The podcast that transports you to the ancient world and back, with some good conversation along the way. It's not just about ancient Greece. It's about a huge ...
58 What Did the World's First Pop Star Sound like? | Euripides and Ancient Music w/ Claire Catenaccio
What did ancient music sound like? In this episode, you will hear three songs that are over 2000 years old! Few people in the world today know more about ancient music than our guest in this episode. Claire Catenaccio is an assistant professor of classics at Georgetown University who specializes in the study of ancient drama and its modern reception. Her recent book "Monody in Euripides" explores monody – namely solo actor's song – in the tragedies of Euripides. Her scholarship is informed by her experience as a director and historical consultant in many modern productions of ancient Greek theater plays. Contents of the episode, with timestamps: [02:07] What evidence do we have for ancient music? [13:05] What kind of musical notation did the ancient Greeks use? [13:51] The Song of Seikilos (oldest surviving song with musical score) [20:30] What the aulos (the main musical instrument on stage) sounded like [23:21] The origins of music in Greek tragedy [31:30] Cash prizes and the professionalization of acting/singing [34:45] The incredible popularity of Euripides' new music [37:20] How and Why Euripides' "Orestes" completely rewrites Aeschylus' "Eumenides" [52:30] What Euripides' songs sounded like (Electra's monody from Euripides' "Orestes") ------------------ Support Ancient Greece Declassified on Patreon: patreon.com/greecepodcast
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57 The Life of Plato w/ Robin Waterfield
Even after thousands of years of supposed progress in philosophy, there are still some who maintain that the entire history of western philosophy consists of footnotes to Plato. But who was Plato the man? If there is anyone who can answer that question, it's our guest in this episode. Robin Waterfield is a renowned scholar of antiquity who has written the first ever full biography of the ancient philosopher in English. Check out the book here. Contents of the episode, with timestamps: [04:10] Plato's early life [06:46] Relationship to Socrates [12:27] Philosophical method [14:53] Theory of Forms [18:27] How Plato became famous [23:42] Sophists VS Philosophers [31:55] Founding the Academy [35:25] Relationship to Aristotle [47:07] Political intrigues in Sicily [48:51] Disilusionment and later works ------------------ Support Ancient Greece Declassified on Patreon: patreon.com/greecepodcast Or make a one-time donation: paypal.me/greecepodcast
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56 The Man Who Defeated the Persian Empire (Themistocles and the Persian Wars, Part 2)
In 480BC the Persian Empire invaded Greece with the largest military force the world had ever seen. Meanwhile in Athens, a man named Themistocles had spent the last ten years preparing for this moment. He had come up with a plan to defeat Persia, but it would require a mix of strategy, intrigue, deception, and plain old good luck... Contents of the episode, with timestamps: [05:45] How to Win Friends and Influence People [13:10] The Mines of Laurion [19:30] Athens VS Aegina [25:10] Battle of Thermopylae [32:00] Battle of Artemisium [40:10] The Wooden Wall [49:55] The Battle of Salamis [53:30] Conclusion ------------------ Support Ancient Greece Declassified on Patreon: patreon.com/greecepodcast Or make a one-time donation: paypal.me/greecepodcast
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55 Fire in the Cradle of Democracy (The Persian Wars, Part 1)
The three decades from 508-478BC were possibly the most consequential in all of ancient history. In this episode and the next, we tell the story of the Greco-Persian Wars through the eyes of Themistocles, the Athenian mastermind who guided the Greeks to victory. Contents of the episode, with timestamps: [04:50] Themistocles' Childhood and the Athenian Revolution [10:40] Democracy's Early Challenges [16:10] The Demagogue [26:35] The Ionian Revolt [31:25] Marathon [43:05] "Rejoice! We Are Victorious!" ------------------ Find out more about the upcoming AGD "Persian Wars" Tour in Greece: greecepodcast.com/tour4 ------------------ Support Ancient Greece Declassified on Patreon: patreon.com/greecepodcast Or make a one-time donation: paypal.me/greecepodcast
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AGD "Persian Wars" Tour in Greece! Jan. 3-11, 2025
AGD is going back to Greece this January 3-11 for another epic adventure! This time we'll be exploring the Persian Wars and the profound effect they had on Greek civilization. We will visit all the major focal points of the Greco-Persian showdown (Marathon, the Acropolis, Eretria, Salamis, Thermopylae, Plataea, and Delphi) as well as a wide variety of other fascinating historical sites. Check out our highlight reel from the first tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g-w7u6aQz0 To reserve your spot, email us at [email protected] For the itinerary visit https://greecepodcast.com/tour4
The podcast that transports you to the ancient world and back, with some good conversation along the way. It's not just about ancient Greece. It's about a huge chunk of human history that the Greek texts give us access to: from Egypt and Babylon, to Persia, to Carthage and Rome, we'll sail the wine-dark sea of history with some expert guides at the helm. Topics will include archaeology, literature, and philosophy. New episode every month.