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In this episode of the Bristol Grammar School Classics Podcast, Andy Keen and Dan Watkins are joined by historian and educator Charlie Pearson for a rich and thought-provoking discussion exploring the Persian Wars, the Crusades, and the role of conflict in shaping cultural identity.

The episode opens with a question of directions—East versus West—and quickly turns to deeper themes: how the Crusaders were perceived by the sophisticated cities of the Islamic world, the disunity among Muslim powers at the time, and the surprising ways the Crusader states embedded themselves in a patchwork of shifting alliances. The conversation then shifts to the Greco-Persian Wars, interrogating Herodotus’ Greek-centred narrative and how Persian sources seem almost indifferent to the conflict. They consider how both conflicts reveal as much about myth-making and propaganda as about the historical events themselves.

Through wide-ranging comparisons, they examine how ancient and medieval societies constructed ideas of self and other—Greeks versus barbarians, Christians versus Muslims—and how war often became a tool for forging collective identity. Along the way, they tackle themes like nationalism, dehumanisation in war propaganda, gender and power, the role of religion, and the lasting impact of cultural exchange—from spices to algorithms.

The episode ends with a challenging question: what, if anything, is war good for? From advances in medicine to questions of moral justification, the panel reflects on whether some of the most significant human developments have been driven, disturbingly, by destruction.

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In this episode of the Bristol Grammar School Classics Podcast, Andy Keen and Dan Watkins are joined by Colin Wadey, teacher of Philosophy and Ethics, for a wide-ranging discussion on the nature of religion in the ancient and modern world.

The conversation explores the differences—and similarities—between Greek and Roman polytheism and the monotheistic traditions of Judaism and Christianity. They examine how religious practice in antiquity was more about action than belief, and how ideas of sacrifice, afterlife, and the divine evolved across time. Topics include the transactional nature of ancient worship, the development of cults like Mithras and Asclepius, and the mythic versus historical framing of sacred stories.

Along the way, they reflect on the role of myth, paradox, and meaning-making in religious thought, question whether we're really so different from the ancients, and consider whether searching for truth might be more important than finding it.

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In this episode of the Bristol Grammar School Classics Podcast, Dan Watkins and Andy Keen are joined by Eva Yemenakis, an English teacher, to explore Sappho and Ovid—two of the most intriguing and influential poets of the ancient world.

The discussion delves into Sappho’s fragmentary poetry, the ways in which scholars have interpreted (and misinterpreted) her work, and the parallels between Sappho and Emily Dickinson in terms of style, mystery, and reception. They also examine Ovid’s subversive approach to love poetry, his exile, and his enduring influence on literature, from Shakespeare to modern adaptations.

Along the way, the conversation touches on gender, sexuality, mythology, and the role of poetry in shaping emotions—from the physical and somatic experiences of love to the performative nature of poetic identity.

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In this episode of the BGS Classics Podcast, Mr. Watkins and Mr. Keen welcome poet and teacher David Briggs to discuss his latest collection, The Odyssey Complex and Other Poems. The conversation delves into Homer’s Odyssey, midlife reflections, and the role of poetry in shaping and reshaping identity. David shares insights into his writing process, the themes that emerged from his exploration of nostos, xenia, and enantiodromia, and how Jungian psychology and Homeric storytelling intersect in his work.

Together, they examine Odysseus’ journey as a metaphor for midlife: the tension between ambition and reflection, the shifting nature of identity, and the challenges of finding one’s way home—both literally and metaphorically. They also discuss the oral tradition of Homer, the performative nature of storytelling, and the enduring power of poetry to capture life’s complexities.

Stay tuned for a reading from The Odyssey Complex that reimagines key moments from Odysseus’ journey through a contemporary poetic lens.

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A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar school to help Class Civ pupils to revise for their Invention of the Barbarian component.
1.6 Reality of Persia

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A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar school to help Class Civ pupils to revise for their Invention of the Barbarian component.
1.5 Historical Barbarians

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A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar school to help Class Civ pupils to revise for their Invention of the Barbarian component.
1.4 Mythical Barbarians

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A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar school to help Class Civ pupils to revise for their Invention of the Barbarian component.
1.3 Greeks and Barbarians

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A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar school to help Class Civ pupils to revise for their Invention of the Barbarian component.
1.2 Persian Wars and Greek (Dis)Unity

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A podcast by DJ Watkins and AJ Keen of Bristol Grammar school to help Class Civ pupils to revise for their Invention of the Barbarian component.
1.1 Greek Identity