Everyone knows Athens and Sparta...and yet, THEBES is not the common household name it should be. From its captivating mythology to its fantastic history, we’ll look at the archeology, the military, the legends and the truth of this essential city state. Featuring Paul Cartledge of Cambridge University, James Romm of Bard College, Stephen Dando-Col…

Should Ivanka Trump and Hunter Biden marry? Well, Plato might think that was a good idea... Today’’s Classical Wisdom speaks podcast is with Melissa Lane, the Class of 1943 Professor of Politics and a faculty member of the Program in Classical Philosophy at Princeton University. She is author of many books, including most recently, “Of Rule and Off…

In the boom time in Roman Britain, 3rd century AD, one Roman Emperor made his mark on the chaotic island before he was canceled in his own time... and afterwards. But was the treatment of Magnus Maximus unfair? Was he just a usurper? Or absolutely pivotal in the history and mythology of Britain? Today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks podcast is with Maxwe…

What do the ancient Greek goddesses reveal about ancient Greek culture? Why did people craft such immoral and often unlikeable gods? And what should we really think about Hera? Today's Classical Wisdom Speaks Podcast is with NATALIE HAYNES, author of several books, including Pandora’s Jar, Stone Blind and A Thousand Ships, which was a national best…

The famed actor and comedian, Stephen Fry, discusses the ancient languages, etymology, and the joy of discovering the Classics through ancient Greek. We question whether Odysseus... or any of the other great names were really heroes and how these stories give us insight on AI and social media, among other things. Have a listen and let me know why Y…

Flavius Claudius Julianus turned the world upside down. Also known as Julian the Apostate as well as Julian the Philosopher, he ruled Rome as sole emperor for just a year and a half, from 361 to 363. Nonetheless, his impact was substantial. Despite the fact that he was the nephew of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of Rome, Julian…

Is there evidence to the tales of Aeneas and the Trojan refugees migrating to Italian shores? Classical Wisdom presents Petros Koutoupis, as he explores this narrative and attempts to shed light on the archaeology of the region during the Late Bronze Age. Petros Koutoupis is an author and independent historical researcher, focusing predominantly on…

Throughout the ages people have imagined “apocalypses”... but how they determined the end of the world shaped their philosophies... as is still the case. From natural disaster and moral revenge to our modern situation of increasing AI and anthropogenic concerns, contemplating the ‘end of days’ can help us cope with the world as it is... or prepare …

How aware are we when we make choices? From playing rock paper scissors and gambling to complex ethical decisions like the trolley problem and self-driving cars, game theory and choice theory are hugely important and impactful in our modern era... but so too did they play an essential role in the ancient world. Today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks Podca…

In 45 B.C., the Roman statesman and philosopher Cicero embarked on an almost impossible task... He wrote a philosophical dialogue trying to understand the gods, their nature, how they interact with the world of human beings... and indeed, if they care about humans at all! On the Nature of the Gods (De Natura Deorum) tries to answer these eternal qu…

What is the future -as well as the past - of literary fiction? It is time for a Renaissance? Destined for the dustbin of history, to be discarded along with so many quaint anachronisms, or is the genre itself bound for a long overdue renaissance? Author and self-confessed “hopeless optimist,” Joel Bowman joins us for an in-depth discussion about th…

Though it was the largest religion in the ancient world by both the number of adherents and geographical scope, Zoroastrianism is still vastly understudied in religion, history, and especially classics. What is Zoroastrianism? How has this Iranian religion impacted the Classical World? And why is one of the world's oldest organized faiths so often …

How does the relationship between Odysseus and Telemachus play out? What does the son think about the murder of the suitors? And why exactly has this story of the Trojan Cycle captivated its listeners and readers throughout the millennia... to this very day? Today’s Podcast is with TAD CRAWFORD, founder and publisher of Allworth Press as well as au…

The saying “History is myth and myth is history” is something we have been discussing a lot of late at Classical Wisdom. Where does the story of Aeneas lie? Today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks podcast is with Anthony Adolph, a professional genealogist, broadcaster and writer of numerous books on ancestry and general history, including his most recent, …

Marcus Aurelius is generally regarded as one of the "Five Good Emperors" and is often praised for his Stoic philosophy, particularly as expressed in his "Meditations." However, like any historical figure, he is not without criticisms both in his own time and in ours... But are these insignificant issues? Or do they undermine his position as a philo…

Plagiarism versus Forgery... Economic versus Individualistic Incentives... Virtuous copying versus pride in originality... In an era where the discussion of Plagiarism has become all the rage, it's important to look back over the history of Plagiarism, of institutions, of authority and of knowledge itself. Dr. James Hankins, professor of History at…

What are Big and Little Caesars? Both in ancient and modern times? And are there certain political and social environments that are fertile for these sorts of Caesars in their rise to power? And should we know more about this topic before the next election series? This Classical Wisdom Speaks podcast is with Sir William Robert Ferdinand Mount, Brit…

Today children already have so many expectations. From excelling in school, practicing sports and hobbies, to learning languages that can give them the ‘competitive’ edge, there simply isn't enough time as it is to fit it all in. In their modern overloaded schedules, it's extremely difficult to see how ancient Greek and Latin feature in young peopl…

How do you define a Rebel? Are should we glorify them? Or not? Are they heroes or anti-heroes? Have some done better in the history books than others? Today's Classical Wisdom Speaks Podcast is with Stephen Dando-Collins, the award-winning and very prolific author of over 40 books, including Rise of an Empire, on which the major motion picture 300:…

Why should we say “no”? What is the importance of being able to do so? And can the ancient philosophy of cynicism help us with our modern ills? Today we’ll look at one of the most controversial philosophers from the classical world - Diogenes the Dog - and how his example can be good for us...? Today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks Podcast is with M. D. …

Is Democracy dying? Polls show that Americans on both sides of the political spectrum feel it’s under attack... but does the situation have to be so dire? Professors Brook Manville and Josiah Ober offer a guide to democratic renewal in order to guarantee civic rights of freedom, equality, and dignity. Tracing the long progression toward self-govern…

Public bathhouses embodied the Roman way of life, from food and fashion to sculpture and sports. The most popular institution of the ancient Mediterranean world, the baths drew people of all backgrounds....but were all welcome there? Using the Roman bathhouse - a place suffused with nudity, sex, and magic - as a social laboratory, Professor Yaron E…

What’s a day on one of the most exciting and famous archaeological sites in the world? Let’s take a tour with the man running the show at the Athenian Agora.. Today's Classical Wisdom Speaks Podcast is with John K. Papadopoulos, Distinguished Professor of Archaeology & Classics, UCLA, and the newly appointed Director of the Athenian Agora Excavatio…

Why are video games set in the ancient world? What are some of the major examples? How are women represented in these games? And why does this matter? I honestly know nothing about video games, with or without classical references. And yet, I enjoyed a fascinating conversation with Professors Cook and Draycott which revealed quite a lot about both …

From the Corporate to the Political - how can we find our modern values in ancient lessons? What if Plato ran Facebook? Or Socrates was in charge of Apple? Can you imagine Aristotle running Amazon or General Motors? Today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks' guest has thought of just that... and how these ancient thinkers can help with both the corporate and…

How did the ancient Egyptians handle war, plague and inequality? How did their unique geography shape their history? What was their community 'glue'? Today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks podcast is with Dr. Kathlyn (Kara) Cooney. Professor of Egyptian Art and Architecture at UCLA, Kara Specializes in craft production, coffin studies, and economies in th…

What is the role of philosophy in history? Do philosophers come up with ideas that spread and influence the world? Or are their works the cumulation of the advances of society? How do good ideas spread? And is this a time for optimism? Today’s episode of Classical Wisdom Speaks is with Robert Tracinski, editor of Symposium, a journal of liberalism,…

Vitaliy Katsenelson, a podcaster and expert on value investing, and the author of a recent book on Stoicism called Soul in the Game, discusses how Stoicism has influenced his perspective, his book and his investing. To learn more about Vitalyi’s work, please check his website: https://contrarianedge.com/ You can learn more about Classical Wisdom an…

The story of Medusa has captivated us for thousands of years, that of the beautiful woman turned into a monster... Why has this myth permeated culture so much... and why do we need to revisit this ancient tale? This week's Classical Wisdom Speaks Podcast is with Natalie Haynes, author of several books, including A Thousand Ships, which was a nation…

Is the West in Decline? Is it the end of days or media hype? And what is the "West" anyways? In this episode of Classical Wisdom Speaks with Spencer Klavan, we discuss how ancient wisdom is necessary to solve modern crises, why ordinary people are the essential component to the solution and whether we can/should save the West. Spencer Klavan is a c…

Whether you are planning a trip to Greece, if you've been and want to see if you got the 'must-see' spots, or you fancy some fun armchair travels, this Classical Wisdom Speaks podcast is a MUST LISTEN for ancient history lovers. Leading us through the archeological sites is veteran guide, Aristotle Koskinas. With 20 years in the field and hundreds …

How do the major ancient Greek philosophies really compare? Are some more applicable to our modern lives than others? Today we'll try to step back and get the 'bigger' picture in our attempt to understand, analyze and compare the major ancient Greek philosophies... all in one podcast. Fortunately, we have none other than the very gifted and knowled…

What does the ancient Greek philosophy have to do with African Proverbs and the concept of Ubuntu? Perhaps in more ways than you may think... This week's Classical Wisdom Speaks episode is with Tiišetšo Maloma from South Africa, who is an Innovation Scholar, Product Creator, Entrepreneur and author of several books, including ‘Introducing Ubuntu St…

How can we be more virtuous? Can we teach our children virtue? And what about politicians? Well, the latter is probably the most difficult, but continuing our current cycle of cynicism isn't exactly helping us out either... So what can we *actually* do to make a better society for ourselves... and for the next generation? Today’s Classical Wisdom S…

Are you ready to take on a musical journey from the Patagonian Mountains that will immediately transport you to the ancient world? This is a podcast unlike any you have heard before... We know the importance of music in ancient Greece; the backdrop to every ceremony, festival and religious endeavor it also accompanied dinners, symposiums, and liter…

How to Grieve: From Cicero and Stoicism to Modern practices, How Can Philosophy HELP US Handle Loss? Panel Discussion In 45 BCE, the Roman statesman Cicero fell to pieces when his beloved daughter, Tullia, died from complications of childbirth. But from the depths of despair, Cicero fought his way back. In an effort to cope with his loss, he wrote …

From the highway killers confronted by the Greek hero Theseus, such as Procrustes, who tortured and mutilated their victims to the Sphinx, or “strangler,” from the story of Oedipus.. Or child-killing demons and witches and historical figures such as Locusta of Gaul, the most notorious poisoner in the early Roman Empire....Who are the serial killers…

Not just for dinner parties and sleepy children, learning how to tell a story is an essential component of understanding literature... but do we only become great at it when we break the rules? We discuss Aristotle's necessary components for storytelling... and why...or why not they matter. This week's Classical Wisdom Speaks podcast is with Philli…

Mark Antony and Cleopatra on one side... Octavian and his brilliant general on the other. It's one of the most riveting, decisive and climatic moments in ancient history... and yet still such a mystery. How was it that Cleopatra and Mark Antony were defeated... when they had much larger forces? What were the pivotal - never discussed - moments befo…

Many people don’t see the connection between the key ancient philosophers, Plato, Socrates and Aristotle and the growing trend of Stoicism - but how was Stoicism influenced by these earlier thinkers? Nancy Sherman, who holds the rank of a distinguished University Professor at Georgetown university, and has been elected as a member of the American A…

Has our modern system of education become obsessed with the practical and technical to the detriment of a contemplative view of education? Can we help students find awe, curiosity, contemplation - and most important of all - meaning? It’s time to recover the role of Beauty in education, to show how a liberal arts education can form us as integral p…

If Seneca said Luck is when preparation meets opportunity... is Resilience when preparation meets struggle? Even if you aren't suffering pain, loss, or anxiety now... the reality is one day you will, and how you handle it can be greatly influenced by how you prepare for it... Aka, it's always worthwhile to do the 'work', philosophically speaking th…

In 2021 Princeton University scrapped the Ancient Greek and Latin requirements for Classics students... and this sparked a huge debate, both within the classics community and the general classics loving public as well. We ask: Should ancient Greek and Latin be required for Classics students? What is the future of ancient languages? It used to be th…

The Time has come... to tell the other side of the myth... the one where Medea isn't so bad... but Penelope is. What if Pandora didn’t have a box? And it wasn’t even filled with evils? What if Helen of Troy (nay Sparta) wasn’t really the face that launched a thousand ships? Perhaps it’s time to look at the Greek myths a bit more carefully... and se…

Donald Robertson's upcoming Graphic Novel tells the tale of Marcus Aurelius like never before... How did Marcus Aurelius get his nickname? And why was it such a slap in the face... to his brother? And how does this new medium teach about both the Roman emperor and Stoic philosophy at the same time? We delve into the man, the legend, and who exactly…

The Myth of Atlantis has captured the imagination since ancient times... when even then people questioned whether it was true or not. Renowned British philosopher and academic, Angie Hobbs delves into the validity of Plato's myth... and what it means for us today. More about Angie: Angie Hobbs is Professor of the Public Understanding of Philosophy …

Sarcophagus comes from Greek, with "sarco" meaning flesh and "phagus" meaning eater... but what can a flesh eating box tell us about the ancient Romans? Dr. Ferst drove a hundred thousand miles across four continents in over fourteen expeditions in search of the remaining 2000 stone Sarcophagi scattered across the globe. Barry Ferst is Professor of…

Why doesn't Homer mention Thebes? It was a powerful city-state, at one point the most powerful in the Mediterranean... and yet it's conspicuously not prevalent in the great epics. Perhaps its absence speaks volumes... This Classical Wisdom Speaks episode is with Elton Barker and Joel Christensen, joint authors of both Homer’s Thebes: Epic Rivalries…

It was said her poetry will be sung as long as there are boats on the nile... There are still boats on the nile (last I checked) and yet almost no one know her works... So who exactly was Sappho? Why was she so controversial and what happened to her prolific body of work? Discover the remarkable life, work and loss of the 7th century BC poetess who…

Skepticism has woven its way throughout the entire history of philosophy... and yet as a formal school of thought it was (and still is) fairly niche and unknown. Why is that? What does Skepticism REALLY entail? And what can we learn from the remaining Skeptic works (of which there are so few) that can help us bridge our political divides? Richard B…