Classical Wisdom Speaks

What happened to Lost technology? Was there an ancient advanced society? How did the ancients decipher reality... and has the concept of Time itself changed since the classical era? This week’s Classical Wisdom Speaks is with Dr. Benjamin B. Olshin, retired Professor of Philosophy, History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, and Design at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Dr. Olshi...

Are the Humanities under attack? Are the Classics being Canceled? And if so, how and why should we come to its defense? We live in an era that frequently questions the utility and benefit of classical education and a liberal arts core curriculum—a mode of education that has nourished the minds of men and women for thousands of years. As these criticisms gain traction in our public square, it feels...

Were Homer and the tragic myths considered history? How were they able to revere goddesses, but not the average woman? And what exactly did the ancients find Taboo in Euripides’ controversial works? Hint: it’s not what we would be offended by today... Today's Classical Wisdom Speaks episode is with Anya Leonard and  Classical Wisdom's resident classicist, Ben Potter on the foundational m...

What does Taylor Swift have to do with Ancient Greek Music? What role did it play in the ancient world? And if we listened to it properly,  would we actually like it??? It's time to discover the fascinating world of ancient music... This Classical Wisdom Speaks podcast is with Spencer Klavan, host of the Young Heretics podcast, assistant editor of the Claremont Review of Books and The America...

Let’s talk... about Corinth... why was it so important? What were its contributions? And how did the Corinthians portray Medea??  This week’s Classical Wisdom Speaks episode is with Dr. Amelia R. Brown, Senior Lecturer in Greek History & Language in the Classics & Ancient History discipline of the School of Historical & Philosophical Inquiry, at the University of Queensland, Australia....

Who was the Emperor Vespasian? What makes him so interesting? And where does history meet fiction?  Today Classical Wisdom Speaks' episode is with Robert Fabbri, Author of the best selling Vespasian Series. We discuss the Emperor himself, the world of ancient Rome, and the power of historical writers. You can buy the best selling Vespasian series on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Robert-...

What makes a robot? Why is there a timeless desire to create artificial intelligence? And what’s up with the prevalence of war machines and ancient fembots? This episode of Classical Wisdom Speaks is with Adrienne Mayor, a Research scholar at Stanford University, a folklorist and historian of ancient science. Adrienne discusses her most recent book, Gods and Robots: Myths, Machines, and Ancient Dr...

What is the nature of Power? How is it demonstrated in the ancient world? Can we learn from History’s examples of war, peace, and plague? And what relevancy does Thucydides' speeches have in the here and now? This week's Classical Wisdom Speaks episode is with Dr. Johanna Hanink, Associate Professor of Classics at Brown University about her recent translation of Thucydides. You can get J...

Which ancient holidays influenced Christmas? Why did the ancients know how to throw such a good party? And what was the real story around Jesus’ birth?  Today's Classical Wisdom Speaks episode is with Anya Leonard and  Classical Wisdom's resident classicist, Ben Potter on the ancient influences on Christmas and the historical context of Jesus’ birth and death. To get this Month's Cl...

Should we be afraid of death? What about being maimed? And how do the ancient philosophies of Epicurus and Lucretius fit in with modern religion?  Today's Classical Wisdom Speaks episode is with an old friend, Ian Blaustein, Lecturer in the Philosophy Department at Tufts University in Massachusetts about Epicurean and Hedonistic philosophy and whether or not it can help us with our fear of de...

How exactly did the classics influence the founding fathers? The surprising difference in what ancient history they focused on, compared to what we learn today and the lasting impact the ancient world has had in government... Today's episode of Classical Wisdom Speaks features Tom Ricks, an American journalist and author who specializes in the military and national security issues. He is a tw...

How can we win an argument, why should we learn about rhetoric and is the art of persuasion just a form of manipulation?  James M. May is the Professor of Classics at St. Olaf's, Minnesota and the Kenneth O. Bjork Distinguished Professor (2014-2017) as well as the Author of How to Win an Argument: An Ancient Guide to the Art of Persuasion. He discusses tips for improving your rhetoric... and...

What makes a monster? Why are ancient monsters so cool? And how can mythology help us in our day to day lives? Dr. Liz Gloyn, Senior Lecturer in Classics at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK and author of "The Ethics of the Family in Seneca (2017)" and most recently, “Tracking Classical Monsters in Popular Culture” delves into all things Monster... You can listen to Dr. Liz Gloyn ...

Ancient Mummy Glamour shots, a Minoan scandal everyone should be talking about, the Baltimore painter, Elephants on sarcophagi and the funny history of behead statues...  These are just a few of the fascinating pieces discussed with Lisa Anderson-Zhu, the Associate Curator, Art of the Mediterranean, 5th millennium BCE to 4th century CE at the The Walters Art Museum , in Baltimore, Maryland. Links...

How can ancient philosophy help us deal with natural disasters? Are we too reliant on technology? And can anyone truly understand stoicism without suffering? These are the questions we discuss with this week's special guest, Dr. Anthony Arthur Long, Chancellor's Professor Emeritus of Classics at the University of California, Berkeley. Professor Long is often credited with spearheading th...

He is required reading at West Point, and yet less known outside the Military world... In today's Podcast with Emily Baragwanath, the Associate Professor of Classics at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill we discuss Xenophon – who he was, why we should know about him and why we don’t… We also discuss his very unusual depiction of women. For more information about Classical Wisdom&ap...

Cyrus the Great is considered the "Anointed One", the originator of human rights, and ruthless conqueror. Find out the true story of the founder of the Persian Empire in this week's Classical Wisdom Speaks Episode with Stephen Dando-Collins. Stephen Dando-Collins, the award-winning author of 40 books, including Rise of an Empire, on which the major motion picture 300: Rise of an Emp...

Was there Mental Illness in the ancient world? What did people think about Suicide or Schizophrenia? How did the philosophies of Epicurus or Hippocrates help? And what can this teach us about Mental Illness today? Michael Fontaine, Professor and Associate Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education, The Department of Classics, Cornell University, New York treats us to a new perspective on the extremes...

Anya Leonard and Alex Barrientos discuss the Paradox of Theseus' Ship. It is an ancient riddle that asks if every part of the ship is eventually replaced, is Theseus' Ship still the same ship?  We can then apply this to ourselves: In a state of constant changing, what makes you YOU?  Time to don the thinking cap and get philosophizing...  Interested in learning more? Get a FREE E-book on...

Victor Davis Hanson, an American classicist and military historian, discusses ancient parallels to cancel culture and monument removals. Victor explains why he feels that the American president Trump is a tragic Greek hero, the cyclical nature of history and what knowledge of the ancient world can do to help you understand modern events. For more information about Classical Wisdom's Podcast C...

Stephen Dando-Collins, the award-winning author of 40 books, including Rise of an Empire , on which the major motion picture 300: Rise of an Empire was based, delves into the history of the notorious Roman emperor, Caligula. Does Caligula deserve his reputation? How did damnatio memoriae affect our knowledge of him... and can we compare Caligula to Trump? For more information about Classical Wisdo...

Why should we care about Homer's Odyssey? What lessons can it teach us for our modern world? Should we like Odysseus? Or do we want to see him fail? In this funny Classical Wisdom Speaks episode, Anya Leonard and Ben Potter discuss Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey and its modern relevance. To Learn more about Classical Wisdom Speaks, a podcast dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern...

David Lewis, Lecturer of Greek History and Culture at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland discusses ancient bondage. How did slavery work in the ancient Greek world? Who were the slaves and what do we really know about their lives? For more information about Classical Wisdom's Podcast Classical Wisdom Speaks, please check out our website at: http://classicalwisdom.com

Madeline Miller, the New York Times best selling author of Circe and Song of Achilles, discusses the reasons we need a new perspective for the Odyssean witch, why she evolved into an evil seductress, the role of gods and whether we should like Odysseus in the first place? For more information about Classical Wisdom's Podcast Classical Wisdom Speaks, please check out our website at: http://cla...

In today's confusing world with its conflicting reports, how do we know what is true? How can we seek it and what should we do when we hear ideas we DON'T agree with? Is there a need for controversy, debate and finding value in the opposition's ideas? In this Classical Wisdom Speaks Episode, Anya Leonard and Alex Barrientos explore what is Truth, whether can we know it and how shoul...