Ithaca Bound
201 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 4 ratingsIthaca Bound was a podcast hosted by Andrew Schiestel that explored history and mythology in the Mediterranean Basin. From March 22, 2021 to January 21, 2022, 188 episodes were published.
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Episodes
Plato's Myths w. Dr. Tae-Yeoun Keum
June 24, 2021 18:00 - 50 minutes - 57.7 MBPlato wrote on a variety of topics, including mythology. Dr. Tae-Yeoun Keum, University of California, Santa Barbara, joins the show to discuss the myths that show up in Plato's writings.
Carthage w. Dr Eve MacDonald
June 23, 2021 18:04 - 46 minutes - 52.8 MBCarthage was a major power, and destination, in the first millennium BCE in the Mediterranean; and despite losing the Punic Wars, its history, and lore, never seems to fade. Dr Eve MacDonald, Cardiff University, joins the show to discuss the ancient civilization.
Diocletian w. Dr Roger Rees
June 22, 2021 18:00 - 56 minutes - 65.1 MBDiocletian's reign as Roman Emperor had many voluminous points: his antipathy towards Christianity, the creation of the Tetrarchy, and a rare imperial retirement. Dr Roger Rees, School of Classics, University of St Andrews, joins the show to discuss Diocletian's life.
Italian Renaissance w. Dr. Kenneth Bartlett
June 21, 2021 18:00 - 55 minutes - 128 MBRenaissance historian, Dr. Kenneth Bartlett, Victoria College, University of Toronto, joins the show to discuss what the Italian Renaissance was, how long it lasted, and some of its other aspects, including the conspicuous and the subtle.
Carthage After the First Punic War w. Dr Kathryn Lomas
June 20, 2021 20:01 - 39 minutes - 45.5 MBThere was an approximate 23-year interregnum between the first and second Punic Wars. Dr Kathryn Lomas, Department of Classics and Ancient History, Durham University, joins the show to explain what occurred with Carthage during this period.
Umayyad Caliphate's Hegemony in the Mediterranean w. Dr Gerald Hawting
June 19, 2021 19:20 - 50 minutes - 57.8 MBFor nearly a century, the Umayyad Caliphate controlled a vast amount of territory in the Mediterranean, stretching from the Levant, through northern Africa, and even most of the Iberian Peninsula. Emeritus Professor at SOAS, University of London, Dr Gerald R. Hawting, joins the show to discuss the caliphate's hegemony in the basin.
Sasanian Empire's Hegemony in the Mediterranean w. Dr. Michael Decker
June 18, 2021 18:00 - 52 minutes - 60.6 MBThe Sasanian Empire existed in the 3rd-7th centuries, and for a period of time, held hegemony in various parts of the eastern Mediterranean Basin. Dr. Michael Decker, United Arab Emirates University, joins the show again to share what's known about the Sasanian Empire's hegemony in the Basin.
Pre-Christian Religion in Rome w. Dr. Michele R. Salzman
June 17, 2021 20:00 - 47 minutes - 54 MBBefore Christianity in ancient Rome, religion was diverse and vast. Dr. Michele R. Salzman, University of California, Riverside, joins the show to share what religions and forms of worship existed in ancient Rome and how they functioned.
Livia w. Dr Richard Alston
June 16, 2021 21:27 - 51 minutes - 58.6 MBLivia, also known as Julia Augusta, was wife of Rome’s first emperor and mother of its second. Professor & Head of the Classics Department at Royal Holloway, University of London, Dr Richard Alston, joins the show again to discuss what scholars know about Livia's life.
Marius w. Dr Federico Santangelo
June 15, 2021 20:00 - 49 minutes - 56.8 MBGaius Marius was a Roman Consul an unprecedented seven times, and lived in a period of much military turmoil and activity in Rome. Dr Federico Santangelo, Newcastle University, joins the show again to share what's known about Marius' life.
Ancient Civilization of Samnium w. Dr Rafael Scopacasa
June 14, 2021 20:00 - 58 minutes - 133 MBThe Samnites were an ancient group of people that lived amongst the Apennine Mountains in the Italian Peninsula. Dr Rafael Scopacasa joins the show to discuss what's known about who they were and how they lived.
Theran Civilization in the Bronze Age w. Dr Louise Hitchcock
June 13, 2021 20:10 - 57 minutes - 65.9 MBSantorini, in the context of the Bronze Age, was called Thera. Professor of Archaeology, Dr Louise Hitchcock, The University of Melbourne, joins the show again to discuss what civilization was like on Thera during the Bronze Age.
Constantine's Reign w. Dr. David Potter
June 12, 2021 20:02 - 57 minutes - 132 MBConstantine I became a Christian, founded Constantinople, was involved in numerous military affairs, and more, during his reign as Roman Emperor. Dr. David Potter, University of Michigan, joined the show to discuss Constantine's reign as a Roman emperor.
Life in the Emirate of Córdoba w. Dr. Brian Catlos
June 11, 2021 19:50 - 45 minutes - 51.8 MBThe Emirate of Córdoba was a muslim-oriented state that comprised of most of the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th-10th centuries. Dr. Brian Catlos joins the show again to discuss what life was like in the emirate.
Contrasting Constantinople & Rome in the 4th Century w. Dr Lucy Grig
June 10, 2021 22:33 - 36 minutes - 41.9 MBIn the fourth century Rome was still a prominent city and Constantinople became a principal city of the Roman Empire. Head of the Classics Department, Dr Lucy Grig, The University of Edinburgh, joins the show to discuss the similarities and contrasts between Constantinople and Rome during the century.
Early Greek Theatre w. Dr. Andrew Walker White
June 10, 2021 03:50 - 37 minutes - 42.4 MBTheatre artist and cultural historian, Dr. Andrew Walker White, joins the show to discuss what scholars know about early theatre in Greece.
Textiles in Northern Italy in the Late Bronze Age w. Dr Serena Sabatini
June 08, 2021 20:52 - 31 minutes - 36.3 MBFlax, wool, dyes, and more were used in the Bronze Age to produce textiles in the Mediterranean Basin. Dr Serena Sabatini, University of Gothenburg, joins the show to discuss textile production in northern Italy in the Late Bronze Age.
Roman Kingdom to Republic w. Dr. Gary Forsythe
June 07, 2021 20:00 - 55 minutes - 128 MBBefore Rome was a republic, it was a kingdom. Dr. Gary Forsythe, Texas Tech University, joins the show again to discuss Rome's transition from a regal structure to a republic.
Sulla w. Dr Federico Santangelo
June 06, 2021 21:18 - 34 minutes - 39.8 MBThe Roman Republic statesman & general, Sulla, did something unusual for the time—he led an army on Rome. Dr Federico Santangelo, Newcastle University, joins the show to speak about Sulla.
Jewish Commerce in Byzantium w. Dr. Joshua Holo
June 06, 2021 01:50 - 38 minutes - 43.8 MBDean & Professor at the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, Dr. Joshua David Holo, joins the show to share how Jewish people conducted commerce in the Byzantine Empire.
Cyclopes in Greek Mythology w. Drs Mercedes Aguirre & Richard Buxton
June 05, 2021 00:44 - 57 minutes - 66 MBAre Cyclopes in Greek mythology malevolent, benign, or something else? Dr Mercedes Aguirre Castro & Dr Richard Buxton join the show to explore the role of Cyclopes in Greek mythology.
Henry III of Navarre Becoming King of France w. Dr. Mack Holt
June 04, 2021 01:18 - 59 minutes - 68.6 MBThrough a series of unexpected events, King Henry III of Navarre became King Henry IV of France. Professor Emeritus Mack Holt, George Mason University, joins the show to share Henry's accession to the French throne.
Greek Mythology w. Dr. Sarah Iles Johnston
June 03, 2021 00:35 - 39 minutes - 45.6 MBGreek mythology is not only proverbial, it's legendary. Dr. Sarah Iles Johnston, The Ohio State University, joins the show to discuss Greek mythology.
Law in Classical Athens w. Dr Edward Harris
June 01, 2021 20:00 - 54 minutes - 62 MBAmongst other things, Athens was an early adopter of the rule of law. Emeritus Professor Edward M. Harris, Durham University, joins the show to explain how law functioned in Classical Athens.
Romance During the Plague w. Dr. Guido Ruggiero
May 31, 2021 22:14 - 59 minutes - 68.4 MBThe Plague in Europe in the 14th century was devastating and changed society in many ways. Dr. Guido Ruggiero joins the show to discuss what romantic relationship were like in northern Italy during the Plague.
Achilles w. Dr. Joel Christensen
May 30, 2021 20:18 - 48 minutes - 55.3 MBAchilles is one of the central figures in Homer's The Iliad. He not only lives on in Greek mythology but in the commonly used idiom Achilles' heel. Dr. Joel Chistensen, Brandeis University, joins the show to talk in depth about the Greek mythological hero, Achilles.
Astronomy in Hellenistic & Roman Egypt w. Dr. Alexander Jones
May 29, 2021 16:00 - 40 minutes - 46.3 MBEgypt is where astronomy is known to have begun in the Mediterranean Basin. Dr. Alexander Jones, New York University, joins the show to explore what scholars know about the previous astronomy practices in Hellenistic & Roman Egypt.
Colonnaded Streets in Eastern Rome w. Dr Ross Burns
May 28, 2021 23:37 - 32 minutes - 36.8 MBColonnaded streets were prevalent in the eastern Roman Empire and their origins pre-date their use in the City of Rome. Australian scholar, Dr Ross Burns, joins the show to discuss what's known about the colonnaded streets that existed in the eastern Roman Empire.
King Philip II of Macedon w. Dr Ian Worthington
May 27, 2021 20:00 - 49 minutes - 57.1 MBKing Philip II of Macedon is famous for a number of things including being the father of Alexander the Great. Dr Ian Worthington, Professor of Ancient History, Macquarie University, joins the show to discuss what scholars know of Philip's life.
King Juba II of Mauretania w. Dr. Duane W. Roller
May 26, 2021 21:59 - 48 minutes - 55.6 MBJuba II of Mauretania was married to Cleopatra VII of Egypt's daughter, Cleopatra Selene II, and was king of the ancient Maghreb state of Mauretania. Dr. Duane W. Roller, Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University, joins the show again to discuss Juba's life.
Civilization in the Anatolian Peninsula in the Sixth Century w. Dr. Hugh Elton
May 25, 2021 21:40 - 46 minutes - 53.3 MBDr. Hugh Elton, Professor of Ancient Greek & Roman Studies, Trent University, joins the show to discuss what life was like in the Anatolian Peninsula in the sixth century.
King Philip II of Spain's Territories in the Mediterranean w. Dr Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer
May 24, 2021 20:19 - 55 minutes - 63.7 MBPhilip II of Spain inherited the Kingdoms of Valencia, Granada, Naples & Sicily, Sardinia, the County of Barcelona, the Duchy of Milan, and more. Dr Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer, University of Bristol, joins the show to discuss Philip's territorial holdings in the Mediterranean Basin.
Queen Berenice II of Egypt w. Dr. Dee L. Clayman
May 23, 2021 20:00 - 40 minutes - 46.6 MBBerenice II was a Queen of Egypt in the third century B.C.E. and married to Pharaoh Ptolemy III. Professor Dee L. Clayman, The City University of New York, joins the show to discuss who Berenice was and the life she lived.
Founding of Constantinople w. Dr. Michael Decker
May 22, 2021 20:50 - 46 minutes - 53.5 MBConstantinople was the principal city of the Byzantine Empire for over a millennium, was held by the Ottomans for centuries, and continues contemporarily as Istanbul in Turkey. Dr. Michael Decker, Associate Professor, United Arab Emirates University, joins the show to discuss Constantinople's founding.
Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius w. Dr. Michael Kulikowski
May 21, 2021 21:05 - 43 minutes - 49.6 MBAntoninus Pius is known as one of the "Five Good Emperors". Professor & Head of the Department of History at Penn State University, Dr. Michael Kulikowski, is back on the show to discuss what's known about his life.
Fortress of Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham w. Dr Steven Snape
May 21, 2021 02:48 - 59 minutes - 67.6 MBA Bronze Age fortress in Egypt, Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham, existed near the border with Libya and was used for defence and to support the network of maritime trade in the Mediterranean. Dr Steven Snape, University of Liverpool, joins the show to speak about its history and broader geopolitical considerations during the era.
Life in Roman Egypt w. Dr. Anna Lucille Boozer
May 19, 2021 20:40 - 41 minutes - 47 MBRome ruled Egypt for several hundred years. Anthropologist, Dr. Anna Lucille Boozer, The City University of New York, joins the show to discuss what life was like in Roman Egypt.
Achaemenid Empire's Hegemony in the Mediterranean w. Dr Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones
May 18, 2021 21:40 - 52 minutes - 60.5 MBThe Achaemenid Empire was the largest empire for its time and held substantial holdings in the eastern Mediterranean Basin. Dr Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, Cardiff University, joins the show to discuss the empire's hegemony in the Mediterranean.
Queen Nefertiti of Egypt w. Dr Joyce Tyldesley
May 17, 2021 20:00 - 47 minutes - 54.8 MBNefertiti was an Egyptian queen in the fourteenth century BCE. British archaeologist and Egyptologist, Dr Joyce Tyldesley, The University of Manchester, joins the show to share what’s known about who she was and the life she lived.
Byzantine Empress Irene w. Dr Judith Herrin
May 16, 2021 20:00 - 56 minutes - 64.5 MBA woman from Attica, Greece, Irene Sarantapechaina, became Empress of the Byzantine Empire. Professor Emerita Judith Herrin, King's College London, joins the show to discuss who Irene was and the life she lived.
Mummy & Life of Takabuti w. Dr Rosalie David
May 15, 2021 20:00 - 39 minutes - 45.2 MBTakabuti was a woman believed to have lived in Thebes, Egypt, during the Twenty-fifth Dynasty. British Egyptologist, Emeritus Professor Rosalie David, The University of Manchester, joins the show to discuss the mummy and life of Takabuti.
Evolution of the Company in the Eastern Mediterranean w. Dr Ron Harris
May 14, 2021 20:00 - 59 minutes - 68.5 MBThe Levant, Egypt, Italian city states, Caliphates, and more, played a role in the evolution of the concept of a company in the eastern Mediterranean. Tel Aviv University professor, and former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr Ron Harris, joins the show to discuss.
Ancient Egyptians Relationship with Animals w. Dr Salima Ikram
May 13, 2021 21:38 - 33 minutes - 37.9 MBAncient Egyptians had a sustenance, linguistic, cultural, and religious relationship with animals. Egyptologist Dr Salima Ikram, American University in Cairo, joins the show to explain.
Ancient Lydia w. Dr. Andrew Ramage
May 12, 2021 20:10 - 52 minutes - 60.4 MBLydia was an ancient civilization in the Anatolian Peninsula, and amongst other things, considered to have first used coinage. Dr. Andrew Ramage, an archaeologist & Professor Emeritus at Cornell University, joins the show to discuss this civilization.
Food in Medieval Rome w. Dr Caroline Goodson
May 11, 2021 20:00 - 38 minutes - 44.5 MBThe way food was sourced in the City of Rome changed in the Middle Ages. Dr Caroline Goodson, University of Cambridge, joins the show to explain.
50. Roman Contract Law w. Dr. Bruce Frier
May 10, 2021 20:00 - 41 minutes - 48 MBIn Episode 50, Dr. Bruce Frier, University of Michigan Law School, University of Michigan, joins the show to discuss contract law in Rome.
Roman Contract Law w. Dr. Bruce W. Frier
May 10, 2021 20:00 - 41 minutes - 48 MBDr. Bruce W. Frier, University of Michigan Law School, University of Michigan, joins the show to discuss the composition of contract law in Rome.
Venice During the Renaissance w. Dr. Edward Muir
May 10, 2021 00:28 - 59 minutes - 68.5 MBDr. Edward Muir, Northwestern University, joins the show to talk about Venice during the Renaissance: island infrastructure projects, trade, governance, level of religious tolerance, & more.
Florence's Economy in the 13th & 14th Centuries w. Dr. William Caferro
May 09, 2021 03:58 - 56 minutes - 64.2 MBIn the 14th century, Florence's economy took off. Director & Professor at Vanderbilt University, Dr. William Caferro, joins the show to explore what happened.
Greek Hoplites w. Dr Adam Schwartz
May 08, 2021 03:56 - 42 minutes - 49.1 MBHoplites were Greek people, most of which were citizens, who fought in battles as their city-states required. Dr Adam Schwartz, University of Copenhagen, joins the show to explain this military post in ancient Greek history.