Simon Goldhill

Simon Goldhill, Professor of Greek Literature and Culture at King’s College, Cambridge, discusses Homeric poetry and oral tradition. He questions single authorship, explains performance and memorised recitation, and teases how Homer preserves fragments of Bronze Age life amid imaginative storytelling. He also explores gods, heroic flaws, and how the poems were fixed into text.

In this enlightening discussion, Simon Goldhill, Angie Hobbs, and Catharine Edwards dive into the life and writings of Marcus Aurelius, the last of the Five Good Emperors. They explore his unique position as both a military leader and a philosopher, examining how his Meditations provide deep insights into Stoicism and ethical leadership. The guests discuss his personal struggles with melancholy, the complexities of his duality, and how his teachings on grief resonate in modern times, revealing the relevance of his wisdom in today's turbulent world.

Discussing the origins and evolution of Humanism from Cicero's teachings to Renaissance ideals. Examining the influence of Humanism on Roman education, Christianity, German culture, and the modern era. Exploring criticisms of Humanism such as elitism, sexism, and its tie to Nazism.