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The Dark Ages, Late Antiquity, the late Roman . . . however you define the years spanning the fall of Rome, the period is rich in stories, real or reimagined. In this episode Dr Andy Merrills, Associate Professor of Ancient History, joins the Slightly Foxed team to cast light on the surviving literature. We begin with Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire before delving into 4th-century accounts by the Latin historian Ammianus Marcellinus, a spiritual autobiography by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, ecclesiastical chronicles by the Venerable Bede, Gallic tales of Christian miracles and relic-looting with Gregory of Tours and an alternative look at the period with the modern-day master of Late Antiquity, Peter Brown. From there we venture into fiction with Rosemary Sutcliff's adventures inspired by archaeological finds and a retelling of the old British folk ballad ‘The Twa Sisters' in Lucy Holland's Sistersong, as well as Gore Vidal's Julian and Kazuo Ishiguro's The Buried Giant. We swap tales from Icelandic sagas and set sail on a tenth-century Viking long ship with Frans G. Bengtsson before heading beyond Hadrian's Wall for a glimpse of the Lindisfarne Gospels on Holy Island and a hunt for second-hand gems at Barter Books in a converted Victorian railway station in Northumberland. And there's more historical fiction to be found in further reading recommendations too, as we plunge into the seventeenth-century Essex witch trials with poet A. K. Blakemore's novel The Manningtree Witches and follow the fortunes of a group of friends in wartime Europe in Olivia Manning's classic Balkan Trilogy. (Episode duration: 42 minutes; 49 seconds ) Books Mentioned We may be able to get hold of second-hand copies of the out-of-print titles listed below. Please get in touch with Jess in the Slightly Foxed office for more information. A Countryman's Winter Notebook, Adrian Bell (1:02) Letters to Michael: a father writes to his son 1945–1947, Charles Phillipson (1:12) The Rosemary Sutcliff Novels, Slightly Foxed Cubs. The final two in the series, The Shield Ring and Sword Song, are now available (2:00) The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Edward Gibbon (4:18) The Later Roman Empire, Ammianus Marcellinus (9:30) The History of the Franks, Gregory of Tours (10:41) Confessions, Saint Augustine (13:54) The City of God, Saint Augustine is out of print (14:46) Ecclesiastical History of the English People, Bede (15:34) The World of Late Antiquity, Peter Brown (17:34) Julian, Gore Vidal (22:14) The Dream of Scipio, Iain Pears (22:54) The Buried Giant, Kazuo Ishiguro (23:38) Dawn Wind, Rosemary Sutcliff (25:06) The Long Ships, Frans G. Bengtsson (26:08) Beowulf: A New Translation, Maria Dahvana Headley (27:13) Sistersong, Lucy Holland (27:30) Le Morte Darthur, Thomas Malory (30:53) The Last Kingdom, Bernard Cornwell (32:11) The Manningtree Witches, A. K. Blakemore (38:17) The Balkan Trilogy, Olivia Manning (40:47) Related Slightly Foxed Articles Scaling Gibbon's Everest, Richard Crockatt on Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Issue 68 (8:17) A Frank Look at History, Andy Merrills on Gregory of Tours, The History of the Franks, Issue 65 (12:48) Last of the Pagans, Patrick Welland on Gore Vidal, Julian, Issue 45 (22:50) The Sound of Chariots, Sue Gaisford on the Roman Britain novels of Rosemary Sutcliff, Issue 63 Light in the Dark Ages, Sue Gaisford on Rosemary Sutcliff, Dawn Wind, Issue 69 Magical Talisman, Sue Gaisford on Rosemary Sutcliff, Sword Song & The Shield Ring, Issue 71 Adrift on the Tides of War, Patrick Welland on Olivia Manning's Balkan trilogy, Issue 63 (40:47) Other Links Listen to Episode 18 of the Slightly Foxed Podcast: An Odyssey Through the Classics (0:20) Barter Books, Alnwick (36:12) Opening music: Preludio from Violin Partita No.3 in E Major by Bach The Slightly Foxed Podcast is hosted by Philippa Lamb and produced by Podcastable
Daisy Dunn, historian and biographer of Catullus and Pliny, sets our scene in ancient Rome and Greece, entertaining the Slightly Foxed team with literature of love and war, satire and myth, and amplifying echoes of the classics through the ages. We begin with Homer’s monsters and memorials of fallen men, then take a tour of the ancient world, from Catullus’ erotic poetry and Lysistrata’s sex strike to the eruption of Vesuvius and Suetonius’ lives of extraordinary emperors. In a more contemporary turn, F. Scott Fitzgerald borrows Gatsby from the Satyricon, and Mary Renault writes historical novels and lovers’ names in wine. And there’s the usual round-up of recommended reading from off the beaten track. Please find links to books, articles, and further reading listed below. The digits in brackets following each listing refer to the minute and second they are mentioned. (Episode duration: 39 minutes; 54 seconds) Books Mentioned We may be able to get hold of second-hand copies of the out-of-print titles listed below. Please get in touch (mailto:jess@foxedquarterly.com) with Jess in the Slightly Foxed office for more information. Catullus’ Bedspread: The Life of Rome’s Most Erotic Poet (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/daisy-dunn-catullus-bedspread/) , Daisy Dunn In the Shadow of Vesuvius: A Life of Pliny (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/daisy-dunn-in-the-shadow-of-vesuvius/) , Daisy Dunn The Odyssey (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/emily-wilson-homer-odyssey/) , Homer, translated by Emily Wilson (7:57) The Iliad (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/e-v-rieu-homer-iliad/) , Homer, translated by E. V. Rieu (8:08) Homer on Life and Death, Jasper Griffin is out of print (9:02) The Silence of the Girls (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/pat-barker-silence-of-the-girls/) , Pat Barker (11:01) Memorial (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/alice-oswald-memorial/) , Alice Oswald (11:42) The Last of the Wine (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/mary-renault-the-last-of-the-wine/) , Mary Renault (16:37) The Twelve Caesars (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/suetonius-twelve-caesars-robert-graves/) , Suetonius, translated by Robert Graves (19:07) I, Claudius (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/robert-graves-i-claudius/) , Robert Graves (21:00) Pompei (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/robert-harris-pompeii/) , Robert Harris (22:15) The Satyricon (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/petronius-satyricon/) , Petronius, translated by P. G. Walsh (23:48) The Great Gatsby (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/f-scott-fitzgerald-the-great-gatsby/) , F. Scott Fitzgerald (24:47) Rosemary Sutcliff’s Roman and post-Roman novels (https://foxedquarterly.com/products/rosemary-sutcliff-classic-childrens-books/) , Slightly Foxed Cubs (28:19) Candide (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/voltaire-candide/) , Voltaire (34:26) When the Lights Go Out (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/carys-bray-when-the-lights-go-out/) , Carys Bray (35:27) The Diary of a Provincial Lady (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/e-m-delafield-diary-of-a-provincial-lady/) , E. M. Delafield (37:03) The Emperor’s Babe (https://foxedquarterly.com/shop/bernadine-evaristo-the-emperors-babe) , Bernadine Evaristo (37:40) Related Slightly Foxed Articles How Homer Taught Me to Read (https://foxedquarterly.com/homer-odyssey-and-iliad-literary-review/) , Adrian Thorpe on Homer, Odyssey and Iliad, Issue 30 Hadrian to the Life (https://foxedquarterly.com/marguerite-yourcenar-memoirs-of-hadrian-literary-review/) , Caroline Chapman on Marguerite Yourcenar, Memoirs of Hadrian, Issue 2 (21:42) Scaling Gibbon’s Everest (https://foxedquarterly.com/richard-crockett-edward-gibbon-literary-review/) , Richard Crockatt on Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Issue 68 Travels with the Father of History (https://foxedquarterly.com/herodotus-histories-literary-review/) , Justin Marozzi on Herodotus, Histories, Issue 20 Brave Old World (https://foxedquarterly.com/lawrence-sail-voltaire-candide-literary-review/) , Lawrence Sail on Voltaire, Candide, Issue 10 (34:26) Other Links Daisy Dunn (http://www.daisydunn.co.uk/) The Greek Play (https://www.cambridgegreekplay.com/) , Cambridge (28:27) Gladstone’s Library (https://www.gladstoneslibrary.org/) (31:37) Opening music: Preludio from Violin Partita No.3 in E Major by Bach The Slightly Foxed Podcast is hosted by Philippa Lamb and produced by Podcastable (https://www.podcastable.co.uk/)
Richard Crockatt is an Emeritus Professor in the School of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. His book, Einstein & Twentieth-Century Politics: ‘A Salutary Moral Influence‘ (Oxford University Press, 2016), is an intellectual biography of Einstein’s political thought. As one the most compelling figures of the twentieth century, Einstein first gained public attention for his scientific theories placing him on the world stage. Developing a broad network of liberal internationalists he had the opportunity to speak for and support some of the most critical political issues of his day. Crockatt follows him through his early days and his connections with men like Bertrand Russell, H.G. Wells and Albert Schweitzer that shaped his thought as a global public intellectual. From his position of professional influence and personal charm, he worked on behalf of pacifism, Zionism, world government, freedom, and against the arms race. Einstein’s positions emerged from deep moral conviction yet his thought remained complex, non-dogmatic and at times seemingly contradictory. Crockatt has captured the deep moral sensibility and agile political mind of a scientist who exercised “a salutary moral influence.” Lilian Calles Barger, www.lilianbarger.com, is a cultural, intellectual and gender historian. Her current book project, tentatively entitled The World Come of Age: Religion, Intellectuals and the Challenge of Human Liberation, is forthcoming from Oxford University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Richard Crockatt is an Emeritus Professor in the School of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. His book, Einstein & Twentieth-Century Politics: ‘A Salutary Moral Influence‘ (Oxford University Press, 2016), is an intellectual biography of Einstein’s political thought. As one the most compelling figures of the twentieth century, Einstein first gained public attention for his scientific theories placing him on the world stage. Developing a broad network of liberal internationalists he had the opportunity to speak for and support some of the most critical political issues of his day. Crockatt follows him through his early days and his connections with men like Bertrand Russell, H.G. Wells and Albert Schweitzer that shaped his thought as a global public intellectual. From his position of professional influence and personal charm, he worked on behalf of pacifism, Zionism, world government, freedom, and against the arms race. Einstein’s positions emerged from deep moral conviction yet his thought remained complex, non-dogmatic and at times seemingly contradictory. Crockatt has captured the deep moral sensibility and agile political mind of a scientist who exercised “a salutary moral influence.” Lilian Calles Barger, www.lilianbarger.com, is a cultural, intellectual and gender historian. Her current book project, tentatively entitled The World Come of Age: Religion, Intellectuals and the Challenge of Human Liberation, is forthcoming from Oxford University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Richard Crockatt is an Emeritus Professor in the School of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. His book, Einstein & Twentieth-Century Politics: ‘A Salutary Moral Influence‘ (Oxford University Press, 2016), is an intellectual biography of Einstein’s political thought. As one the most compelling figures of the twentieth century, Einstein first gained public attention for his scientific theories placing him on the world stage. Developing a broad network of liberal internationalists he had the opportunity to speak for and support some of the most critical political issues of his day. Crockatt follows him through his early days and his connections with men like Bertrand Russell, H.G. Wells and Albert Schweitzer that shaped his thought as a global public intellectual. From his position of professional influence and personal charm, he worked on behalf of pacifism, Zionism, world government, freedom, and against the arms race. Einstein’s positions emerged from deep moral conviction yet his thought remained complex, non-dogmatic and at times seemingly contradictory. Crockatt has captured the deep moral sensibility and agile political mind of a scientist who exercised “a salutary moral influence.” Lilian Calles Barger, www.lilianbarger.com, is a cultural, intellectual and gender historian. Her current book project, tentatively entitled The World Come of Age: Religion, Intellectuals and the Challenge of Human Liberation, is forthcoming from Oxford University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Richard Crockatt is an Emeritus Professor in the School of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. His book, Einstein & Twentieth-Century Politics: ‘A Salutary Moral Influence‘ (Oxford University Press, 2016), is an intellectual biography of Einstein’s political thought. As one the most compelling figures of the twentieth century,... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Richard Crockatt is an Emeritus Professor in the School of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. His book, Einstein & Twentieth-Century Politics: ‘A Salutary Moral Influence‘ (Oxford University Press, 2016), is an intellectual biography of Einstein’s political thought. As one the most compelling figures of the twentieth century, Einstein first gained public attention for his scientific theories placing him on the world stage. Developing a broad network of liberal internationalists he had the opportunity to speak for and support some of the most critical political issues of his day. Crockatt follows him through his early days and his connections with men like Bertrand Russell, H.G. Wells and Albert Schweitzer that shaped his thought as a global public intellectual. From his position of professional influence and personal charm, he worked on behalf of pacifism, Zionism, world government, freedom, and against the arms race. Einstein’s positions emerged from deep moral conviction yet his thought remained complex, non-dogmatic and at times seemingly contradictory. Crockatt has captured the deep moral sensibility and agile political mind of a scientist who exercised “a salutary moral influence.” Lilian Calles Barger, www.lilianbarger.com, is a cultural, intellectual and gender historian. Her current book project, tentatively entitled The World Come of Age: Religion, Intellectuals and the Challenge of Human Liberation, is forthcoming from Oxford University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Richard Crockatt is an Emeritus Professor in the School of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. His book, Einstein & Twentieth-Century Politics: ‘A Salutary Moral Influence‘ (Oxford University Press, 2016), is an intellectual biography of Einstein’s political thought. As one the most compelling figures of the twentieth century, Einstein first gained public attention for his scientific theories placing him on the world stage. Developing a broad network of liberal internationalists he had the opportunity to speak for and support some of the most critical political issues of his day. Crockatt follows him through his early days and his connections with men like Bertrand Russell, H.G. Wells and Albert Schweitzer that shaped his thought as a global public intellectual. From his position of professional influence and personal charm, he worked on behalf of pacifism, Zionism, world government, freedom, and against the arms race. Einstein’s positions emerged from deep moral conviction yet his thought remained complex, non-dogmatic and at times seemingly contradictory. Crockatt has captured the deep moral sensibility and agile political mind of a scientist who exercised “a salutary moral influence.” Lilian Calles Barger, www.lilianbarger.com, is a cultural, intellectual and gender historian. Her current book project, tentatively entitled The World Come of Age: Religion, Intellectuals and the Challenge of Human Liberation, is forthcoming from Oxford University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Richard Crockatt is an Emeritus Professor in the School of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. His book, Einstein & Twentieth-Century Politics: ‘A Salutary Moral Influence‘ (Oxford University Press, 2016), is an intellectual biography of Einstein's political thought. As one the most compelling figures of the twentieth century, Einstein first gained public attention for his scientific theories placing him on the world stage. Developing a broad network of liberal internationalists he had the opportunity to speak for and support some of the most critical political issues of his day. Crockatt follows him through his early days and his connections with men like Bertrand Russell, H.G. Wells and Albert Schweitzer that shaped his thought as a global public intellectual. From his position of professional influence and personal charm, he worked on behalf of pacifism, Zionism, world government, freedom, and against the arms race. Einstein's positions emerged from deep moral conviction yet his thought remained complex, non-dogmatic and at times seemingly contradictory. Crockatt has captured the deep moral sensibility and agile political mind of a scientist who exercised “a salutary moral influence.” Lilian Calles Barger, www.lilianbarger.com, is a cultural, intellectual and gender historian. Her current book project, tentatively entitled The World Come of Age: Religion, Intellectuals and the Challenge of Human Liberation, is forthcoming from Oxford University Press.