Ancient World

Ancient World

By Richard EmersonSociety & CultureReligion & SpiritualityEducationArts
Download on the App Store

Ancient World episodes

  • Episode 66 - Correspondence with a Professor about Religion, Philosophy, and Dante's blending of the two traditions.

    In this episode we discuss a recent correspondence with a renowned and distinguished Professor in Religion and Philosophy, an expert on the two main intellectual and spiritual traditions in the Ancient World. We'll be assessing Dante's Comedy in light of his artistic endeavor, his contribution to the Catholic faith, and the points of divergence between the Comedy's Journey and the Biblical stories and Doctrine.


    In some ways one might say that Dante is trying to blend the two traditions even in the final big moment of Vision in his work, seeing both a Plato concept of Divine Light and the incarnation of Divinity in Man (Christ Figure).

    I saw the Great Light shine into three circles
     in three clear colors bound in one same space;

    the first seemed to reflect the next like rainbow
    on rainbow, and the third was like a flame
    equally breathed forth by the other two.

    (..) seemed in Itself and in Its own Self-color
    to be depicted with man's very image.

    C33, v. 116-131

    The correspondence provides several interesting viewpoints on these topics, as well as clarifying some key points of artistic liberties in Dante's work from a religious viewpoint.



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    15 min
  • Episode 65 - Doubting Studies, and Aristotle's Love that Moves the Universe

    In this episode we have two main parts, the first is an example of the transitional point in studies and learning, when the brain creates a release and flood of new understanding - after a moment of doubts.


    The second part is about the connections between the ending of the Comedy and Aristotle's Metaphysics. And also how Aristotle goes to the very deepest levels in defining words and concepts, and first principles in the nature of thinking, and in existence itself.



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    14 min
  • Episode 64 - The Final Moments, of the Comedy. Canto 30-33.

    After a long journey through the worlds of the afterlife, symbolic of human nature and experience, Dante now reaches the Empyrean - the spiritual experience beyond time and space, filled with pure light, and being in the Mind of God.


    He sees the White Rose (the Divine Love) and is accompanied by the mystic St. Bernard - as Beatrice takes her place in her home on the third row of the White Rose, and Dante needs mystic contemplation for his final vision.

    After receiving the Grace from Mary after a deep prayer, his powers expands to the point where he finally sees right into the center of the Light and describes:

    I saw the Great Light shine into three circles 
    in three clear colors bound in one same space;

    the first seemed to reflect the next like rainbow

    on rainbow, and the third was like a flame
    equally breathed forth by the other two.

    C33, v. 116-120.

    And as his highest wish of insight is then granted, he feels himself impelled and moved forward,

    by the Love that moves the sun and the other stars.

    C33, v. 145.



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    23 min
  • Episode 63 - The Paradise, Canto 28. When Dante sees the end point of his Journey.

    In the 9th Sphere of Heaven, the Primo Mobile, Dante suddenly sees a reflection of the center of the Divine Light glowing in Beatrice's eyes, and then looks up. What he sees is the illuminating light with nine rings of the Angelic Orders swirling around in increasing speed towards the center, with Love. There are millions and millions of sparks and Angels in his vision.

    Beatrice explains:

    "On that Point

    depend all nature and all of the heavens.

    Observe the circle nearest it, and know

    the reason for its spinning at such speed
    is that Love's fire burns it into motion."

    C28, v. 41-45



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    10 min
  • Episode 62 - The House of Dante, and a Growing Mind.

    Studying the Renaissance and the Ancient World can grow and change the way you see, feel, perceive, reflect on and experience the world around you. One example of the process is described here:


     "There was a certain firmness taking shape, or a different platform or deeper soil for the thoughts. The experience of thinking was elaborating in new ways, that I needed some time to reflect upon. It was like connecting to something bigger that was also outside of my mind, something shared or in common, with the previous times and the larger society as a whole. It was almost like the thinking started to come from a bigger home. And it felt relaxing, fuller of substance, and more detailed and interesting. Like several layers connecting in new ways. And the perception of the surroundings started to slightly be influenced too, but it was still early."



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    7 min
  • Episode 61 - The Earthly Paradise. Dante meets Beatrice, and the rebirth is complete.

    The last 6 cantos describes the dramatic events in the Garden of Eden, where Dante meets Beatrice and is finally cleansed after a deep confession. He is then fully restored, and ready for the stars.


    This also concludes the second book, the Purgatory.

    ..

    Programming note; after the Easter Holidays and some travels - we'll be back in Early May! Thanks for listening - and have a great day :)



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    29 min
  • Episode 60 - Dante climbs the next 6 Terraces, and reaches the Garden of Eden.

    As they go through the remaining six terraces of punishments and atonement on Mount Purgatory, Dante learns the final parts of human nature and its moral structures. He is then ready to enter the Garden of Eden on the top, the Earthly Paradise - as Lord of Himself - and he can now follow his instinct for pleasure, knowing well the nature and consequences of the sins.



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    11 min
  • Episode 59 - The Ledge of the Proud. Dante learns about humility, and the climb gets easier.

    As Virgil and Dante walk through the main gate of the Purgatory they discover a set of beautiful carvings about the virtue of humility, they meet the regretful souls of the proud under heavy slabs of stone, and they discover a second set of carvings, this time with stories about pride.


    After this, an angel comes and removes one of the seven P's from Dante's forehead:

    "He led us straight to where the rock was cleft.
      Once there, he brushed his wings against my brow,
      then he assured me of a safe ascent."
    v.  97-99, Canto XII.

    And finally, when Dante realizes what has happened, the 12th Canto ends with a smile.

    "so, my right hand with fingers spread found just
      six of the seven letters that were carved
      upon my brow by him who keeps the keys.

    Observing this, my master smiled at me."


    v. 133-136, Canto XII.



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    17 min
  • Episode 58 - Arriving at the Main Gate, with three steps of marble white, dark stone and flaming red. The real climb is about to start.

    From the first slope through the two levels of Antepurgatory, Dante and Virgil reach the main gate which is guarded by an angel with a sword. The Guardian uses a golden and silver key to open the gate, symbolic of the authority to do so, and the skill and wisdom to asses the souls' sincerity of their regrets. The keys were given to him by Peter.

    In canto 3, Dante first marvels at the work he sees in front of him:

    "I raised my eyes to marvel at the mount

    that grew out of the sea toward Heaven's height."
    v. 14-15

    At the Main Gate the Guardian appears:

    "I slowly raised my eyes: I saw that he

    was sitting on the highest step, his face
    too splendid for my eyes - I looked away!

    And in his hand he held a naked sword;"

    v. 79, canto IX.



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    17 min
  • Episode 57 - The Boatman, souls arriving on the Mountain-Island, and Dante meets an old Friend.

    In the second Canto of the Purgatory a boat with over a hundred souls arrives at the shore, ready to climb up the mountain to purify their spirits. Dante meets an old friend, who sings with a beautiful voice and spellbounds the other souls. Then Cato the Guardian appears:


    "And while we stood enraptured by the sound
    of those sweet notes - a sudden cry: "What's this,
    you lazy souls?" It was the Just Old Man.

    "What negligence to stand around like this!
    Run to the mountain, shed that slough which still
    does not let God be manifest to you!""

    v. 118-123, Canto II.

    And then they move towards the first slope.



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    16 min

About Ancient World

From the publisher's feed

The Ancient World Podcast is about the deep Treasures of the Past, the Greek Tradition, the Biblical Stories, the Roman Empire and the Great Rebirth of the Florentine Renaissance. Enjoy!