lovely conversationwith Randall Bramblett.

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: Athens Market Miracle: Marina's Festival Triumph Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2026-03-30-07-38-19-ca Story Transcript:Ca: Els rajos del sol de primavera il·luminaven l'efervescent mercat d'Atenes antiga.En: The rays of the spring sun illuminated the bustling market of ancient Athens.Ca: El mercat bullia de vitalitat.En: The market was teeming with vitality.Ca: La multitud avançava entre els estands plens de mercaderies.En: The crowd moved among the stands filled with goods.Ca: Es barrejaven les riques olors de fruita fresca amb l'aroma de terra del fang cuit.En: The rich scents of fresh fruit mingled with the earthy aroma of baked clay.Ca: Al bell mig d'aquesta bulliciosa escena, Guillem, un jove comerciant, es preparava per al gran festival en honor a Dionís.En: In the midst of this bustling scene, Guillem, a young merchant, was preparing for the grand festival in honor of Dionysus.Ca: Al costat de Guillem, Marina, la seva impacient aprenent, observava amb atenció.En: Next to Guillem, Marina, his impatient apprentice, watched intently.Ca: "Aquest festival és molt important per a mi, Marina.En: "This festival is very important to me, Marina.Ca: Hem de vendre tot el què tenim," li deia Guillem mentre ordenava les seves peces de ceràmica.En: We must sell everything we have," Guillem said as he arranged his ceramic pieces.Ca: Guillem era conegut per la seva fina ceràmica, i confiava que aquesta ocasió asseguraria el seu futur.En: Guillem was known for his fine ceramics, and he trusted that this occasion would ensure his future.Ca: Marina volia impressionar tant a ell com als visitants del festival amb la seva creació.En: Marina wanted to impress both him and the festival visitors with her creation.Ca: El mercat estava ple de comerciants rivals.En: The market was full of rival merchants.Ca: Tots intentaven atraure els atenesos amb les seves ofertes i discursos persuasors.En: All of them tried to attract the Athenians with their offers and persuasive speeches.Ca: "Marina, prepara't per a moments difícils," va advertir Guillem, però amb un esguard afable va afegir: "Avui demostraràs el que vals.En: "Marina, prepare yourself for tough moments," Guillem warned, but with a friendly glance, he added, "Today, you will prove what you're worth."Ca: "Marina va mirar la seva obra més apreciada.En: Marina looked at her most valued work.Ca: Era una peça innovadora, amb formes esculpides que evocaven notes musicals, una al·legoria apropiada per a Dionís, déu del vi i del teatre.En: It was an innovative piece, with sculpted forms that evoked musical notes, an appropriate allegory for Dionysus, god of wine and theater.Ca: Sabia que podria causar controvèrsia.En: She knew it might cause controversy.Ca: Els més conservadors del mercat preferien els dissenys tradicionals.En: The market's more conservative customers preferred traditional designs.Ca: Però ella volia mostrar el seu potencial.En: But she wanted to show her potential.Ca: Quan el mercat estava en plena activitat, Marina va decidir arriscar-se.En: When the market was in full swing, Marina decided to take a risk.Ca: Va col·locar la seva peça al millor lloc de l'estand.En: She placed her piece in the best spot of the stand.Ca: La peça semblava captar immediatament l'atenció d'un atenès influent, que es va acostar per observar-la de prop.En: The piece seemed to immediately capture the attention of an influential Athenian, who came closer to observe it closely.Ca: Guillem i Marina van retenir la respiració mentre aquell home d'aparença imponent inspeccionava la ceràmica.En: Guillem and Marina held their breath as that imposing-looking man inspected the ceramics.Ca: Els moments van semblar eterns fins que ell va aixecar una cella amb un somriure de satisfacció.En: The moments seemed eternal until he raised an eyebrow with a smile of satisfaction.Ca: "Heu capturat l'esperit de la festa, jove dama," va dir amb un to de reconeixement.En: "You have captured the spirit of the festival, young lady," he said with a tone of acknowledgment.Ca: Això va ser suficient per a que altres curiosos s'apropessin, atrets per la novetat i la fama de l'ateneu.En: This was enough for other curious onlookers to approach, drawn by novelty and the fame of the Athenian.Ca: Amb aquest petit però crucial elogi, la reputació de Marina va començar a germinar.En: With this small yet crucial praise, Marina's reputation began to blossom.Ca: Les vendes es van accelerar, i Guillem es va adonar que la seva decisió havia estat encertada.En: Sales picked up, and Guillem realized that his decision had been the right one.Ca: Al cap del dia, no quedava ni una sola peça a l'estand.En: By the end of the day, not a single piece remained on the stand.Ca: Ja quan el sol es ponia darrere de l'Acròpolis, Guillem va mirar a Marina, orgullós.En: As the sun set behind the Acropolis, Guillem looked at Marina, proud.Ca: "Em fas feliç, Marina.En: "You make me happy, Marina.Ca: Has superat totes les expectatives.En: You have exceeded all expectations."Ca: " Marina, radiant de confiança, va somriure.En: Marina, radiant with confidence, smiled.Ca: Ara sabia que el seu lloc entre els artistes d'Atenes era ben merescut.En: She now knew that her place among the artists of Athens was well-deserved.Ca: Així, aquell festival de primavera no només va ser una celebració pels déus, sinó també pel futur de dos ceramistes, ara units per la confiança mútua i el talent reconegut.En: Thus, that spring festival was not only a celebration for the gods but also for the future of two ceramists, now united by mutual trust and recognized talent. Vocabulary Words:the ray: el raigthe spring: la primaverabustling: efervescentthe merchant: el comerciantthe apprentice: l'aprenent / l'aprenentaimpatient: impacientto ensure: assegurarthe crowd: la multitudthe aroma: l'aromato mingle: barrejar-seearthy: de terrathe stand: l'estandthe piece: la peçapersuasive: persuadorinnovative: innovadorathe allegory: l'al·legoriato evoke: evocarmusical: musicalsto risk: arriscar-seto capture: capturarthe satisfaction: la satisfaccióthe praise: l'elogito blossom: germinarto prove: demostrarthe expectation: l'expectativathe trust: la confiançarecognized: reconegutconservative: conservadorsto deserve: merèixerthe controversy: la controvèrsia

What happens when a defensive alliance slowly turns into an empire? Tristan Hughes and Professor Polly Low explore the Delian League, the so‑called “ancient NATO”, from its Persian War origins to Athenian domination. Discover tribute, revolt, contested sources and how a league of allies became Athens' hard-edged maritime empire.MOREThe Persian Wars: Xerxes, Thermopylae and SalamisListen on AppleListen on SpotifyThe Parthenon: Wonder of AthensListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tim Artsall. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Something has gone wrong in the way we discuss politics. If democratic systems since the Athenian polity have been founded on debate, then what does debate do for us today, aside from making us angrier and filling billionaire-owned social media sites with monetisable content? Sarah Stein Lubrano has argued that the ‘marketplace of ideas' is a myth and the best ideas often don't win out. In this episode she joins James Butler to talk about the things that do and don't change people's minds and why meaningful change is better achieved through means other than argument, such as social ties and collective action. They also consider what technology has done to shape the political landscape and individual behaviour, and the ways in which it has been exploited most effectively by those on the right.Sarah Stein Lubrano is the author of Don't Talk About Politics. Read more on politics in the LRB: ⁠https://lrb.me/lrbpolitics⁠ From the LRB Subscribe to the LRB: ⁠⁠https://lrb.me/subslrbpod Close Readings podcast: ⁠https://lrb.me/crlrbpod⁠ LRB Audiobooks: ⁠https://lrb.me/audiobookslrbpod⁠ Bags, binders and more at the LRB Store: ⁠https://lrb.me/storelrbpod⁠ Get in touch: podcasts@lrb.co.uk

This is a teaser of the bonus episode, "Themistocles Pt 1" found over on Patreon.Athens doesn't wake up one day as the master of the Aegean. It gets argued into that future, one hard political fight at a time, and Themistocles is the kind of figure who can win those fights. We follow his rise from an obscure early life to the point where he becomes the driving force behind a maritime strategy that will redefine Athenian power during the Persian Wars. We dig into what our ancient sources actually give us, especially Herodotus and Plutarch, and where later storytelling may be shaping the legend. From the political upheavals of Athens after the age of tyrants to the opportunities opened by democracy, Themistocles learns to build support where it counts. That support isn't just about charisma. It connects directly to policy: ports, walls, and the idea that triremes and rowers can become the backbone of national security and influence. The turning point comes with the Laurion silver windfall and the showdown with Aristides. Do you distribute wealth to citizens right now, or invest in a fleet that could decide the next war? We walk through the arguments, the stakes, and the ostracism vote that removes Themistocles' main opposition and signals a new identity for Athens as a naval power. Support the show

A general sends home a letter that sounds like a warning and Athens treats it like a challenge. Nicias lays out the ugly reality at the Siege of Syracuse: stretched supply lines, sickness in camp, fading morale, and a siege that is slipping out of his control. He offers two paths, reinforce hard or abandon the Sicilian Expedition, but the city's leaders hear the part they can live with politically: the campaign can still be won if they just commit more.I walk through why that interpretation takes hold. Nicias' cautious reputation shapes how readers judge his words, and his own incentives push him to be indirect and share responsibility for the decision. Underneath it all sits the psychology of sunk costs and prestige. Athens has already spent silver, ships, and lives, and a withdrawal could look like weakness to allies across the Athenian Empire and encouragement to Sparta. The result is a dramatic escalation as Athens raises another fleet and army under Demosthenes and Eurymedon.Meanwhile the war widens. Sparta fortifies Decelea in Attica, turning pressure on Athens from seasonal to constant, disrupting routes and revenues. In Sicily, Gylippus and the Syracusans push the Athenians back toward the Great Harbor, seize crucial forts and supplies, then finally crack the Athenian navy with adaptation and deception: fatigue tactics, tight harbor geometry, and missile troops aimed at the rowers. Reinforcements arrive at the last moment, but the stakes only grow larger.Subscribe for the next chapter of the Sicilian Expedition, share this with a friend who loves military history, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Support the show

Themistocles was a leading Athenian politician and general in the early 5th Century. He fought at Marathon in 490BC, and played a leading role during the Greco-Persian Wars and was the lead admiral at the Battle of Salamis in 480BC when the Persians were defeated, thus ending their chance of conquering Greece. But it was his decision in the intervening years between Marathon and Salamis to direct the revenue gained from silver mines at Laurium that would set Athens on a course that would lead to its Empire, war with Sparta, and the Classical Age which saw Pericles' building programme including the Parthenon. Michael Scott joins, Professor of Ancient history at my old university Warwick, author of a new book, Themistocles: The Rise and Fall of Athens' Naval Mastermind. Michael Scott Links Themistocles: The Rise and Fall of Athens' Naval Mastermind ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠History Book Club Shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Oliver Webb-Carter Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Who Cares Who Wins? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paean to Patrick Leigh Fermor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email me: owcpods@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Themistocles is often painted as a pivotal figure in Athenian history, yet his life was full of uncertainties and ups and downs. His rise to power wasn't a straight path; it was a rollercoaster of triumphs and setbacks. We often think of great leaders as always knowing their destiny, but Themistocles shows us that greatness can come from chaos and confusion. Grab a of Themistocles here https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14692/9780300256598Keep up to date with Michael viaHis website - https://michaelscottweb.com/ his Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profmichaelscott or his instagram - https://www.instagram.com/profmcscott/If you want to get in touch with History with Jackson email: jackson@historywithjackson.co.ukTo support History with Jackson to carry on creating content subscribe to History with Jackson+ on Apple Podcasts or support us on our Patreon - https://patreon.com/HistorywithJackson?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkTo catch up on everything to do with History with Jackson head to www.HistorywithJackson.co.ukFollow us on Facebook at @HistorywithJacksonFollow us on Instagram at @HistorywithJacksonFollow us on X/Twitter at @HistorywJacksonFollow us on TikTok at @HistorywithJackson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our reading opens with Paul preaching to the Jews on the Sabbath over the course of three weeks in the town Thessalonica. After a bit of unrest, the travel to the town of Berea by night. The Bereans are noted as being of more noble character than the Thessalonians, receiving the word with eagerness and examining the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul was saying was true. The Thessalonians catch wind of Paul's location and come to town to start trouble again. He moves on to Athens, where he gives his famous sermon at the Areopagus, a place where the Athenian people discussed new teachings and new ideas. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Seth Hendershot is simply one of the best Athenian's I know! He's funny. He's in love with Coffee. It is why his business is so wonderful.. All employees love to serve you coffee and they have really good beignets . They're freaking delicious. He had a lot to say about how he got here , growing up in a very religious family and how it turned out to teach him lots of things later in life, He also talked about why he opened Hendershot's and what he's doing to day and what are some of his visions in the future.This is my conversation with Seth Hendershot which includes a very BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and ThenSEASON: 5 EPISODE: 54LENGTH: 40:12PUBLISHED: FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026UPDATED BI - WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS (AND SOMETIMES FRIDAY'S)ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVERMUSIC BUSINESS SCHOOL INTERN: RAYA ACKLEHRECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOLhttps://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)SETH HENDERSHOT CONTACT:IG: SEFFROHENDOFACEBOOK: HENDERSHOT'SPHOTOS BY: MARLENE SOKOL STEWARTPRODUCER: MARLENE SOKOL STEWARTCONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:EMAIL: marlene@athcastmusic.comINSTAGRAM: AthCastMusicFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019YOUTUBE CHANNEL: AthCastMusic. @MarleneSokolStewart-12Thank you for listening to AthCastMusic. Kindly give a review, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening site.Also, downloading my episodes give me more coverage in the Social Media world. “IF YOU DON'T LISTEN, YOU CAN'T HEAR!”

What if the alliance that crushed Persia had become a lasting settlement? We revisit the brief window after Plataea and Mycale when Greece looked coordinated, and we test a bold idea: Athens commands the sea, Sparta secures the land, and both accept firm limits. From the outside it sounds elegant. Inside the machinery, doctrine, ideology, and economics pull the partnership apart.We trace why Spartan warfare favored short, decisive campaigns tied to helot stability, while Athenian power thrived on long-haul naval pressure, trade protection, and cumulative influence across the Aegean. Those clashing tempos made joint strategy awkward: one side sought closure, the other needed continuity. Then we tackle freedom itself. Sparta equated liberty with order and control; Athens tied it to participation and autonomy at home and, increasingly, among allies abroad. Each city believed it defended Hellenic freedom, yet each defined it in ways the other found threatening, turning coordination into a contest of values.Material realities widened the gap. The Piraeus, tribute, and fortified long walls made Athenian security inseparable from projection. Spartan strength remained agrarian and territorial, built for defense rather than maritime governance. Pausanias's overreach hastened a shift: Sparta withdrew from Ionia as Athens organized the Delian League, converting emergency leadership into durable influence. Could institutions have rescued a dual hegemony—arbitration councils, command rotations, codified spheres? Perhaps in theory, but the polis world resisted supra-city authority, and neither side could reliably practice the self-restraint required.Across strategy, culture, and political tempo, the same pattern emerges: wartime unity simplified choices; peacetime complexity revived incompatible logics. The result is a clear takeaway for students of ancient history and statecraft alike: alliances can win battles, but only institutions and shared definitions turn victory into order. If you found this exploration useful, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves Greek history, and leave a review with the single reform you think might have saved the partnership.Support the show

Samuel asks about Athenian archers at the start of the Peloponnesian War. Thucydides lists significant numbers of them in 431 and it raises a series of questions. How were these archers equipped Were they citizens, metics or the famous Scythian archers Did they serve aboard triremes or mainly in garrisons Were they poorer citizens unable to afford hoplite equipment, or were they specialists and mercenaries. Murray looks at what we know from the sources and archaeology about Athenian archers.   Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

Siege lines rose like ribs around Syracuse, and for a moment it looked inevitable: Athens would seal the city by land and sea and claim a victory to match its ambition. Then a Spartan named Gylippus found an open path, a counterwall bit into Athenian plans, and the balance turned in a single campaigning season.We walk through the decisive mechanics of the siege: the capture of Epipolae, the fort at Labdalum, and the careful logic of building north and south walls to throttle supply. You'll hear how targeted Athenian raids shattered early Syracusan counterworks, why the marsh approach to the Great Harbor mattered, and how a split-second battlefield recovery cost the bold general Lamachus his life. Inside Syracuse, morale plunged and talk of surrender spread—until Corinthian ships slipped the net and Gylippus marched overland to reframe the war.From that point, the terrain of decision shifted. Gylippus struck at Lebdalum, forced Athens to defend too many seams, and completed a counterwall that kept Syracuse connected to the hinterland. Cavalry and javelin men exploited open ground, driving the Athenians back behind incomplete lines. Nicias moved supply points to harbor forts for safer seaborne logistics, but the longer haul to the heights invited harassment, fatigue, and a slow bleed of ship crews and morale. The result was a strategic stalemate tilting toward the defenders.At the heart of this chapter is Nicias's stark letter to the Athenian assembly, a rare moment of strategic honesty: withdraw entirely and accept the costs, or reinforce massively with hoplites, cavalry, money, and shared command. No half measures. From the safety of a calm Athens, the choice felt simple—send more. That confidence, nurtured by empire and habit, set the stage for a larger reckoning as Syracuse rallied allies and trained a fleet to contest the last Athenian advantage at sea.Listen for tactical lessons on siegecraft, counterwalls, and the danger of leaving a single approach unguarded, alongside the political lesson that ambition without mass invites reversal. If this deep dive sharpened your view of the Sicilian Expedition, follow the show, share it with a history-loving friend, and leave a quick review to help others find the series. Support the show

When Ovid was exiled from Rome to a border town on the Black Sea, he despaired at his new bleak and barbarous surroundings. Like many Greeks and Romans, Ovid thought the outer reaches of his world was where civilization ceased to exist. Our fascination with the Greek and Roman world, and the abundance of writing that we have from it, means that we usually explore the ancient world from this perspective too. Was Ovid's exile really as bad as he claimed? What was it truly like to live on the edges of these empires, on the boundaries of the known world? Thanks to archaeological excavations, we now know that the borders of the empires we consider the 'heart' of civilization were in fact thriving, vibrant cultures – just not ones we might expect. This is where the boundaries of 'civilized' and 'barbarians' began to dissipate; where the rules didn't always apply; where normally juxtaposed cultures intermarried; and where nomadic tribes built their own cities. In this episode, Owen Rees joins me to discuss his book The Far Edges of the Known World (W.W. Norton & Company, 2025) and his research into what ‘everyday' life looked like beyond the Athenian or Roman heartlands. Covering over 6,000 years of history on three continents, the book encourages readers to interrogate misconceptions about the ancient world and to understand its enormous diversity of lived experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

For almost two centuries, Ancient Athens—the most successful democracy in history—selected citizens by lottery to fill government positions. Athens adopted sortition—a random lottery system—to select most public officials and the members of the Council of 500, a reform pioneered in 508 BC to break aristocratic control and distribute power equally among ordinary citizens. Some say it worked much better than the Assembly of Athens. In 406 BC, the Assembly rashly voted to execute all six victorious generals following a victory over Sparta because a storm prevented them from recovering the bodies of those who were lost at sea during a terrible storm. The Council of 500 later intervened by carefully reviewing the case, exposing procedural illegalities, and helping restore calmer judgment that tempered the Assembly's impulsive decision. This governing system soon disappeared from the earth. The Council of 500 was disbanded in 322 BC when Macedonian forces crushed Athens’ democracy. Rome never adopted it because its republican system favored election of magistrates and a powerful Senate of lifelong aristocrats, viewing random selection as too chaotic and unfit for a large, conquest-driven state. Athens' ancient sortition has made a modern comeback in America through randomly selected jury trials for fair justice and in new "citizens' assemblies"—which have re-emerged from Oregon to France--where ordinary people are lottery-picked to deliberate and recommend policy. Today’s guest is Terry Bourcious, author of “Democracy Without Politicians.” He is a former politician from Vermont, and he argues we should return to the Athenian model, adapted for modern governance through "multi-body sortition," where randomly selected citizen bodies, with expert staff, would draft legislation, set agendas, review proposals, and make final decisions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've talked about how rich classical Athens was, but what did that mean for an average person living at the time? In this episode, we follow the life of a composite character, an Athenian citizen farmer named Megakles, to see how the economic developments of the classical age shaped daily life in Athens.Patrick launched a brand-new history show on December 3rd! It's called Past Lives, and every episode explores the life of a real person who lived in the past. Subscribe now: https://bit.ly/PWPLA Also, Patrick's new book - Lost Worlds: The Rise and Fall of Human Societies from the Ice Age to the Bronze Age - is now available for preorder, and will be released on May 5th! Preorder in hardcopy, ebook, or audiobook (read by Patrick) here: https://bit.ly/PWLostWorlds. And don't forget, you can still Get The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World in hardcopy, ebook, or audiobook (read by Patrick) here: https://bit.ly/PWverge. Listen to new episodes 1 week early, to exclusive seasons 1 and 2, and to all episodes ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/tidesofhistory Be the first to know about Wondery's newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.