Avsnitt
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An epic poem deserves an epic, hour-long episode. Rose walks you through the great Homeric epic covering (a very small part of) the Trojan War. The Iliad is almost certainly the most-studied work in Western literature, but it can still surprise you. Come hear of the wrath of Achilles, and the Real Housewives of Mount Olympus, and that one poor guy who gets stuck headfirst in the ground.
Want to read the transcript? Visit our website to read it (and to see the references we used to write the episode). You can also find us on social media! We're on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and (ugh) the site formerly known as Twitter. Subscribe, rate, review and share!
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In this episode, we grapple with the limitations of translation and the ethics of Western examination of other people's religions. Covering controversies involving the Indologists Max Müller (1823-1900) and Wendy Doniger (b. 1940), Rose explores the how the Sanskrit word Aryan became linked to the worst kind of racists, learns that fringe reactionary groups filing lawsuits to ban books aren't just an American thing, and squeezes in a reference to Miller's Crossing (Coen Brothers, 1990),
Want to read our transcript? In addition to providing an accessible version of the show for people with hearing impairments, it also includes links and the list of references used to create this episode—ideal if you want to learn more about the issues we talk about or find our social media links. Click here to head to our website and read the transcript now.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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The Rig Veda (c. 1400-1500 BCE) is a massive collection of 1,028 hymns written by ancient people living in northwestern India, and it forms part of the foundation of Hindu faith. The hymns span myths, philosophy, spirituality, love, grief, and practical tips for making an incredibly powerful hallucinogenic drink. In this episode, Rose investigates some of the major themes in the Rig Veda and compares some of the themes in it to myths from other traditions.
PLEASE NOTE: This episode describes some scenes of human and animal sacrifice. If you're squeamish, take care.
Want to read the transcript or see the references Rose used to write this episode? Visit our website. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Instagram, or Facebook.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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We weren't expecting multi-episode character arcs when we launched this show, but here we are. Rose wraps up the Egyptian Book of the Dead - and one of its most prominent early interpreters, E.A. Wallis Budge (1857-1934) by looking at how late 19th and early 20th-century occultists pilfered Egyptology for ideas. Also, Budge has a dream that helps him pass an exam at Cambridge.
Additional research for this episode by Matt Brough. Want to read the transcript or see the reading list for this episode? It's available here.
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In ancient Egypt, if you were rich enough, you'd be buried with a handy manual for surviving the afterlife within easy reach of your coffin — like having a novel on your nightstand. Find out what awaits you in the Duat where Osiris reigns, guarded by gatekeeper spirits with names like "Eavesdropper," "Hot Legs", and "One Who Eats the Putrefaction of His Posterior" in our summary of The Egyptian Book of the Dead
Transcript and reading list are available, as always, at our website, www.booksofalltime.co.uk.
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Episode four looks at two key figures in the history of Egyptology: one, Jean-François Champollion, is well known as the man who cracked Egyptian hieroglyphics. The other, Giovanni Belzoni, was a carnival strongman and hydraulics engineer before becoming a renowned explorer—and excavator—of Egyptian monuments. Bonus cameo: Napoleon Bonaparte, ruining everything for everyone.
Read the transcript and see the reading list for this episode at our website. You can also follow us on Instagram!
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We're off to Ancient Egypt for the next work on the Books of All Time reading list: The Tale of Sinuhe (c. 1875 BCE). It's a story about a royal advisor who runs away from Egypt after learning that the pharaoh has been assassinated, then creates a new life in another country. Host Rose Judson walks you through the plot, then muses on what it's like to be an immigrant, even in a country where you more or less speak the language. Transcript and additional reading available at our website!
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For the second part of our look at the Epic of Gilgamesh, we're heading to the 19th century for a little wildcat archaeology and museum curator drama. Hear about how the most famous story about Gilgamesh's first modern translator getting naked at the office might not be true, and exactly what kind of animal Rose thinks former British Prime Minister William Gladstone most resembled.
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Episode 1 of Books of All Time summarizes the oldest-known narrative tale: The Epic of Gilgamesh (Sumer, c. 2100 BCE). Lost for centuries, this story was rediscovered by archaeologists in the 19th century. Host Rose Judson walks you through the plot of a story that begins as a buddy comedy with monsters and winds up as a poignant meditation on mortality. Plus, she recommends different editions of Gilgamesh that you may want to check out yourself. Content Note: While we keep it clean here at Books of All Time, this show does touch on some adult themes. Discretion advised.
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Introducing a new great-books podcast that's tackling classic literature in chronological order. Each month, host Rose Judson brings you a summary of a great work, plus a story about the history behind it. Starts 29 February 2024.
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