In 45 B.C., the Roman statesman and philosopher Cicero embarked on an almost impossible task... He wrote a philosophical dialogue trying to understand the gods, their nature, how they interact with the world of human beings... and indeed, if they care about humans at all! 

On the Nature of the Gods (De Natura Deorum) tries to answer these eternal questions through the ancient philosophical approaches of Epicureanism, Stoicism and Skepticism. While Cicero is present in all the dialogues, he does not participate... instead three speakers represent the three differing perspectives and help illuminate his thoughts. 

Containing profound psychological and moral insights, this seminal text - recently translated by George J. Thomas (with the pen name Quintus Curtius) - is a compelling testament to the necessity of human agency in an indifferent universe.

But what do these approaches say... and what can they teach us today?  

Famed translator George J. Thomas and Professor of Classics at Cornell University, Michael Fontaine, discuss the Nature of Gods and how ancient philosophy can help us understand the divine. 

You can enjoy George's new annotated translation here: https://qcurtius.com/books/on-the-nature-of-the-gods/

For more information about Classical Wisdom and to sign up for our free newsletter, please check out our website at: http://classicalwisdom.com

What is the future -as well as the past - of literary fiction? It is time for a Renaissance?

Destined for the dustbin of history, to be discarded along with so many quaint anachronisms, or is the genre itself bound for a long overdue renaissance?

Author and self-confessed “hopeless optimist,” Joel Bowman joins us for an in-depth discussion about these subjects in the context of his newest novel – the classically inspired Night Drew Her Sable Cloak.

About the Speaker:

A journalist by vocation, Mr. Bowman’s essays and columns have appeared in numerous news outlets and academic journals in the US and abroad. After two decades writing and speaking publicly about politics, economics and international living, Mr. Bowman turned his hand to fiction. His first novel – Morris, Alive – received critical acclaim from multiple New York Times bestselling authors. Night Drew Her Sable Cloak is his second work of literary fiction.

You can find Joel’s books here: https://joelbowman.substack.com/s/books

This event is brought to you by Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing Ancient Wisdom to Modern Minds. You can learn more about our mission to promote and preserve the Classics and sign up for our free newsletter here:

https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

Though it was the largest religion in the ancient world by both the number of adherents and geographical scope, Zoroastrianism is still vastly understudied in religion, history, and especially classics.

What is Zoroastrianism? How has this Iranian religion impacted the Classical World? And why is one of the world's oldest organized faiths so often over looked?
 
Pablo Vazquez, a noted scholar of and convert to Zoroastrianism, provides an introduction to one of the oldest continuously practiced faiths in history, how the faith influenced the ancient world, and what it is like today.

Central to this will be the Gathas and the Old Avestan texts which are said to be composed directly by the religion's enigmatic founder, Zarathushtra, and thus form the core of Zoroastrianism.

You can order Pablo's book, The Sacred Gathas of Zarathushtra & the Old Avestan Canon: A Modern Translation of Ancient Wisdom, here: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Gathas-Zarathushtra-Avestan-Canon/dp/1785359614

This podcast was brought to you by Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. To learn more about Classical Wisdom and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to: 

https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

How does the relationship between Odysseus and Telemachus play out? What does the son think about the murder of the suitors? And why exactly has this story of the Trojan Cycle captivated its listeners and readers throughout the millennia... to this very day? 

Today’s Podcast is with TAD CRAWFORD, founder and publisher of Allworth Press as well as author of A Floating Life: A Novel, The Secret Life of Money and most recently, On Wine-Dark Seas: A Novel of Odysseus and His Fatherless Son Telemachus...

Now, is this the sequel to the Odyssey? You decide...

You can find Tad's book, On Wine-Dark Seas: A Novel of Odysseus and His Fatherless Son Telemachus, here: On Wine-Dark Seas: A Novel of Odysseus and His Fatherless Son Telemachus

This podcast was brought to you by Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. To learn more about Classical Wisdom and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to: 

https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

The saying “History is myth and myth is history” is something we have been discussing a lot of late at Classical Wisdom. Where does the story of Aeneas lie?

Today’s Classical Wisdom Speaks podcast is with  Anthony Adolph, a professional genealogist, broadcaster and writer of numerous books on ancestry and general history, including his most recent, In Search of Aeneas: Classical Myth or Bronze Age Hero?, of which we’ll discuss today.

You can find Anthony's book here.

This podcast is brought to you by Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient Wisdom to modern minds. You can learn more and sign up for our free newsletter here:

https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

Marcus Aurelius is generally regarded as one of the "Five Good Emperors" and is often praised for his Stoic philosophy, particularly as expressed in his "Meditations." However, like any historical figure, he is not without criticisms both in his own time and in ours...

But are these insignificant issues? Or do they undermine his position as a philosopher and disciple of Stoicism? 

His reign was marked by military conflicts, political intrigues, and compromises that may not align perfectly with Stoic ideals. Was he truly a Stoic?

About the Panelists:

Angie Hobbs gained a degree in Classics and a PhD in Ancient Philosophy at the University of Cambridge and in 2012 she was appointed Professor of the Public Understanding of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield. She is author of many books, including’ Plato and the Hero’ (C.U.P) and ‘Plato’s Republic: a Ladybird Expert Book’. She contributes regularly to radio and TV programmes and other media, including 26 appearances on In Our Time on Radio 4.  She has spoken at the World Economic Forum at Davos, the Houses of Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and Westminster Abbey and been the guest on Desert Island Discs, Private Passions and Test Match Special and has most recently been filmed with Mary Beard discussing Marcus Aurelius. You can follow Angie at @drangiehobbs and learn more about her at angiehobbs.com.

Massimo Pigliucci is an author, blogger, podcaster, as well as the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His academic work is in evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, the nature of pseudoscience, and practical philosophy. Massimo publishes regular columns in Skeptical Inquirer and in Philosophy Now. His books include ‘How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life’ (Basic Books) and ‘Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk’ (University of Chicago Press). Massimo’s latest book is ‘The Quest for Character: What the Story of Socrates and Alcibiades Teaches Us about Our Search for Good Leaders’ (Basic Books). More by Massimo at https://newstoicism.org.

Donald Robertson is an author and psychotherapist, specializing in the relationship between modern cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and ancient Greek philosophy. He is one of the founding members of the Modern Stoicism organization and the author of three books on Marcus Aurelius.  ‘How to Think Like a Roman Emperor’, a self-help book; 'Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius', a graphic novel; and, most recently, a biography titled 'Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor' due to be released by Yale University Press as part of their Ancient Lives series on February 6th.  He has also edited the Capstone Classics edition of the ‘Meditations’ and contributed a chapter on Marcus Aurelius and psychotherapy to the forthcoming 'Cambridge Companion to Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.'  Donald is also the president and founder of the Plato's Academy Centre nonprofit, based in Greece.

Moderated by Anya Leonard, the founder and Director of Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. Author of the children’s book, "Sappho: The Lost Poetess", dedicated to the life, works and remarkable recent discovery of a poem written by the 7th century Poetess, Sappho, Anya has also recently launched Classical Wisdom Kids, a program bringing ancient wisdom to future minds. You can see Classical Wisdom's Books here: https://classicalwisdombooks.com/

Plagiarism versus Forgery... Economic versus Individualistic Incentives... Virtuous copying versus pride in originality...

In an era where the discussion of Plagiarism has become all the rage, it's important to look back over the history of Plagiarism, of institutions, of authority and of knowledge itself.

Dr. James Hankins, professor of History at Harvard University and Peter Scott Adamson, professor at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and host of the weekly podcast History of Philosophy without any gaps discuss what Plagiarism is and how these allegations can be seen both now - and throughout history.

This podcast was brought to you by Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. You can find out more (as well as sign up for our free newsletter) here:

https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

About the Speakers:

Dr. James Hankins, professor of History at Harvard University and an intellectual historian specializing in the Italian Renaissance and author of many books, including, Virtue Politics: Soulcraft and Statecraft.

Peter Scott Adamson, professor of philosophy in late antiquity and in the Islamic world at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich; and professor of ancient and medieval philosophy at King's College London. He is also host of the weekly podcast History of Philosophy without any gaps and author of Don’t Think for Yourself: Authority and Belief in Medieval Philosophy.

Moderated by Anya Leonard, founder and Director of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

What are Big and Little Caesars? Both in ancient and modern times? And are there certain political and social environments that are fertile for these sorts of Caesars in their rise to power?

And should we know more about this topic before the next election series?

This Classical Wisdom Speaks podcast is with Sir William Robert Ferdinand Mount, British writer, novelist, and columnist for The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph and London Review of Books as well as a political commentator.

He is the author of many books, including his most recent,  “Big Caesars and Little Caesars: How They Rise and How They Fall - From Julius Caesar to Boris Johnson” Of which we’ll speak about today...

You can find Ferdinand's book here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/big-caesars-and-little-caesars-9781399409681/

You can also sign up for Classical Wisdom's free newsletter here:
https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/


Song is Keyboard Sonata No. 47 in B Minor, Hob. XVI:32: I. Allegro moderato

Today children already have so many expectations. From excelling in school, practicing sports and hobbies, to learning languages that can give them the ‘competitive’ edge, there simply isn't enough time as it is to fit it all in.

In their modern overloaded schedules, it's extremely difficult to see how ancient Greek and Latin feature in young people's lives.

But if we can't inspire an interest in the next generation, do these ancient languages have a future?

Watch an elite panel of ancient Greek and Latin teachers to discuss how can we instill an interest in the youth today, so we can help preserve our collective history for tomorrow.

Featuring the famous Eugenia Manolidou, Greek classical composer, and course director at ancient Greek school Elliniki Agogi, Steven Hunt, from the University of Cambridge and Classics for All, as well as Gerardo Guzmàn, ancient Greek professor at the renowned Vivarium Novum Academy in Rome.

This event was hosted by Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. Sign up for our free newsletter here: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

About our Speakers:

Eugenia Manolidou is a Greek classical composer, conductor, entertainment television presenter and course director at Elliniki Agogi, a school dedicated to the ancient Greek language, History and Philosophy to adults and children since 1994.

Steven Hunt, Senior Teaching Associate at the University of Cambridge, Editor of The Journal of Classics Teaching and works with the The Association for Latin Teaching, the Cambridge Schools' Classics Project and Classics for All.

Gerardo Guzmàn is a professor of the Ancient Greek language and teaches at the famous Vivarium Novum Academy in Rome.

Anya Leonard is the founder and Director of Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds, as well as the newest addition: Classical Wisdom Kids

How do you define a Rebel? Are should we glorify them? Or not? Are they heroes or anti-heroes? Have some done better in the history books than others?

Today's Classical Wisdom Speaks Podcast is with Stephen Dando-Collins, the award-winning and very prolific author of over 40 books, including Rise of an Empire, on which the major motion picture 300: Rise of an Empire was based, as well as his most recent, “Seven Against Thebes”. In today’s episode, however, we discus  another  one of his recent book, “Rebels Against Rome”.

You can purchase Stephen's book, "Rebels Against Rome: 400 Years of Rebellions Against the Rule of Rome" Here.

You can support Classical Wisdom's mission of bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds by checking our free newsletter at:

https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/