Exploring early Chinese history through ancient sources like inscriptions on bones and silk, new discoveries shedding light on the past. Delving into the challenges of interpreting historical records, moral evaluations, and cultural perceptions. Analyzing writing techniques, biases faced by historians, and the importance of history in Chinese culture.

Exploration of the Battle of Tours, where Charles Martel defeated a large Arab army, shaping European history. Discussing Muslim conquests, Franks' rise, Arab invasions motives, and analyzing historical propaganda. Delving into the narratives of the battle from different perspectives and Gibbon's views on its significance.

Join Melvyn Bragg and guests as they explore Plato's Symposium, a dialogue on love featuring Socrates and Aristophanes. Delve into the nature of love, how it arises, and the significance of being in love. Discover the influence of this discussion on later thinkers and the origins of Platonic love.

Learn about the Medici family's rise to power in Florence through banking and strategic alliances. Explore their patronage of the arts, political influence, and their significant impact on the Renaissance. Discover the legacy of Lorenzo the Magnificent and the family's political maneuverings to maintain power in Italy.

Experts discuss how complexity theory helps us understand collective behavior in various fields like biology and politics. They explore the impact of interactions in systems, from neural networks to epidemics. The podcast highlights the challenges of predicting outcomes in complex systems and the importance of qualitative analysis in understanding human behavior during crises.

Pliny the Younger, a prominent lawyer and governor in Rome, shares insights into ancient society through his prolific letters. Topics include his rise to success, governance challenges in wealthy provinces, political maneuvers, bravery during Vesuvius eruption, and correspondence on Christianity and literary style.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Hindu ideas about Creation. According to most Western religious traditions, a deity was the original creator of the Universe. Hinduism, on the other hand, has no single creation story. For thousands of years, Hindu thinkers have taken a variety of approaches to the question of where we come from, with some making the case for divine intervention and others asking whether it is even possible for humans to comprehend the nature of creation. The origin of our existence, and the nature of the Universe we live in, is one of the richest strands of Hindu thought.With:Jessica Frazier Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Kent and a Research Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies at the University of OxfordChakravarthi Ram-Prasad Professor of Comparative Religion and Philosophy at Lancaster UniversityGavin Flood Professor of Hindu Studies and Comparative Religion at the University of Oxford.Producer: Thomas Morris.

Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the evolution of the microscope, from Van Leeuwenhoek to modern advancements. They discuss the historical significance of early inventors, limitations of light microscopes, the breakthrough of electron microscopy, and the revolution of super resolution techniques in scientific research.

Exploring the life of Pocahontas, her interactions with English colonists, conversion to Christianity, and marriage. The chapters discuss the complexities of relationships between English settlers and Native Americans, shedding light on romantic and political intrigues. Pocahontas' significance evolves from historical figure to mythical icon, influencing writers and artists throughout history.

Melvyn Bragg and guests analyze Shakespeare's The Tempest, discussing colonial influences, magical elements, and character complexities such as Caliban. They explore themes of exploration, utopia, and the evolution of the play's cultural impact over centuries.