Why The Classics Matter

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Original Air Date: 
February 21, 2016

There's a lot of hand-wringing these days about the American Empire. Is it doomed to come crashing down the way the Roman Empire did? We'll find some unexpected lessons from Ancient Rome and even earlier, the collapse of Bronze Age civilization. We also celebrate the wisdom of the ancient classics, and hear how one philosopher teaches Plato to Palestinian students.

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Renowned classicist Mary Beard says we have lots to learn from Ancient Rome, including insights into how empires rise and fall.

Length: 
12:53
Students talking
Dangerous Ideas

Princeton historian Anthony Grafton explains how learning conversational Latin inspired his students.

Length: 
2:48
Egypt
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Archeologist Eric Cline says a "perfect storm" of calamities led to the collapse of the Late Bronze Age. He points out that we face many of the same challenges today.

Length: 
9:52
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Have we lost sight of ancient virtues like courage, compassion and truth?  Mark Edmundson thinks we have, and he says we'd do well to read Homer, Plato and the ancient sages.

Length: 
10:45
Palestine
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Carlos Fraenkel wanted to take philosophy out into the streets, so he met with students at Palestinian and Egyptian universities, and found that Plato, Maimonides and other great philosophers can open up a culture of conversation and debate.

Length: 
11:18
Extras
Show Details 📻
Airdates
February 21, 2016
November 20, 2016
December 23, 2017
March 30, 2019
December 04, 2021
Guests: 
Archaeologist and Ancient historian
To The Best Of Our Knowledge
Professor of English
History of Philosophy Professor
Last modified: 
November 23, 2021