Archimedes’s emblematic death makes sense psychologically and embodies a rich historical picture in a single scene. Transcript Archimedes died mouthing back at an enemy soldier: “Don’t disturb my circles.” Or that’s how the story goes. Is this fact or fiction? We have third-hand accounts at best so there is plenty of room for doubt. But … Continue reading De ... Show More
Jul 2023
Operational Einstein: constructivist principles of special relativity
Einstein’s theory of special relativity defines time and space operationally, that is to say, in terms of the actions performed to measure them. This is analogous to the constructivist spirit of classical geometry. Transcript Oh no, we are chained to a wall! Aaah! This is going t ... Show More
1h 16m
Oct 2013
Did Archimedes build a death ray?
<p>During the siege of Syracuse in 214 BCE, the city-state's resident genius, Archimedes, built a number of clever war machines to thwart the invading Roman fleet. One invention, the death ray, has been considered the stuff of legend. But could it have been real?</p><p> </p> Lear ... Show More
33m 55s
Mar 2022
That Time A Dead Guy Won an Olympic Medal
<p>In his heyday, the story goes, Arrhichion of Phigalia was a renowned pankration champion, a brutal sport of the ancient Olympics. But he was getting on in years, and his days at the top seem numbered. In today's episode, the guys explore the strange series of circumstances tha ... Show More
28m 38s
Aug 2023
Archimedes and the Siege of Syracuse
<p>Dan tells the story of Archimedes, the ancient Greek inventor whose weapons of war protected the town of Syracuse from a Roman army. The Romans laid siege to Syracuse between 213 and 212 BC, attacking by sea and land, but were repelled by the city's defences. The story goes th ... Show More
44m 4s
Apr 2022
A Bit of Father & Son Fighting Over… Who Deserves to Live (Euripides’ Alcestis Part 2)
The eponymous character dies. And then what? The tragicomic play by Euripides that turns everything on its head, and then some.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 we ... Show More
36m 25s
Aug 2021
SYMHC Classics: The Beheading of Sir Walter Raleigh
This 2018 episode covers the famed courtier, explorer, historian, Member of Parliament and soldier. He was part of England's defense against the Spanish armada, as well the Tudor conquest of Ireland, some of which was truly horrifying. According to some people, he is now a ghost. ... Show More
37m 48s