In Our Time
BBC Radio 4
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nefertiti. Or perhaps you're looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism's early teachings to the Protestant Reformation.
If you're interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh's famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity's cultural achievements.
Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets.
Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato's concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis?
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nefertiti. Or perhaps you're looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism's early teachings to the Protestant Reformation.
If you're interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh's famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity's cultural achievements.
Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets.
Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato's concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis?
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 18, 2019 • 55min
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Helen Hackett, a leading expert on Shakespeare, joins Tom Healy and Alison Findlay, both noted professors in Renaissance literature, to dissect the enchanting layers of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' They dive into the play's blend of comedy and tragedy, exploring the transformation of love amidst societal expectations. The conversation highlights the mystical world of the woods, critiques of gender roles, and the imaginative power that drives the narrative. Through their insights, they unearth hidden complexities within female relationships and the delightful absurdities of characters like Bottom.
Apr 11, 2019 • 49min
The Evolution of Teeth
Gareth Fraser, an Assistant Professor in Biology, studies tooth evolution, while Zerina Johanson researches vertebrate fossils, and Philip Donoghue specializes in palaeobiology. They explore the origins of teeth, revealing that ancestral vertebrates had none. Sharks can replace thousands, unlike humans. The conversation delves into tooth regeneration and genetic mechanisms, offering insights into potential advancements in dental health. The link between taste buds and teeth is fascinating, alongside the evolutionary transition from scales to true teeth.
28 snips
Apr 4, 2019 • 57min
The Great Irish Famine
Joining the discussion are Cormac O'Grada, an expert on economic factors related to the famine, Niamh Gallagher, who delves into the social and political context, and Enda Delaney, a history professor analyzing its historical significance. They explore the catastrophic effects of the potato blight in the 1840s, systemic governmental failures, and changing societal attitudes towards aid. The podcast also highlights the mass exodus of Irish individuals seeking better lives and the cultural and political repercussions that reshaped Irish identity.
Mar 28, 2019 • 50min
The Danelaw
Judith Jesch, a Viking studies expert, John Hines, an archaeological authority, and Jane Kershaw, an urban archaeology investigator, delve into the Danelaw's rich history. They discuss the Viking raids that led to the partition of England in the 880s and the unique cultural exchanges between Anglo-Saxons and Scandinavians. Key topics include the strategic advantages of Viking ships, the transformation of York, and how this period shaped language and local customs. The fascinating dynamics of Viking communities reveal insights into gender roles and integration.
13 snips
Mar 21, 2019 • 48min
Gerard Manley Hopkins
Catherine Phillips, a R.J. Owens Fellow in English at Downing College, Jane Wright, a Senior Lecturer in English Literature, and Martin Dubois, an Assistant Professor of Nineteenth Century Literature, dive into the extraordinary life of Gerard Manley Hopkins. They discuss the tension between his vocation as a Jesuit priest and his poetic aspirations. The guests explore themes of faith, nature, and the innovative 'Sprung Rhythm' in his works like 'The Windhover.' They also reflect on his emotional depth, isolation, and the lasting impact of his unique style.
36 snips
Mar 14, 2019 • 51min
Authenticity
In this thought-provoking discussion, Sarah Richmond, an Associate Professor at University College London, along with Denis McManus from the University of Southampton, and Irene McMullin from the University of Essex, delve into the complexities of authenticity. They explore its philosophical roots from Aristotle to Sartre, highlighting the tension between being true to oneself and societal responsibilities. The conversation raises questions about self-creation, the evolution of individualism, and the moral dilemmas inherent in pursuing authenticity, ultimately challenging listeners to reflect on what it means to live genuinely.
Mar 7, 2019 • 51min
William Cecil
Diarmaid MacCulloch, a Professor of the History of the Church, Susan Doran, an expert in Early Modern British History, and John Guy, a Fellow at Clare College, delve into the life of William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, an influential figure in Elizabethan governance. They discuss his adaptability across Protestant and Catholic reigns, his pivotal role in establishing England's security, and the complex dynamics surrounding Mary Queen of Scots. The trio highlights Cecil's strategies in political maneuvering, his guidance to Elizabeth I, and the lasting impact of his reforms.
Feb 28, 2019 • 50min
Antarah ibn Shaddad
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life, works, context and legacy of Antarah (525-608AD), the great poet and warrior. According to legend, he was born a slave; his mother was an Ethiopian slave, his father an elite Arab cavalryman. Antarah won his freedom in battle and loved a woman called Abla who refused him, and they were later celebrated in the saga of Antar and Abla. One of Antarah's poems was so esteemed in pre-Islamic Arabia that it is believed it was hung up on the wall of the Kaaba in Mecca. With James Montgomery
Sir Thomas Adams's Professor of Arabic at the University of CambridgeMarlé Hammond
Senior Lecturer in Arabic Popular Literature and Culture at SOAS, University of LondonAnd Harry Munt
Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of YorkProducer: Simon Tillotson
Feb 21, 2019 • 49min
Pheromones
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how members of the same species send each other invisible chemical signals to influence the way they behave. Pheromones are used by species across the animal kingdom in a variety of ways, such as laying trails to be followed, to raise the alarm, to scatter from predators, to signal dominance and to enhance attractiveness and, in honey bees, even direct development into queen or worker. The image above is of male and female ladybirds that have clustered together in response to pheromones. With Tristram Wyatt
Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Zoology at the University of OxfordJane Hurst
William Prescott Professor of Animal Science at the University of Liverpooland Francis Ratnieks
Professor of Apiculture and Head of the Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects at the University of SussexProducer: Simon Tillotson
Feb 14, 2019 • 50min
Judith beheading Holofernes
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how artists from the Middle Ages onwards have been inspired by the Bible story of the widow who killed an Assyrian general who was besieging her village, and so saved her people from his army and from his master Nebuchadnezzar. A symbol of a woman's power and the defiance of political tyranny, the image of Judith has been sculpted by Donatello, painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and, in the case of Caravaggio, Liss and Artemisia Gentileschi, been shown with vivid, disturbing detail. What do these interpretations reveal of the attitudes to power and women in their time, and of the artists' own experiences? The image of Judith, above is from a tapestry in the Duomo, Milan, by Giovanni or Nicola Carcher, 1555With Susan Foister
Curator of Early Netherlandish, German and British Painting at the National GalleryJohn Gash
Senior Lecturer in History of Art at the University of AberdeenAnd Ela Nutu Hall
Research Associate at the Sheffield Institute for Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies, at the University of SheffieldProducer: Simon Tillotson
