Episodes
Wednesday May 04, 2022
The Story of Brutus’ Spirit, from Plutarch
Wednesday May 04, 2022
Wednesday May 04, 2022
Brutus and Cassius lead a conspiracy to murder Julius Caesar to save Rome from a tyrannical king, but Brutus finds himself confronted by a mysterious spirit that may or may not represent his Fate... This story is adapted from Plutarch, Life of Brutus 36 and 48, and Life of Caesar 69. It's followed by a discussion of the death of Julius Caesar and his relationship with Brutus, the ways in which Shakespeare adapted Plutarch's biography for his play Julius Caesar, and exactly what kind of "spirit" it was that Plutarch claims Brutus saw.
Content warning: violence, a very brief reference to sexual abuse.
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
The Story of Caligula
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
A troubled soul in life, Emperor Gaius Caligula's spirit remains restless in death... This story is adapted from Suetonius, Life of Caligula, 59 and is followed by a discussion about Caligula, King Herod Agrippa, and Roman funerary rites.
Content warning: Some gory details, descriptions of fire, brief reference to infanticide, discussion of mental health including use of a term some may find uncomfortable in the commentary.
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
The Story of Herlequin‘s Hunt, from Orderic Vitalis
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
On New Year's Day 1091, the priest Walchelin has an experience that will leave its mark on him forever... This story has been adapted from Orderic Vitalis, Historia Ecclesiastica, 8.17, and is followed by a discussion of medieval faith and belief, ghostly armies and wild hunts.
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
The Story of Augustus‘ Nursery, from Suetonius
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Do you dare set foot in the Emperor Augustus' childhood nursery? They say anyone who does is seized by shuddering and terror... This story has been inspired by Suetonius, Augustus, 6 & 94, and is followed by a discussion of the Emperor Augustus, his life and achievements, and ancient poltergeists.
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
The Story of Old Hamlet, from Shakespeare
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Hamlet's friends have seen something that looks like his late father stalking the castle at night, but what is it, and what does it want? This story has been adapted from Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 1 and is followed by a discussion of Catholic, Protestant and Roman themes in the play and of Shakespeare's relationship to Catholicism.
Content warning: Discussion of suicide and brief reference to baby loss
Tuesday Jan 26, 2021
The Story of Cynthia, from Propertius
Tuesday Jan 26, 2021
Tuesday Jan 26, 2021
Propertius' girlfriend Cynthia has died suddenly, but he hasn't seen the last of her... This story has been adapted from Propertius, Elegies, 4.7 and 4.8, and is followed by a chat about Latin love elegy, Roman funerary customs, and the geography of the underworld, including the famous Gates of Sleep.
Wednesday Dec 23, 2020
The Story of Gui de Corvo: A Christmas Ghost Story
Wednesday Dec 23, 2020
Wednesday Dec 23, 2020
Christmas 1323 is a sad season for the widow of Gui de Corvo, but it's made even more difficult when it seems her late husband hasn't quite left yet... This story is adapted from medieval texts attributed to Jean Gobi, translated into French by Marie-Anne Polo de Beaulieu. It's followed by a few words on purgatory in medieval ghost stories, and on medieval Christmas traditions.
Monday Nov 30, 2020
The Story of Khonsuemheb: An Egyptian Ghost Story
Monday Nov 30, 2020
Monday Nov 30, 2020
Khonsuemheb, High Priest of Amun, has an unexpected encounter at an ancient tomb with a spirit who needs his help... This story is based on an ancient Egyptian ghost story found on ostraka and translated into English by W. K. Simpson. It's followed by a whistlestop tour through some of the highlights of ancient Egyptian afterlife belief and funerary practice.
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
The Story of the Haunted House from Pliny, with Tony Keen
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
A classic haunted house story for Halloween - a philosopher rents an old house with suspiciously cheap rent and the sound of clanking chains in the night... This story is taken from Pliny the Younger, Letters, 7.27.5-11. After the story, Dr Tony Keen of the University of Notre Dame in London joins me for a chat about Pliny, urban legends, the fantastic in the ancient world, and about working for the Roman Emperor.
Friday Sep 25, 2020
The Story of Creusa from Virgil, with Ed Harrisson and Olivia Knops
Friday Sep 25, 2020
Friday Sep 25, 2020
A desperate family become separated while fleeing a war zone in this famous story from Virgil's epic poem The Aeneid, 2.624-795. I'm delighted to be joined on this episode by Dr Olivia Knops, from the University of Birmingham, and Ed Harrisson, who has composed all the music for the podcast. We have a good old natter about ancient and modern music, different musical moods, what we know about ancient music and how this can be transformed for modern listeners. The story features a new arrangement of the ancient Greek Seikilos Epitaph, the earliest known musical composition including musical notation.
Content warning: war, fire, urban destruction, references to sexual violence.
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