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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.
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Now displaying: June, 2016
Jun 29, 2016

The Old Testament, Part 5 of 10. The Historical Books tell of Israel’s conflicts with Syria, Assyria, Egypt, and finally, exile to the corridors of Babylon.

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Episode 19 Quiz:
http://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-19-quiz

Episode 19 Transcription:
http://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-19-the-one-who-struggles-with-god

Episode 19 Song: "Rolling Into Canaan"
https://youtu.be/4QWkszvhg6g

Bonus Content:
http://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content

Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

Jun 15, 2016

The Old Testament, Part 4 of 10. Eden, the Flood, the Commandments– all fine. But what’s with all the stuff about tents, sacrifices, and – uh – testicles?

Episode 18 Quiz:
http://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-18-quiz

Episode 18 Transcription:
http://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-018-the-613-commandments

Episode 18 Song: "The 613 Commandments"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Rh2OONnxM

Bonus Content:
http://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content

Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

Jun 1, 2016

The Old Testament, Part 3 of 10. Hear the Biblical story of creation and the first founders of Israel, and the texts that may have influenced this story.

Episode 17 Quiz:
http://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-17-quiz

Episode 17 Transcription:
http://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/episode-017-roots-of-the-pentateuch

Episode 17 Song: "The Creation of the World"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1uBUw1jEnw

Bonus Content:
http://literatureandhistory.com/index.php/bonus-content

Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

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