Biography

Themistocles has established himself as a respected politician within ancient Athens, but he isn't without rivalry. He has political enemies from within who hope to bring him down, and there's always the threat of Persia, readying itself to take on the Hellenic states.

Guest: Professor Christopher Mackie (Ancient Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe University)

Themistocles lived during a time of change and progress in Athens. The monarchy was coming to an end, the republic was on the rise, and a self-made man from modest beginnings can make crucial contributions to an entire civilisation.

Guest: Professor Christopher Mackie (Ancient Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe University)

Ely S. Parker was born to a prominent Seneca family on an Indian reservation near New York, and to many was considered a man between two worlds. Working first as a tribal diplomat, and later forming a close friendship with Ulysses S. Grant during the civil war, he came to be the first Native American to hold the position of Head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Guest: Dr Claudia Haake (History, La Trobe University).

Frida attains fame within her lifetime, and her relationship with Diego Rivera remains passionate and explosive. Since she died her fame has attained new heights, as people see the part of Frida they want to see - she now belongs to the world.

Guest: Emeritus Professor Barry Carr (History, La Trobe University).

Frida Kahlo is considered one of Mexico's greatest artists but spent most of her career working in the shadow of her husband, the larger than life artist and muralist Diego Rivera.

After a bus accident left her injured for life she took up painting, and became known for her surreal artwork and self-portraits which show a conflicted artist.

Guest: Emeritus Professor Barry Carr (History, La Trobe University).

Douglas Mawson expedition across the ice has been met with tragedy. One of his men has fallen down a crevice and died, and with him the majority of the food stores and the good sleigh dogs.

He and Mertz have little option but to turn back and try to make their way to the base. But the weather is against them, and they don't have enough food to make back.

Guest: Dr David Day (Historian and Emeritus of La Trobe University).

Books:

Flaws in the Ice: In search of Douglas Mawson (Scribe, 2013)

Antarctica: A Biography (Oxford, 2012)

Douglas Mawson has returned from the Shackleton Expedition in Antarctica, but he soon gets the urge to go back to the ice. He journeys to England to raise money for his own Antarctic mission - a scientific endeavour with the primary aim to discover new territory.

Guest: Dr David Day (Historian and Emeritus of La Trobe University).

Books:

Flaws in the Ice: In search of Douglas Mawson (Scribe, 2013)

Antarctica: A Biography (Oxford, 2012)

Douglas Mawson is one of the great explorers of Antarctica, and regarded as a hero in Australia. His first journey to the frozen continent was as a member of the Shackleton expedition, and he was given the task of finding the magnetic south pole.

Guest: Dr David Day (Historian and Emeritus of La Trobe University).

Books:

Flaws in the Ice: In search of Douglas Mawson (Scribe, 2013)

Antarctica: A Biography (Oxford, 2012)

After his death, the teachings that are attributed to Confucius take on a life on their own. We now look at the philosophy of Confucius, the trouble with interpreting his teachings, and what Confucianism means in today's world.

Guest: Professor John Makeham (Director, China Studies Research Centre, La Trobe University).

A philosopher, teacher, and political thinker, Confucius lived 2500 years ago, in the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. While his teachings and thinking has travelled worldwide, it is a hard task to separate the man from the myth.

Guest: Professor John Makeham (Director, China Studies Research Centre, La Trobe University).