In Our Time

Lindsay Allen, a Senior Lecturer in Ancient Greek and Near Eastern History, along with Professor Emerita Lynette Mitchell and researcher Mateen Arghandehpour, dive into the captivating life of Cyrus the Great. They discuss his remarkable conquests, including Babylon, and his legacy of tolerance and governance. The Cyrus Cylinder is debated as possibly the first human rights declaration. Ancient narratives and the portrayal of Cyrus in the Hebrew Bible reveal the complexities of his character, as both a conqueror and a benefactor.

In this engaging discussion, Beverley Glover, Director of the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Jane Memmott, Professor of Ecology, and Lars Chittka, Professor of Sensory and Behavioural Ecology, dive into the intricate dance of pollination. They explore the clever strategies plants use to attract pollinators, revealing the sophisticated cognition of bees in flower selection. The conversation highlights the alarming decline in pollinator populations and its implications for ecosystems and agriculture, emphasizing the urgent need for biodiversity and conservation.

This discussion features Bihani Sarkar, a Senior Lecturer specializing in Hindu goddess Kali, Julius Lipner, a Professor Emeritus of Hinduism, and Jessica Frazier, a lecturer in Hindu studies. The guests explore the dual nature of Kali, emphasizing her fierce yet nurturing aspects. They delve into cultural interpretations, contrasting Western misapplications with her revered status in India. Poems celebrating Kali reveal her as a symbol of power and agency, while debates on her complex imagery highlight the rich traditions surrounding her worship.

David O’Shaughnessy, a Professor of Eighteenth-Century Studies, Judith Hawley, specializing in Eighteenth-Century Literature, and Michael Griffin, an expert in English, explore the multifaceted brilliance of Oliver Goldsmith. They discuss his journey from a struggling writer in London to a celebrated literary figure. Key topics include his renowned works like 'The Vicar of Wakefield' and 'She Stoops to Conquer', the nostalgic and social critiques in his poetry, and the enduring legacy he left in literature and theatre, revealing both his quirky kindness and intricate personality.

Lucy Wooding, an expert on Henry VIII, Maria Hayward, a specialist in Catherine of Aragon, and Gonzalo Verasco-Berengar, a lecturer on early modern European history, share captivating insights on Catherine of Aragon's life. They discuss her strategic marriage to Henry VIII and the challenges of her failure to produce a male heir. Highlights include her leadership during military campaigns, her deep loyalty, and her legacy in shaping royal identity, including her role as the mother of England's first queen regnant.

Frances Sands, Curator at the Sir John Soane's Museum, shares insights into Soane's unique architectural style that revolutionized the experience of buildings. Frank Salmon, an art history professor, discusses Soane's classical influences and the significance of his designs despite their destruction. Historian Gillian Darley delves into Soane's complex family dynamics and how they intertwined with his legacy. The conversation highlights Soane's innovative use of light and space, as well as his mission to educate and inspire through architecture.

Katherine Lewis, an Honorary Professor of Medieval History, and Laura Kalas, a Senior Lecturer in Medieval English Literature, delve into the intriguing legend of Pope Joan, a woman who disguised herself as a man to ascend to the papacy in the 9th century. They discuss how this tale reflects societal gender norms and the evolution of women's roles in the Church. The conversation reveals the intersection of historical fact and fiction and highlights the lasting impact of Pope Joan's story on contemporary discussions about women's leadership and authority within religious contexts.

In a captivating discussion, Angie Hobbs, Fiona Leigh, and James Warren unravel Socrates' profound final days as portrayed in Plato's Crito and Phaedo. They delve into Socrates' unwavering commitment to his principles, emphasizing his decision not to escape prison. The guests explore his views on death as a liberation of the soul, and his compelling arguments for immortality, igniting a lively debate on the nature of existence. They also reflect on Socrates' calm demeanor amidst turmoil, revealing how his philosophy continues to inspire and challenge moral thought.

Michael Rowe, a Reader in European History at King’s College London, Heidi Mehrkens, a Lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Aberdeen, and Colin Jones, Professor Emeritus at Queen Mary, University of London, dive into the pivotal Battle of Valmy. They discuss how the French army's unexpected victory not only halted foreign invaders but also catalyzed the abolition of the monarchy. The guests highlight the cultural significance of the Marseillaise and explore the battle's lasting impact on French nationalism and European politics.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss slime mould, a basic organism that grows on logs, cowpats and compost heaps. Scientists have found difficult to categorise slime mould: in 1868, the biologist Thomas Huxley asked: ‘Is this a plant, or is it an animal? Is it both or is it neither?’ and there is a great deal scientists still don’t know about it. But despite not having a brain, slime mould can solve complex problems: it can find the most efficient way round a maze and has been used to map Tokyo’s rail network. Researchers are using it to help find treatments for cancer, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, and computer scientists have designed an algorithm based on slime mould behaviour to learn about dark matter. It’s even been sent to the international space station to help study the effects of weightlessness. WithJonathan Chubb Professor of Quantitative Cell Biology at University College, LondonElinor Thompson Reader in microbiology and plant science at the University of GreenwichAndMerlin Sheldrake Biologist and writerProducer: Eliane Glaser In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio production