There is a place, a narrow strip of land, where bravery and sacrifice became legendary... where the famed ‘300’ laid down their lives to save Hellas in 480 BC...

But that is not the only battle in which blood was shed at Thermopylae...

Dr. Michael Livingston and Myke Cole discuss their recently released book "The Killing Ground: A Biography of Thermopylae" and discover the chilling stories found on this particular field...

We not only look at the history of the ‘killing grounds’ but also into the heart of warfare itself: the motivations of those who fight, the strategies they employ, and the horrifying price they have to pay.

From Penelope to Fulvia and beyond, discover the lives of ancient women. 

Today Anya is joined by Dr. Daisy Dunn, to discuss the ‘missing thread’ of ancient history: the often-overlooked women who helped shape civilizations. 

Dr Daisy Dunn is an award-winning classicist and the author of several books, including The Missing Thread: A New History of the Ancient World through the Women Who Shaped It.

You can buy it here: https://geni.us/TheMissingThread 

Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

Discover the woman who brought Greek mythology to America… 

Today Anya is joined by Victoria Houseman to discuss the life and legacy of Edith Hamilton, the American Classicist who brought Greek mythology and ancient cultures to a vast new audience.

Her books remain beloved classics in their own right, and illuminate not only the Greeks and Romans, but also how the ancients can help us understand the tumultuous twentieth century.

Victoria Houseman is a historian and associate professor in the Department of History and Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls.

You can buy “American Classicist: The Life and Loves of Edith Hamilton” by Victoria Houseman here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691236186/?bestFormat=true&k=american%20classicist&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_di_k0_1_19&crid=3FOD5P0ESZB2J

Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

While Stoicism is currently all the rage -and for good reason- it isn’t the only philosophy to address some of life’s toughest questions. 

From dealing with uncertainty, stress, grief and more, we have a wonderful toolbox of wisdom at our disposal, if only we know where to look.

Renowned Stoics and philosophers, Massimo Pigliucci, Donald Robertson and John Sellars, take the lessons of Stoicism... and beyond... to see how we can approach life’s difficulties and incorporate time-tested philosophies into our modern life. 

This event is hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom and to sign up for the free newsletter, please go to: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

How did two different philosophies - that have seen a resurgence of interest in the Western world - both arrive at such similar conclusions for how to live a happy life?

Despite being separated by hundreds of years and thousands of miles, Stoicism and Buddhism have striking similarities...so much so some have wondered if there was some exchange of ideas between the forefathers of each ideology.

But how exactly are these philosophies alike? What are the critical differences? And perhaps most importantly of all, what can these philosophies teach us today so we can be better people?

Watch Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom and Dr. Benjamin B. Olshin, Research Associate at Bryn Mawr College, discuss Stoicism and Buddhism and see if they are truly two sides of the same coin...

You can find all of Benjamin’s books and art here: https://benjaminbolshin.net/publications

This event was brought to you by Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

What happens AFTER an apocalypse?

How did ancient societies rebuild after catastrophic events… and what can that teach us about our world now?

Today, Anya is joined by DR ERIC H. CLINE, author of the bestselling history book 1177 B.C and its recent sequel, After 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations. They’ll be discussing what to do if your society collapses… and why the ancient 'dark ages' weren't so dark.

Dr. Cline is Professor of Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies and Anthropology, the former Chair of the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, and the current Director of the GWU Capitol Archaeological Institute. He is a National Geographic Explorer, a Fulbright scholar, an NEH Public Scholar, a Getty Scholar, and an award-winning teacher. 

You can buy After 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations here: https://www.amazon.com/After-1177-B-C-Survival-Civilizations/dp/0691192138

Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental disorders. Considered pathology, it is the most diagnosed and medicated of all psychological disorders... but what if it isn't always or only a medical condition?

From Greek tragedies and Buddhism to actual practices from famous doctors like Galen, there are a myriad of important lessons about anxiety that can be gleaned from the past. Indeed the ancients had a lot to say about anxiety and mental conditions in general... and their perspective and observations were at times very different from those found in our modern era.

Perhaps it's time to rethink anxiety. With the help of both ancient philosophy and history, how can we see anxiety as a source not only of suffering, but also of insight?

Featuring professor emeritus of philosophy at Brooklyn College and author of “Anxiety: A Philosophical Guide”, Samir Chopra, along with Vanderbilt professor and author of “How to Be Healthy”, Katherine D. Van Schaik, and Michael Fontaine, professor of Classics at Cornell University and author of “How to Grieve”.

Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

Discover how the best physician is also a philosopher… 

From the gladiators’ arena to the imperial court, the life and career of the ancient doctor Galen is among the most extraordinary in the ancient world.

A Greek, a Roman, a doctor, and a thinker, Galen was also one of the most prolific of all ancient writers, having written ten per cent of all ancient texts from before 350CE.

Today, Anya is joined by KATHERINE D. VAN SCHAIK, herself both a Classicist and an MD, to discuss Galen’s immense legacy in medicine, what he got right and wrong about health… and how a dream may have changed the course of history.

Katherine D. Van Schaik is a MD, PhD, MA and author of “How to Be Healthy: An Ancient Guide to Wellness”. She received her PhD in Ancient History from the Harvard Department of the Classics and her MD from Harvard Medical School. 

You can buy How to Be Healthy: An Ancient Guide to Wellness here: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691206271/how-to-be-healthy

Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/ 

It’s philosophy’s ultimate dinner party… and you’re invited.

On today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks, Anya is joined by Professor Alex Priou to discuss Plato’s most joyful and playful work, The Symposium.

Discover how taking an unconventional approach to Plato can illuminate both this ancient text and how we live today.

ALEX PRIOU is Associate Professor of Political Philosophy at the University of Austin. He is the author of many books, including 'Musings on Plato’s Symposium', as well as a number of articles on the history of philosophy. He is also the co-host of a philosophy podcast, The New Thinkery. You can listen here: https://thenewthinkery.com/

You can purchase ‘Musings on Plato’s Symposium” by Alex Priou here: https://www.amazon.com/Musings-Platos-Symposium-Alex-Priou-ebook/dp/B0CHZ3WS69/

Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

Discover the ancient nomadic tribe that helped inspire the myth of the Amazons… and their legacy in the world today.

On today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks, Anya is joined by Professor Christopher Beckwith, an expert on the mysterious and compelling Scythians.

Join them as they discuss the secrets of this influential yet overlooked people, their vanished empire, how Herodotus is a very reliable source after all. 

You can purchase ‘The Scythian Empire: Central Eurasia and the Birth of the Classical Age from Persia to China’ by Christopher Beckwith here:

https://www.amazon.com/Scythian-Empire-Central-Eurasia-Classical/dp/0691240531

Christopher I. Beckwith is an American philologist and distinguished professor in the Department of Central Eurasian Studies at Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana.

Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/