In Our Time
BBC Radio 4
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nerfertiti. Or perhaps you’re looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism’s early teachings to the Protestant Reformation.
If you’re interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity’s cultural achievements.
Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets.
Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato’s concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis?
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nerfertiti. Or perhaps you’re looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism’s early teachings to the Protestant Reformation.
If you’re interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity’s cultural achievements.
Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets.
Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato’s concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis?
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 16, 2006 • 28min
Human Evolution
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.
Feb 9, 2006 • 42min
Chaucer
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.
Feb 2, 2006 • 42min
The Abbasid Caliphs
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.
Jan 26, 2006 • 28min
Seventeenth Century Print Culture
The podcast delves into the surge of printed texts during the 17th century, from sensationalist rogue publications to the evolution of news delivery. It explores the impact of print on societal controversies and its role in shaping the English Civil War. Additionally, it discusses the rise of publication rates, the accessibility of cheap print, and the democratizing essence of newspapers in fostering political discourse.
Jan 19, 2006 • 28min
Relativism
Melvyn Bragg and guests dive into the contentious realm of relativism, questioning the existence of absolute truths and exploring how cultural perspectives shape our understanding of reality. They discuss the ethical dilemmas posed by relativism and how it challenges universal standards like human rights. The podcast delves into the evolution of relativism from ancient Greece to modern times, highlighting its impact on philosophy, science, and society.
Jan 12, 2006 • 28min
Prime Numbers
Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the enigmatic world of prime numbers and their profound implications in mathematics. From the record-breaking 9.1 million-digit prime number to the elusive rules governing this sequence, delve into the mysteries of prime numbers and their potential to unlock secrets about atoms and the world financial system.
Jan 5, 2006 • 42min
The Oath
Explore the importance of oaths in ancient Greece and Rome, from maintaining peace treaties to upholding loyalty in democracy and the Roman army. Learn about the significance of trust and divine beliefs in Roman culture, and the role of oaths in shaping responsible citizenship and civic loyalty. Delve into the complexities of oath-taking, from perjury as a capital offense in Rome to moral dilemmas in various societal contexts. Discover the challenges of keeping oaths across different cultural backgrounds, with examples from Spartans and Persians.
Dec 29, 2005 • 28min
The Oresteia
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ‘Oresteia’, the seminal trilogy of tragedies by Aeschylus. The composer Richard Wagner recalled the visceral sensations of reading Aeschylus' great trilogy for the first time. "I could see the Oresteia with my mind's eye ... Nothing could equal the sublime emotion with which the Agamemnon inspired me; and to the last word of the Eumenides, I remained in an atmosphere so far removed from the present day that I have never since been really able to reconcile myself with modern literature." Aeschylus' audience were all familiar with the tale of one man's return home from the Trojan War. Homer's Odyssey recounted Odysseus' perilous journey home, the forceful ejection of the suitors from his household and his reunion with wife Penelope and son Telemachus. Aeschylus had a very different tale of homecoming to tell in his Oresteia. Agamemnon arrives home from Troy to a murderous welcome from a vengeful wife and a cycle of atrocities unfolds in his household. The Oresteia has inspired some of the greatest artists and thinkers of the modern world. From Richard Wagner and Friedrich Nietzsche to T.S. Eliot and Simone de Beauvoir – the ‘Oresteia’ has fired the modern imagination.Why did Aeschylus make the family the subject of his bloody revenge tragedy? How did his trilogy make a contribution to the development of Athenian legal institutions? And why has the Oresteia had such a powerful hold over the modern imagination? With Edith Hall, Professor of Greek Cultural History at Durham University; Simon Goldhill, Professor of Greek at the University of Cambridge; Tom Healy, Professor of Renaissance Studies at Birkbeck College, University of London.
Dec 22, 2005 • 28min
Heaven
Melvyn Bragg and guests explore diverse concepts of heaven and the afterlife throughout history. They discuss medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas' views, the Protestant vs Catholic interpretations, and the allure of hell in Western culture. The podcast delves into ancient Egyptian and Zoroastrian beliefs, the evolution of individualism in religious contexts, and literary depictions of heaven in works like Dante's Divine Comedy.
12 snips
Dec 15, 2005 • 28min
The Peterloo Massacre
Exploring the lead-up to the Peterloo Massacre amid fear and repression, the aftermath of the bloodshed, and the role it played in the Great Reform Act of 1832. Dive into Thomas Paine's 'The Rights of Man' challenging traditional power structures, industrial unrest, and radical movements pre-Peterloo Massacre.
