40:17
Episode 100·Nov 26, 2025
The Rise of Western Europe I: The Netherlands and England
A tiny country becomes a world power, while the son of a beheaded king restores the royal glory to his family.
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind·Episode 95·Oct 22, 2025
Shakespeare's Hamlet: The First Modern Play
Arguably Shakespeare’s greatest play, Hamlet will catapult us into the modern era of literature. To unpack that notion, we’ll explore the following questions:
Latest Episodes From The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
38:35Episode 99·Nov 19, 2025
Don Quixote II: Towards A New Model of Heroism
Miguel de Cervantes proposes a new type of hero for an age that has moved beyond the knight in shining armor.
37:23Episode 98·Nov 12, 2025
Don Quixote I: The First Modern Novel
The first modern novel employs humor and satire to explore what it means to be an individual.
36:23Episode 97·Nov 6, 2025
Italy and the Jews: A Vital Center for Isolation and Integration
The Jewish communities of Renaissance Italy were unusual in their interactions with their Christian neighbors.
31:27Episode 96·Oct 29, 2025
Shakespeare the Bard: A Man for the Ages
For good reason, Shakespeare is one of the most famous and most influential writers of the English language.
