Ancient World
By Richard Emerson
Ancient WorldAug 27, 2020
"The Lord of the Rings", a Book Talk with Podcaster Adam Bishop
In this episode we'll be talking about the great literary epic of J.R.R. Tolkien: "The Lord of the Rings" with podcaster and student of linguistics in Missouri, Adam Bishop. The focus of the conversation is his favorite parts of the books, and the impact they've had on his life and outlook on the world.
Adam's Philosophy and Mythology Podcast "Unlimited Opinions" is here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4J1YVPSzSINtmNZJn5HAvl
Thanks for listening!
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(This episode is cross-posted from our new series with Book Talks on the "RENAISSANCE" Podcast)
https://awpodcast.com/renaissance
Music credits:
"Our Story Begins" by Kevin MacLeod, Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4181-our-story-begins
"Long Road Ahead B" by Kevin MacLeod, Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3995-long-road-ahead-b
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Interview: Dr. Phil Cary about Dante's Cosmology, and the 24 Wise People in the Sun.
Join us for an excellent conversation with Ivy League Professor Dr. Phil Cary, about the structure of Dante's Cosmology and the 24 wise people in the sphere of the Sun.
We'll also talk about the movement of the souls, and his favorite moments of wisdom and beauty from the Divine Comedy.
Thanks for listening!
(This episode is also posted on our podcast "Dante's Divine Comedy" on iTunes & Spotify)
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Dr. Phillip Cary is Professor of Philosophy at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, where he is also Scholar-in-Residence at the Templeton Honors College. After receiving his B.A. in English Literature and Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis, Professor Cary earned his M.A. in Philosophy and Ph.D. in Philosophy and Religious Studies from Yale University. Professor Cary is a recent winner of the Lindback Award for excellence in undergraduate teaching at Eastern University. He has also taught at Yale University, the University of Connecticut, and the University of Hartford. As the Arthur J. Ennis Post-Doctoral Fellow at Villanova University, he taught the nationally recognized undergraduate Core Humanities seminars on ancient, medieval, Renaissance, and modern thought. As a scholar, Professor Cary's specialty is the thought of Augustine, but he has also published scholarly articles on Luther, the doctrine of the Trinity, and personal knowledge. His most recent books include two on Augustine, Inner Grace and Outward Signs, both published by Oxford University Press in 2008, as well as a commentary on the book of Jonah, also in 2008, published by Brazos Press.
A special thanks goes out to our very generous Patrons: Caldazar, Seán Eckmann, Laura Daligan, Michael Leighty, Claudia, Aidan Chavasse and Santheep on patreon.com/ancientworld - thank you!
Follow us at https://twitter.com/AncientWorldOrg!
Meditation #7 - How to escape the Grip of the Sirens
In the second Dream of the Purgatory, Dante is giving us a practical suggestion as to how we could escape the temptations and being in the thrall of the destructive Sirens. He then sums it all up in one verse line.
And a shoutout to one of our listeners, Jeff, for the great feedback on twitter --
Thanks for listening!
The latest episode about Florence in the 13-hundreds is here:
https://richardemerson.awpodcast.com/News/Florence-in-the-13-hundreds-An-overview-Arts-Architecture-Dante-and-the-Albizzi-Family
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A special thanks goes out to our very generous Patrons: Caldazar, Seán Eckmann, Laura Daligan, Michael Leighty, Claudia, Aidan Chavasse and Santheep on patreon.com/ancientworld - thank you!
And we have a new twitter, join us at https://twitter.com/AncientWorldOrg!
Meditation #6 - What motivates us, and how to create a great life!
In the very heart of the Divine Comedy, Virgil explains the nature and source of our motivations, and how they can be misguided even if they feel good.
This also lies at the center of the overall argument in the Comedy, that the path to Happiness comes through deeping self-insight, and through choosing the constructive actions to create a great life and future.
Thanks for listening!
A special thanks goes out to our very generous Patrons: Caldazar, Seán Eckmann, Laura Daligan, Michael Leighty, Claudia, Aidan Chavasse and Santheep on patreon.com/ancientworld - thank you!
And we have a new twitter, join us at https://twitter.com/AncientWorldOrg!
Meditations #5 - Dante's thoughts on Free Will and a Predictable Future.
When Dante asks his great-great grandfather Cacciaguida about his own future, Cacciaguida explains how this can be foreseen in the timeless Realm of Paradiso, without removing Dante from his Free Will to choose.
This meditation spins out from the discussions in episodes 6-8 of season 1 on the Unlimited Opinions Podcast.
Thanks for listening!
A special thanks goes out to our very generous Patrons: Caldazar, Seán Eckmann, Laura Daligan, Michael Leighty, Claudia, Aidan Chavasse and Santheep on patreon.com/ancientworld - thank you!!
And we have a new twitter, join us at https://twitter.com/AncientWorldOrg!
Meditations #4 - Dante's view on Imagination
In this episode and Meditation #4 we'll look at Dante's thoughts on the nature of Imagination, and how he is beautifully showing us his experiences of three scenes in his mind, and the going in and out of these visions.
And also, we'd love to hear from you! You can now reach out to us on our new twitter account @AncientWorldOrg, or join us in the member community on patreon.com/ancientworld - we'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas for new episodes :)
Thanks for listening!
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A special thanks goes out to our very generous Patrons: Caldazar, Seán Eckmann, Laura Daligan, Michael Leighty, Claudia, Aidan Chavasse and Santheep on patreon.com/ancientworld - thank you!
Meditations #3 - Motion, Aristotle, and the key to Empyrean.
In this Meditation we'll look at how the idea and concept of Motion becomes the transitional point from the Prime Mover, and into the Empyrean in Paradiso. It's deep within the motion itself, that the Pilgrim discovers the point of light that will envelop him into the Empyrean.
Thanks for listening!
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A special thanks goes out to our very generous Patrons: Caldazar, Seán Eckmann, Laura Daligan, Michael Leighty, Claudia, Aidan Chavasse and Santheep on patreon.com/ancientworld - thank you!!
And we have a new twitter, join us at https://twitter.com/AncientWorldOrg!
Meditations #2 - Dante asks; Why all the suffering in the World?
In the terrace of Wrath, the Pilgrim asks Marco Lombardo about all the evil in the world, as he saw it in Italy in the 13 hundreds. Main ideas from Dante is that our Free Will to make choices had been mislead by the Papacy, and thus Virtue has disappeared.
Thanks for listening!
And we have a new twitter, join us at https://twitter.com/AncientWorldOrg!
Meditations #1 - Dante, and Aiming in Life.
Welcome back to the Ancient World Podcast!
We'll be warming up again now with some short meditations and reflections from the Ancient World and the Renaissance, aiming for shorter episodes with inspiration and beauty, and new food for thought.
First meditation is from Purgatory 16, the importance of Reason to balance Wrath, and about Aiming in Life.
Thanks for listening!
A special thanks goes out to our very generous Patrons: Caldazar, Seán Eckmann, Laura Daligan, Michael Leighty, Claudia, Aidan Chavasse and Santheep on patreon.com/ancientworld - thank you!!
The Sun God Apollo, and the Hubris of Phaethon!
In this episode we'll look at the iconic Greek myth about the Sun God Apollo and his son Phaethon, a story about Hubris and forces of nature in the early Greek Mythology.
For more episodes on the Myths, visit https://patreon.com/ancientworld
Thanks for listening,
and enjoy!
Dante's Vita Nuova - and Lady Philosophy!
Welcome back,
we're warming up a new season here - with an excerpt from Vita Nuova when Lady Philosophy is entering Dante's Life, and in many ways lays the groundwork for one of the major themes of the whole Divine Comedy.
More episodes here:
https://patreon.com/ancientworld
Thanks for listening!
Episode 10 - Happy Easter, the Journey through Purgatory, and new Videos!
Welcome back, and Happy Easter!
We've just started a new journey through Dante's Purgatory in the last couple of weeks, with highlights and brief excerpts from each chapter.
The first 9 Episodes are on the Morning Show here (starting from March 25th): https://apple.co/2xfWpbQ
And from Chapter 10 we have the full episodes on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/ancientworld
Thanks for listening,
and enjoy!
Episode 9 - New Morning Show w/Dante! And Philosophy as being both spiritual, mystic, intellectual and rational.
Updates!
We now have a new Morning Show companion Podcast called the "Ancient World - Morning Show!". And we've just started a daily series of 5 minutes with inputs from Dante's Purgatory and we are now at Chapter 5 as of today! :) Everyone is super welcome to join in and follow!
iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-coffee-dantes-purgatory-chap-4-climbing-is/id1492157364?i=1000469855474
And more platforms: https://anchor.fm/ancientworldpodcast
We're also briefly discussing this book today: amzn.com/0664241638
The updated Mythos & Logos channel is here: https://bit.ly/33WZI3A
And Exiting the Cave's new Boethius series: https://exitingthecave.locals.com/content/podcasts
Thanks for listening,
and enjoy! :)
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Support us on Patreon and join the conversation in the Ancient World Community on Discord!
https://patreon.com/ancientworld
Looking foward to seeing you! :)
Episode 8 - Newman, Saints, Intelligibility of the Universe, and the Immaterial. w/Sean, Greg & Dan Part II!
In this episode we'll have seven different highlights from the group conversation this week!
Part 1:
Newman, "Grammar of Assent".
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34022
McGilchrist, "Master and his Emissary"
http://amzn.com/0300245920
Part 2:
Theology having a point.
Part3:
The Saints.
Part 3b:
Philokalia and Cherubims.
http://amzn.com/1594731039 (abridged)
Part 4:
Intelligibility of the Universe.
Part 5:
Seed of the Cosmos.
Thomas Nagel, "Mind and Cosmos"
http://amzn.com/0199919755
Part 6:
Material, Immaterial, Sensible and Non-sensible
Thanks for listening,
and enjoy! :)
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Links:
Greg - http://anchor.fm/exitingthecave
Sean - https://bit.ly/2WEhG9z
Dan - http://dansheffler.com
Ancient World Podcast:
Patreon: https://patreon.com/ancientworld
Locals: https://ancientworld.locals.com
Episode 7 - Theology as Philosophy! Origen, Alexandria and the Nature of Music. w/Greg, Dan & Sean!
In this episode we have two short clips from a great group conversation this week about early Church Founders with a focus on Origen, the Ancient City of Alexandria, and Gregory of Nyssa. And also, with some thoughts about the Nature of Music!
Links:
Greg - http://anchor.fm/exitingthecave
Sean - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtaVPKsU8LLv7ZvXgGez4XQ
Dan - http://dansheffler.com
Thanks for listening,
and enjoy! :)
Episode 6 - Tip: Tom Holland and his Change of Mind. w/Paul Vanderklay!
A short clip and brief commentary on a great conversation between the British Historian Tom Holland and the Californian Pastor Paul Vanderklay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JADIcgUvw4
The book is called "Dominion": https://amzn.com/B010RGSEC2
Enjoy!
:)
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Patreon: https://patreon.com/ancientworld
Locals: https://ancientworld.locals.com
Episode 5 - Experiencing the Divine with Reason v. Emotion. Dionysius, Gregory of Nyssa and Maximus.
*Brief programming note; the episodes will be a bit more sporadic this winter/spring - due to other projects and commitments! More about this in the future episosdes! :))*
In this episode we'll briefly look at the "Divine Names" by Dionysius the Areopagite, and then go through some key points in the great book "Aristotle East and West", by David Bradshaw.
Themes for this episode is the nature and limitations of Conceptual Thought, and how to balance this with the more immediate and intuitive experience of the mystery and the Divine.
We will also connect the thinking of Dionysius, Gregory of Nyssa, Dante, Maximus, and the Old Biblical Stories!
Thanks for listening,
and enjoy!
Episode 4 - Dante, Barfield, and the Inner Spiritual Life. With Dr. Mark Vernon!
In this episode we'll have a great and wide-ranging conversation with Dr. Mark Vernon about his new youtube series on the Divine Comedy by Dante, and thoughts and reflections on his latest book "A Secret History of Christianity". We'll also discuss a variety of big topics from history, literature, science, psychology, mythology, the Biblical stories, and the deeper mysteries of life. An overall thread in the conversation is to explore the inner and spiritual life, and connecting, harmonizing and balancing this with the more rational and intellectual sides of the human experience.
Dr. Vernons book is here: A Secret History of Christianity
And his new Dante series here: https://www.youtube.com/user/PlatosPodcasts/videos
or in Podcast/Spotify format here: Dante's Divine Comedy
Dante's "Inferno", Mark Musa version, is here: amzn.com/0142437220
For more information you can visit: www.markvernon.com
Thanks for listening,
and enjoy!
Episode 3 - "The Celestial Hierarchy" of Dionysius, and symbolic reading of Moses' ascent of the Mountain.
In the episode we'll go through the "On the Heavenly Hierarchy" by Dionysius, and see how it in many ways also gives the overall structure of the "Paradiso" by Dante.
We will also read from "Life of Moses" and symbolically interpret (from about 27:50) the part of Moses' journey after the crossing of the Red Sea, and to the climb of the Mountain of Divine Knowledge - and the deeper meaning of being shown the Tabernacle, or mini-temple, in the spiritual/abstract first, to then serve as the "pattern" for a material one to be built.
The Gregory of Nyssa cover art is here: Life of Moses Cover Art
Thanks for listening,
and enjoy! :)
Episode 2 - The Life of Moses and Dante's Paradise with Dr. Dan Sheffler. The Ascent!
In this episode we have the great pleasure of presenting a first conversation with an expert and scholar in Ancient Philosophy, Dr. Dan Sheffler at Georgetown College in Kentucky!
The main topics are St. Gregory's "The Life of Moses" and Dante's "Paradiso", and the concept of Spiritual and Intellectual Ascent. We also discuss various elements of the philosophies of Philo, Plato, symbolism as a language and portal to the spiritual, and further interpretations of the old Biblical Stories.
For more information on Dr. Sheffler visit here: http://dansheffler.com
Thanks for listening,
and enjoy!
Episode 1 - New Season! Diving deeper into Symbolic Readings, and expanding the Symbolic World.
Welcome back to the opening of the third season of the Ancient World Podcast!
In the coming few months we will look deeper into symbolic readings with the early Church Founders from c. 0-600 AD, and have more conversations and interviews with experts, scholars, and fellow youtubers and podcasters!
Main themes this season will be the wisdom and beauty of the earliest centuries, and the thinkers leading up to Aquinas and Dante, and the Florentine Renaissance in the 13 hundreds.
Thanks for listening,
and enjoy! :))
Episode 68 - Aristotle's Concept of Origin of Nature, and Actuality of Thought
In this episode we will look at the philosophical perspectives on Divinity in Aristotle, and how this is referenced in the Paradiso by Dante.
We will also discuss the concept of potential and actuality, and the degree to which a "potential" could be seen or thought of as existing in itself before being actuality.
From the Metaphysics - the First Mover as principle/origin/beginnings:
"On such a principle, then, depend the heavens and the world of nature."
- Book 12, chapter 7.
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Programming update;
The postings will be a bit sporadic this summer, as we prepare for new episodes!
Introduction to the main themes on the podcast so far is:
Dante
The Inferno: 34-39, 43-45
Purgatory: Ep 55-61
The Paradiso: 11,13,24,25,28 (selected highlights), and the ending 63-64.
Greeks
Greek Myth: 46 (Creation), 47 (Europa/Minos), 49 (Hubris), 51-54 (The Flood), 67.
Greek Philosophy: 1,2,7,14,16-19,22-23,26,29-32, 65,66,68.
Reflections
Correspondence: Ep66.
Biblical Stories: 8 (Babel).
Wisdom Quotes: 4,12,14,17,23,26.
Etymology: Ep7.
Writings: Ep41, 62, 65. (From "Renaissance, Part I").
Overall Reflection: 6 (The Gifts), 40 (The Treasures of the Ancient World).
Thanks for listening, and enjoy! :)
Episode 67 - Invoking muses and inspiration in Greek Myth. Opening the deep beauty.
In this episode we will take one more look at the different approaches to knowledge and wisdom through the storytelling and myth, vs. the more rational-logic approach of philosophy. We will reference the Theogony of Hesiod, and the in some ways first Greek Philosopher, Thales.
From the opening of the Theogony - as Hesiod consciously taps into the deep of the biology, beauty, inspiration and creativity;
"And one day they taught Hesiod glorious song while he was shepherding his lambs under holy Helicon, and this word first the goddesses said to me -- the Muses of Olympus, daughters of Zeus who holds the aegis:
`Shepherds of the wilderness, wretched things of shame, mere bellies, we know how to speak many false things as though they were true; but we know, when we will, to utter true things.'"
Theogony, v.23-28.
Episode 66 - Correspondence with a Professor about Religion, Philosophy, and Dante's blending of the two traditions.
In this episode we discuss a recent correspondence with a renowned and distinguished Professor in Religion and Philosophy, an expert on the two main intellectual and spiritual traditions in the Ancient World. We'll be assessing Dante's Comedy in light of his artistic endeavor, his contribution to the Catholic faith, and the points of divergence between the Comedy's Journey and the Biblical stories and Doctrine.
In some ways one might say that Dante is trying to blend the two traditions even in the final big moment of Vision in his work, seeing both a Plato concept of Divine Light and the incarnation of Divinity in Man (Christ Figure).
I saw the Great Light shine into three circles
in three clear colors bound in one same space;
the first seemed to reflect the next like rainbow
on rainbow, and the third was like a flame
equally breathed forth by the other two.
(..) seemed in Itself and in Its own Self-color
to be depicted with man's very image.
C33, v. 116-131
The correspondence provides several interesting viewpoints on these topics, as well as clarifying some key points of artistic liberties in Dante's work from a religious viewpoint.
Episode 65 - Doubting Studies, and Aristotle's Love that Moves the Universe
In this episode we have two main parts, the first is an example of the transitional point in studies and learning, when the brain creates a release and flood of new understanding - after a moment of doubts.
The second part is about the connections between the ending of the Comedy and Aristotle's Metaphysics. And also how Aristotle goes to the very deepest levels in defining words and concepts, and first principles in the nature of thinking, and in existence itself.
Episode 64 - The Final Moments, of the Comedy. Canto 30-33.
After a long journey through the worlds of the afterlife, symbolic of human nature and experience, Dante now reaches the Empyrean - the spiritual experience beyond time and space, filled with pure light, and being in the Mind of God.
He sees the White Rose (the Divine Love) and is accompanied by the mystic St. Bernard - as Beatrice takes her place in her home on the third row of the White Rose, and Dante needs mystic contemplation for his final vision.
After receiving the Grace from Mary after a deep prayer, his powers expands to the point where he finally sees right into the center of the Light and describes:
I saw the Great Light shine into three circles
in three clear colors bound in one same space;
the first seemed to reflect the next like rainbow
on rainbow, and the third was like a flame
equally breathed forth by the other two.
C33, v. 116-120.
And as his highest wish of insight is then granted, he feels himself impelled and moved forward,
by the Love that moves the sun and the other stars.
C33, v. 145.
Episode 63 - The Paradise, Canto 28. When Dante sees the end point of his Journey.
In the 9th Sphere of Heaven, the Primo Mobile, Dante suddenly sees a reflection of the center of the Divine Light glowing in Beatrice's eyes, and then looks up. What he sees is the illuminating light with nine rings of the Angelic Orders swirling around in increasing speed towards the center, with Love. There are millions and millions of sparks and Angels in his vision.
Beatrice explains:
"On that Point
depend all nature and all of the heavens.
Observe the circle nearest it, and know
the reason for its spinning at such speed
is that Love's fire burns it into motion."
C28, v. 41-45
Episode 62 - The House of Dante, and a Growing Mind.
Studying the Renaissance and the Ancient World can grow and change the way you see, feel, perceive, reflect on and experience the world around you. One example of the process is described here:
"There was a certain firmness taking shape, or a different platform or deeper soil for the thoughts. The experience of thinking was elaborating in new ways, that I needed some time to reflect upon. It was like connecting to something bigger that was also outside of my mind, something shared or in common, with the previous times and the larger society as a whole. It was almost like the thinking started to come from a bigger home. And it felt relaxing, fuller of substance, and more detailed and interesting. Like several layers connecting in new ways. And the perception of the surroundings started to slightly be influenced too, but it was still early."
Episode 61 - The Earthly Paradise. Dante meets Beatrice, and the rebirth is complete.
The last 6 cantos describes the dramatic events in the Garden of Eden, where Dante meets Beatrice and is finally cleansed after a deep confession. He is then fully restored, and ready for the stars.
This also concludes the second book, the Purgatory.
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Programming note; after the Easter Holidays and some travels - we'll be back in Early May! Thanks for listening - and have a great day :)
Episode 60 - Dante climbs the next 6 Terraces, and reaches the Garden of Eden.
As they go through the remaining six terraces of punishments and atonement on Mount Purgatory, Dante learns the final parts of human nature and its moral structures. He is then ready to enter the Garden of Eden on the top, the Earthly Paradise - as Lord of Himself - and he can now follow his instinct for pleasure, knowing well the nature and consequences of the sins.
Episode 59 - The Ledge of the Proud. Dante learns about humility, and the climb gets easier.
As Virgil and Dante walk through the main gate of the Purgatory they discover a set of beautiful carvings about the virtue of humility, they meet the regretful souls of the proud under heavy slabs of stone, and they discover a second set of carvings, this time with stories about pride.
After this, an angel comes and removes one of the seven P's from Dante's forehead:
"He led us straight to where the rock was cleft.
Once there, he brushed his wings against my brow,
then he assured me of a safe ascent."
v. 97-99, Canto XII.
And finally, when Dante realizes what has happened, the 12th Canto ends with a smile.
"so, my right hand with fingers spread found just
six of the seven letters that were carved
upon my brow by him who keeps the keys.
Observing this, my master smiled at me."
v. 133-136, Canto XII.
Episode 58 - Arriving at the Main Gate, with three steps of marble white, dark stone and flaming red. The real climb is about to start.
From the first slope through the two levels of Antepurgatory, Dante and Virgil reach the main gate which is guarded by an angel with a sword. The Guardian uses a golden and silver key to open the gate, symbolic of the authority to do so, and the skill and wisdom to asses the souls' sincerity of their regrets. The keys were given to him by Peter.
In canto 3, Dante first marvels at the work he sees in front of him:
"I raised my eyes to marvel at the mount
that grew out of the sea toward Heaven's height."
v. 14-15
At the Main Gate the Guardian appears:
"I slowly raised my eyes: I saw that he
was sitting on the highest step, his face
too splendid for my eyes - I looked away!
And in his hand he held a naked sword;"
v. 79, canto IX.
Episode 57 - The Boatman, souls arriving on the Mountain-Island, and Dante meets an old Friend.
In the second Canto of the Purgatory a boat with over a hundred souls arrives at the shore, ready to climb up the mountain to purify their spirits. Dante meets an old friend, who sings with a beautiful voice and spellbounds the other souls. Then Cato the Guardian appears:
"And while we stood enraptured by the sound
of those sweet notes - a sudden cry: "What's this,
you lazy souls?" It was the Just Old Man.
"What negligence to stand around like this!
Run to the mountain, shed that slough which still
does not let God be manifest to you!""
v. 118-123, Canto II.
And then they move towards the first slope.
Episode 56 - Opening of Purgatory, Washing the Face as Cleansing of Sins. Humility is now guiding him towards Redemption.
The second episode on the opening of Purgatory, with the symbolic act of washing his face as a cleansing of sins - and as the theme of the second book, and Purgatory Mountain. Cato tells them two things;
"Go with this man, see that you gird his waist
with a smooth reed; take care to bathe his face
till every trace of filth has disappeared,"
v. 94-96, Canto I.
Which means to from now equip him with humility, and rinse his soul properly of the "filth" (sins) he was witnessing in the first book, the Inferno.
Episode 55 - The Purgatory, with Dante. Opening with the Muses, and Cato from the Roman Empire.
Today we are looking at the opening of the Purgatory, and how Dante is using the elements of Greek Myth, Literature, Biblical stories and the history of the Roman Empire to create the first few lines of the second book. His "boat" is growing, as symbol of his poetic powers and the story we are following.
Episode 54 - The Inspiration of Homer and Hesiod, and Greek Culture. The Muses are singing!
In this episode we will look at a brief overview of the nine muses, the deities of inspiration in the Greek Mythology; Calliope, Clio, Euterpe, Erato, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia and Urania - and their roles as openings for the Illiad, the Odyssey, the Theogony - and countless other major works from the Ancient World (and also later in the Renaissance).
Hesiod describes:
"And one day they taught Hesiod glorious song while he was shepherding his lambs under holy Helicon, and this word first the goddesses said to me -- the Muses of Olympus, daughters of Zeus who holds the aegis:
`Shepherds of the wilderness, wretched things of shame, mere bellies, we know how to speak many false things as though they were true; but we know, when we will, to utter true things.'"
Here pointing out how the inspiration came to him while he was "shepherding his lambs" under the mountain, and also pointing out how creativity might be wrong and false, but sometimes, when "the muses will", also telling the brilliant and true things.
Episode 53 - Deucalion, and recreating the World after the Flood. The Oracles help.
From Ovid's Book 1 - here is the dramatic story of the Great Flood, that wipes out all of civilization and recreates the world as the Age of the Heroes.
Episode 52 - Prometheus, Zeus and Pandora. How Suffering came into the World.
In this episode we are reading and commenting on the story of Prometheus from the starting point of the Dispute of Mecone, to the hiding and theft of Fire from Zeus, and the punishment of Pandora and her Jar that is not to be opened.
Episode 51 - The Ages of Man, and the Flood in Greek Mythology.
An overview of the Five Ages of the world, and the big Flood that wipes out the mythological Bronze Age, before the Great Age of the Heroes.
Episode 50 - Greek Myth and Stories, as a Reflection of the structure of Life.
A big thank you to all our listeners for tuning in and for the enduring and loyal support! It really is a big inspiration!
Also,
from the Greek Creation Myth - the birth of the Skies and the Mountains;
"And Earth first bare starry Heaven, equal to herself, to cover her on every side, and to be an ever-sure abiding-place for the blessed gods. And she brought forth long Hills, graceful haunts of the goddess-Nymphs who dwell amongst the glens of the hills."
Episode 49 - Hubris, Minotaur and the Labyrinth, and the Icarus Myth.
In this episode we look at the concept of Hubris and Nemesis in the Greek Myth, and link the events from Europa and Zevs on Crete, to the Labyrinth of Daedalus, and the story of his son Icarus who flew too close to the sun.
Episode 48 - Scholasticism, and the endeavour of blending the Greek and Christian Tradition.
In this episode we'll discuss the question: "Why are the Greek Gods in the same Universe as the Christian Gods in the "Comedy""?
Episode 47 - The Myth of Europa, and King Minos. How Europe got its name!
More of the Greek Myths, and the origins of the name of Europe as a continent.
For illustrations and more info, please go to https://www.subscribestar.com/ancientworld.
Thank you for listening! :)
Episode 46 - The Greek Creation Myth. Chaos, Gaia, and Zeus.
From the origin of the Gods, and the Cosmos.
Episode 45 - Dante travels through the center of the Earth, and escapes the Inferno. Canto 32-34.
In the last part of the Inferno, Dante and Virgil meet Lucifer in the center of the planet, half frozen in ice. He is gigantic in size, and his head has three faces eating the three traitors Judas, Brutus and Cassius (who plotted against The Roman Emperor Caesar.)
From the opening of the last poem, Canto 34:
A far-off windmill turning its huge sails
when a thick fog begins to settle in,
or when the light of day begins to fade,
that is what I thought I saw appearing.
And the gusts of wind it stirred made me shrink back
behind my guide, my only means of cover.
And then in the astonishing last four lines of the whole book, they are again, set free:
We climbed, he first and I behind, until,
through a small round opening ahead of us
I saw the lovely things the heavens hold,
and we came out to see once more the stars.
v.136-139, Canto XXXIV
Episode 44 - The Well of the Giants. Dante is almost at the center of the Inferno, and meets the Greek Titans.
After seeing the "falsifiers" in the last part of Circle 8, Dante encounters the Well of Giants, where biblical and Greek Mythological figures are bound with chains. They represent the betrayal and the combination of strength, intellect and evil will.
Dante reflects:
for when the faculty of intellect
is joined with brute force and with evil will,
no man can win against such an alliance.
Verse 55-57, Canto XXXI
The end of this canto ends with Dante and Virgil being lifted down to a lake of ice, and the 9th circle of Hell. Deep in the pit.
Here is the giant Antaeus bending down, and then rising up again afterwards, like a ship's mast:
As the Garisenda looks from underneath
its leaning side, at the moment when a cloud
comes drifting over against the tower's slant,
just so the bending giant Antaeus seemed
as I looked up, expecting him to topple.
I wished then I had gone another way.
But he, most carefully, handed us down
to the pit that swallows Lucifer with Judas.
And then, the leaning giant immediately
drew himself up as tall as a ship's mast.
Canto XXXI, verse 130-145
Episode 43 - Lower Part of the Inferno, Canto 9-28. The scenes get more graphic.
In this episode we give a broader overview of the Lower Inferno from the City of Dis, down through the waterfall, and deep into the 8th circle.
The three main parts of the inferno is the incontinence (lack of self-restraint), violence (to self or others), and different forms of fraud in the deepest part journey.
From the scene of the waterfall, into the abyss:
I saw a figure coming, it was swimming
through the thick and murky air, up to the top
(a thing to startle even stalwart hearts),
like one returning who has swum below
to free the anchor that has caught its hooks
on a reef or something else the sea conceals,
spreading out his arms, and doubling up his legs.
Canto XIV, verse 130-136.
Episode 42 - Reason, Emotion and Music.
A reflection on the timeless balance and sometimes contradiction between reason and emotion, in human nature and also in contrasting strains of history.
The quote was the following:
"Emotions of any kind can be evoked by melody and rhythm; therefore by music a man becomes accustomed to feeling the right emotions; music has thus the power to form character, and the various kinds of music based on various modes may be distinguished by their effects on character.
- Aristotle
Episode 41 - Ancient World as inspiration for Writing
In this episode we'll talk about the Ancient World as inspiration for writing, and our new podcast devoted to this writing here: https://apple.co/2GG7Go6.
The excerpt, as a person enters a new life - through the discovery of the deeper history, is the following;
"A little book could change your life, or change the direction of your life, and give you gifts that might stay with you forever. I looked at the front cover, and then slowly opened the first page. The Divine Comedy. I was expecting an archaic tale and style that would be difficult to relate to from my current times, but from the very first line I was fully absorbed in a way that I had not experienced before. It was a work with a strong feeling of being outside of time, and of being deeply human, from the very first phrase. And there was already something new in my life, that had not been there this morning. I had to stop, take another sip of the espresso, and then read the opening words again. As the sun was shining warmly, and some peaceful birds were gliding across the skies."
Episode 40 - The Treasures of the Ancient World
A quick review of the last 40 episodes, and reflections on why and how the Ancient World is a treasure trove for our understanding of the world, and a deep source for inspiration.
Today's quote is:
"I care not where my body may take me as long as my soul is embarked on a meaningful journey."
- Dante