Literature and History

Doug Metzger
  • 4.9 (1.3K)
  • BOOKS
Literature and History

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.

  1. Episode 105: Gregory of Tours, Part 1

    NOV 7

    Episode 105: Gregory of Tours, Part 1

    Gregory of Tours (c. 539-594) completed The History of the Franks in 591. The long book's account of Clovis and the Merovingian Dynasty has been one of our most important sources on early Medieval History, ever since. Episode 105 Quiz: https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-105 Episode 105 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-105-gregory-of-tours-part-1 Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

    2h 27m
  2. Episode 104: An Introduction to the Talmud

    AUG 9

    Episode 104: An Introduction to the Talmud

    Second only to the Tanakh, the 63 Tractates of the Talmud are the main text of Rabbinic Judaism, containing the teachings of thousands of ancient rabbis. Upcoming Seasons: https://literatureandhistory.com/upcoming-seasons/ Episode 104 Quiz: https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-104 Episode 104 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-104-introduction-to-the-talmud Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

    2h 22m
  3. Episode 103: Boethius

    09/22/2023

    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. Episode103 Quiz: https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-103 Episode 103Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-103-boethius Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

    2h 21m
  4. Episode 102: An Old Man's Book (Augustine's City of God, Part 2 of 2)

    03/04/2023

    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/quiz-102 Episode 102 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-102-an-old-mans-book Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

    2h 28m
  5. Episode 101: Against the Pagans (Augustine's City of God, Part 1 of 2)

    02/04/2023

    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/quiz-101 Episode 101 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-101-against-the-pagans Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

    2h 16m

  6. 12/30/2022

    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/quiz-100 Episode 100 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-100-late-have-i-loved-you Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

    2h 5m
  7. Episode 99: The Boy Who Stole Pears (Augustine's Confessions, Books 1-7)

    12/10/2022

    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/quiz-099 Episode 99 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-099-the-boy-who-stole-pears Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

    1h 55m
  8. Episode 98: The Life and Works of Saint Jerome

    11/11/2022

    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/quiz-098 Episode 98 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-098-saint-jerome Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory Ancient Greece Declassified Tour: https://www.greecepodcast.com/tour/

    2h 10m
See All (105)

4.9
out of 5
1,276 Ratings

About

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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