The hosts dive into the whimsicalities of ancient Rome, exploring secretive names and intriguing historical figures. They take a hilarious detour to discuss 'boob slang' from New Zealand prisons, showcasing its rich vocabulary. Travel mishaps lead to tips on mobile expenses while the fascinating Jaguar CX-75 car unveils design secrets and movie ties. The brutal entertainment of bear baiting in Shakespeare’s time contrasts sharply with modern views. Finally, they humorously reflect on the Edwardian trend of ordering seawater for health benefits.
The podcast explores the intriguing concept of a secret name for Rome, revealing its connection to ancient beliefs about power and divine protection.
Listeners learn about the brutal entertainment of bear baiting during Queen Elizabeth I's reign, highlighting the moral conflicts surrounding such practices in history.
The discussion on Jaguar's innovative car design showcases how modern branding merges sound and storytelling to create unique consumer experiences.
Deep dives
The Mystery of Ancient Rome's Secret Name
Ancient Rome is believed to have had a secret name known only to a select few dignitaries, yet the actual name remains unknown. Multiple ancient historians, including Pliny and Plutarch, referenced this secret name, but there is significant skepticism about whether it genuinely existed or was merely a later invention. Some theories suggest that the name 'Amour,' an anagram of Rome, could have been this secret identity, while others link it to a hidden goddess whose name could not be spoken without risking betrayal. The significance of knowing a name in ancient cultures points to deeper beliefs in power and protection, reminiscent of stories from Egyptian mythology and the concept of sacred names that invoked divine assistance.
Bear Baiting as Elizabethan Entertainment
Queen Elizabeth I famously never visited Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, yet she attended a venue nearby where bears fought dogs and monkeys, highlighting the gruesome entertainment of the time. This form of entertainment involved bears, often celebrities in their own right, engaging in battles until one was deemed injured or exhausted. Notably, Sackerson, a well-known bear mentioned in Shakespeare's 'The Merry Wives of Windsor,' exemplified the level of public interest in these events. The Puritans eventually banned bear baiting, deeming it indicative of too much merriment on Sundays rather than due to animal welfare concerns, showcasing a conflict between entertainment and morality during that era.
Jaguar's Unique Car Sound
In 2010, Jaguar unveiled a car designed to emit the sound of an actual jaguar, aiming to create a sensory experience that connected the vehicle with its namesake animal. This innovative vehicle, the CX-75, debuted at the Paris Motor Show, blending high-performance automotive design with unique audio engineering for a one-of-a-kind automotive experience. The sound design was crafted by Ian Callum, who initially submitted a car design to Jaguar at the young age of 14, later going on to become a prominent figure in the automotive industry. This merging of sound and machine illustrates how branding and consumer experiences are increasingly influenced by creative storytelling in car design.
Seawater Delivered to Your Home
In Edwardian times, the idea of health benefits derived from seawater led to a peculiar trend where barrels of seawater would be delivered to people's homes, allowing them to enjoy therapeutic sea baths without visiting the coast. This practice emphasized a growing belief in the healing powers of seawater, as it was associated with cures for ailments like tuberculosis and scurvy, which plagued many during that era. The influx of seaside tourism contributed to this notion, transforming places like Brighton into health resorts capitalizing on hydrotherapy. Despite the poor state of modern seawater due to pollution, there are still companies today that deliver seawater sourced from cleaner coasts for various wellness practices.
Queen Elizabeth's Elaborate Parties
Queen Elizabeth I frequently hosted and attended elaborate parties, some so extravagant that they lasted for weeks, exemplifying her role in the culture of entertainment during her reign. Her favorite party was the Kenilworth Spectacle organized by Robert Dudley, where she was treated to elaborate displays, from fireworks to mock battles, showcasing the lengths to which suitors would go to impress her. This penchant for lavish entertainment reflected the larger societal norms of the period, where royal patronage could transform towns into bustling centers of social activity. Dudley, however, faced unpopularity rooted in allegations surrounding his first wife's mysterious death, illustrating how personal scandals intertwined with public perception during the monarchy.