The Hellenistic period – 330-30 BCE, saw Alexander’s successor kingdoms rotting away in the east, the rise of Rome, and the birth of modern consciousness. Episode 40 Quiz: http://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-40-quiz Episode 40 Transcription: http://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-040-hellenism-and-the-birth-of-the-self Bonus Content: http://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

Episode 40: Hellenism and the Birth of the Self

With millions of downloads, hundreds of hours of soundtracked content, and an overall emphasis on the cultural history behind famous works of literature, Literature and History is one of the most popular independent podcasts on its subject. Starting with Sumerian cuneiform in 3,100 BCE, Literature and History moves forward in chronological order through Assyriology, Egyptology, the Old Testament, Ancient Greece and Rome, and the birth of Christianity. The show's current season is on Late Antiquity (or 200-700 CE) and the dawn of the Middle Ages.

A typical episode (they average about two hours) features a general introduction to a work of literature, then a full summary of that work that expects no prior knowledge, and finally, an analysis of the cultural, biographical, and historical forces that gave rise to the work in question. Original symphonic and ambient background music is woven throughout each show, and all episodes offer free full, illustrated, footnoted transcriptions as well as quizzes for purposes of review. The show has no advertisements, and its host takes pride in a professional approach that avoids chitchat and ephemera and gets straight to the educational content. You can listen to the episodes in any order, although most listeners begin at the beginning and proceed from there, as the podcast itself is chronologically organized.

Doug Metzger finished his Ph.D. in literature in 2011. His chief scholarly interest, following his dissertation work, continues to be 19th-century realism and postbellum American philosophy.

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In the twilight of the Western Empire, Boethius (c. 476-523) served as consul, but ended his life imprisoned by the Ostrogothic King Theodoric, writing The Consolation of Philosophy.  Episode 103 Quiz:  https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php?option=com_content&view;=article&id;=351&catid;=2   Episode 103 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-103-boethius   Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory  

Episode 103: Boethius

Augustine’s City of God, Part 2 of 2. The second half of the City of God contains some of Late Antiquity’s most influential writings – most notably Augustine’s take on Original Sin.  Episode 102 Quiz: https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-102-quiz   Episode 102 Transcription:  https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-102-an-old-mans-book   Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory  

Episode 102: An Old Man's Book (Augustine's City of God, Part 2 of 2)

Augustine’s City of God, Part 1 of 2. The first half of the City of God is a broadside against paganism – its culture, religion, and history, subjects about which Augustine had much to say.  Episode 101 Quiz: https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-101-quiz   Episode 101 Transcription:  https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-101-against-the-pagans   Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory  

Episode 101: Against the Pagans (Augustine's City of God, Part 1 of 2)

Augustine’s Confessions, Part 2 of 2. The second half of Augustine’s Confessions contains some of the most famous theology in Christian history.  Episode 100 Quiz: https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-100-quiz   Episode 100 Transcription:  https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-100-late-have-i-loved-you   Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory  

Episode 100: Late Have I Loved You (Augustine's Confessions, Books 9-13)

Augustine’s Confessions, Part 1 of 2. The first half of Augustine’s Confessions tells of his wayward early years, his intellectual journey, and his spiritual awakening.  Episode 99 Quiz: https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-99-quiz   Episode 99 Transcription:  https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-099-the-boy-who-stole-pears   Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory  

Episode 40: Hellenism and the Birth of the Self

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