History Made Beautiful
319 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago -History made Beautiful is a podcast about the beauty, diversity, faith, and community in world history. Join historian Martini Fisher as she shares her favorite moments from throughout human history.
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Episodes
130: Bellona
October 21, 2021 05:31 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBIn the battle against the Samnites in 296 BCE, general Appius Claudius uttered a prayer, “Bellona, if you grant us victory today, I promise to build you a temple.” his prayer was proven to be effective as the Romans proceeded to capture and plundered the Samnite camp, giving a massive amount of booty to their own sodiers. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/10/21/bellona/
129: Sisters and the Stones
October 18, 2021 05:56 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBThere is an unusual rock formation in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia, on the north escarpment of the Jamison Valley. The three rocks stand close to the town of Katoomba and are one of the Blue Mountains’ best known sites, each towering above 900 meter (nearly 3000 foot) -heights. These three rocks, known as “the Three Sisters” seem to capture the sunlight and remain full of colors throughout the day. Even at night time, they look golden against the backdrop of the dark sky. ...
128: Celebrating Ancient Valentine: She-Wolf, Politics and Whippings
October 16, 2021 06:34 - 4 minutes - 1.67 MBValentine’s Day is celebrated annually on February 14. It is recognized as a celebration of romance in many regions around the world. This holiday that evolved to what we know as Valentine’s Day today was a very ancient pre-Roman pastoral festival to avert evil spirits and purify the city. According to Plutarch, from February 13th to 15th romantic Roman fellows stripped naked, grabbed some goat-skin whips and whipped consenting young maidens in hopes of increasing their fertility. This epi...
127: Can We Really Trust the Rat? 6 reasons the rat came in first in the race of the legendary Chinese Zodiacs
October 16, 2021 06:34 - 6 minutes - 2.12 MBThere are many versions and stories popular in different regions of China about the legend of the Chinese Zodiac. Why were there twelve animals in the zodiac calendar and where did the order come from? How did the rat get first place and the dragon come in fifth? Consensus seemed to say the rat cheated which, according to at least three of the versions, he totally did! But, then again, the following versions are only six out of probably thousands, so I may be a tad unfair to the little beast...
126: Ask For Blessings, Wake Up Early and Don’t Travel too Far: Welcome to the New Year
October 16, 2021 06:33 - 6 minutes - 2.26 MBThere are three little messages that we pass along to each other in my family. One, spend a little time to pray around midnight to be grateful for the year that has passed and ask for blessings for the coming year. Two, if possible, despite perhaps the long night of partying, get up early in the first day of the New Year to watch the sunrise. Lastly, don’t travel long distance so near the major holidays. If one does need to travel, try to travel one or two weeks before 25 December at the lat...
125: Death, Impermanence and Knowing that You are not Alone
October 16, 2021 06:33 - 3 minutes - 1.33 MBLong time ago, there was a lady. She had had a happy life. She grew up as daughter of a rich man and eventually married to a rich young man. She lived happily with her husband and bore him a son. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2020/04/24/death-impermanence-and-knowing-that-you-are-not-alone/
124: Driving Away Your Anger with Kindness
October 16, 2021 06:32 - 5 minutes - 1.9 MBOne of the very first word in the history of Western literature is “anger”. That is how Homer’s “Iliad” begins. Composed sometime in the eighth century BC, it starts with a call to the Muse to help tell the story of the “anger” of Achilles — and of the incalculable sorrows and the terrible deaths of so many brave warriors that this wrath caused. Homer’s epic, set during the war between Greeks and Trojans, is as much about anger, private vendetta and its fatal consequences as it is about hero...
123: Patience – Good Things Take Time
October 16, 2021 06:31 - 2 minutes - 872 KBSome people are naturally patient. But the rest of us need to practice for it to become a habit. Becoming more patient will not happen overnight, but persistence can pay off. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2020/05/08/patience-good-things-take-time/
122: Achieving Simple Happiness
October 16, 2021 06:31 - 6 minutes - 2.1 MBOnce upon a time, there was a rich man. As he became older, this rich man realized that the suffering of old age was about the same for rich and poor – in other words, in the end his money didn’t mean as much as he thought. So he gave up his wealth and class position, and he went into the forest to study under an old master and live as a poor monk. He practiced meditation and developed his mind. He freed himself from unwholesome thoughts and, slowly but surely, he became contented and happy....
121: The True Value of Beauty
October 16, 2021 06:24 - 5 minutes - 1.95 MBShakespeare was arguing his belief that there is a strong link between truth and beauty. This may not be the most famous sonnet he ever wrote, but it’s one of the best poetic meditations on the meaning of beauty. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2020/05/22/the-true-value-of-beauty/
120: The Importance of Laughter
October 16, 2021 06:24 - 5 minutes - 1.83 MBPsychologist Robert Provine’s theory is that, “Laughter is a mechanism everyone has. It is a part of universal human vocabulary. There are thousands of languages, hundreds of thousands of dialects, but everyone speaks laughter in pretty much the same way.” Babies have the ability to laugh before they ever speak. Children who are born blind and deaf still retain the ability to laugh. In other words, when you have very little else, you will still have the ability to laugh. This episode is als...
119: Going to Hell and Back, Turning Chaos to Opportunity
October 15, 2021 08:00 - 6 minutes - 2.26 MBJoseph Campbell wrote, “a hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.” This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2020/07/17/going-to-hell-and-back-turning-chaos-to-opportunity/
118: Spread of Islam and Introduction to the Javanese Philosophy
October 15, 2021 08:00 - 10 minutes - 3.72 MBThe history of the arrival and spread of Islam in Indonesia is a little unclear despite it being one of the most significant developments in Indonesian history as there are many competing theories and only fragmentary historical evidence. One theory states it arrived directly from Arabia before the 9th century, while another credits Sufi merchants and preachers for bringing Islam to Indonesian islands in the 12th or 13th century either from Gujarat, India or directly from the Middle East. T...
Nasreddin Hodja
October 14, 2021 05:25 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBPeople in Turkey have known the jokes and stories of Nasreddin Hodja, a comedic writer said to have lived in the 13th century, since their childhoods. His stories have traveled over land and sea, making their way into the hearts and minds of tribal members of various cultural backgrounds, from Turkey to the Persian, Arabian and African cultures, even along the Silk Road to China and India. His messages are so universal that every culture seems to claim this man as their own. However, despit...
117: Nasreddin Hodja
October 14, 2021 05:25 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBPeople in Turkey have known the jokes and stories of Nasreddin Hodja, a comedic writer said to have lived in the 13th century, since their childhoods. His stories have traveled over land and sea, making their way into the hearts and minds of tribal members of various cultural backgrounds, from Turkey to the Persian, Arabian and African cultures, even along the Silk Road to China and India. His messages are so universal that every culture seems to claim this man as their own. However, despit...
Ancient Stories of the Koala
October 11, 2021 05:18 - 10 minutes - 9.41 MBThe koala is a major draw for Australian zoos and wildlife parks. They are featured heavily in Australia-related advertisements, cartoons, and soft toys. If one were to name the animal most closely associated with Australia, it is very likely that the koala or the kangaroo would be mentioned. Personality-wise, the koalas’ most enduring quality is probably their laid-back nature. They generally look as happy and comfortable being in the arms of humans as they are climbing trees and eating eu...
116: Ancient Stories of the Koala
October 11, 2021 05:18 - 10 minutes - 9.41 MBThe koala is a major draw for Australian zoos and wildlife parks. They are featured heavily in Australia-related advertisements, cartoons, and soft toys. If one were to name the animal most closely associated with Australia, it is very likely that the koala or the kangaroo would be mentioned. Personality-wise, the koalas’ most enduring quality is probably their laid-back nature. They generally look as happy and comfortable being in the arms of humans as they are climbing trees and eating eu...
How to be a Leader, an Ancient Javanese Philosophy
October 08, 2021 08:00 - 5 minutes - 1.87 MBSerat Rama is a composition of the old Javanese song composed at around 870 AD. In the poem, Rama explained the concept of leadership to Wibisana, the new king of Alengka. After watching his extended family die on the battlefield, Wibisana was unwittingly put in the unexpected and unwanted position of being the next king of Alengka. Seeing this, Rama gave him a crash-course on leadership called Astabrata, a teaching about obligation of a great king. This episode is also available as a blog ...
115: How to be a Leader, an Ancient Javanese Philosophy
October 08, 2021 08:00 - 5 minutes - 1.87 MBSerat Rama is a composition of the old Javanese song composed at around 870 AD. In the poem, Rama explained the concept of leadership to Wibisana, the new king of Alengka. After watching his extended family die on the battlefield, Wibisana was unwittingly put in the unexpected and unwanted position of being the next king of Alengka. Seeing this, Rama gave him a crash-course on leadership called Astabrata, a teaching about obligation of a great king. This episode is also available as a blog ...
Arthashastra
October 08, 2021 05:40 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBIn 1904, a copy of an ancient book which had been lost for more than 1400 years was discovered in India. A modest book written on palm leaves, its outward appearance was proven to be deceiving as the book contained surprisingly detailed information on how an effective government should be run, treating wide-ranging topics from war, diplomacy, law, taxation, agriculture, how to manage secret agents, when it is useful to violate treaties, even when to kill family members. This episode is also...
114: Arthashastra
October 08, 2021 05:40 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBIn 1904, a copy of an ancient book which had been lost for more than 1400 years was discovered in India. A modest book written on palm leaves, its outward appearance was proven to be deceiving as the book contained surprisingly detailed information on how an effective government should be run, treating wide-ranging topics from war, diplomacy, law, taxation, agriculture, how to manage secret agents, when it is useful to violate treaties, even when to kill family members. This episode is also...
113: Rakshasas – The Beautiful, the Virtuous, the Sleepy
October 07, 2021 05:18 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MBAlthough they have the power to change their shape at will and appear as animals, monsters, or beautiful women, sculptures and literatures generally depict the Rakshasas with a terrifying appearance – fearful side tusks, ugly eyes, curling brows and carrying a variety of horrible weapon. But, as with everything else in life, not all Rakshasas are ugly. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/10/07/rakshasas-the-beautiful-the-virtuous-the-sleepy/
Rakshasas – The Beautiful, the Virtuous, the Sleepy
October 07, 2021 05:18 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MBAlthough they have the power to change their shape at will and appear as animals, monsters, or beautiful women, sculptures and literatures generally depict the Rakshasas with a terrifying appearance – fearful side tusks, ugly eyes, curling brows and carrying a variety of horrible weapon. But, as with everything else in life, not all Rakshasas are ugly. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/10/07/rakshasas-the-beautiful-the-virtuous-the-sleepy/
112: The Bloody Wedding of Bubat
October 06, 2021 12:06 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBHer father Sunda King Lingga Buana gave his blessings and, accompanied by his queen and ministers, he travelled with his daughter to Trowulan, the capital of Majapahit, for her marriage to Majapahit ‘s king. As the Sunda king arrived in Majapahit, they were welcomed by none other than Gajah Mada himself. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/10/06/the-bloody-wedding-of-bubat/
The Bloody Wedding of Bubat
October 06, 2021 12:06 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBHer father Sunda King Lingga Buana gave his blessings and, accompanied by his queen and ministers, he travelled with his daughter to Trowulan, the capital of Majapahit, for her marriage to Majapahit ‘s king. As the Sunda king arrived in Majapahit, they were welcomed by none other than Gajah Mada himself. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/10/06/the-bloody-wedding-of-bubat/
111: The Wild Grandmothers
October 04, 2021 05:48 - 10 minutes - 9.97 MBLegends about the Ebu Gogo go back to early western exploration of Flores by the Portuguese in 1511 CE, who heard that there was a tribe of wild men and women who stole food and kidnapped children. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/10/04/the-tribe-of-wild-grandmothers/
The Wild Grandmothers
October 04, 2021 05:48 - 10 minutes - 9.97 MBLegends about the Ebu Gogo go back to early western exploration of Flores by the Portuguese in 1511 CE, who heard that there was a tribe of wild men and women who stole food and kidnapped children. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/10/04/the-tribe-of-wild-grandmothers/
110: The Priyayi Class and the Javanese Nobility Titles
October 01, 2021 08:00 - 5 minutes - 1.94 MBDancers at the court of the Susuhunan of Solo, Surakarta, between 1910 to 1930 The Nobility of Indonesia is comprised by the more than 350 royal families that ruled the Indonesian Princely Estates, plus the customarily recognised nobility of each particular Kingdom. Their members form an ancient nobility of blood whose noble titles are many times socially, traditionally and routinely recognized. However, although socially tolerated and the chiefs of these Royal houses sometimes still have r...
The Priyayi Class and the Javanese Nobility Titles
October 01, 2021 08:00 - 5 minutes - 1.94 MBDancers at the court of the Susuhunan of Solo, Surakarta, between 1910 to 1930 The Nobility of Indonesia is comprised by the more than 350 royal families that ruled the Indonesian Princely Estates, plus the customarily recognised nobility of each particular Kingdom. Their members form an ancient nobility of blood whose noble titles are many times socially, traditionally and routinely recognized. However, although socially tolerated and the chiefs of these Royal houses sometimes still have r...
109: Udayana
September 30, 2021 06:47 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBIn the small island of Bali in the 10th century, lived another King Udayana. Belonging to the Warmadewa dynasty, the earliest dynasty in Bali, King Udayana’s rule saw the prosperity of his people through consistent market strategies and trade relations, as well as a rich diversity in the agricultural sector, which led to abundant harvests. To this day, Udayana’s name is associated with Bali’s past greatness. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/09/30/...
Udayana
September 30, 2021 06:47 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBIn the small island of Bali in the 10th century, lived another King Udayana. Belonging to the Warmadewa dynasty, the earliest dynasty in Bali, King Udayana’s rule saw the prosperity of his people through consistent market strategies and trade relations, as well as a rich diversity in the agricultural sector, which led to abundant harvests. To this day, Udayana’s name is associated with Bali’s past greatness. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/09/30/...
Julia
September 27, 2021 07:45 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBif she ended up being a wife of a low-ranking official or a well-off merchant, Julia would have been perfectly content. But she wasn’t. Being the daughter of the first emperor of Rome meant that it was her destiny to be a part of the political maneuverings of the empire whether she wanted to or not. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/09/27/julia/
108: Julia
September 27, 2021 07:45 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBif she ended up being a wife of a low-ranking official or a well-off merchant, Julia would have been perfectly content. But she wasn’t. Being the daughter of the first emperor of Rome meant that it was her destiny to be a part of the political maneuverings of the empire whether she wanted to or not. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/09/27/julia/
The Golden Age of Java
September 24, 2021 08:00 - 5 minutes - 1.78 MBThe Medang kingdom or the Mataram kingdom was a Javanese Hindu-Buddhist kingdom which flourished between the 8th and 11th centuries. It was based in Central Java, and then in East Java. The first account of the Medang Mataram Kingdom is in the Canggal inscription, dated 732, discovered in the Gunung Wukir Temple compound in the village of Canggal, southwest of the town of Magelang. This inscription, written in Sanskrit using the Pallava script, tells of the erection of a lingga (symbol of Sh...
107: The Golden Age of Java
September 24, 2021 08:00 - 5 minutes - 1.78 MBThe Medang kingdom or the Mataram kingdom was a Javanese Hindu-Buddhist kingdom which flourished between the 8th and 11th centuries. It was based in Central Java, and then in East Java. The first account of the Medang Mataram Kingdom is in the Canggal inscription, dated 732, discovered in the Gunung Wukir Temple compound in the village of Canggal, southwest of the town of Magelang. This inscription, written in Sanskrit using the Pallava script, tells of the erection of a lingga (symbol of Sh...
106: The Rise and Fall of the Forgotten Empire
September 23, 2021 05:52 - 14 minutes - 13 MBEven with its riches and long history, Srivijaya was, for a long time, largely forgotten. Although Palembang, the capital of Srivijaya became a part of Indonesia, even the modern Indonesian people never heard of the empire until the first hint of its existence was alluded to by French scholar George Coedes who published his findings in Dutch newspapers in 1918, based on inscriptions found in Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. It was not until 1992 that another French scholar, Pierre-Yves Mangu...
The Rise and Fall of the Forgotten Empire
September 23, 2021 05:52 - 14 minutes - 13 MBEven with its riches and long history, Srivijaya was, for a long time, largely forgotten. Although Palembang, the capital of Srivijaya became a part of Indonesia, even the modern Indonesian people never heard of the empire until the first hint of its existence was alluded to by French scholar George Coedes who published his findings in Dutch newspapers in 1918, based on inscriptions found in Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. It was not until 1992 that another French scholar, Pierre-Yves Mangu...
Damned to be Forgotten
September 20, 2021 05:23 - 10 minutes - 3.69 MBA modern research shows that while many people do lack information on their family heritage these days, it also shows that they want to and are willing to take the steps to learn more about where they came from. In fact, 84 percent agree that it is important to know about their heritage. Being aware of your history is important for many reasons like creating a sense of connection, a greater emotional well-being and even providing means to develop a sense of personal identity. Now imagine if ...
105: Damned to be Forgotten
September 20, 2021 05:23 - 10 minutes - 3.69 MBA modern research shows that while many people do lack information on their family heritage these days, it also shows that they want to and are willing to take the steps to learn more about where they came from. In fact, 84 percent agree that it is important to know about their heritage. Being aware of your history is important for many reasons like creating a sense of connection, a greater emotional well-being and even providing means to develop a sense of personal identity. Now imagine if ...
104: Ancient Ladies of War
September 17, 2021 08:00 - 6 minutes - 2.08 MBThe vision of heavily armed men has become so heavily associated with the art of war that at this point it has become a cliché. So much so that, despite the many evidence throughout history of many female fighters, strategists and leaders, the association between women and war are still mostly seen as somewhat of a novelty even to this day. Stories of ancient female warriors are relegated to legends and folklores with minimal historical accounts attached to their lives, which leads to doubts...
Ancient Ladies of War
September 17, 2021 08:00 - 6 minutes - 2.08 MBThe vision of heavily armed men has become so heavily associated with the art of war that at this point it has become a cliché. So much so that, despite the many evidence throughout history of many female fighters, strategists and leaders, the association between women and war are still mostly seen as somewhat of a novelty even to this day. Stories of ancient female warriors are relegated to legends and folklores with minimal historical accounts attached to their lives, which leads to doubts...
The Lady of the South Seas
September 16, 2021 06:19 - 15 minutes - 5.29 MBNyai Roro Kidul is a well-known figure in Javanese mythology who is still venerated by the Javanese today as the spirit queen of the Indian Ocean. Living in her palace on the bottom of the ocean off the south coast of Central Java, she rules the ocean, the spirits, nymphs, and other beings from the underworld. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/09/16/nyai-roro-kidul-the-lady-of-the-south-seas/
103: The Lady of the South Seas
September 16, 2021 06:19 - 15 minutes - 5.29 MBNyai Roro Kidul is a well-known figure in Javanese mythology who is still venerated by the Javanese today as the spirit queen of the Indian Ocean. Living in her palace on the bottom of the ocean off the south coast of Central Java, she rules the ocean, the spirits, nymphs, and other beings from the underworld. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/09/16/nyai-roro-kidul-the-lady-of-the-south-seas/
102: The Strange Beauty of the Castrati
September 13, 2021 05:12 - 15 minutes - 5.22 MBWhen Farinelli, the most famous castrato of his time, sang in London, one woman squealed “One God, one Farinelli!”. “Long live the knife, the blessed knife!” screamed other estatic female fans at opera houses as the craze for Italian castrati reached its peak in the 18th century. Farinelli was later summoned by the Queen of Spain to sing her husband, Philip V, out of his depression, and went on to become the most potent politician in Spain as well as owner of his own opera house. This epis...
The Strange Beauty of the Castrati
September 13, 2021 05:12 - 15 minutes - 5.22 MBWhen Farinelli, the most famous castrato of his time, sang in London, one woman squealed “One God, one Farinelli!”. “Long live the knife, the blessed knife!” screamed other estatic female fans at opera houses as the craze for Italian castrati reached its peak in the 18th century. Farinelli was later summoned by the Queen of Spain to sing her husband, Philip V, out of his depression, and went on to become the most potent politician in Spain as well as owner of his own opera house. This epis...
The Kitchen in Asian Mythology
September 10, 2021 08:00 - 4 minutes - 1.54 MBIn Asian mythology, just before the Lunar New Year, the kitchen gods would go to Heaven to report to the Heavenly Emperor on his family’s activities during the year. In China, the family “send off” their kitchen god to heaven to make their report by burning the paper in which an image of the paper god was drawn that had hung over their stove for the entire year. The smoke rising to the heavens represents his journey to heaven, while fire crackers are lit to speed up the kitchen god’s travel....
101: The Kitchen in Asian Mythology
September 10, 2021 08:00 - 4 minutes - 1.54 MBIn Asian mythology, just before the Lunar New Year, the kitchen gods would go to Heaven to report to the Heavenly Emperor on his family’s activities during the year. In China, the family “send off” their kitchen god to heaven to make their report by burning the paper in which an image of the paper god was drawn that had hung over their stove for the entire year. The smoke rising to the heavens represents his journey to heaven, while fire crackers are lit to speed up the kitchen god’s travel....
100: Ancient History of Shadow Puppetry
September 09, 2021 06:12 - 11 minutes - 4.07 MBThe art of shadow puppetry, or shadow play, is an ancient form of storytelling which utilizes flat translucent screen. It has a long history in China, India, Nepal, and Southeast Asia, as well as in Turkey and Greece, surviving everything from war and famine to cultural revolutions. Shadow puppetry is so embraced by many different cultures that each culture seems to have their own history and legend of the first shadow play performance— therefore claiming it, or at least different versions o...
Ancient History of Shadow Puppetry
September 09, 2021 06:12 - 11 minutes - 4.07 MBThe art of shadow puppetry, or shadow play, is an ancient form of storytelling which utilizes flat translucent screen. It has a long history in China, India, Nepal, and Southeast Asia, as well as in Turkey and Greece, surviving everything from war and famine to cultural revolutions. Shadow puppetry is so embraced by many different cultures that each culture seems to have their own history and legend of the first shadow play performance— therefore claiming it, or at least different versions o...
99: The Warrior Nun
September 06, 2021 05:30 - 12 minutes - 4.42 MBThey are rarely mentioned in historical records but female warriors have increasingly been studied and researched. Of female martial artists, the accounts are rarer still, and generally become a mix of historical facts and legends. One such story is the Shaolin Abbess Ng Mui, her student Yim Wing Chun, and their roles in the conception of a martial art called the Wing Chun Kung Fu. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://martinifisher.com/2021/09/06/the-fighting-nun/