Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Johann Wolfgang Goethe, the great German polymath. 'I had the great advantage of being born at a time that was ripe for earth-shaking events which continued throughout my long life, so that I witnessed the Seven Years War...the French Revolution, and the whole Napoleonic era down to the defeat of the hero and what followed after him. As a result I have attained completely different insights and conclusions than will ever be possible for people who are born now...' Goethe's friend Johann Peter Eckermann recorded these remarks made by the great writer at the end of his life in a series of published recollections. Goethe's life was indeed remarkable. At the age of twenty-five he was author of the first German international best-seller The Sorrows of Young Werther. A year later, he was invited by the Grand Duke to join him at the Imperial Court as Privy Councillor where he oversaw commissions on war, roads and tax. He rode to war with the Prussian Army against the French and embarked on a remarkable creative friendship with Schiller which saw the establishment of a new form of German theatre. What made Goethe the dominant cultural icon of his time and after? What links were there between his interest in politics and the arts? Why did he support Napoleon despite the French invasion of Weimar? How did his relationships with women define his work? And how was he able to transform the status of the German language? With Tim Blanning, Professor of Modern European History at the University of Cambridge; Sarah Colvin, Professor of German at the University of Edinburgh; W. Daniel Wilson, Professor of German at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Explore Charlemagne's rise to power in Western Europe, his cultural achievements, and the financing of his conquests. Learn about the scholars drawn to his court and the educational reforms he implemented. Dive into the debate on whether the Carolingian period can be considered a Renaissance, and the intertwining of politics, religion, and culture during this era.

Explore the origins of the Royal Society and how figures like Boyle, Hook, Wren, and Newton revolutionized science through empirical observation. Learn about Bacon's vision for collaborative science and the society's founding amidst religious and political turmoil. Discover the diverse minds that united to form the Royal Society and their early activities, contributions, and challenges in fostering scientific advancements.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th century novel, Don Quixote. They explore the enduring legacy of the book, the clash between delusion and reality, the complex relationship dynamics between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, and the innovative impact of 'Don Quixote' on later novelists. The discussion highlights the novel's eloquent language, comedic elements, and its influence on European literature.

Melvyn Bragg and guests delve into the mysterious history of negative numbers, tracing their acceptance in math from Chinese solutions to European embrace. They explore the resistance faced, the contrast of mathematical progress across regions, the evolution of math into complex numbers, and the practical significance of negative numbers in science and technology.

Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the concept of friendship, discussing its importance in Greek and Roman societies. They delve into Aristotle's classification of friendship based on utility, pleasure, and goodness, highlighting the complexities of true friendship. The podcast touches on the darker aspects of friendship, including jealousy and exploitation, and examines how different forms of friendship have influenced creativity, intellectual pursuits, and power dynamics throughout history.

Melvyn Bragg discusses Catherine the Great with historians, exploring her ambitions to transform Russia into an enlightened society. They delve into her policies on serfs, her complex legacy as a ruler, and the challenges she faced in implementing Western reforms while balancing power and resistance. The episode also highlights her strategic alliances, education reforms, and the impact of the French Enlightenment on her reign.

Unravel the complex journey of human evolution spanning six million years, from diverse coexisting species to the role of the human brain. Discover the split between humans and chimps, the diversity of Homo species, enigmatic origins of language, genetic impacts on language ability, and the evolutionary consequences of having a big brain.

Explore the life of Geoffrey Chaucer, father of English literature, from his humble roots to influential works like Canterbury Tales. Discover his travels, rise in Richard II's court, and enduring impact on modern literature. Learn about his social mobility, royal connections, and blend of French and English language. Dive into themes of love and loss in 'The Book of the Duchess' and Troilus and Criseyde, as well as the incorporation of Boethian philosophy in his writing.

Exploring the rise and reign of the Abbasid Caliphs, their cultural flourishing and intellectual exchange, contributions of notable scholar Saina, intriguing insights into the Harim, cultural influence of singing girls and dissent in the community, and the influences, unrest, and transformation within the Abbasid Caliphate.