The ancients had plenty of thoughts about animals... but are their insights helpful to us now? How did they treat animals? What did they think of them? And should we eat meat? Today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks podcast is with Mark Usher, the Lyman-Roberts Professor of Classical Languages and Literature and a member of the Department of Geography and Geosciences at the University of Vermont. With his wife, he also built, owns, and operates Works & Days Farm in Shoreham, Vermont. Today we’ll be talking about his most recent book, How to Care About Animals: An Ancient Guide to Creatures Great and Small. You can purchase his book hereThis podcast is brought to you by Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. To learn more about the Classics and to sign up for our free newsletter, please go to: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

Join Paul Cartledge, an expert on ancient Greece, along with fellow scholars such as Stephanie Larson and James Romm, as they unravel the captivating history of Thebes. They explore Thebes' military innovations, including the legendary Sacred Band, and discuss its rich mythology tied to figures like Oedipus and Dionysus. Archaeological insights reveal significant findings that illuminate Thebes' cultural heritage, while the discussion touches on its often-overlooked literary significance in relation to other ancient Greek cities. A thought-provoking journey awaits!

Melissa Lane, Class of 1943 Professor of Politics at Princeton University and author of "Of Rule and Office: Plato's Ideas of the Political," shares intriguing insights into governance. She tackles the age-old question of 'who guards the guardians?' and explores the potential for abuse by those in power. The discussion highlights Plato's views on the cyclical nature of political systems, from democracy's decline to tyranny, and emphasizes the critical need for honor, accountability, and institutional safeguards in leadership.

Maxwell Craven, a historian, archaeologist, and author, delves into the life of Magnus Maximus, a Roman Emperor often overshadowed by history. They explore whether Maximus was a usurper or a crucial figure in Roman Britain’s narrative. The discussion highlights the political intrigues and societal shifts of the fourth century, alongside the significance of Diocletian's reforms. Craven emphasizes the importance of remembering overlooked historical figures and the resonance of their legacies, encouraging a deeper understanding of Britain's imperial past.

What do the ancient Greek goddesses reveal about ancient Greek culture? Why did people craft such immoral and often unlikeable gods? And what should we really think about Hera? Today's Classical Wisdom Speaks Podcast is with  NATALIE HAYNES, author of several books, including Pandora’s Jar, Stone Blind and A Thousand Ships, which was a national bestseller and shortlisted for the 2020 Women’s Prize for Fiction.  Natalie is a comedian— as well as a broadcaster for the BBC, and she has written for The Times, The Independent, The Guardian, and The Observer. Today we'll talk about her most recent book, Divine Might.You can also buy Divine Might here: https://www.amazon.com/DIVINE-MIGHT-author/dp/1529089484If you are interested in learning more about mythology specifically and the Classics in general, check out Classical Wisdom and sign up for our free newsletter here: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

Join Stephen Fry, the celebrated actor and comedian, as he dives into the captivating world of ancient myths and languages. He reflects on the significance of Greek tales in today's technology-driven society, discussing how myths offer insights into AI and social media. Fry highlights the complexities of heroism in figures like Odysseus, critiques traditional narratives, and explores reclaiming female perspectives in mythology. With humor and wisdom, he reveals how understanding these ancient stories is vital for navigating modern challenges.

Learn about Julian, Rome's last Pagan Emperor, who aimed to revive ancient religions and reshape the Roman Empire. Discover his complex legacy, from rejecting Christianity to his military campaigns and philosophical inclinations. Explore the impact of his short reign on Western history, shedding light on religious conflicts and power dynamics in ancient Rome.

Is there evidence to the tales of Aeneas and the Trojan refugees migrating to Italian shores? Classical Wisdom presents Petros Koutoupis, as he explores this narrative and attempts to shed light on the archaeology of the region during the Late Bronze Age.Petros Koutoupis is an author and independent historical researcher, focusing predominantly on the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age periods of the Eastern Mediterranean and general Near East. Petros is also the author and host of the historical newsletter and podcast, Digging Up The Past. You can learn more by visiting https://diggingupthepast.net.This conversation is brought to you by Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. To learn more about Classical Wisdom and to sign up for our free newsletter, please go to: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

Throughout the ages people have imagined “apocalypses”... but how they determined the end of the world shaped their philosophies... as is still the case. From natural disaster and moral revenge to our modern situation of increasing AI and anthropogenic concerns, contemplating the ‘end of days’ can help us cope with the world as it is... or prepare us for difficult times ahead. In an actually not morbid at all conversation, Christopher Star, professor of classics at Middlebury College and author of Apocalypse and Golden Age: The End of the World in Greek and Roman Thought, discusses how the ancients thought about catastrophe and why we should think about it now.You can find Professor Star's book, Apocalypse and Golden Age: The End of the World in Greek and Roman Thought, Here.This conversation is brought to you by Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. To learn more about Classical Wisdom and to sign up for our free newsletter, please go to: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/ 

How aware are we when we make choices? From playing rock paper scissors and gambling to complex ethical decisions like the trolley problem and self-driving cars, game theory and choice theory are hugely important and impactful in our modern era... but so too did they play an essential role in the ancient world. Today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks Podcast is with Josiah Ober, the Mitsotakis Professor in the School of Humanities and Sciences, Professor of Political Science and Classics and Senior Fellow Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He is also the author of the recently released book, "The Greeks and the Rational: The Discovery of Practical Reason."You can find Josiah's book here: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520380165/the-greeks-and-the-rationalThis podcast is brought to you by Classical Wisdom. You can learn more about Classical Wisdom and sign up for our free newsletter here:  https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/