Homer's works, including the Iliad and the Odyssey, are foundational texts of ancient Greek literature, shaping Western culture and storytelling.
The Old Testament is composed of several distinct sections: the Pentateuch (the first five books), the Historical Books, the Wisdom Books, and the Prophetic Books. It includes accounts of creation, the early history of humanity, the covenant between God and the Israelites, and the history of the Israelites from their conquest of Canaan to their exile in Babylon. The books were written over several centuries and include various genres such as history, poetry, wisdom literature, and prophecy[1][2][3].
*Theogony* recounts the history of the gods, beginning with the emergence of Chaos, Gaea (Earth), and Eros, and culminates with the triumph of Zeus as the supreme god. It includes genealogies of gods and goddesses and the link between gods and humans. *Works and Days* is a more personal narrative that addresses Hesiod's brother Perses, urging him to abandon his schemes and gain his livelihood through hard work. It describes the five Ages of Man, offers advice on farming and daily life, and includes myths such as Pandora's box.
In this work, Nietzsche discusses the history of the tragic form and introduces the intellectual dichotomy between the Dionysian and the Apollonian. He argues that Greek tragedy arose from the fusion of these elements, with the Apollonian representing measure, restraint, and harmony, and the Dionysian representing unbridled passion. Nietzsche also critiques Socratic rationalism and its impact on Greek tragedy and modern culture, advocating for a rebirth of tragedy inspired by Richard Wagner’s music[1][4][5].
Written by Niccolò Machiavelli in the early 16th century, 'Discourses on Livy' is a three-book commentary on the first ten books of Titus Livy's 'Ab Urbe Condita'. The work examines the founding, maintenance, and protection of the Roman Republic, drawing lessons for modern republics. Machiavelli critiques the failure of his contemporaries to learn from ancient political history and argues for the importance of imitating the political virtues of the ancients. The book discusses various themes, including the role of public and private counsel, the institution of dictatorship, and the impact of religion on statecraft. It is a significant work in political philosophy, emphasizing the practical application of historical examples to contemporary political issues.
This book provides a detailed analysis of the ancient city, emphasizing the central role of religion in the formation and governance of ancient Greek and Roman societies. Fustel de Coulanges argues that the domestic religion, centered on ancestor worship, was the foundation of all civic life, influencing family structures, property laws, and the development of city-states. The book chronicles the evolution of these societies, including the impact of social revolutions and the eventual rise of Christianity, which marked a significant shift in the social and political order of the ancient world.
Friedrich Nietzsche's "The Antichrist" is a highly critical assessment of Christianity and its influence on Western culture. Nietzsche attacks Christian morality and its values, arguing that they are life-denying and have stifled human potential. He advocates for a revaluation of all values and a rejection of traditional religious beliefs. The book is known for its provocative and often inflammatory language. It's a significant work in understanding Nietzsche's critique of religion and his vision for a new morality. It remains a controversial but influential text.
The Saturnalia, written by Macrobius in the early fifth century CE, is a work that consists of an account of discussions held at the house of Vettius Agorius Praetextatus during the holiday of the Saturnalia. It is cast in the form of a dialogue and treats subjects as diverse as the divinity of the Sun, the quirks of human digestion, and the mastery of Virgil in diction, rhetoric, philosophy, and religion. The work is a treasure trove of otherwise unattested Roman lore and has been prized since the Renaissance for its rich content and historical significance.
Carl Jung's 'Red Book' is a collection of his personal writings, dreams, and visionary experiences, offering insights into his unique psychological theories.
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We discussed the following topics: why the Torah is probably younger than commonly believed; the influence of Hellenism on Judaism as well as the New Testament; the Carpocratians (syncretists of Greek philosophy & Christian religion); the link between Platonism & Christianity; Nietzsche's argument that the Epicureans struggled against "latent Christianity"; Christianity as a hyper-rationalist religion set against the more sophisticated theologies of the pagan world; the possibility that extinguishing the Vestal fires actually brought down the Roman Empire. We also talked about Neal's personal journey through the Christian faith into his own idiosyncratic spirituality, and an attitude that he describes as a balance of Gnosticism & agnosticism; he views a life of Gnosis (knowing) as essentially a life of skepticism in which one demands to know for oneself and reject all inherited dogma. At the end we discuss his upcoming journey to Greece & film project, during which he will interview the group setting up a new temple to Pan in Greece, and the Orthodox figures opposing them.
The Nietzsche Podcast 
