In this brand new series, TCP host Katrina Kelly is joined by bestselling author Caroline Lawrence, to discuss Virgil's epic poem, The Aeneid.

Inspired by a particular word (this week it's lumen, 'light') that acts as a springboard for each episode, Katrina and Caroline explore characters, themes and poetic techniques, their favourite Virgilian similes, hear the sounds of ancient languages, and dive into the rich imagery and literary heritage of the Aeneid. In Episode 1, they jump straight to Book 8 - in medias res, as Virgil would say - and a simile that has caught Caroline's attention. They'll discuss wheelie bins and copper bowls, Aeneas' shield, the theories of intromission and focalisation, Apollonius of Rhodes, time travel, and a very hard stare...

Listen to more TCP episodes and catch us on YouTube

Find out about the Classical Association

Browse Caroline's work

Enjoy the rest of the series and our reading suggestions

Read the Aeneid in Latin and English

Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.