Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Translation Movement in Arabic, sparked by Caliph Al-Mamun's dream of Aristotle. They delve into the mass translations of Greek ideas into Arabic, introducing Islamic world to philosophy, medicine, engineering, and maths. The episode explores challenges in translating Greek philosophy to Arabic, intellectual salon culture in Baghdad, rise of libraries, and impact on medicine, philosophy, and mathematics.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the parting of the Red Sea, the feeding of the five thousand and the general subject of miracles. Miracles have been part of human culture for thousands of years. From St Augustine in the 4th century through the medieval cult of saints to David Hume in the 18th, miracles have captured the imaginations of believers and sceptics alike. The way they have been celebrated, interpreted, dissected and refuted is a whole history of arguments between philosophy, science and religion. They have also been used by the corrupt and the powerful to gain their perverse ends. Miracles have been derided and proved to be fraudulent and yet, for many, the miraculous maintain a grip on our imagination, our language and our belief to this day. With Martin Palmer, Director of the International Consultancy on Religion, Education and Culture;Janet Soskice, Reader in Philosophical Theology at Cambridge University; Justin Champion, Professor of the History of Early Modern Ideas at Royal Holloway, University of London.

The podcast delves into Tacitus' portrayal of Rome, highlighting decadence, corruption, and tyranny under emperors like Nero and Caligula. It questions the accuracy of Tacitus' depiction, examining the influence of his work on modern views of the Roman Empire. The episode explores themes of crime, sex, violence, and senatorial corruption, presenting a vivid picture of Rome during the first century AD. It also discusses the complexities of managing the Roman Empire, focusing on emperors' challenges in maintaining boundaries and dealing with discontent among legionaries.

Melvyn Bragg and guests dive into Dante's 'Inferno', discussing the intricate symbolism of demons, punishments, and classical encounters in medieval spirituality. They explore Dante's condemnation of fraud, corrupt politicians in Florence, and the lasting influence of his vivid imagination on global audiences.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Arab conquests - an extraordinary period in the 7th and 8th centuries when the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula conquered the Middle East, Persia, North Africa and Southern Europe and spread the ideas of the Islamic religion. In 632 the prophet Muhammad died and left behind the nascent religion of Islam among a few tribes in the Arabian Desert. They were relatively small in number, they were divided among themselves and they were surrounded by vast and powerful empires. Yet within 100 years Arab armies controlled territory from Northern Spain to Southern Iran and Islamic ideas had begun to profoundly refashion the societies they touched. It is one of the most extraordinary and significant events in world history that began the slow and profound transformation of Greek and Persian societies into Islamic ones. But how did the Arab armies achieve such extensive victories, how did they govern the people they conquered and what was the relationship between the achievements of the Arabs and the religious beliefs they carried with them?With Hugh Kennedy, Professor of Arabic at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; Amira Bennison, Senior Lecturer in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge and Robert Hoyland, Professor in Arabic and Middle East Studies at the University of St Andrews

Explore the ancient concept of 'music of the spheres' and its ties to mathematics and music, from Pythagorean theory to celestial harmony. Delve into the mystical world of planetary movement creating celestial music and the pragmatic astronomy of Ptolemy. Discover how music can influence the mind according to Ficino and the transition from Copernicus to Kepler in understanding cosmic harmony.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Metaphysical poets, a diffuse group of 17th century writers including John Donne, Andrew Marvell and George Herbert. Mourning the death of a good friend in 1631, the poet Thomas Carew declared: “The Muses' garden, with pedantic weeds O'erspread, was purg'd by thee; the lazy seeds Of servile imitation thrown away, And fresh invention planted.”The gardener in question was a poet, John Donne, and from his fresh invention blossomed a group of 17th century writers called the metaphysical poets. Concerned with sex and death, with science and empire, the metaphysical poets challenged the conventions of Elizabethan poetry with drama and with wit. And they showed that English, like Italian and French, was capable of true poetry.Unashamedly modern, they were saluted by another great modernist, T.S. Eliot, who admired their genius for imagery, the freshness of their language and the drama of their poetic character. But what do we mean by metaphysical poetry, how did it reflect an age of drama and discovery and do poets as different as John Donne, Andrew Marvell and George Herbert really belong together in the canon of English literature? With Tom Healy, Professor of Renaissance Studies at Birkbeck College, University of London; Julie Sanders, Professor of English Literature and Drama at the University of Nottingham; and Tom Cain, Professor of Early Modern Literature at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Discussing the intrigue of 'The Riddle of the Sands' novel revealing a German military plot against Britain. Exploring the cultural exchanges and perceptions between Germany and Britain. Delving into contrasting views on cultural richness and political oppression. Examining themes of warfare cruelty and revenge post-Waterloo. Highlighting Prince Albert's influence on Anglo-German relations. Tracking the shifting attitudes towards Germany pre and post-World War I.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Trofim Lysenko, a geneticist in Stalin's Russia whose controversial ideas distorted science. Lysenko's influence on Soviet agriculture, the suppression of dissent, and the lasting impact of Lysenkoism on the Soviet Union's trajectory are explored in this intriguing podcast.

Explore the origins and evolution of probability theory, from ancient dice games to modern applications. Delve into strategies for decision-making with the Monty Hall problem and discover Jacob Bernoulli's contributions. Uncover the intriguing nature of probability through examples like sharing birthdays and the laws of large numbers in gambling. Dive into models of determinism and the implications of misinterpreting probabilities in real-life scenarios.