103 episodes
Literature and History Doug Metzger
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5.0 • 23 Ratings
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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
Beautiful, easy understandable, mind blowing.
This is the most surprising podcast I have ever listened. Music, jokes, an incredible enticing narrator and an awesome academic knowledge of literature and history. I listen chapter after chapter not in a mood of a classics course, but in the dreamlike feeling of a extraordinary narrator and intelectual. Thanks. One of the most meaningful and aggreable program among thousands of podcats in the streaming. Thank you. You made my live better for many hours of my day
Excellent!
Wonderful combination of literature and history, in a clear and captivating style. For each literary work, Prof. Metzger breaths life into the historical context, so that we may imagine how a person from that time would have experienced the work. His subtle humor and musical comedy also contribute to the joy of listening to this great podcast.
Absolutely great
Best thing I've ever found in podcast; one of the best things I've ever found in the net, to be more precise; scholarly knowledge, great research, Doug Metzger writes and narrates extremely well, besides being an excellent musician and performer. Very very talented young man, says a not so talented old Brazilian professor.