Literature and History Doug Metzger
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With millions of downloads, hundreds of hours of soundtracked content, and an overall emphasis on the cultural history behind famous works of literature, Literature and History is one of the most popular independent podcasts on its subject. Starting with Sumerian cuneiform in 3,100 BCE, Literature and History moves forward in chronological order through Assyriology, Egyptology, the Old Testament, Ancient Greece and Rome, and the birth of Christianity. The show's current season is on Late Antiquity (or 200-700 CE) and the dawn of the Middle Ages.
A typical episode (they average about two hours) features a general introduction to a work of literature, then a full summary of that work that expects no prior knowledge, and finally, an analysis of the cultural, biographical, and historical forces that gave rise to the work in question. Original symphonic and ambient background music is woven throughout each show, and all episodes offer free full, illustrated, footnoted transcriptions as well as quizzes for purposes of review. The show has no advertisements, and its host takes pride in a professional approach that avoids chitchat and ephemera and gets straight to the educational content. You can listen to the episodes in any order, although most listeners begin at the beginning and proceed from there, as the podcast itself is chronologically organized.
Doug Metzger finished his Ph.D. in literature in 2011. His chief scholarly interest, following his dissertation work, continues to be 19th-century realism and postbellum American philosophy.
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Episode 103: Boethius
In the twilight of the Western Empire, Boethius (c. 476-523) served as consul, but ended his life imprisoned by the Ostrogothic King Theodoric, writing The Consolation of Philosophy.
Episode 103 Quiz:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=351&catid=2
Episode 103 Transcription:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-103-boethius
Bonus Content:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory -
Episode 102: An Old Man's Book (Augustine's City of God, Part 2 of 2)
Augustine’s City of God, Part 2 of 2. The second half of the City of God contains some of Late Antiquity’s most influential writings – most notably Augustine’s take on Original Sin.
Episode 102 Quiz:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-102-quiz
Episode 102 Transcription:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-102-an-old-mans-book
Bonus Content:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory -
Episode 101: Against the Pagans (Augustine's City of God, Part 1 of 2)
Augustine’s City of God, Part 1 of 2. The first half of the City of God is a broadside against paganism – its culture, religion, and history, subjects about which Augustine had much to say.
Episode 101 Quiz:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-101-quiz
Episode 101 Transcription:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-101-against-the-pagans
Bonus Content:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory -
Episode 100: Late Have I Loved You (Augustine's Confessions, Books 9-13)
Augustine’s Confessions, Part 2 of 2. The second half of Augustine’s Confessions contains some of the most famous theology in Christian history.
Episode 100 Quiz:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-100-quiz
Episode 100 Transcription:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-100-late-have-i-loved-you
Bonus Content:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory -
Episode 99: The Boy Who Stole Pears (Augustine's Confessions, Books 1-7)
Augustine’s Confessions, Part 1 of 2. The first half of Augustine’s Confessions tells of his wayward early years, his intellectual journey, and his spiritual awakening.
Episode 99 Quiz:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-99-quiz
Episode 99 Transcription:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-099-the-boy-who-stole-pears
Bonus Content:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory -
Episode 98: The Life and Works of Saint Jerome
Polyglot Jerome (347-420) had a gigantic impact on all subsequent Christian history, leaving behind a huge body of works, including the Latin Bible.
Episode 98 Quiz:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-98-quiz
Episode 98 Transcription:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-098-the-life-and-works-of-saint-jerome
Bonus Content:
https://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory
Ancient Greece Declassified Tour:
https://www.greecepodcast.com/tour/
Customer Reviews
Learn all you wanted and have a giggle also
This long series of amazingly put together podcast is simply fantastic. Doug has an amazing voice, walking us through the beginings and ends of beginnings of literature and history. Seen from the literature side gives an insight that very few people would have the skill, let alone the gumption to put all of this together.
The songs at the end are great fun and the dramatic dialog that is used to get the stories across is brilliant. I am 25 episodes in and am always looking for excusses to keep listening.
What is there not to love? Absolutely TERRIFIC!
I LOVE history and I LOVE literature. What is there not to love about this podcast? Many of the titles covered i have heard about, some i have read and many that are new to me. The balance of the history and the literature within history is delicate and handled beautifully. If the content matter grabs your interest, then i can assure you this is the BEST Podcast, ever!
Incredibly educational and entertaining
Thank you so much for such a brilliant podcast.
It’s amazing to have access to this level of knowledge given in such an entertaining way.
It has lessened my regret of not having done literary studies at university.
Happy to support through the bonus episodes.