Ancient Rome Refocused

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?

Dr. Gregory Aldrete provides his take on "Why the Classics Matter". 

The observations of Alicia Aldrete in recreating the cloth armor of the ancients. 

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.   

Total playing time: 12 minutes.

An original story written by Rob Cain.

Narration by 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 cautionary tale about following your dreams.   Featuring the music GIVE ALL YOU GOT by Leroy Wild and the vocals of Noa Blu.