Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchShakespeare: Past Master | 3. Julius Caesar
Episode 1832
Islam Issa charts what the tragic history play tells us about the ancient world – and the insights it offers into the politics of the playwright’s ow…
2 years, 3 months ago
Du Fu: China's greatest poet
Episode 1831
Writing during the celebrated Tang dynasty, Du Fu is heralded as China's greatest poet, musing on subjects from how to cook noodles to war and rebell…
2 years, 3 months ago
Cities that turbocharged art history
Episode 1829
From Renaissance Florence and ancient Babylon to the kingdom of Benin and Heian-era Kyoto, cities across history have served as launchpads for extrao…
2 years, 4 months ago
Astronomy history: everything you wanted to know
Episode 1828
When was it established that the Earth is round? Did the Catholic church help or hinder the practice of astronomy? And how transformative was the big…
2 years, 4 months ago
The dark side of Dickens
Episode 1827
Charles Dickens was a master of managing his personal brand. In fact, almost everything we know about him comes from one biography, written by his fr…
2 years, 4 months ago
Thanksgiving: everything you wanted to know
Episode 1826
Rachel Herrmann charts the long history of America’s famous holiday – from modern parades and celebrations to the first feast
From the fabled first fe…
2 years, 4 months ago
Shakespeare: Past Master | 2. Romeo and Juliet
Episode 1821
Sophie Duncan delves into the playwright’s world-famous tragedy to reveal what it tells us about youth in the Tudor era
The doomed romance of young lo…
2 years, 4 months ago
The dangers of medieval travel
Episode 1824
Why did medieval people hit the road or the high seas? Was it expensive to travel in the Middle Ages, and what were the biggest risks that a medieval…
2 years, 4 months ago
The Princes in the Tower: has the mystery been solved?
Episode 1822
In the summer of 1483, two young princes disappeared from the Tower of London – and were never seen again. Had they been killed by their uncle, Richa…
2 years, 4 months ago
The Pre-Raphaelites: everything you wanted to know
Episode 1821
How did the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood become so famous? Did Elizabeth Siddal really almost die in a bathtub when she modelled for John Everett Milla…
2 years, 4 months ago