In Our Time: 25 Key Figures in Ancient History

Synopsis

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss 25 major leaders, thinkers and writers of the classical world'The best thing on Radio 4, possibly the best thing on the radio full stop'The SpectatorIn Our Time is one of BBC Radio's most successful and best-loved programmes, with a weekly listenership of over two million. Since 1998, it has 'transformed the landscape for serious ideas at peak listening time' (The Times), introducing its audience to an astonishing array of intriguing topics, from the epic of Gilgamesh to the gin craze.This special thematic collection focusses on some of the most important rulers, philosophers and writers of ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. Across 25 episodes, presenter Melvyn Bragg and a panel of top-class academics engage in lively and eloquent conversation as they explore the lives, reputations and impact of these pivotal figures. Their subjects include emperors, statesmen, military leaders, authors, poets, playwrights, fabulists and theorists - among them Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, Socrates, Pythagoras, Ovid, Aesop and Sappho.Whether you're a long-standing In Our Time fan or a new listener, a student of ancient history or simply keen to expand your knowledge; this thoughtfully curated compilation of illuminating, accessible discussions is sure to enlighten and entertain.Production creditsPresented by Melvyn BraggProduced by Thomas Morris, Simon Tillotson, Victoria Brignell, Natalia Fernandez and Luke MulhallFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates:Part I: Leaders of Ancient RomeJulius Caesar 2 October 2014With Christopher Pelling, Catherine Steel and Maria WykeCleopatra 2 December 2010With Catharine Edwards, Maria Wyke and Susan WalkerCicero 25 January 2018With Melissa Lane, Catherine Steel and Valentina ArenaAgrippina the Younger 31 March 2016With Catharine Edwards, Alice König and Matthew NichollsNero 25 April 2019With Maria Wyke, Matthew Nicholls and Shushma MalikConstantine the Great 5 October 2017With Christopher Kelly, Lucy Grig and Greg WoolfMarcus Aurelius 25 February 2021With Simon Goldhill, Angie Hobbs and Catharine EdwardsPliny the Younger 12 December 2013With Catharine Edwards, Roy Gibson and Alice KönigQueen Zenobia 30 May 2013With Edith Hall, Kate Cooper and Richard StonemanPart II: Leaders of Ancient GreecePericles 17 September 2020With Edith Hall, Paul Cartledge and Peter LiddelAlexander the Great 1 October 2015With Paul Cartledge, Diana Spencer and Rachel MairsPart III: Thinkers of Ancient Rome and Ancient GreeceGalen 10 October 2013With Vivian Nutton, Helen King and Caroline PetitThucydides 29 January 2015With Paul Cartledge, Katherine Harloe and Neville MorleyXenophon 26 May 2011With Paul Cartledge, Edith Hall and Simon GoldhillHeraclites 8 December 2011With Angie Hobbs, Peter Adamson and James WarrenSocrates 27 September 2007With Angie Hobbs, David Sedley and Paul MillettArchimedes 25 January 2007With Jackie Stedall, Serafina Cuomo and George PhillipsPythagoras 10 December 2009With Serafina Cuomo, John O'Connor and Ian StewartPart IV: Writers of Ancient RomeSeneca the Younger 23 February 2017With Catharine Edwards, Mary Beard and Alessandro SchiesaroJosephus 21 May 2015With Tessa Rajak, Philip Alexander and Martin GoodmanOvid 29 April 2021With Maria Wyke, Gail Trimble and Dunstan LoweHorace 15 November 2018With Emily Gowers, William Fitzgerald and Ellen O'GormanPart V: Writers of Ancient GreeceAesop 20 November 2014With Pavlos Avlamis, Simon Goldhill and Lucy GrigHerodotus 23 September 2021With Tom Harrison, Esther Eidinow and Paul CartledgeSappho 9 April 2015With Edith Hall, Margaret Reynolds and Dirk Obbink© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.