In Our Time
BBC Radio 4
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nerfertiti. Or perhaps you’re looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism’s early teachings to the Protestant Reformation.
If you’re interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity’s cultural achievements.
Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets.
Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato’s concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis?
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nerfertiti. Or perhaps you’re looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism’s early teachings to the Protestant Reformation.
If you’re interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity’s cultural achievements.
Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets.
Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato’s concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis?
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 7, 2016 • 45min
The Sikh Empire
Ranjit Singh, ruler of the Sikh Empire, united the Sikhs and established a powerful state through military power and diplomacy. The podcast explores the Sikh origins, Ranjit Singh's approach towards different religions, and the significance of the Golden Temple. It also discusses Ranjit Singh's impact on the Sikh Empire, his legacy, and the transformation of Sikhism through the creation of calfs.
Mar 31, 2016 • 46min
Agrippina the Younger
Agrippina the Younger, a notorious Roman empress, is discussed in this podcast. Topics include her rise to power, political situation in Rome, her family background, the influence of Roman women, assassination and succession, her rivalry with Messalina, perceptions of her reign, and encounters with male power.
Mar 24, 2016 • 47min
Aurora Leigh
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Elizabeth Barrett Browning's epic "Aurora Leigh" which was published in 1856. It is the story of an orphan, Aurora, born in Italy to an English father and Tuscan mother, who is brought up by an aunt in rural Shropshire. She has a successful career as a poet in London and, when living in Florence, is reunited with her cousin, Romney Leigh, whose proposal she turned down a decade before. The poem was celebrated by other poets and was Elizabeth Barrett Browning's most commercially successful. Over 11,000 lines, she addressed many Victorian social issues, including reform, illegitimacy, the pressure to marry and what women must overcome to be independent, successful writers, in a world dominated by men. With Margaret Reynolds
Professor of English at Queen Mary, University of LondonDaniel Karlin
Winterstoke Professor of English Literature at the University of BristolAndKaren O'Brien
Professor of English Literature at King's College LondonProducer: Simon Tillotson.
Mar 17, 2016 • 47min
Bedlam
Explore the history of Bedlam, from its origins as a charitable institution to its notorious reputation. Discover its role as a tourist attraction, the Munrods' medical dynasty, the Radcliffe Traveling Fellowships, and the admission process at Bedlam. Gain insights into the patients' perspective and conditions in mental institutions through their accounts and literature.
Mar 10, 2016 • 47min
The Maya Civilization
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Maya Civilization, developed by the Maya people, which flourished in central America from around 250 AD in great cities such as Chichen Itza and Uxmal with advances in mathematics, architecture and astronomy. Long before the Spanish Conquest in the 16th Century, major cities had been abandoned for reasons unknown, although there are many theories including overpopulation and changing climate. The hundreds of Maya sites across Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico raise intriguing questions about one of the world's great pre-industrial civilizations.WithElizabeth Graham
Professor of Mesoamerican Archaeology at University College LondonMatthew Restall
Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Latin American History and Anthropology at Pennsylvania State UniversityAndBenjamin Vis
Eastern ARC Research Fellow in Digital Humanities at the University of KentProducer: Simon Tillotson.
Mar 3, 2016 • 46min
The Dutch East India Company
Anne Goldgar, Helen Paul, and Chris Nierstrasz discuss the dominance of the Dutch East India Company in the spice trade, their conflicts with other European countries, the limited trade with China, and the decline of the VOC. They also explore the impact of the Dutch East India Company on foreign trade and South Africa's food and wine production.
Feb 25, 2016 • 45min
Mary Magdalene
Join scholars Joanne Anderson, Eamon Duffy, and Joan Taylor as they delve into the fascinating life of Mary Magdalene, a pivotal biblical figure. They explore her significant roles at the crucifixion and resurrection, and her complex identity shaped by history and theology. Discover the implications of her name's origins and how medieval legends elevated her status. The conversation also challenges traditional narratives, revealing her as both a leader and a marginalized figure, influencing spirituality and art through the centuries.
Feb 18, 2016 • 48min
Robert Hooke
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life and work of Robert Hooke (1635-1703) who worked for Robert Boyle and was curator of experiments at the Royal Society. The engraving of a flea, above, is taken from his Micrographia which caused a sensation when published in 1665. Sometimes remembered for his disputes with Newton, he studied the planets with telescopes and snowflakes with microscopes. He was an early proposer of a theory of evolution, discovered light diffraction with a wave theory to explain it and felt he was rarely given due credit for his discoveries. WithDavid Wootton
Anniversary Professor of History at the University of YorkPatricia Fara
President Elect of the British Society for the History of ScienceAndRob Iliffe
Professor of History of Science at Oxford UniversityProducer: Simon Tillotson.
21 snips
Feb 11, 2016 • 47min
Rumi's Poetry
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the poetry of Rumi, the Persian scholar and Sufi mystic of the 13th Century. His great poetic works are the Masnavi or "spiritual couplets" and the Divan, a collection of thousands of lyric poems. He is closely connected with four modern countries: Afghanistan, as he was born in Balkh, from which he gains the name Balkhi; Uzbekistan from his time in Samarkand as a child; Iran as he wrote in Persian; and Turkey for his work in Konya, where he spent most of his working life and where his followers established the Mevlevi Order, also known as the Whirling Dervishes.With Alan Williams
British Academy Wolfson Research Professor at the University of ManchesterCarole Hillenbrand
Professor of Islamic History at the University of St Andrews and Professor Emerita of Edinburgh UniversityAnd Lloyd Ridgeon
Reader in Islamic Studies at the University of GlasgowProducer: Simon Tillotson.
Feb 4, 2016 • 47min
Chromatography
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the origins, development and uses of chromatography. In its basic form, it is familiar to generations of schoolchildren who put a spot of ink at the bottom of a strip of paper, dip it in water and then watch the pigments spread upwards, revealing their separate colours. Chemists in the 19th Century started to find new ways to separate mixtures and their work was taken further by Mikhail Tsvet, a Russian-Italian scientist who is often credited with inventing chromatography in 1900. The technique has become so widely used, it is now an integral part of testing the quality of air and water, the levels of drugs in athletes, in forensics and in the preparation of pharmaceuticals.WithAndrea Sella
Professor of Chemistry at University College LondonApryll Stalcup
Professor of Chemical Sciences at Dublin City UniversityAndLeon Barron
Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at King's College London.
