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Classical Wisdom Speaks

Classical Wisdom
Philosophy
Stoicism
Greek Philosophy
Happiness
Plato
End Of Days
Socrates
Apocalypse
Virtue Ethics
Greek Mythology
Ancient Greece
Julian
Christianity
Thebes
Democracy
Medea
Roman Philosophy
Galen
Natural Disasters
Semiramis

A Podcast dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. This podcast is provided by Classical Wisdom, to learn more check out www.classicalwisdom.com

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes138Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for Classical Wisdom Speaks

Latest Episodes

What Did Ancient People Believe About Death and the Afterlife?

Robert Garland explores how Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, and other ancient cultures understood death, grief, burial, and the afterlife. 

This episode is for anyone fascinated by ancient h... more

This episode is for anyone interested in ancient Greece, democracy, political history, and rhetoric, especially if you want to understand how the past connects to modern political challenges. 

You’ll learn who Demosthenes was, how he rose to power t... more

What does the story of Demeter really tell us about loss, power, and the human experience? 

In this episode, renowned translator and classicist Diane Rayor unpacks the Homeric Hymn to Demeter: one of the most powerful and enduring myths from ancient... more

YouTube

What is the point of studying Classics today? 

Mary Beard explains why the ancient world still shocks, challenges, and reshapes how we think. Discover how Greek and Roman history can change your perspective, without offering easy answers. 

In this ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

James Romm
James H. Ottawa Professor of Classics at Bard College; author
Bard College
Episode: The Man Who Tried to Save Athenian Democracy
Mary Beard
Professor Emerita of Classics at Cambridge
University of Cambridge
Episode: Mary Beard: Why You Should Argue With the Ancients
Barry Strauss
Corliss Dean Page Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution; Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies, Emeritus at Cornell University
Hoover Institution, Cornell University
Episode: Rebellions Against Rome: The Jewish Revolts
George D. Thomas
Famed translator of Frontinus, also known by the pen name Quintus Curtius; MIT graduate, former US Marine Corps officer, lawyer
Translator of Frontinus; Quintus Curtius
Episode: The Roman Guide to War
Dan Edelstein
William H. Bonsall Professor of French at Stanford University; author of The Revolution to Come
Stanford University
Episode: What Can Ancient History Tell Us About Revolutions?
Melissa Lane
Class of 1943 Professor of Politics at Princeton University
Princeton University
Episode: What Can Ancient History Tell Us About Revolutions?
Josiah Ober
Konstantin Mitsotaki Professor of Political Science and Classics at Stanford University
Stanford University
Episode: What Can Ancient History Tell Us About Revolutions?
Angie Hobbs
Professor Emerita of Public Understanding of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield.
University of Sheffield
Episode: How Plato Explains the Modern World
Murray Dahm
Independent academic researcher and freelance historian
Episode: Man or Myth? King Arthur and Rome's Legacy in Britain

Host

Anya Leonard
Host of Classical Wisdom Speaks; founder and director of Classical Wisdom

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 59 ratings
  • great podcast

    very informative and presented in a very approachable way

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    felix dlc
    United States4 years ago
  • Best of a limited field.

    A Case For Trump - that guy. Really?

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Ageejesse
    United States5 years ago
  • Fantastic Podcast!

    Been listening and loving it for a few months. Oddly I listen to it — it seems like —everytime I wash dishes. I suppose I crave classical wisdom at that time 😂. Great show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HPLawrence
    United States5 years ago
  • Fantastic show!

    Big ideas, fascinating conversations, and healthy doses of classical wisdom—that’s what this show delivers. If you’re a history geek or a classics freak (or just a curious person in general) you’re going to LOVE this show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lantern_Jack
    United States5 years ago
  • Great new podcast!

    I’m a recent convert to this show. It provides a refreshed approach to classics with interesting discussions for the non academic and the expert alike! The material is very well researched and prepared. Love it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andrew G Shepherd
    Australia6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The discussions feel timely, connecting ancient ideas to modern issues like democracy and information literacy.
Listeners find it very informative and approachable.
Guest expertise and deep dives into texts are frequently praised.
The show is well-researched and suitable for both non-academic and expert audiences.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#199
Chile/History
Apple Podcasts
#226
South Korea/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Misunderstood Myth: Persephone, Hades & Demeter
Q: Did the hymn describe the mysteries that were already being performed, or were they a later invention—what came first, the poem or the mysteries?
The hymn appears to reflect an earlier, evolving cult practice around Demeter and the Eleusinian rites; the mysteries likely started in parallel with ritual development and were not fully unified in a single moment, suggesting a synergistic emergence between text and ritual.
Rebellions Against Rome: The Jewish Revolts
Q: Why did the revolts have such enduring impact beyond their immediate military outcomes?
Because they showed how a dispersed, deeply rooted religious community could sustain identity through institutions like synagogues and a written tradition even when central symbols like the temple were lost, and because they revealed the fragility of imperial control when faced with persistent, coordinated resistance.
Mary Beard: Why You Should Argue With the Ancients
Q: Is there a useful lesson in the classics for today, or should one cherry-pick elements?
The classics can be useful if approached from a perspective that allows you to think about issues anew, rather than treating them as a supermarket shelf of ready-made answers; it's about perspective and interrogation, not prescriptions.
Mary Beard: Why You Should Argue With the Ancients
Q: How do you recommend that people engage with the classics to start off?
Start with accessible entry points, listen to current debate, and use tools like translations and short readings to get the sense of language and ideas without needing to master Latin or Greek.
The Roman Guide to War
Q: What makes Frontinus a good bridge between ancient warfare and leadership in general?
The guest highlights that Stratagems is not just about combat; it emphasizes leadership, decision speed, adaptability, and morale, making it applicable beyond military contexts.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Classical Wisdom Speaks

What is Classical Wisdom Speaks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A show that brings ancient wisdom into modern life through in-depth conversations with leading scholars, authors, and thinkers in philosophy, history, and classical studies. Across episodes, it often threads classical texts and myths with contemporary issues—democracy, education, ethics, cultural exchange, and the role of ideas in public life—while spotlighting how ancient thinkers interpret everyday challenges. An overarching strength is the ability to connect dense scholarship to practical wisdom, often through lively debates, book discussions, and close readings of primary sources. A notable edge is the fusion of rigorous academic insight with accessible storytelling, making it appealing to both dedicated classics fans and curious genera... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Classical Wisdom Speaks?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Classical Wisdom Speaks:

1. In Our Time
2. History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps
3. Philosophy For Our Times
4. In Our Time: History
5. Cost of Glory

How many episodes of Classical Wisdom Speaks are there?

Classical Wisdom Speaks launched 6 years ago and published 138 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Classical Wisdom Speaks?

Recent guests on Classical Wisdom Speaks include:

1. James Romm
2. Mary Beard
3. Barry Strauss
4. George D. Thomas
5. Dan Edelstein
6. Melissa Lane
7. Josiah Ober
8. Angie Hobbs

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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