Ancient Rome Refocused: Recent Episodes
Robert Cain
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1-508-864-6722
Explicit Material
Rob interviews Vicki about her book: THE JOY OF SEXTUS.
Subjects Discussed:
- How did the ancients see sexuality?
- The Sacred Band of Thebes.
- The meaning of the phallic symbol.
- Lesbians and Homosexuality.
- Interesting women of that period.
CALL US AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
1-508-864-6722
This is Bonus 1, for Episode 48. I strongly suggest you listen to this. Vicky Leon makes the strongest argument that social media existed in the Ancient World. The comparisons are riveting.
CALL US AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
1-508-864-6722
This is Bonus 2, for Episode 48. Vicky Leon discusses her book WORKING IX to V. Watching sword and sandal movies you might think there were just slaves, soldiers and Christians in the ancient world. The fact is…people had to make living. What would you do to survive in the Ancient World? What skills could you bring to the BCE?
Got something to share on the Ancient World? Call the comment line at: 1-508-864-6722.
Rob Cain interviewes Alison Morton, author of the thriller and the altenative history book INCEPTIO. Synopsis: Imagine a Christian Emperor forcing pagans to convert, and those that refuse decide to migrate to a new homeland in Europe. Now in the 21st Century a NEW ROME, a ROMA NOVA has come into being. Roma Nova is now an advanced techological society ruled by women and a force once called the Praetorian Guard has grown into a modern SAS. Why read alternative history? It is nothing short of "what might have been" and clarifies if events are as inevitable as we might think.
Alison Morton, an army veteran, and educated in history, uses her imagination to take us down "the path less taken" in several exciting adventure stories. Her books includes: Inceptio, Carina, Perfiditas, Successio, Aurelia, and many others.
Interested in how the world of Roma Nova began? Check out the thrillers Julia Prima and Exsilium.
The podcast begins with Matthew Leigh Embleton returning to present Absinthe Part 2. He provides us additional information on this early medicine of antiquity, and how it has turned into a green spirit drink ordered by hipsters and poets. Yes, Hemingway drank it and even writer and playwright Oscar Wilde.
Rob Cain encourages listeners to try the drink, and email their experiences and observations to the show. Email: rob@ancientromerefocused.org
Matthew Leigh Embleton is a writer, composer and muscian out of the UK. Check out his website at: http://www.matthewleighembleton.co.uk/
Rob Cain interviews Helen King on Medicine in the Ancient World.
Helen King is a British classical scholar and advocate for the medical humanities. She is Professor Emerita of Classical Studies at the Open University. She was previously Professor of the History of Classical Medicine and Head of the Department of Classics at the University of Reading. Rob calls her at home to talk about medicine in the ancient world, what makes a good legio medicus, and the women physicians of the Ancient World.
Also on the show is Matthew Lee Embleton, he joins us to talk about the strange ancient medicine Absinthe. It is now a popular drink nicknamed, "The Green Fairy".
He provides us with another hip pocket lecture on the subject of Absinthe. This drink is a anise-flavored spirit, reminding some of licorice. It is colored 'green' with a very high alcohol content. Historical literature calls it the 'green fairy'. If you desire to read more on 'the green fairy' check out Embleton's book" A Brief History of Absinthe: History, Medicine, Art, Poetry and Ritual on this definite 'bohemian' drink consumed by the likes of Hemingway, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Lewis Carroll of Alice in Wonderland fame.
In the ancient book De Rerum Natura , Lucretius writes about the drink containing wormwood and was given as a medicine to children with the glass dipped in honey to make it palatable for the young.
Coming to the U.S. in January 2025.
Journey into the complex medical and religious history of women's bodies from classical Greece to the modern day
'Illuminating, thoughtful and scholarly' FINANCIAL TIMES
'Mind-blowing, fascinating stuff' BBC WOMAN'S HOUR
'Delightful, timely and critical' Cat Bohannon, author of Eve
'With unrivaled expertise and a wealth of classical and contemporary detail, the author weaves historical knowledge of medicine, anatomy, literature, art and religion into a narrative that surprises, informs, excites and frequently amuses' Adrian Thatcher, author of Vile Bodies
Throughout history, religious scholars, medical men and - occasionally - women themselves, have moulded thought on what 'makes' a woman. She has been called the weaker sex, the fairer sex, the purer sex, among many other monikers. Often, she has been defined simply as 'Not A Man'.
Today, we are more aware than ever of the complex relationship between our bodies and our identities. But contrary to what some may believe, what makes a woman is a question that has always been open-ended.
Immaculate Forms examines all the ways in which medicine and religion have played a gatekeeping role over women's organs. It explores how the womb was seen as both the most miraculous organ in the body and as a sewer; uncovers breasts' legacies as maternal or sexual organs - or both; probes the mystery of the disappearing hymen, and asks, did the clitoris need to be discovered at all?
An interview with Dr. Gregory Aldrete on how the Ancients created 'cloth' armor as protection against arrows.
2:30 - 8:15
Contributor Matthew Leigh Embleton gives us his hip-pocket lecture on the God Mithras.
8:15 - 21:30
Rob Cain provides a personal essay on DRAGON SKIN.
21:30 - 39:45
Rob Cain interviews Dr. Gregory Aldrete, professor Emeritus, University of Wisonsin - Green Bay, on his six year journey in developing the cloth armor worn by Alexander the Great.
Rob Cain interviews Steven Fine, historian of Judaism in the Greco-Roman World. Dr. Fine is professor of Jewish History at Yeshiva University in New York, director of the Arch of Titus Digital Restoration project and of the Yeshiva University Center for Israel Studies. Visit Professor Fine's webpage: http://yeshiva.academia.edu/StevenFine/About
Included on the show is a discussion of Josephus the historian, Masada, the Arch of Titus Digital Restoration project, and myths and stories of the location of the Menorah looted by the Romans.
Matthew Leigh Embleton continues his lecture Series on Opium in the Ancient world.
http://www.matthewleighembleton.co.uk/
Jon White, from the UK, provides us a dramatic narration of the opening of the 70s novel The Antagonists / Masada.
A Halloween Special. In 1485 workmen came across the body of a dead Ancient Roman girl in a sarcophagus. The body was uncorrupted. She was beautiful. As you may guess this became a bit of a sensation in Rome.
Episode 40 (S6)
GREAT BOOKS OF THE WESTERN WORLD
Total playing time: 12 minutes.
An original story written by Rob Cain.
Narration of Skye Taylor
Synopsis: Alice has a YouTube Channel called Alice through the Looking Glass. In this episode she talks about how she became a classics major. She avoided telling her father, and one day her grandfather gives her the entire set of GREAT BOOKS OF THE WESTERN WORLD when she shared the news . This sparks a conversation with Dad. Will Alice keep on the Appian Way or go back to Engineering School? Great Books of the Western World is a short tale about following your dreams. Featuring the music GIVE ALL YOU GOT by Leroy Wild and the vocals of Noa Blu.
Rob Cain interviews a Mr. Bob Carr who went down to Tikal in 1959 to assist in the surveying and mapping of this ancient site. Assisted by John Windmuller, Bob's son-in-law, Rob, John and Bob conduct a kitchen interview about his two years in the jungle. The mystery of what was termed an ARRIVAL BOWL is discussed near the end.
Rob Cain provides an OPINION PAGE on the beloved character of Lilith Sternin of the TV Show Frasier. Was Lilith just an ex-wive, or was she purposely created to take the attributes of a mythological character?
Rob Cain writes a love letter to a museum. The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures once known as the Oriental Museum is at the University of Chicago on the city's southside. If you visit you must take a uber to visit this unique museum that frankly looks like a set for the next Indiana Jones Movie. Don't waste time visiting the M@M store on Michigan Avenue. Take a real adventure and visit the past.
Title: Forget Cleopatra. Where's my Queen Zenobia and Queen Amanirenas? (Epi 36)
Rob Cain goes on a rant about the entertainment industry's continued fascination with Cleopatra VII. Typing out an article on his laptop while listening to Seraj Nebal, he puts forth his frustration while waiting for other movies to be made about other powerful women.
Tell the story about Queen Zenobia!
Tell the story about Queen Amanirenas! Forget Wakanda, and let's celebrate the people of the Kush.
Title: Gladiatorial Games at Starbucks (Epi 35)
32:00 - 1:17
Introduction
1:17- 10:03
Matthew Leigh Embleton and the History of Latin, Pt. II
10:10 - 11:59
Rob Introduces an audio segment from the 1970s TV production THE PALLISERS. This is basically a dramatic scene within a courtroom that illustrates how Latin could be used for communication.
12:02 - 18:10
An Irishman on trial and saved by the use of Latin.
18:12 - 20:35
Rob discusses a European thought experiment to make Latin the language of the European Union.
20:36 - 28:23
A true story of a gladiatorial game in front of Starbucks.
End.
Episode 34 - A conversation with the historian Michael G. Stroud.
Synopsis: Michael G. Stroud and Rob Cain discuss subjects as the nature of history and its study, the importance of context, and the history of Tudor and Roman Naval Sea Power.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgstroud/
Looking for adventure? Check out these original adventures on Sellfy.com.
https://sellfy.com/user/products
Just $2.99 per episode.
All money collected on these adventures will be used to create original content for the listener.
Women's Work starring singer / actress Melanie Stace
Madness starring Newlo Partee
Each episode begins with this Intro:
"In researching his podcasts Rob Cain kept five notebooks. They were found on a shelf in his library, behind four statues which he called his "Household Gods" – a glass owl, given by a grateful commanding officer; a statue of an Egyptian scribe he picked up in a visit to the pyramids; a small copper statue of Ganesha, the Hindu god of the removal of obstacles; and a pewter hand-painted standard bearer from the Black Watch, purchased in a London toy store. In each book he wrote odd facts and speculative thoughts about life in antiquity. Some short, and some long, but all pertinent to writing a podcast and his quest to write a novel about the ancient world. Each notebook was titled: The Robiad. He has agreed to share his Robiad (meaning his adventure) with you the listener.
You do not have to decipher his scribbling. We have done the work."
Episode 33 - The 12 Labors of Antony
An original story by Rob Cain and performed by Jordan Harbour of Twilight Histories.
Imagine Marc Antony going to a public relations firm for advice on how to win over the people of Rome in his war against Octavian. This story is about the
Aequitas Publicae Negotium, a public relations corporation that provides him a communications plan to achieve his objectives. The story is written in the 'What-if?' genre that gives insight on how history could have been different with just a little bit of adjustment. Would have Antony taken the advice? He seemed to be more passion than strategy.
Bonus Material for Episode 32.
Check out more of Matthew's music at:
Matthew Leigh Embleton
Episode 32 (S6)
13 Strings on a Renaissance Lute
An interview with Matthew Leigh Embleton, composer, musician and writer out of Kent, England. Rob Cain and Matthew discuss Ancient Latin, the Vikings and assorted historical observations. Matthew discusses his favorite 'epochs'. Check out Matthew's website at:
www.matthewleighembleton.co.uk
Matthew Leigh Embleton
Available Bonus Material includes:
Snakestyle-K Minor
Spanish Voyage (Ambience of Rennaissance Spain)
Episode 31 (S6)
Down and Out in Ancient Rome features the dramatic narrative DOWN AND OUT IN ANCIENT Rome. This story takes you into the backstreets of ancient Rome. Tristan is the writer and producer for The Story Engine Podcast and Twilight Histories.
Intro: 0-2:48
Rob talks about the hit TV show LOKI: 2:54 - 10:45
Matthew Leigh Embleton gives a lecture on Runes and the early Roman Alphabet: 10:46 - 14:00
DOWN AND OUT IN ANCIENT ROME by Tristan Verboven: 14:40 - 33;10
Ending: 33:11 - 33:39
Intro Narration by David DenyerWikipediaThe Seikilos epitaph is the oldest surviving complete musical composition, including musical notation, from anywhere in the world. The epitaph has been variously dated, but seems to be either from the 1st or the 2nd century CE. The song, the melody of which is recorded, alongside its lyrics, in the ancient Greek musical notation, was found engraved on a tombstone (a stele) from the Hellenistic town of Tralles near present-day Aydın, Turkey, not far from Ephesus. It is a Hellenistic Ionic song in either the Phrygian octave species or Iastian tonos. While older music with notation exists (for example the Hurrian songs), all of it is in fragments; the Seikilos epitaph is unique in that it is a complete, though short, composition.[1]
A mix of music provided by London composer David Denyer.
Agave was performed and sung by Charlotte Holtum ("Give me Strength")
Dionysus was performed and sung by Pavlos Christodoulou
Singing Bacchae were Alisha Iyer, Faidra Faitaki, Polyanna Cohen ("The Divine Will", "What is Wisdom?").
Episode 30 (S6) - Rob interviews David Denyer, composer and musician out of London.
The show is titled: Unsettling Music on the Jubilee.
I was fortunate to interview the composer and musician David Denyer.
I focused in on him due to his composition of music for a production of the Bacchae by the Athenian playwright Euripides. He also composed for a mini-opera about Ancient Troy in coordination of Collide Theater out of London. The dates of the production was a few years ago, but being that music is timeless, I could not resist focusing in on his antiquity compositions (a title I just came up with considering the ancient world is my interest).
David is a multi-award winning composer and a graduate of the Royal College of music. He is prolific in the experimental and fringe theater scenes in London. He is the co-founder of the newly established Quiet Tyrant Record Label. David's has worked in theater and film, providing scores to enhance the action.
Episode 30 explores his process for composing, and how the violin, his primary instrument affects his pieces – consider most composers use the piano.
From his apartment in the Kilburn area of London, David takes us through the differences of composing for film and theater – each with their own special needs and requirements.
Check out David's BONUS MATERIAL.
Bonus material from Episode 29. Anna and Rob discuss a debate between Boris Johnson, Mayor of London [at the time], and Mary Beard, noted Classicist when they took on each other to decide what culture was better: the Romans or the Greeks?
This debate posted on Youtube is a must-see. It is rousing, funny and informative. At the end decide the better culture as the future prime minister of the UK takes on the country's most noted classicist. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k448JqQyj8&t=259s
Episode 29 (S5) - Rob Cain interviews Anna Kouremenos from Quinnipiac University. The primary discussion is on her paper PΩΜΑΙΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ≠ ROMAN OCCUPATION: (MIS)PERCEPTIONS OF THE ROMAN PERIOD IN GREECE* The paper is available on Academia.edu A line from the paper sums up the direction of her research: "…very little has been written about modern perceptions of this period."
This is a fun and interesting discussion with an outstanding educator. What do modern Greeks think of the history after Actium? As a Greek speaker Ms. Kouremenos provides and Ancient Greek and Modern Greek comparison. Did the Europeans demonize the Romans in 18th Century writings? Do our modern perspectives color the way we see history itself?
On the show Rob Cain interviews Simon Elliot the author of Roman Britain's Missing Legion: What really happened to the IX Hispana? I want you to think about something. The average size of a legion, especially during Imperial times, was approximately 5,500 infantry. More or less. That is a lot of people to go missing. If that happened today, you have to imagine the impact of such an event. Can you even conceive of it? Just Think about it. An American Division is composed of 10 to 15 thousand soldiers. Imagine they were airlifted into a country, made-ready, supplied and convoyed into the interior of a country and then disappeared. The aftermath would be felt in the American psyche for generations. The question of their disappearance would be brought up in military doctrine for years to come. The first seven words of Simon's book says it all. "This book is an historical detective story…" Simon Elliot, writer, historian and archaeologist and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent where he studied for his PhD in Archaeology on the subject of the Roman military in Britain. He also has an MA in War Studies from KCL and an MA in Archaeology from UCL. He frequently gives talks on Roman themes and is co-Director at a Roman villa excavation. According to Simon Elliot, "The Ninth Legion is more Game of Thrones than Game of Thrones. It's more Tolkien than Tolkien." Subjects covered in the podcast: * Evidence. * Citations in the records. * Possible solutions to the mystery. * The origins of the name Caesar. * What is the dream find for an archeologist to settle the IX Hispana mystery? * Decapitated heads discovered in Britain. What's up with that? * A favorite hypothesis of the fate of the IX Hispania.
Do not miss the show, and be sure to pick up his book on Amazon.
On this episode Rob Cain interviews Dr. Jerry Toner about the book: The Roman Guide to Slave Management. Mr. Toner is a professor at Cambridge University. Through alternating chapters of historical research, and a fictional account of the nobleman named Marcus Sidonius Falx we read an owner's manual for keeping slaves. Falx is callous and brutal, but strangely engaging.
Bonus Material 2, Episode 26 (S5) Hayley Russell, producer of Helicon Theatrical Productions, discussed the ancient concept of KLEOS. Kleos is the Greek word often translated to "renown", or "glory". It is related to the English word "loud" and carries the implied meaning of "what others hear about you". A Greek hero earns kleos through accomplishing great deeds. Wikipedia
Bonus Material 2, Episode 26 (S5) Hayley Russell, producer of Helicon Theatrical Productions, discussed the ancient concept of KLEOS. Kleos is the Greek word often translated to "renown", or "glory". It is related to the English word "loud" and carries the implied meaning of "what others hear about you". A Greek hero earns kleos through accomplishing great deeds. Wikipedia
Bonus Material Episode 26 (S5)
Bonus Material 1, Episode 26 (S5) Andrew Hulse, producer of Helicon Theatrical Productions, discusses the scholar of epic poetry, Milman Perry, and his associate Albert Lord. Hulse promotes Lord's book The Singer of Tales as a "wacky and mind bending…" experience. Albert Bates Lord was a professor of Slavic and comparative literature at Harvard University who, after the death of Milman Parry, carried on that scholar's research into epic literature. Wikipedia The Singer of Tales is a book by Albert Lord that discusses the oral tradition as a theory of literary composition and its applications to Homeric and medieval epic. It was published in 1960. Wikipedia
A new season starts. Episode 26, Season 5. "Don't sacrifice the Storyteller." Imagine you create a theater company. You decide to bring to life an ancient poem called the Battle of the Frogs and Mice. You hold auditions, and you study the ancient storytellers called the Rhapsodoi. Picking out the best storytellers and musicians you travel to the 21st century version of the Dionysia, one of the world's largest art festivals The Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland. Amongst the hubbub of musicians, artists, jugglers, comedians you perform your play in the mayhem of an artistic frenzy. Episode 26, Season 5 is an adventure story. This podcast it titled: "Don't sacrifice the Storyteller.' CAST OF CHARACTERS 1. Andrew, flame haired 2. Hayley, the crowd gatherer 3. Howard, the hairy faced teller of Tales 4. David, bringer of resonance 5. Louise, organizer of fun The members of Helicon Story Telling Theatrical productions brings to Ancient Rome Refocused a story of taking a parody of the ancient epic poem and bringing it to Edinburgh. This podcast is a serious discussion of the ancient world, and the technical aspects of putting on a play. Through their own words the producers, actors and the musician tell of an adventure. This podcast is a discussion of the arts, music, and the world of theater. Bonus material is provided with a discussion of Milman Parry, the American scholar of epic poetry, and KLEOS, the ancient concept of eternal fame. What is this poem. Once upon a time there was a poem that told about a war between the Frogs and the Mice. Someone in ancient antiquity decided to tell a tall tail (ha, you don't know how long I've been waiting to use that) tale about a war that took place between frogs and mice in the pond. Batrachomyomachia is how you say it in Greek. Can you say Batrachomyomachia? I had to practice. BA-TRA-CHO-MY-O-MACH-I-A Who wrote it? Some say Homer. Some accounts say that Alexander the Great even mentioned the poem. Pigres of Halicarnassus? Take your pick. This poem has been translated through centuries. It has recently regained interest on this side of the new millennia. Don't think Saturday Morning TV. It reads like a Greek Epic, narrated through Homeric passages with plenty of gore. Animals acting like humans, is a device well-known to any writer. The Battle of the Frogs and Mice was not originally intended as children's entertainment - WHEN FIRST SPOKEN BY THE WANDERING RHAPSODOI, as their audience leaned on the couches or sat cross-legged by the fire. Each listener in those times must have heard a tale or two of the mouse removing the thorn from the lion's paw, or the story of the tortoise and the hare. Imagine hearing these familiar tales for the first time. This was 'man on the street' philosophy. This is called ANTHROPOMORPHISM, human psychology at its best – see ourselves through others. Great thoughts, made digestible when presented at a distance by frogs and mice in some land off yonder – even if it’s the pond -in ONCE UPON A TIME. Animals have appeared in prose, poetry and history by writers such as Homer, Aexop, Herodotus, Lucretius, Oppian, Ovid, Diodorus Siculus and Dio Cassius. This plot device is done today in such works as: Watership Down, The Rats of Nimh, and Animal Farm – all are examples of the art. In "Don't kill the Storyteller" the participants have been paired with epithets to denote characteristics much like the fleet-foot Achilles. They chose their own epithet, which denotes an interesting psychological angle to this show. What would you choose? In the ancient poem, the army of mice brandish names such as Grain plunderer, Bread eater, licker of meal, Cheese scooper, and Bacon tooth, and on the other side of the battle-line the frogs sport names like Puff Jaw, Mud legs, loud brawler, cabbage eater, water lover, and CROACK-SPITTLE. Of course, many of these name are the result of translation. Here is the plot of the play. Names and plotline can change with different sources: The mouse prigcheese stops on the shore of a pond, to slack his thirst. The queen Chubbycheek, the Queen of the frogs offers the tired mouse a ride on its back. Under the law of Hospitality the frog offers the mouse all manner of food and drink, including a ride on her back across the pond. A water snake raise its ugly head and Chubbycheek dives below the waves to escape the creature. Prigcheese drowns. A mouse witnesses the horrifying event, and a war counsel is held. NIbbleloaf the father of the victim, demands revenge, and war is declared against the frogs. The herald Lickpot is charged with entering enemy territory to declare war on the frogs. Every good old time war starts with a herald declaring the injustices and the justifications for slaughter. The battle takes place. The telling in graphic detail. The frogs loose, but loose gloriously, and the Gods intercede. The Gods send the crabs and both sides retreat. A war concluded in a day. Of course its all who is telling the tale. Maybe the mice and frogs join forces and rout the evil snakes from the pond.
If you wish to contact the participants of this podcast see the list below: Haley Russell, known as 'crowd-gatherer' can be contacted at: heliconstorytelling@outlook.com https://heliconstorytelling.com/ Andrew Hulse, known as 'flame-haired' can be contacted at: heliconstorytelling@outlook.com https://heliconstorytelling.com/ David Denyer, known as 'bringer of resonance' can be contacted at: http://www.daviddenyermusic.co.uk/ Howard Horner, known as 'hairy-face weaver of words' can be contacted at: Howardhorner.actor@gmail.com Louise Farnall, known as 'organizer of fun' can be contacted at: heliconstorytelling@outlook.com https://heliconstorytelling.com/ or at the professional networking site LINKEDIN.
News Release - The following is a speech by Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado. This was given just hours after an armed mob entered the Senate Chamber looking to stop a Constitutional process to simply count the ballots verifying the election of Joe Biden as President of the United States. Investigations have revealed that the mob was looking to take Vice President Pence hostage, and do harm to the Speaker of the House. Senator Bennet uses the fall of Rome as an example of the day's events.
Rob Cain goes on a rant about modern and ancient heroes. He discusses the heroes of literature and reviews the heroes celebrated on TV as he was growing up. What is a modern hero? What is a classical one? Do heroes pay a price?
18:45 into the podcast a musical tribute is given to Khaled al-Asaad, a Syrian archaeologist and the head of antiquities at the ancient city of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Khaled al-Asaad refused to reveal the secrets of ancient artifacts of the city to the ISIL Militants and was beheaded for his bravery.
Episode 24 (S2) is titled "Biblio-Archaeology 101"
On the next podcast Rob talks about the book titled 'Roman Britain'. It’s a great book, based on a series of lectures given at Oxford University. The book is filled with maps and drawings and insights into the ancient world.
Check out the great map on the inside cover. Go for an old edition. It has a lot more dash. It's relatively small, and easy to put in your knapsack, along with a second pair of socks.
Want to go on a walking tour of Romano Britain? This is the book.
Call me!
Bonus Material, Episode 23 (S4). An original musical piece by Zebulon (aka: Morgan Taubert). The piece was played in Episode 23 (S4) by permission of the artist.
Do you want to hear more? Check out Morgan's website at: https://zebulonstoryteller.bandcamp.com/
Bonus Material from Episode 23 (S4). Morgan Taubert decides to write a letter to Herodotus, the Father of History.
The late fifth-century BC historian Thucydides, has accused him of making up stories for entertainment. However, Herodotus states that he is merely reporting what he has seen and been told, on several occasions saying that he does not himself believe the story that he reports.
Herodotus (/hɪˈrɒdətəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἡρόδοτος, Hēródotos, Attic Greek pronunciation: [hɛː.ró.do.tos]; c. 484 – c. 425 BC) was an ancient Greek historian who was born in Halicarnassus in the Persian Empire (modern-day Bodrum, Turkey). He is known for having written the book The Histories (Greek: Ἱστορίαι Historíai), a detailed record of his "inquiry" (ἱστορία historía) on the origins of the Greco-Persian Wars. He is widely considered to have been the first writer to have treated historical subjects using a method of systematic investigation—specifically, by collecting his materials and then critically arranging them into an historiographic narrative. On account of this, he is often referred to as "The Father of History," a title first conferred on him by the first-century BC Roman orator Cicero.
Episode 23 (S4) - Rob Cain interviews Morgan Taubert from Adelaide, South Australia. Morgan writes letters to the dead. This includes letters to Marcus Tullius Cicero.
Morgan has a popular blog site called LETTERS TO CICERO (AND MY OTHER DEAD FRIENDS). http://letterstocicero.blogspot.com
Morgan is also a musician. Check out his music at: Zebulonstoryteller.bandcamp.com.
Music featured on the show include: Dumpster Fire Garyan Street Dance Karsilamus Taken North of Egypt.
Bonus Material. Dr. Joel Christensen, Brandeis University, gives his opinion on why its important to study the classics, and why we should learn Latin and Ancient Greek.
Bonus Material.
Dr. Christensen, Brandeis University
A small exchange on the question, "Do we really know what Ancient Greek sounded like?"
An original composition for the podcast Ancient Rome Refocused.
Composer: Matthew Leigh Embleton http://www.matthewleighembleton.co.uk/
Episode 22 (S4) With a backdrop of an original musical piece composed by Matthew Leigh Embleton, British composer, we hear the piece begin with a translation of the poem (read by Dr. Christensen of Brandeis University), it jumps to an excerpt of the Battle of the Frogs and the Mice by George Martin (read by Graeme Malcolm with permission of Random House Audio Books) with the conclusion of the poem (the attack of the crabs) told with storytelling brios by Dr. Christensen. Based on his book with Eric Robinson titled: The Homeric Battle of the Frogs and Mice we can hear the story teller across the millennia tell a tale of bravery and foolishness. George Martin and the Christensen / Robinson books are available on line. In a one on one interview with Dr. Joel Christensen he guides us through this odd epic poem where the heroes are frogs and mice acting like Homeric Heroes. Was this a poem written by Homer himself? Did kids or adults listen to it? What does Homeric poetry try to teach us? Did Alexander the Great hear this poem? Dr. Christiansen, is an associate professor of Classical Studies and comparative literature, and is the chair in the Department of classical studies, and teaches courses in Greek Epic and Archaic Poetry, Rhetoric and literary theory, linguistics, and mythology. He has taken the time to talk to us about an odd poem that has be translated repeatedly over the years. Why do people over the generations find this poem so interesting? Join the podcast for a fascinating romp into Mice and Frogs Behaving Badly. Are you a frog or a mouse? Step into the pond and find out.
Episode 21 (S4). Another investigation from Rob Cain's Historical Detective Agency. Rob makes a Google search and discovers a world of antiques being sold on the internet. He digs deeper and deeper into what is real and what is perceived to be real. He answers an inquiry from Robert W.M. Greaves, the author of the popular blog site 'Matters Arising', and airs an interview by the late Archaeologist William Glover on the nature of context. This is a true investigation of what is 'real' and what not. Can we trust the popular auction house Ebay in buying our next antiquity?
Episode 20 (S4). Did Julius Caesar actually say: "I could kill you faster, then I could threaten to kill you?" It's on the internet. So it has to be true. Right? Rob, from the Historical Detective Agency tries to find the truth.
Episode 19 (S4). Past guests and members of the Senate call-in and talk about "whatever is on their minds!" Intro, 0:00 – 3:49 Rob takes the crew of the Ancient Rome Refocused show to Britain, where through social media holds a street party in West London. Famous ancients show up, with rappers and musicians. The London police break it up with tear gas, but Rob dutifully goes back to his apartment in Knightsbridge to start the show. 3:50 – 5:38 Call in – Caller talks about the episode "I'm the Emperor and you're not." 5:39 – 8:54 Rob intros excerpt from "I'm the Emperor and you're not." 5:57 – 8:10 Past episode where Rob rants about the influences on an Emperors psyche. 8:12 – 9:09 Call in - Tom from Arkansas talks about owls and what they mean symbolically. 9:11 – 9: 48 Rob talks about his hobby of taking a digital recorder when he travels. 9:50 – 15:23 Chicago location - Rob is standing in front of the Harold Washington Library. Something is staring down at him from the roof. What is that? Could it be? Owls? Really? What's up with that? 15:24 - 17:15 Rob likes the podcast Twilight Histories. "Who better to take us to worlds of our imagination than an archeologist?" Check out: https://www.twilighthistories.com/ 17:18-18:36 ROME INDUSTRIAL: Narrated by Jordan Harbour, you find yourself trying to understand this is a very different Rome, a far more advanced Rome. 18:37-19:36 Call in – Jordan Harbour, Twilight Histories, creator and host. 19:38 – 21:35 Rob intros the blog Letters to Cicero (and other dead friends). http://letterstocicero.blogspot.com/
21:37 – 26:00 Call in - Morgan Taubert, host of Letters to Cicero (and other dead friends, calls from southern Australia 26:05 – 27:43 Rob intros the disappearance of the 9th Legion. Five thousand men walked into Caledonia and disappeared. Didn't you hear it on the news? Rob introduces the late Willaim Glover, formerly of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. 27:44 -29:20 Call in - The late William Glover, archeologist, talks on the Ninth Lego. 29:21 – 32:13 Rob discusses Rosemary Sutcliff's book The Eagle of the Ninth and the 1970s TV BBC series. 32:15 – 34:07 Cottia, the Iceni, tells what's it's like to pretend to be Roman. 34:08 – 35:02 Rob suggests additional reading material. 34:08 – 45:55 The following is a discussion of Queen Zenobia. He reflects on the 16th Century Opera on this Palmyra queen. Reviews Zenobia on stage and screen, and the original musical Zenobia presented in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Lorisa Julianus was the playwright and composer with Angela Salvaggione. Who produces a musical about a third century queen, and stars in it? On the show we hear one of the love songs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uukbAKsPOg4 This Chicago area actor is now starring in a movie titled The Misadventures of Mistress Man-eater a comedy adventure (Check out their Face-book page). . https://www.facebook.com/mistressmaneatermovie/ 45:00 – 47:50 Call in – Lorrisa Julianus 47:55 - 48:50 Rob introduces Vicky Alvear Schecter, author of the book Cleopatra's Moon. https://www.vickyalvearshecter.com/ 48:51 – 56:13 Call in – Vicky Alvear Schecter talks about her book Warrior Queens, and introduces us to the Nubian Queen Amanirenas, ruler of the Kingdom of Kush from c. 40 BC to c. 10 BC. Her full title was Amnirenas qore li kdwe li. Amanirenas is one of the most famous kandakes, because of her role leading Kushite armies against the Roman army. 56:15 – 57:05 CLOSING CREDITS. Rob promotes his next podcast. The title: The Case of the Caesarian Quote. Rob hears a quote that was supposed to be said by Julius Caesar. He then investigates to find the origin. Join him on his journey on Episode 20. He is then told to go to bed. After all, he was at the street party in West London. If anyone saw him there, email the show at: rob@ancientromerefocused.org.
In the future a launch to the Planet Mars takes place, where a robotic explorer finds a mysterious marking on the wall of a lava tube.
A vast underground city is found. The Earth is swept up in the excitement of Martian-mania.
From there we shift from the Planet Mars to the discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamen in the 1920s. What does the popular TV show Downton Abbey have to do with King Tutankhamun? Howard Carter, Lord Carnarvon, and Highclere Castle are discussed. An actual recording of Howard Carter is included in the podcast. From there the podcast explores the strange phenomenon called Egyptomania.
Rob Cain reviews the book The Egyptologist and has on the show the 5-times published novelist Arthur Phillips. Phillips is a graduate of Harvard University and now lives in New York City. Phillips started out as a child actor, and held such jobs as a speech writer, jazz musician, and advertising copywriter. He is also a 5-time champion on the TV game show Jeopardy. Phillips is a TV and movie script writer working for FX, Netflix, HBO, and Sundance.
The Egyptologist is structured as journals, letters, telegrams, and drawings, from several different points of view. The main story is set in 1922 and follows a hopeful explorer who, working near Howard Carter (the man who discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamun), risks more and more of his life and savings on an apparently Quixotic effort to find the tomb of an apocryphal Egyptian king.
If you like to go on a dig, the book is for you. If you're a part time detective, this book will fill that need as well. Phillips takes us on an adventure.
On this episode is an interview with author and educator Vicky Alvear Shecter. She wrote the book Cleopatra's Moon, a tale of Selene, daughter of Cleopatra and Marc Antony. Included is a reading by Nancy who provides us the voice of Selene who witnessed the Donations of Alexandria, where Antony distributed Roman lands to his children and Queen Cleopatra. As you can guess this did not go over well in Rome, and led to the battle of Actium. .
An interview with Natalie Haynes. She has written the book THE FURIES. The plot has a drama therapist trying to teach ancient Greek Classics to a class of hard luck students. As you may guess, tragedy follows. Ms Haynes talks to us about the ancient tragedies, and her writing process. There is also the music of Jim Malcolm who sings his piece THE FLOWERS OF EDINBURGH, and we have the music of Michael Travlos (composer) and Iwona Travlos (flutist) mixed with an interpretive piece about the ancient gods of Rome and Greece.
This is Season Three, Episode 15. This placeholder gives you sneak peeks into three upcoming episodes that will be posted on line of new shows that are to come. Natalie Haynes, will speak on Greek Tragedy. Vicky Alvear Schector on her book Cleopatra's Moon. And Arthur Phillips on his book, The Egyptologist, a truly mysterious protagonist that looks into the ancient world of the Egyptians. STAY WITH US! ANCIENT ROME REFOCUSED IS BACK IN PRODUCTION.
Zenobia, an original musical written by Bolingbrook’s Lorrisa Julianus and composed by Angela Salvaggione of Joliet. Rob interviews Lorrisa who played the lead and Craig Engel, the director.
This production premiered at the Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center.
The show, which starred Julianus as the title character, is based on the real life of the warrior Queen of Palmyra (a metropolitan oasis in ancient Syria). In the story, a slave girl, torn between her vigilante master and the prince of Syria, is catapulted to royalty and threatens Rome’s terrifying emperor—her unknowing father.
Rob Cain interviews James Erwin the author of a story on REDIT that was purchased by a movie company. He also brings in Gunny Sergeant (Retired) "Red" Millis [a real Marine, of course...) as a subject matter expert (SME). Both men address the burning question, "Can a MEU bring down the Roman Empire?"
"Red" tells us about the CLASH OF IRON experience. This is an immersion history into the life of a Roman soldier or Celt. Want to know what is it like? LIVE IT!
Also featured are the voice talents of Roy Kelly who provides voice over talent to Erwin's ROME SWEET ROME.
He can be reached at facebook.com/KellyCommaRoy
In the opening dramatic narrative we follow a statue of Venus as it moves through time. The voice of Venus is provided by the talented Nancy Cain. We then explore alternate histories of Ancient Rome with the host and creator of Twilight Histories - Jordan Harbour. Then the show concludes with a book review of "A Guide to Archaeological Field Methods" with commentary by the archaeologist and historian William Glover.
James A. Bretney, film director has put together a TV pilot about the Roman Governor Creticus ("The Man of Chalk.") How far is the Hollywood of the now, different from acting in the ancient world? This episode has interviews with actors: Michael Kripchak, Greyson Lewis and Michelle Stratton. There is an interview with Cody Garcia, film editor and philosopher. Mr. Cain interviews James A. Bretney (veteran) on his journey from war to the world of his imagination. Find out how to make a TV pilot. Universal Empire: The Story of Creticus can be found on FaceBook.
This podcast features the music of Danny Cudd and Markus Johansson. Their piece ONCE AGAIN is played by hang drums. You can hear more of their music by going to http://hangmusic.org/
Included in this episode is Professor Art Lynch discussing the movie business, the art of the ancient stage, and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). A comparison is made between Rocius the actor, Archibald A. Leech (Cary Grant), and James A. Bretney.
In this episode Rob and Nancy Cain perform a dramatic narrative of a Roman couple going to the theater to see the great Roman actor Quintus Roscius Gallus. The soldier has been away for six long years and doubts his wife's fidelity. She doubts his fidelity as well. Can a night at the theater change everything? Has the years changed him? Can she put aside her love for the great Quintus Roscius Gallus?
What if Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Paris of Troy, and the last Emperor of Rome Romulus Augustus all met for a tea party along the River Time? What would they say to each other? The script will be posted by pdf and on facebook.
The episode starts with a modern version of the Aeneid. Please forgive me, Virgil. Annie meets a guy visiting from overseas and conspires to keep him in Chicago so she can work her charms on him. It's a 'chicklit' with the makings of a great 'chick movie.' Do you hear that SONY PICTURES?
Mr. Cain then interviews Natalie Haynes who has written the book THE ANCIENT GUIDE TO MODERN LIFE. How modern are our lives? Or are we still living the lives our ancestors lived? Whether political, cultural, or social, there are endless parallels between the ancient and modern worlds. Whether it’s the murder of Caesar or the political assassination of Thatcher; the narrative arc of the hit HBO series, The Wire, or that of Oedipus; the popular enthusiasm for the Emperor Titus or President Obama – over and over again we can be seen to be living very much like people did 2,000 or more years ago. It’s time for us to re-examine the past. Our lives are infinitely richer if we take the time to look at what the Greeks and Romans have given us in politics and law, religion and philosophy and education, and to learn how people really lived in Athens, Rome, Sparta and Alexandria. This is a book with a serious point to make but the author isn’t just a classicist but a comedian and broadcaster who has made television and radio documentaries about humour, education and Dorothy Parker. This is a book for us all, not for an elite.
The show concludes with a plug for the podcast: TWILIGHT HISTORIES by Jordan Harbour. "Listen to the extraordinary podcast: ROME INDUSTRIAL.
Mr. Cain travels back to the time of Alaric the Visitgoth and his sack of Rome. Was he tempted to take the imperial purple? He has a rant about modern day Neros and the symbols of empire. After he calms down he interviews Mark Schauss of the podcast RUSSIAN RULERS HISTORY. Mr. Schauss makes connections between the Czars and the Caesars. The show concludes with listener call-ins and we hear from the Archaeologist William Glover who talks about the Ninth Legion.
Mr. Cain goes back to Ancient Troy and we join Aeneas as he flees the city guided by the goddess Aphrodite. Eric Shanower the writer and illustrator of the graphic novels THE AGE OF BRONZE is interviewed. Yes, Brad Pitt is discussed and the movie Troy.
A study of the Founding Fathers and how they were influenced by the classics. Mr. Cain interviews Dr. Carl J. Richard, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, who wrote the book, "Why We're All Romans."
A study of the Founding Fathers and how they were influenced by the classics. Dr. Carl J. Richard is associated with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
A look at a boy who visits a soothsayer and is foretold of his rise to the emperorship of Rome. A review of the cancelled NBC show KINGS, and a comparison of what it means to be part of the imperial family. The listener then travels back in time (in Mr. Cain's time machine) to interview for the position of emperor. This is the last episode of Season One. The show will return in March.
An exploration of the play AJAX by Sophocles. An interview with Bryan Doerries, director and translator for the THEATER OF WAR. Were ancient Greek plays a form of healing for a city at war?
Full Title: "Save Me a Seat at the Triumph, and Let's Throw a Cabbage at the Gaul."
A study of the Roman Triumph, its purpose and modern equivalents. The episode starts with a reading from Steven Saylor's book 'The Triumph of Caesar' and includes an interview with the author.
A study of the Roman Triumph, its purpose and modern equivalents. Interview with Steven Saylor.
Steven Saylor is an American author of historical novels. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied history and classics. Saylor's best-known work is his Roma Sub Rosa historical mystery series, set in ancient Rome.
A study of Spartacus. Was he a hero or a brigand? Why did Spartacus turn back from the Alps?
Rob has a time machine. He can take you back. He tries to talk you out of going. At the end of the podcast would you still go to 51 B.C.?