Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Physiocrats, an important group of economic thinkers in eighteenth-century France. The Physiocrats believed that the land was the ultimate source of all wealth, and crucially that markets should not be constrained by governments. Their ideas were important not just to economists but to the course of politics in France. Later they influenced the work of Adam Smith, who called Physiocracy "perhaps the nearest approximation to the truth that has yet been published upon the subject of political economy."With:Richard Whatmore Professor of Intellectual History & the History of Political Thought at the University of SussexJoel Felix Professor of History at the University of ReadingHelen Paul Lecturer in Economics and Economic History at the University of Southampton.Producer: Thomas Morris.

Professor Mona Siddiqui and other experts discuss the role of prophets in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, exploring their significance, differences, and evolution. They delve into the characteristics of lesser-known prophets, the verification of prophecies, the ethical guidance provided by prophets, and the disruptive nature of prophecy in disrupting established structures.

Melvyn Bragg and experts delve into Einstein's Special and General Relativity, reshaping views on space, time, and gravity. They explore time dilation, twin paradox, E=MC squared, and Einstein's impact on science. Mathematical foundations of relativity and the discovery of black holes are discussed, highlighting Einstein's revolutionary achievements.

Explore the captivating story of Queen Zenobia, a formidable leader who defied the Roman Empire, conquered Egypt, and established her own empire before facing defeat. Learn about her intelligence, military prowess, and lasting legacy. Delve into the historical significance of Palmyra, an oasis of cultural exchange, and Queen Zenobia's rise to power amidst power struggles and imperial titles. Witness Aurelian's reign and Zenobia's downfall in the face of strategic ambitions and calculated alliances.

Delve into Claude Levi-Strauss's study of Brazilian tribes and his impactful ideas on universal human thought. Learn about his structuralism debate with Jean-Paul Sartre and his influential works on myth, human thought, and kinship. Explore the lasting legacy of Levi-Strauss in the intellectual landscape.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss cosmic rays. In 1912 the physicist Victor Hess discovered that the Earth is under constant bombardment from radiation coming from outside our atmosphere. These so-called cosmic rays have been known to cause damage to satellites and electronic devices on Earth, but most are absorbed by our atmosphere. The study of cosmic rays and their effects has led to major breakthroughs in particle physics. But today physicists are still trying to establish where these highly energetic subatomic particles come from.With:Carolin Crawford Gresham Professor of Astronomy and a member of the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge Alan Watson Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Leeds Tim Greenshaw Professor of Physics at the University of Liverpool.Producer: Thomas Morris.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Icelandic Sagas. First written down in the 13th century, the sagas tell the stories of the Norse settlers of Iceland, who began to arrive on the island in the late 9th century. They contain some of the richest and most extraordinary writing of the Middle Ages, and often depict events known to have happened in the early years of Icelandic history, although there is much debate as to how much of their content is factual and how much imaginative. Full of heroes, feuds and outlaws, with a smattering of ghosts and trolls, the sagas inspired later writers including Sir Walter Scott, William Morris and WH Auden.With:Carolyne Larrington Fellow and Tutor in Medieval English Literature at St John's College, OxfordElizabeth Ashman Rowe University Lecturer in Scandinavian History at the University of CambridgeEmily Lethbridge Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Árni Magnússon Manuscripts Institute in ReykjavíkProducer: Thomas Morris.

Explore the ancient Gnostic beliefs of transcending the physical world through inner knowledge. Learn about the rise of diverse Gnostic movements in the Roman Empire and their unique salvation concept. Discover the challenges faced by Gnostics within the institutional church and the profound impact of the discovery of ancient Gnostic texts in 1945. Delve into the intricate teachings of Valentinus and the Gnostic Sophia myth, reshaping perspectives on early Christianity.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Essays of Michel de Montaigne. Born near Bordeaux in 1533, Montaigne retired from a life of public service aged 38 and began to write. He called these short works 'essais', or 'attempts'; they deal with an eclectic range of subjects, from the dauntingly weighty to the apparently trivial. Although he never considered himself a philosopher, he is often now seen as one of the most outstanding Sceptical thinkers of early modern Europe. His approachable style, intelligence and subtle thought have made him one of the most widely admired writers of the Renaissance.With:David Wootton Anniversary Professor of History at York UniversityTerence Cave Emeritus Professor of French Literature at the University of OxfordFelicity Green Chancellor's Fellow in History at the University of Edinburgh.Producer: Thomas Morris.

Discover the intense debates surrounding the Putney Debates during the English Civil War, where topics such as voting rights, civil liberties, and religious freedom were passionately discussed. Delve into the influence of religion on conflicts throughout history and the rise of radical ideas within the New Model Army. Learn about the emergence of the Levellers and their push for democratic accountability, as well as the impact of the Putney Debates on shaping political thought for centuries.