Western Civ
462 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 129 ratingsA fast-moving history of the western world from the ancient world to the present day. Examine how the emergence of the western world as a global dominant power was not something that should ever have been taken for granted. This podcast traces the development of western civilization starting in the ancient Near East, through Greece and Rome, past the collapse of the Western Roman Empire into the Dark Ages, and then follows European and, ultimately, American history as the western world moved into a dominant world position.
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Episodes
Episode 270: Galileo Part Two
October 20, 2023 14:00 - 39 minutes - 53.6 MBToday we get more into the meat of Galileo. He is remembered as someone willing to challenge the church on the issue of the geocentric universe. But he actually challenged a lot more than that. Today we will explore how Galileo challenged Aristotle's perceived truths and how that changed science. Website Patreon Ad-Free Shows Western Civ 2.0
Episode 269: Galileo Part One
October 13, 2023 14:00 - 1 hour - 112 MBWe come now to the most recognizable name from the early Scientific Revolution: Galileo. Galileo studied motion, falling bodies, and, of course, the stars. His infamous Inquisition trial has made him a nearly household name. Today we begin his story. Website Patreon Free Trial Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial
Around the World in 80 Games
October 12, 2023 14:05 - 52 minutes - 72.5 MBIn this author interview, I sit down with renowned mathematician Marcus Du Sautoy and talk about his newest book: Around the World in 80 Games. I LOVE games, as will be apparent in this interview. And I could not miss the chance to talk to a mathematician about how, for example, my Risk strategy has been all wrong. Links: Buy The Book Website Patreon Free Trial Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial
Episode 268: Tycho Brahe
October 06, 2023 14:00 - 1 hour - 87.4 MBNicholas Copernicus and Galileo Galilei usually get all the credit for the breakthroughs in astronomy in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries and rightfully so to an extent. However, though his efforts were far from "sexy", Tycho Brahe was an essential innovator in his own right during the early Scientific Revolution. Without Brahe, we might not get many aspects of modern science that we, frankly, take for granted today. In today's episode, I tell the tale of the early modern astronomer wh...
Episode 267: Copernicus (Part Four)
September 29, 2023 14:00 - 27 minutes - 38.3 MBToday we finish Copernicus and inch toward Tycho Brahe. On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres was a truly monumental achievement. Sadly, its release was marred by a poorly added preface by Andreas Osiander. In the end, no one involved with its publication was pleased by the final product. Still, in this history podcast, we evaluate the role the work played in the beginning of the Scientific Revolution. Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0
Pax: An Interview with Historian Tom Holland
September 26, 2023 12:00 - 47 minutes - 64.7 MBThere is no discussion of modern Roman Historiography without Tom Holland. He is one of the premier historians covering the medieval, classical, and ancient world. Today I get the pleasure of talking to him about his new book: Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age. We discuss Nero, Vesuvius, the Year of the Four Emperors, Vespasian and his sons: Titus and Domitian, and then the emperors of Rome's true golden age: Trajan and Hadrian. Pick up a copy of the book HERE. Check out the WEBSITE ...
Episode 266: Copernicus (Part Three)
September 22, 2023 13:15 - 35 minutes - 48.7 MBYou probably know the name, Copernicus. But you likely don't know the name, Rheticus. Well, today I explain why you should. Without Rheticus, On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies might never get published and the Father of Astronomy might have been an unknown. In this history podcast, we take a look at Copernicus between roughly 1531 and 1540. Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0
Episode 265: Copernicus (Part Two)
September 15, 2023 14:00 - 26 minutes - 36.8 MBCopernicus completes his studies and begins his major astronomical research. Before long, the Father of Modern Astronomy becomes convinced Ptolemy was wrong. The sun does not revolve around the earth. And that is not all Ptolemy was wrong about. Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial
Episode 264: Copernicus (Part One)
September 08, 2023 14:00 - 36 minutes - 50.4 MBToday we begin the life of Nicholas Copernicus - the father of modern astronomy. While there is a lot of validity to Copernicus' title, what I cover today are his immediate predecessors: George Peurbach and Regiomontanus. Without these two men, Copernicus might never have written On The Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies. Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0
Bonus Author Interview: Bismarck's War
September 05, 2023 12:40 - 58 minutes - 80.3 MBBismarck. Napoleon III. France. Prussia. Germany. The siege of Paris. The great precursor to World War One. Today I talk about it all when I sit down with Rachel Chrastil and talk about her new book: Bismarck's War: The Franco-Prussian War and the Making of Modern Europe. Click the link to buy the book. But, honestly, even if you don't, you are going to love this excellent historian interview. Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0
Episode 263: Facts and Experiments
September 01, 2023 13:45 - 31 minutes - 43.4 MBIn our last overview episode, before we start Copernicus, I want to cover the concept of the "fact" and the "experiment" as each pertains to the Scientific Revolution. Both were products of the Scientific Revolution and did not exist, at least in our modern sense, in the Middle Ages or prior. While Francis Bacon usually gets the credit for the "fact", the true story is more complicated. Website Patreon Free Trial Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial
1923: The Crisis of German Democracy in the Year of Hitler's Putsch
August 29, 2023 13:30 - 1 hour - 121 MBToday I sit down with Historian Mark William Jones and discuss his newest book: 1923: The Crisis of German Democracy in the Year of Hitler's Putsch. The story of Hitler's rise to power is documented in many histories. Jones, however, gives a much more detailed account that describes how Hitler's rise was anything but inevitable. More than anything, the work serves as a cautionary tale about how we can never take democracy for granted. Links: Buy The Book Website Patreon Free Trial West...
Episode 262: The Science of Math
August 25, 2023 14:00 - 34 minutes - 47.8 MBPrior to the Scientific Revolution, math was considered a part of philosophy. But with a new emphasis on measurement and objective facts, it did not take long for mathematics to have a profound impact on the European world. Website Patreon Western Civ 2.0
Episode 261: Defining Earth
August 18, 2023 14:00 - 27 minutes - 38 MBToday we continue exploring the origins of the Scientific Revolution. If it was possible to sail across the Atlantic Ocean, and if there were large landmasses directly opposite Asia, then how the ancients had thought about the earth was wrong. The idea of Earth would need to be rethought and reconsidered. Moreover, while Columbus' discovery might have implications for the continents, it also had implications for the cosmos. Website Patreon Support (With Seven-Day Free Trial) Western Civ 2.0
Episode 260: The Scientific Revolution Begins
August 11, 2023 14:00 - 42 minutes - 58.2 MBIt is weird to think about, but when Columbus "discovered" the New World there was no word for "discover" in English. Or French. Or Latin for that matter. Discover, as a word, did not exist because it was not something one did. Today I talk about the origins of the Scientific Revolution which are inherently grounded in the Age of Discovery. I also answer the question: can there be a Scientific Revolution without discovery? Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0
Episode 259: Hernando de Soto (Part Two)
August 04, 2023 14:05 - 1 hour - 156 MB***NOTE: I was not able to upload this episode as one file which is not what I originally planned. So I had to break it in half. In this episode, I begin a deep dive into Hernando de Soto who, in so many ways, absolutely represents the conquistador era. I over Soto's travails through Panama with Balboa, in Nicaragua on his own, in Peru with Pizarro, and, ultimately, to La Florida. Soto would die in the wilds of Arkansas, still searching for that El Dorado he would never find. Website Pat...
Episode 259: Hernando de Soto (Part One)
August 04, 2023 14:00 - 1 hour - 156 MB***NOTE: I was not able to upload this episode as one file which is not what I originally planned. So I had to break it in half. In this episode, I begin a deep dive into Hernando de Soto who, in so many ways, absolutely represents the conquistador era. I over Soto's travails through Panama with Balboa, in Nicaragua on his own, in Peru with Pizarro, and, ultimately, to La Florida. Soto would die in the wilds of Arkansas, still searching for that El Dorado he would never find. Website Pat...
Booze, Babe, and the Little Black Dress
August 02, 2023 13:05 - 1 hour - 94.6 MBToday I sit down with author Jason Voiovich and discuss his most recent book: Booze, Babe, and the Little Black Dress. Jason and I talk about all manner of topics related to the Roaring Twenties, everything from Prohibition and speakeasies to baseball and the radio. It is a fantastic book and, as always, Jason is an engaging interview. LINKS: Buy The Book Website Patreon Account Western Civ 2.0
Episode 258: The Inca's Last Stand
July 28, 2023 14:00 - 39 minutes - 53.5 MBAfter so many battles and insurgencies today the Inca Empire finally runs out of gas. The Inca free state is destroyed and the last Inca Emperor is executed. Then I examine some of the common themes that run through the stories of our two conquistadors: Cortés and Pizarro. Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0
Episode 257: The Last of the Pizarros
July 21, 2023 14:00 - 34 minutes - 47.4 MBFrancisco Pizarro failed to recognize the growing discontent from Almagro's old faction and, today, it costs him his life. Gonzalo, his brother, outlives him by a little over three years and dies challenging the Spanish crown for the right to rule Peru. Meanwhile, Manco Inca mistakenly trusts yet another Spaniard and this time it, likewise, costs him his life. Website Ad-Free Shows Western Civ 2.0
Bonus: Travel Colombia
July 19, 2023 17:04 - 19 minutes - 26.5 MBI was fortunate enough to take a short trip to Colombia: Medellin and Cartagena. Colombia is a wonderful country to visit. I decided to do a short show with my recommendations for traveling in Colombia and a few pitfalls to avoid. Links: Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Avianca: https://www.avianca.com/us/en/ La Causa: https://www.lacausa.com.co/ Alambique: http://www.alambiquemedellin.com/ Coffee Tour: https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g297478-d14045057-Coffee_Tour_In_H...
Episode 256: To The Amazon
July 14, 2023 14:00 - 52 minutes - 72 MBIn this episode, Manco Inca flees to the Amazon to avoid capture with Gonzalo Pizarro in hot pursuit. But before that can happen, Hernando Pizarro exacts revenge on Diego de Almagro by executing the man in cold blood. As a result, Hernando returns to Spain to explain his conduct - leaving two Pizarro brothers in Peru. Website Patreon Western Civ 2.0
Episode 255: Almagro Returns
July 07, 2023 14:00 - 37 minutes - 51.1 MBDiego de Almagro returns from conquering the wealthy Inca Empire of the south. Just kidding. There is no southern Inca Empire, as Almagro and his royally ticked-off, men now understand. Fuming and frostbitten, Almagro returns to the scene to find Hernando and Gonzalo Pizarro holed up in Cusco surrounded by Manco Inca's army. Eager to exploit the situation, he reaches out to both groups to try and ensure that he, Almagro, is the new lord of Cusco moving forward. Website Patreon Western Civ ...
Episode 254: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
June 30, 2023 13:30 - 46 minutes - 63.5 MBManco Inca now has the Spaniards in Peru on the ropes. Hernando and Gonzalo Pizarro are trapped in Cusco. Francisco Pizarro is likewise trapped in what will become Lima. The brothers are desperate to help each other but Manco's armies have the mountain passes sealed shut. This time, Manco comes tantalizingly close to ending the Pizarro family business once and for all. And then it all falls away... Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0
Episode 253: The Great Rebellion
June 23, 2023 13:40 - 56 minutes - 77.1 MBManco Inca launches his Great Rebellion in Peru. While Francisco Pizarro is pinned down in Lima, Manco seeks to crush the remaining Pizarro brothers in Cuzco. Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial
Episode 252: Cracks in the Foundation
June 16, 2023 14:00 - 43 minutes - 59.7 MBUp to this point, Francisco Pizarro has done a fantastic job of following the conquistador playbook. But now the weakness of the Pizarro family business - namely Francisco's brothers - comes into play. Juan and Gonzalo Pizarro torment Manco Inca to the point that he has no choice but to begin the Great Rebellion. Website Support Western Civ 2.0
Episode 251: The Martyr Emperor and the Puppet Emperor
June 09, 2023 14:00 - 1 hour - 92.9 MBAtahualpa's time finally runs out. Pizarro believes his captive emperor has ordered an Inca army to attack and finally consents to his death. Luckily, shortly thereafter Pizarro finds a new, puppet emperor: Manco Inca. Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0
Episode 250: Rooms Full of Gold
June 02, 2023 14:00 - 52 minutes - 71.8 MBAtahualpa promises Pizarro rooms full of gold in the hope of getting the conquistador to leave. Little does he realize, in the Sixteenth Century sated the Spanish lust for gold is an impossibility. Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0
Episode 249: Atahualpa and Pizarro
May 26, 2023 13:20 - 1 hour - 87.2 MBIn another of those history-making meetings of two cultures, Pizarro and Atahualpa finally come face to face. Against overwhelming odds, Pizarro succeeds in capturing the Inca Emperor. Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0
Episode 248: Atahualpa
May 19, 2023 14:15 - 26 minutes - 35.8 MBLast time I introduced Francisco Pizarro. Today we bring Atahualpa onto our board. He will be the Incan Emperor at the time of Pizarro's conquest. But Atahualpa wasn't sitting around waiting for Pizarro to arrive. He had actually just defeated his half-brother in a short civil war caused by the ravages of European smallpox. In other words, there's a lot of context here... WEBSITE SUPPORT THE SHOW WESTERN CIV 2.0 FREE TRIAL
Episode 247: Francisco Pizarro
May 12, 2023 14:00 - 45 minutes - 62.5 MBToday we introduce our Conquistador: Francisco Pizarro. Pizarro hears rumors of a great and wealthy Native American empire to the south: Peru. After a reconnaissance voyage, Pizarro discovers that there is some truth to the rumors. Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial
Episode 246: The Inca
May 05, 2023 14:00 - 1 hour - 87.2 MBToday we look more closely at the Inca political and military structure. These two aspects of the Incan Empire will be crucial to understand how Pizzaro, like Cortés, is able to conquer such a vast and powerful empire with so few men. Support the show at Patreon. Check out the Website for more content. Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial
Western Civ 2.0: Macedonia
May 04, 2023 19:03 - 40 minutes - 55.7 MBHere is a sneak peek of the kind of things I get to do on Western Civ 2.0. This feed is available in two ways: Patreon and Glow. (Note: With Glow there is a seven-day free trial.) In this episode, I cover the beginnings of Macedonia as we track the rise of Philip of Macedon and his son. You might have heard of him. We call him Alexander the Great. There are over twenty hours of content on this paid feed and I add another two hours each month. If you enjoy the free podcast feed but would lik...
The Middle Kingdoms: A New History of Central Europe
May 02, 2023 15:05 - 57 minutes - 79 MBToday I sit down with Historian Martyn Rady and discuss his latest book: The Middle Kingdoms: A New History of Central Europe. This is a sweeping, survey history of Central Europe that is accessible to any reader whatever their knowledge of Central European history. There is a lot in the book and we, in the interview, only get to the Thirty Years' War. Though we do start in the Roman Empire so I guess that's progress! Buy the book HERE. Website Patreon Support Page Western Civ 2.0
Episode 245: People of the Andes
April 28, 2023 14:00 - 1 hour - 85.2 MBToday we pivot again and travel further south to the land of the Inca. Long before Pizzaro arrived, the people of the Andes built a miraculous civilization along the highest mountains in North or South America. In this episode, I cover the broad geography and culture of the Andean people. Patreon Support Page Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial Website
Episode 244: Aftermath
April 21, 2023 13:45 - 39 minutes - 53.5 MBWith Tenochtitlan conquered, Cortés tries to figure out how to make New Spain work. Website Ad-Free Shows Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial
Episode 243: The Battle for Tenochtitlan
April 14, 2023 13:40 - 48 minutes - 66.3 MBCortés returns to Tenochtitlan and finally forces the great city into submission, effectively ending Old Mexico. Website Patreon Western Civ 2.0
The Assyrians
April 07, 2023 17:59 - 1 hour - 96.6 MBToday I sit down with historian Eckart Frahm to discuss his new book: Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire. The Assyrians have a fascinating history that ranges from the ancient sands of Mesopotamia to the pages of the Old Testament. Frahm covers it all in this excellent and readable work. Click HERE to purchase the book. Website Support the Show Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial
Episode 242: Spanish Recovery
April 07, 2023 13:25 - 49 minutes - 67.4 MBCortés recovers from the disaster of La Noche Triste and plans for a triumphant return to Tenochtitlan. At the same time, Smallpox ravages Central America. Website Ad-Free Shows Western Civ 2.0
Episode 241: La Noche Triste
March 31, 2023 13:55 - 40 minutes - 55 MBCortés rushes back to Tenochtitlan only to find the city beyond saving. After the death of Montezuma, he has no choice but to cut his losses and run. Website Ad-Free Shows Teaching Materials Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial
Episode 240: Montezuma and Cortés
March 24, 2023 13:55 - 51 minutes - 70.9 MBCortés gambles again, taking Montezuma captive in the hope that he can turn the entire kingdom over to Charles V. But, the arrival of a relief force from Cuba sent to capture Cortés upsets his plans. Website Ad-Free Shows Western Civ 2.0
Episode 239: Tenochtitlan
March 17, 2023 13:10 - 56 minutes - 77.9 MBCortés finally reached the capital of the Mexica Empire and comes face to face with Montezuma. Website Ad-Free Shows Western Civ 2.0
Episode 238: Who Needs "Orders" Anyway?
March 10, 2023 15:05 - 49 minutes - 67.4 MBThis is the episode where Cortés really starts to come into focus. Up to this point, he has been just another explorer. But after this episode, his ambitions come into focus: Mexico or bust. Website Patreon Western Civ 2.0 Teaching Materials
Episode 237: A Gentlemanly Pirate
March 03, 2023 13:50 - 42 minutes - 58.3 MBHernan Cortes and his expedition continue to explore the Yucatan as they round toward modern-day Veracruz. He begins to learn what works and what does not as he encounters different tribes of indigenous peoples. Horses, it turns out, are a major advantage. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv Teaching Resources: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/History-Simulations
Episode 236: Cortés
February 24, 2023 18:00 - 29 minutes - 40.9 MBThis week we finally meet Hernan Cortes. Cortes has an interesting history himself, though much of it remains shrouded in myth and shadow. Yet, in 1518 he gets tapped as the man to lead a new expedition west to follow up on Grijalva's latest voyage. Everyone thinks he is going to explore another island chain. What no one realizes is that he is about to run straight into the most powerful Mesoamerican kingdom. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast West...
Episode 235: Temples on the Sea
February 17, 2023 14:35 - 41 minutes - 57 MBHernan Cortes was not the first Spaniard to reach Mexico. But, somewhat shockingly, even as late as 1518, the Spanish did not know about Mexico. They knew something of the land to the west of Cuba, but not much. In this episode, I talk about the first interactions between the Mexica and the Spanish. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv Teaching Materials: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/History-Simula...
Immeasurable Outcomes
February 14, 2023 12:40 - 43 minutes - 59.7 MBin this bonus, author interview, I sit down with Professor Gayle Greene and discuss her book: Immeasurable Outcomes: Teaching Shakespeare in the Age of Algorithms. This book is for any educator right now. There is a lot for us all to commiserate with. Note: Full disclosure, we had some tech issues with this one. I could not use my normal recording system and what we did use abruptly cut off about thirty-eight minutes in. So the end is rather sudden. Website Patreon Support Western Civ 2.0
History Ramble: All That is Lost
February 10, 2023 20:27 - 19 minutes - 26.8 MBThe recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria destroyed a large portion of Gaziantep Castle in Turkey. This site dated back to the Second and Third Century CE to the never-ending wars between the Romans and Parthians. Seeing the footage of the destruction, I was reminded how fragile history can be. We need to work to preserve sites like this so that they are not lost because once they are lost, we cannot get them back. To donate to UNESCO's efforts to preserve sites like this, click HERE.
Queens of a Fallen World
February 10, 2023 17:13 - 1 hour - 88.7 MBIn this bonus interview, I sit down with historian Kate Cooper and discuss her most recent book: Queens of a Fallen World. This gripping and innovative history of St. Augustine looks at the four women who influenced his life, theology, and writing. Like any work, Confessions was not written in a bubble. Augustine, one of the most important church fathers, was highly influenced by his mother, fianceé, and lover. And if that weren't enough, Cooper analyzes the role of Empress Justina as she tan...
Episode: 234: The Aztecs
February 10, 2023 14:55 - 54 minutes - 75.1 MBIn this episode, we take a look at the Aztecs as they are commonly known or the Mexica as they are correctly known. The Mexica ruled a flourishing, cohesive empire when Hernan Cortes showed up. Today I cover the basics of the Mexica civilization. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv Teaching Resources: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/History-Simulations