Melvyn Bragg and experts discuss the War of 1812, its impact on American identity, The Star-Spangled Banner creation, and Native American land loss. Topics include British impressment of American sailors, British invasion of Washington, and the Treaty of Ghent. The podcast explores tensions, Jefferson's beliefs on Canada, and post-war dynamics between Britain and America.

Historian and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the myth of Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers abandoned as babies and nursed by a she-wolf. They discuss the conflicting versions of the story, Romulus's founding of Rome, and the enduring symbol of the she-wolf. The podcast examines the themes of exposed infants in mythology, variations in the myth, Romulus's actions in shaping Rome, and the gender dynamics and implications of the story on Roman society.

Delving into the history and significance of comets like Halley's Comet. Exploring their composition, tails, orbits, and unpredictable nature. Discussing their potential role in delivering life's building blocks and the excitement around the Rosetta mission.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Thomas Malory's "Le Morte Darthur", the epic tale of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. Sir Thomas Malory was a knight from Warwickshire, a respectable country gentleman and MP in the 1440s who later turned to a life of crime and spent various spells in prison. It was during Malory's final incarceration that he wrote "Le Morte Darthur", an epic work which was based primarily on French, but also some English, sources. Malory died shortly after his release in 1470 and it was to be another fifteen years before "Le Morte Darthur" was published by William Caxton, to immediate popular acclaim. Although the book fell from favour in the seventeenth century, it was revived again in Victorian times and became an inspiration for the Pre-Raphaelite movement who were entranced by the chivalric and romantic world that Malory portrayed. The Arthurian legend is one of the most enduring and popular in western literature and its characters - Sir Lancelot, Guinevere, Merlin and King Arthur himself, are as well-known today as they were then; and the book's themes - chivalry, betrayal, love and honour - remain as compelling.With: Helen Cooper Professor of Medieval and Renaissance English at the University of CambridgeHelen Fulton Professor of Medieval Literature and Head of Department of English and Related Literature at the University of YorkLaura Ashe CUF Lecturer and Tutorial Fellow at Worcester College at the University of OxfordProducer: Natalia Fernandez.

Delve into the mysterious cult of Mithras in the Roman Empire, with its rituals, initiation system, and enigmatic origins linked to ancient deities. Explore the decline of Mithraism with the rise of Christianity and the significance of archaeology in uncovering its secrets.

Melvyn Bragg and guests delve into The South Sea Bubble, a financial disaster of early 18th-century England. The podcast explores the rise and fall of the South Sea Company, the impact on investors, societal reactions, and parallels to modern market bubbles like the dot com era. They discuss the company's involvement in the slave trade, political maneuvering, and lessons learned from this historic stock market boom and bust.

Explore the epic poem Shahnameh by Ferdowsi, portraying Persian history and culture. Discover the preservation of Persian identity through poetry, the language, mythology, and romance in the Shahnameh. Learn about the impact of Shah Nami on Mongol Iran and the enduring linguistic riches of Shahnameh on Persian culture.

Melvyn Bragg and guests delve into the life and ideas of philosopher Bertrand Russell, from his groundbreaking work in mathematics and logic to his influence on analytic philosophy. Explore Russell's theory of descriptions, his social activism, and his enduring impact on modern thought.

Explore the history and significance of crystallography, from its roots with Johannes Kepler to the groundbreaking discoveries by the Braggs. Learn how X-ray crystallography has revolutionized our understanding of materials and earned scientists numerous Nobel Prizes. Delve into the key figures and discoveries in crystallography, including the race to uncover the structure of DNA. Discover how this science has transformed medicine, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration among professionals.

Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the scandalous reputation of the Borgias, infamous for treachery and corruption in Renaissance Italy. They delve into the lives of Pope Alexander VI and his children, Cesare and Lucrezia, discussing nepotism, power struggles, and the 'Black Legend'. The podcast uncovers the intricate politics of the Renaissance papacy, alliances, power dynamics, and the controversies surrounding the Borgias' rise and fall.