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Classical Wisdom Speaks

Classical Wisdom
Classical Wisdom Speaks
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134 episodes

  • Classical Wisdom Speaks

    Rebellions Against Rome: The Jewish Revolts

    09/04/2026 | 36 mins.
    An age of apocalyptic thinking, a clash of empires, and a legacy that still shapes the world today... 
    Today Anya is joined by Professor Barry Strauss to discuss the Jewish Revolts against the Roman Empire. Discover what fueled these uprisings, and how their dramatic outcome has shaped centuries. 
    Barry Strauss is the Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University as well as the Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies Emeritus at Cornell University, where he is the former Chair of the Department of History as well as Professor of History and Classics. 
    He is the author of many bestselling books, including most recently Jews Vs Rome, which you can buy HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Jews-vs-Rome-Centuries-Rebellion/dp/1668009595 
    Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/ 
    An extended version of this podcast is available to Members of Classical Wisdom. 
    Become a Member HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1 
    And access the extended version of this episode HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/jews-vs-rome
  • Classical Wisdom Speaks

    Natalie Haynes on Medea: Greek Tragedy's Most Shocking Heroine

    02/04/2026 | 54 mins.
    Barbarian, witch, murderer… and mother.
    Today Anya is joined by author and broadcaster Natalie Haynes to discuss one of Greek mythology’s most famous and dramatic characters, Medea. 
    Discover the complex legends and legacy of Medea, from her daring love story with Jason to its dark aftermath… and how the Greek tragedian Euripides transformed her how her story is told, forever.
    Natalie Haynes is the author of several acclaimed books about women in Greek mythology, including Divine Might, Stone Blind, and most recently No Friend to This House, her own much-anticipated retelling of the myth of Medea. 
    You can buy a copy HERE: https://www.amazon.com/No-Friend-This-House-Novel/dp/0063258447 
    Natalie Haynes is an author and comedian as well as a broadcaster for the BBC, and she has written for The Times, The Independent, The Guardian, and The Observer. Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. 
    To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/
  • Classical Wisdom Speaks

    The Roman Guide to War

    26/03/2026 | 38 mins.
    What were the secrets of Roman warfare?
    What is the best way to defeat an enemy… and what does all this have to do with aqueducts?
    Today Anya is joined by George Thomas to discuss the life of Frontinus, an ancient Roman general and governor of Roman Britain. In particular, they’re looking at Stratagems, his manual for war, which looked to ancient history to distil key lessons in military strategy and leadership. 
    George Thomas, also known by his pen name, Quintus Curtius, is an acclaimed translator of ancient texts, including those by Cicero, Sallust, and Cornelius Nepos.
    He is an MIT graduate, a former officer in the US Marine Corps, a founding partner of the law firm, Phillips and Thomas.
    His most recent work is a translation Frontius' Stratagems, of which we speak about today.
    You can buy it HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Stratagems-Translation-Sextus-Julius-Frontinus/dp/B0FPBTNCY5
    Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/ 
    An extended version of this podcast is available to Members of Classical Wisdom. 
    Become a Member HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe
    And access the extended version HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/a-forgotten-roman-masterclass-in
  • Classical Wisdom Speaks

    What Can Ancient History Tell Us About Revolutions?

    12/03/2026 | 1h 21 mins.
    Long before crowds stormed Bastille or Winter Palace, Greek thinkers treated revolution as the ultimate civic nightmare. So how did an existential danger morph into a promise of liberation—and what happens when that promise curdles into violence? 
    In this dynamic online forum, Dan Edelstein, Professor of French at Stanford University, is joined by classical-political heavyweights Josiah Ober, Professor of Political Science and Classics at Stanford University, and Melissa Lane, Professorship of Politics at Princeton University, to excavate the deep past of an idea that still jolts headlines and rattles parliaments. 
    Hosted by Anya Leonard. 
    Brought to you by Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. Learn more about our mission and sign up for the free newsletter here: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/
  • Classical Wisdom Speaks

    Slave of God: Should We Rethink St. Augustine?

    26/02/2026 | 41 mins.
    Existing at the very edge of the Classical world, in both time and geography, Saint Augustine has proven to be immensely influential on the modern world… but not always in a good way.
    Today Anya is joined by Tony Alimi to discuss the life and philosophy of Saint Augustine, how he was influenced by Roman philosophers, and the ‘entanglements’ that complicate his legacy. In particular, how his theology was used to justify slavery. 
    Discover how philosophy has been abused by history, and why Augustine still isn't through with us today... 
    Tony Alimi is assistant professor in the Sage School of Philosophy at Cornell University and author of Slaves of God: Augustine and Other Romans on Religion and Politics. You can buy it HERE: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691244235/slaves-of-god?srsltid=AfmBOoqe902LK8mqeBd3lUa4L8I9roc6Ouy7KmiNS3xrG-xnotPz5BRw 
    Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/ 
    An extended version of this podcast is available to Members of Classical Wisdom. Become a Member HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe 
    And access the extended version HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/slave-of-god-rethinking-augustine

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About Classical Wisdom Speaks

A Podcast dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. This podcast is provided by Classical Wisdom, to learn more check out www.classicalwisdom.com
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