Literature and History
With millions of downloads, hundreds of hours of soundtracked content, and an overall emphasis on the cultural history behind famous works of literature, Literature and History is one of the most popular independent podcasts on its subject. Starting with Sumerian cuneiform in 3,100 BCE, Literature and History moves forward in chronological order through Assyriology, Egyptology, the Old Testament, Ancient Greece and Rome, the birth of Christianity, and the early Middle Ages. The show's current season is on early Islamic history.
A typical episode (they average about two hours) features a general introduction to a work of literature, then a full summary of that work that expects no prior knowledge, and finally, an analysis of the cultural, biographical, and historical forces that gave rise to the work in question. Original symphonic and ambient background music is woven throughout each show, and all episodes offer free full, illustrated, footnoted transcriptions as well as quizzes for purposes of review. The show has no advertisements, and its host takes pride in a professional approach that avoids chitchat and ephemera and gets straight to the educational content. You can listen to the episodes in any order, although most listeners begin at the beginning and proceed from there, as the podcast itself is chronologically organized.
Doug Metzger finished his Ph.D. in literature in 2011. His chief scholarly interest, following his dissertation work, continues to be 19th-century realism and postbellum American philosophy.
Latest episodes
5 snips
Aug 9, 2024 • 2h 22min
Episode 104: An Introduction to the Talmud
Discover the fascinating world of the Talmud, the cornerstone of Rabbinic Judaism! Learn about its dynamic structure and the oral traditions that shaped Jewish law. Delve into the impact of the Jewish-Roman War and the Bar Kochba revolt on Jewish scholarship. Explore the ethical complexities of Talmudic law, including ownership and moral dilemmas. Unravel the interplay between individual and society within philosophical debates, and enjoy a musical journey through this vital text's history and cultural significance.
10 snips
Sep 22, 2023 • 2h 21min
Episode 103: Boethius
Boethius, an ancient philosopher and writer, served as consul and wrote The Consolation of Philosophy. The podcast explores Boethius' life, his imprisonment, and his famous work. It discusses the decline of the Western Roman Empire, the historical context of Boethius' birth, Theodoric's challenges, Boethius' contemplation on Providence, Fate, and Free Will, and his Christian treatises. It also touches on Late Antique theology, the significance of the Talmud, and a thought-provoking dialogue on challenging patriotism.
Mar 4, 2023 • 2h 28min
Episode 102: An Old Man's Book (Augustine's City of God, Part 2 of 2)
Augustine’s City of God, Part 2 of 2. The second half of the City of God contains some of Late Antiquity’s most influential writings – most notably Augustine’s take on Original Sin. Episode 102 Quiz https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-102/ Episode 102 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-102-an-old-mans-book Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYwI5aM4ZP8 Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@literatureandhistorypodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literatureandhistorypodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/literatureandhistory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lahpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lahpodcast.bsky.social X https://x.com/lahpodcast
Feb 4, 2023 • 2h 16min
Episode 101: Against the Pagans (Augustine's City of God, Part 1 of 2)
Augustine’s City of God, Part 1 of 2. The first half of the City of God is a broadside against paganism – its culture, religion, and history, subjects about which Augustine had much to say. Episode 101 Quiz https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-101/ Episode 101 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-101-against-the-pagans Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3sErObfrVc&pp=0gcJCYsJAYcqIYzv Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@literatureandhistorypodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literatureandhistorypodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/literatureandhistory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lahpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lahpodcast.bsky.social X https://x.com/lahpodcast
Dec 30, 2022 • 2h 5min
Episode 100: Late Have I Loved You (Augustine's Confessions, Books 9-13)
Augustine’s Confessions, Part 2 of 2. The second half of Augustine’s Confessions contains some of the most famous theology in Christian history. Episode 100 Quiz https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-100/ Episode 100 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-100-late-have-i-loved-you Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6wJQNQqq1Q Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@literatureandhistorypodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literatureandhistorypodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/literatureandhistory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lahpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lahpodcast.bsky.social X https://x.com/lahpodcast
Dec 10, 2022 • 1h 55min
Episode 99: The Boy Who Stole Pears (Augustine's Confessions, Books 1-7)
Augustine’s Confessions, Part 1 of 2. The first half of Augustine’s Confessions tells of his wayward early years, his intellectual journey, and his spiritual awakening. Episode 99 Quiz https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-099/ Episode 99 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-099-the-boy-who-stole-pears Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km3WeynabBI Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@literatureandhistorypodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literatureandhistorypodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/literatureandhistory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lahpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lahpodcast.bsky.social X https://x.com/lahpodcast
Nov 11, 2022 • 2h 10min
Episode 98: The Life and Works of Saint Jerome
Polyglot Jerome (347-420) had a gigantic impact on all subsequent Christian history, leaving behind a huge body of works, including the Latin Bible. Episode 98 Quiz https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-098/ Episode 98 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-098-saint-jerome Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx1qZaUHm58 Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@literatureandhistorypodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literatureandhistorypodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/literatureandhistory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lahpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lahpodcast.bsky.social X https://x.com/lahpodcast
May 8, 2022 • 2h 32min
Episode 97: Blood and Ivy (Nonnus' Dionysiaca, Books 25-48)
The Dionysiaca, Part 2 of 2. The last surviving Greek epic of antiquity draws to a close with Dionysus fighting wars far to the east, in India. Episode 97 Quiz https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-097/ Episode 97 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-097-blood-and-ivy Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@literatureandhistorypodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literatureandhistorypodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/literatureandhistory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lahpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lahpodcast.bsky.social X https://x.com/lahpodcast
Oct 31, 2021 • 2h 14min
Episode 96: The Last Pagan Epic (Nonnus' Dionysiaca, Books 1-24)
The last epic from Greco-Roman antiquity that survives in full, Nonnus’ fifth-century Dionysiaca tells of the wine god Dionysus’ journey eastward, to India. Episode 96 Quiz https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-096/ Episode 96 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-096-the-last-pagan-epic Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@literatureandhistorypodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literatureandhistorypodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/literatureandhistory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lahpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lahpodcast.bsky.social X https://x.com/lahpodcast
Oct 17, 2021 • 2h 3min
Episode 95: Rutilius Namatianus
In 417 CE, the Roman poet Rutilius Namatianus journeyed from Rome back to his homeland of Gaul, not knowing whether there was a home to return to. Episode 95 Quiz https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-095/ Episode 95 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-095-rutilius-namatianus Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcDdTfoe0dI&pp=0gcJCYsJAYcqIYzv Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@literatureandhistorypodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literatureandhistorypodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/literatureandhistory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lahpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lahpodcast.bsky.social X https://x.com/lahpodcast
