What do Achilles and Gilgamesh, two of the most renowned literary figures of the ancient world, have in common? A great deal more than you might expect. I talked to Professor Michael Clarke of the National University of Ireland, Galway, one of my favorite people in the world and an enormously creative and thoughtful scholar, about his recent book - Achilles ... Show More
Jan 15
Recent Discoveries in the Ancient Americas: Professor Shane Miller Returns
Every year, new archaeological discoveries claim to rewrite what we think we knew about the ancient Americas, but how much can we trust the initial reports we see? Professor Shane Miller, now of the University of Alabama, joins me again to place the White Sands footprints and oth ... Show More
52m 41s
Feb 2019
The Epic of Gilgamesh Pt. 1
The half-god king, Gilgamesh, finds himself growing bored with his power, so the gods create a wild man who can challenge his strength. When these two fearsome men meet, they will live on in their stories for millennia to come. This Mesopotamian epic poem, composed in 2100 BCE, i ... Show More
43m 23s
Nov 2019
74 | Stephen Greenblatt on Stories, History, and Cultural Poetics
<p>An infinite number of things happen; we bring structure and meaning to the world by making art and telling stories about it. Every work of literature created by human beings comes out of an historical and cultural context, and drawing connections between art and its context ca ... Show More
1h 6m
Jan 2020
Ancient Guys Doing Crazy Things (The Epic of Gilgamesh Part 2)
Part two of the Mesopotamian epic, the first recorded work of literature, the Epic of Gilgamesh! CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters, I'm not as deferential as I would be were I referencing the real thin ... Show More
36m 28s
Feb 2020
Mythology Rewind: The Epic of Gilgamesh Pt. 1
On the last Sunday of every month, Parcast Rewind replays a classic episode of Mythology that you might have missed! The half-god king, Gilgamesh, finds himself growing bored with his power, so the gods create a wild man who can challenge his strength. When these two fearsome men ... Show More
42m 29s
Apr 2023
Edith Hall on Aristotelian Ethics, Intention, and Human Decency
<p>Ryan speaks with Edith Hall about why she wants to open up Aristotle’s works to the world at large, how Aristotle defined what a human being is and how one can be happy, the importance of doing what you’re good at and enjoying what you’re doing so long as it’s good for the soc ... Show More
53m 7s