689. A Murderous Affair: The Habsburgs’ Great Scandal (Part 1)
What was Vienna like in the 1880s? Why was Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria seen as the outcast of the prestigious Habsburg dynasty? And, how would meeting 17 year-old Baroness Mary Vetsera on his 30th ...
19 Jul 1h 12min
688. The Odyssey: Return of the King (Part 2)
How did the second half of Odysseus’ long journey home to Ithaca play out? What does the epic’s account of the Olympian gods indicate about Ancient Greek religion? And, how did Odysseus finally make ...
15 Jul 1h 5min
687. The Odyssey: Hero of the Trojan Horse (Part 1)
How does The Odyssey, one of the greatest stories of all time, unfold? What historical events may it be based on? And, where might Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s epic, have faced his various trials in ...
12 Jul 1h 11min
686. Jefferson: The Betrayal of Liberty (Part 4)
What part did Thomas Jefferson play in writing the American Declaration of Independence? Where did he come from, and how did it shape his attitude to the future of the U.S.A? And, why was he such a co...
8 Jul 1h 21min
685. Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3)
How did Alexander Hamilton go from impoverished orphan to one of the most important figures in the creation of the American constitution? Why was his relationship with Thomas Jefferson so strained? An...
5 Jul 1h 15min
684. Franklin: Revenge of the American Genius (Part 2)
Was Benjamin Franklin really an American? What was his childhood like? How was he finally converted to the American Revolutionary cause? And, what role did he play in setting the struggle in motion? ...
1 Jul 1h 13min
683. Washington: Hero of the Revolution (Part 1)
Where did George Washington come from, and what was he like? How did he come to take on such a pivotal role in the American Revolution? And, was he really central to America’s triumphant struggle for ...
28 Jun 1h 16min
682. South Africa: Mandela and the Death of Apartheid (Part 6)
How did the rugby World Cup final of 1995 inspire South Africa’s totemic national anthem? Why does the story shed a light on the history of Apartheid in South Africa? And, after becoming president, fo...
24 Jun 1h 10min
