Literature and History
History
About
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...
Episodes
- Episode 124: The Last Great War of Antiquity
This episode of Literature and History explores the last great war of antiquity. It includes links to accompanying resources, such as a quiz and a full transcript.
- Episode 123: An Introduction to the Hadiths
This episode explores the significance of the hadiths, which are short narratives detailing the words and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad, serving as a primary source of wisdom in Islam alongside the Qur'an.
- Episode 122: The Early Abbasid Caliphate
This episode explores the history and influence of the early Abbasid Caliphate from 750 to 861, covering the dynasty's territorial changes, military conflicts, and cultural impact.
- Episode 121: The Umayyad Caliphate
This episode explores the military, political, and cultural history of the Umayyad Caliphate between 661 and 750, a period defined by significant territorial expansion and internal conflict.
- Episode 120: The Rashidun Caliphate
This episode explores the history of the Rashidun Caliphate between 632 and 661, covering its rapid imperial expansion and the associated political and theological developments.
- Episode 119: The Qur'an, Part 3: Origins
This episode explores the origins of the Qur'an, focusing on its connections to the Bible and the religious environment of Late Antique Mecca. It examines biblical and ancient Arabian influences found within the text.
- Episode 118: The Qur'an, Part 2: Ordinances
This episode explores the foundations of Islamic Law within the verses of the Qur'an, focusing on the roughly 350 verses that outline religious requirements and prohibitions for believers.
- Episode 117: The Qur'an, Part 1: Overview
This episode provides an overview of the Qur'an, covering its size, structure, historical formation, and core contents.
- Episode 116: The Life of Muhammad, Part 3: Conquest
This episode discusses the final years of the Prophet Muhammad, the conquest of Mecca, and the transition of power to the first caliph, Abu Bakr. It also covers the period leading up to the Islamic conquests of the seventh century.
- Episode 115: The Life of Muhammad, Part 2: Community
This episode explores the life of Muhammad between 622 and 628, covering the establishment of the early Muslim community in Medina and their interactions with the Quraysh.
- Episode 114: The Life of Muhammad, Part 1: Cobwebs
In this episode, the podcast explores the early life and background of the prophet Muhammad, covering his experiences as an orphan and caravan worker prior to the age of forty.
- Episode 113: Antarah ibn Shaddad
This episode explores the life of Antarah ibn Shaddad, a renowned early Arabic poet who was also recognized as a warrior and an epic hero.
- Episode 112: Pre-Islamic Arabic Poetry
This episode explores the poetic traditions of the Arabian Peninsula prior to the rise of Islam, examining the various genres and celebrated poets of the period.
- Episode 111: Pre-Islamic Arabia
This episode explores the Arabian Peninsula in the period leading up to the birth of the Prophet Muhammad around 570 CE, examining its population and global connections.
- Episode 110: Questions
In this episode of Literature and History, host Doug Metzger answers listener questions regarding the creation of the podcast, book recommendations, and the history of the show.
- Episode 109: Cornerstones
Episode 109 of Literature and History concludes the season on Late Antiquity, reviews the previous 24 episodes regarding the Middle Ages, and introduces a new season focusing on early Islamic history.
- Episode 108: Isidore of Seville
This episode examines the life and work of Isidore of Seville, a prominent scholar of Late Antiquity. It focuses on his major publication, the Etymologies, and its significance during the Middle Ages.
- Episode 107: Venantius Fortunatus
This episode examines the life and work of the Merovingian court poet Venantius Fortunatus, who lived in Francia during the late 6th century. It explores his role in the transition between the Roman world and the early Middle Ages.
- Episode 106: Gregory of Tours, Part 2
This episode explores the second half of the History of the Franks, focusing on the Merovingian dynasty as depicted by Gregory of Tours. It examines the work's blend of medieval and classical styles.
- Episode 105: Gregory of Tours, Part 1
This episode examines the life and work of Gregory of Tours, focusing on his 591 publication, The History of the Franks. It discusses the text's significance as a primary historical source on the Merovingian Dynasty and the figure of Clovi…
- Episode 104: An Introduction to the Talmud
This episode provides an introduction to the 63 tractates of the Talmud, which are the foundational texts of Rabbinic Judaism containing the teachings of ancient rabbis.
- Episode 103: Boethius
This episode explores the life and work of Boethius (c. 476-523), a consul in the late Western Roman Empire who wrote 'The Consolation of Philosophy' while imprisoned by King Theodoric.
- Episode 102: An Old Man's Book (Augustine's City of God, Part 2 of 2)
This episode explores the second half of Augustine's City of God, focusing on influential writings such as his perspective on Original Sin. It is the second part of a two-part look at this work.
- Episode 101: Against the Pagans (Augustine's City of God, Part 1 of 2)
This episode explores the first half of Augustine's City of God, focusing on Augustine's critique of pagan culture, religion, and history. It is the first part of a two-part series on the work.
- Episode 100: Late Have I Loved You (Augustine's Confessions, Books 9-13)
In this installment of Literature and History, the podcast explores the second half of Augustine's Confessions, covering books 9 through 13 and examining significant theological concepts within the work.
- Episode 99: The Boy Who Stole Pears (Augustine's Confessions, Books 1-7)
In part one of a two-part series, this episode explores the first seven books of Augustine's Confessions, covering his early life, intellectual development, and initial spiritual awakening.
- Episode 98: The Life and Works of Saint Jerome
This episode explores the life and significant contributions of Saint Jerome, a influential polyglot and translator of the Latin Bible whose work shaped Christian history.
- Episode 97: Blood and Ivy (Nonnus' Dionysiaca, Books 25-48)
In this episode, the series covers the conclusion of Nonnus' Dionysiaca, focusing on Books 25-48. The discussion centers on the epic's final section, which depicts Dionysus' military campaigns in India.
- Episode 96: The Last Pagan Epic (Nonnus' Dionysiaca, Books 1-24)
This episode explores the Dionysiaca by the fifth-century poet Nonnus, the final complete epic from Greco-Roman antiquity. The text follows the god Dionysus on his journey to India.
- Episode 95: Rutilius Namatianus
This episode explores the 417 CE journey of Roman poet Rutilius Namatianus from Rome to his homeland of Gaul. It examines the historical context of his return at a time of uncertainty for the region.
- Episode 94: Ausonius
This episode explores the life and works of Ausonius, a prominent Latin poet during the fourth century, offering insight into the Roman culture of the late Empire.
- Episode 93: Severus' Life of Saint Martin
This episode examines Sulpicius Severus' hagiography of Saint Martin, exploring the text's portrayal of the saint's life and his role as a bishop.
- Episode 92: Athanasius' Life of Antony
This episode explores Athanasius' biography of St. Anthony, examining its portrayal of asceticism and the struggle against demonic temptation. It is part of the Literature and History podcast series.
- Episode 91: The Passion of Perpetua and Felicity
This episode examines the history of the Christian martyrs Perpetua and Felicity, who were executed in Carthage in 203 CE. It explores the background of the Roman noblewoman and her companions during this period of early Christian history.
- Episode 90: Ante-Nicene Catholicism
This episode examines the history of the Catholic Church's origins and organizational establishment. It also explores the writings of the earliest church fathers.
- Episode 89: The Aethiopica of Heliodorus
This episode examines the Aethiopica of Heliodorus, an adventurous romance written in the 3rd or 4th century CE that stands as the longest surviving novel from antiquity.
- Episode 88: Ancient Greek Sci-fi
This episode examines the work of the Greek satirist Lucian of Samosata, focusing on his 2nd-century novel A True Story and its early science fiction elements.
- Episode 87: Lucian of Samosata
This episode explores the life and work of the 2nd-century satirist Lucian of Samosata, who is considered one of the earliest authors of science fiction.
- Episode 86: An Introduction to Late Antiquity
This episode examines the history of Late Antiquity, moving away from past characterizations of decline to explore it as a period of cultural and economic development.
- Episode 85: River
This episode provides a primer on Biblical canon formation, reviews the material covered in the show so far, and introduces the upcoming season.
- Episode 84: Manichaeism
This episode explores the history and rapid spread of Manichaeism after 300 CE. It also discusses how recent archaeological findings have provided new firsthand insights into this religious tradition.
- Episode 83: Gnosticism
This episode explores Gnosticism and how twentieth-century discoveries, including the Nag Hammadi Library, the Codex Tchacos, and the Berlin Codex, have shaped scholars' understanding of early Christianity.
- Episode 82: Zoroastrianism
This episode explores the early history and core tenets of Zoroastrianism, examining its status as a major ancient religion and potentially the oldest living monotheistic faith.
- Episode 81: Revelation
This episode explores the Book of Revelation, examining its significance as a religious text and its lasting influence on generations of writers and theologians.
- Episode 80: The General Epistles
This episode examines the later epistles of the New Testament and their role in the development and expansion of early Christian theology within the ancient Mediterranean context.
- Episode 79: The Pauline Epistles
This episode explores the life and influence of Paul, examining his role in codifying and clarifying early Christianity within the Eastern Mediterranean.
- Episode 78: The Book of Acts
This episode explores the Book of Acts, following the narrative of the first Christian missionaries and their experiences. The podcast covers the themes and events found within this historical text.
- Episode 77: The Gospels
This episode explores the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, focusing on current historical and scholarly perspectives on these foundational texts of the New Testament.
- Episode 76: Judea Under Herod
This episode explores the rule of the Roman client king Herod and the political and religious atmosphere in Judea during the years leading up to the birth of Christ.
- Episode 75: Dusk and Starlight
This episode provides a retrospective of material covered in previous shows as the podcast prepares to transition into the topics of Early Christianity and Late Antiquity. The episode also includes administrative announcements.