Caroline Vahrenkamp

Wonders of the World

History EN ↓ 133 episodes

In this podcast, we'll visit 200 Wonders of the World, from the Pyramids to the Great Barrier Reef, to tell the story of our people, our civilization, and our planet. My name is Caroline Vahrenkamp, and I'm a travel junkie. The world is filled with amazing places that reflect the greatest achievements of human accomplishment. In these uncertain times, understanding our great shared history may help to bridge the divides between us. And if not, it will be a fun ride anyway! We'll discuss the history of each place and the story of the men and women who lived there. We'll cover travel notes, exam...

Author

Caroline Vahrenkamp

Episodes

007 - The Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Rise of the Ptolemies 10.01.2017 41:45

This episode, we visit Alexandria, Egypt, at its peak, as we check out the Lighthouse (or Pharos) and the Great Library. We'll enjoy some ful medames, and talk Ptolemy. Plus science!

006 - The Colossus of Rhodes and the "Besieger of Cities" 27.12.2016 29:14

It's big! It's bronze! This week, we'll head to the Greek island of Rhodes, and hear them undergo two separate sieges, one of which led to the mighty and short-lived Colossus. We'll also sample some classic Rhodian food with all the garlic that implies.

005a - The Two Artemisias 20.12.2016 11:51

Bonus Episode! Turns out there were two Artemisias. In this bonus episode, we take a look at Artemisia the First of Halicarnassus, who was a naval commander in the Persian War at the Battle of Salamis. I'll let our old pal Herodotus explain more.

005 - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and Artemisia of Caria 13.12.2016 28:15

This episode, we're heading down the Turkish Coast to Bodrum, formerly called Halicarnassus and home of the long-lost Mausoleum, symbol of should-have-been-forbidden love. We'll also check out the thermal springs at Pamukkale and eat swordfish kebabs!

004 - The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and Herostratic Fame 30.11.2016 27:03

This week, we sail to Turkey to visit the great temple of Artemis in Ephesus, which at its peak was one of the world's largest and richest cities. Since the temple is gone, we'll tour the ruined city and eat a seafood feast.

003 - The Statue of Zeus at Olympia and the Olympic Games 18.11.2016 28:12

This week, it's off to Greece's Peloponnese peninsula, to visit Olympia, home of the Statue of Zeus and the original Olympic Games. We'll also take a side trip to Sparta and seek out that most Greek of healthy fats: olive oil.

002 - The Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Assyrian and Babylonian Civilizations 11.11.2016 23:53

We travel to Babylon in Iraq, to search for the elusive remains of Nebuchadnezzar's Hanging Gardens, which might have not have been his at all. We'll also try masguf and tepsi, Iraqi specialties which have been enjoyed for centuries.

001 - The Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Sphinx of Giza 10.11.2016 25:10

We start our trip around the world in Giza, Egypt, to see the Great Pyramid. We'll talk about how pyramids came to be and how a prince used the Sphinx to build legitimacy, and we'll eat koshari, the veg-friendly national dish.