Best Myths And Legends Of Ancient Greece And Rome Podcasts (2024)

1
Egyptomania, the Early Years – Piranesi, Gerome, Desprez (93) 8:21

4y ago8:21

8:21

http://ancientartpodcast.org/93 This short excerpt from my lecture on the art and history of the Egyptomania phenomenon delves into its early origins. As Europe emerged from the Middle Ages, Egyptian antiquities pillaged during the Roman Empire were excavated from their slumber under Roman soil and newly erected across the city. Even before the tra…

1
One Ring to Rule Them All (92) 24:10

4y ago24:10

24:10

http://ancientartpodcast.org/92 This extended episode takes us on an unexpected journey across the Art Institute of Chicago to explore the artistry and influences of rings. We go well beyond personal adornment and discuss the significance and many meanings of "ring" as it appears in visual culture. Image: Le Grenouillard (Frog-Man), 1892 Jean-Josep…

1
Japanese Ukiyo-e Pictures of the Floating World (91) 6:02

5y ago6:02

6:02

http://ancientartpodcast.org/91 In this excerpt from my lecture on the Art Institute's recent special exhibition Painting the Floating World: Ukiyo-e Masterpieces from the Weston Collection, I set the stage for what was Japan's Floating World culture during the Edo Period of the Tokugawa Shogunate, 1615-1868. We touch on the origin of the term, the…

1
Dionysus and the Pirates, the Dionysus Cup by Exekias (90) 9:49

6y ago9:49

9:49

http://ancientartpodcast.org/90 In yet another nod to alcoholic inebriation's polymorphic magical potency, we encounter one of my favorite tales of the god of wine, ecstasy, reverie, and madness ... Dionysus. Here we learn the tale of Dionysus versus the Pirates as originally recounted in Homeric Hymn number 7 and alluded to on the exquisite black-…

1
Adventures of Ulysses in an Italian Renaissance Hope Chest (89) 9:48

6+ y ago9:48

9:48

http://ancientartpodcast.org/89 In this excerpt from a recent tour, I explore some of the highlights from Homer's Odyssey in a 15th century Florentine painting and learn a little about Italian Renaissance marriage and fidelity. Names and terms dropped: Homer, Odysseus, Penelope, Nausica, cyclops, Polyphemus, the Sirens, Hermes, moly, Circe, Calypso…

1
Tibetan Mandalas (88) 8:14

6+ y ago8:14

8:14

http://ancientartpodcast.org/88 In this short excerpt from my lecture on Tibetan Buddhist art, we skim the surface of the spiritual meaning, function, and structure of Tibetan mandalas. For images of the featured works of art, visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/88. Featured Works of Art: Drepung Gomang Monastery Mandala of World Peace September 21,…

1
Circe and Witchcraft in Ancient Greece (87) 3:34

6+ y ago3:34

3:34

http://ancientartpodcast.org/87 This is a short excerpt from my lecture "Things That Go Bump: A Visual Survey of Witches, Demons, and Ghosts." Herein we explore the ancient Greek tradition of witchcraft and metamorphosis in two images — one ancient and one modern — of Circe, the definitive witch of Grecian lore and seductive sorceress of Odyssean f…

1
Goya's Caprices and the Wicked Witch of the West (86) 2:37

6+ y ago2:37

2:37

http://ancientartpodcast.org/86 Happy Halloween! In this very brief excerpt from my lecture "Things That Go Bump: A Visual Survey of Witches, Demons, and Ghosts," we introduce Goya's 1797/99 published volume The Caprices (Los Caprichos). This tome of nightmares, witches, and devils satirizes human vice and intolerance of late 18th century Spanish s…

1
Odysseus Journeys to the Underworld (85) 2:12

6+ y ago2:12

2:12

http://ancientartpodcast.org/85 A very brief excerpt from my lecture "Things That Go Bump: A Visual Survey of Witches, Demons, and Ghosts!" Odysseus Journeys to the Underworld and holds a seance with the souls of Hades through necromantic blood magic so the countless shades of the dead and the gone would surge around him. Featured Work of Art: Jar …

1
Birth of Dionysus (84) 16:47

6+ y ago16:47

16:47

http://ancientartpodcast.org/84 Diving head first into the many myths of the celebrated god of wine, ecstasy, theater, and madness, episode 84 of the Ancient Art Podcast's Ancient Worlds series explores The Birth of Dionysus. Drawing inspiration from the famed sculpture Hermes and the Infant Dionysus, we explore the wine god's parentage, his mother…

1
Dragons and Tigers (83) 9:03

6+ y ago9:03

9:03

http://ancientartpodcast.org/83 In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, we walk through two starkly contrasting Japanese folding screens celebrating the time-honored, iconic subjects of dragons and tigers with exceptional energy and dynamism. Features Works of Art: Kishi Ganku (1749-1838) Dragon and Tiger, 1835 Pair of six panel screens; ink a…

1
Medicine Buddha Bhaishajyaguru - Meaningful Materials (82) 5:57

7y ago5:57

5:57

http://ancientartpodcast.org/82 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful material of the semi-precious blue stone lapis lazuli in a Tibetan painted banner (thangka) of the Buddha of medicine and healing, B…

1
Chinese Jade - Meaningful Materials (81) 5:47

7y ago5:47

5:47

http://ancientartpodcast.org/81 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful material of Chinese jade — its symbolic and medicinal value, function, materiality, artistry, and poetic inspiration. Features Works…

1
Incan Gold and Chicha Beer - Meaningful Materials (80) 8:31

7y ago8:31

8:31

http://ancientartpodcast.org/80 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful material of gold in Incan art and culture. We also discuss the traditional Andean corn beer called "chicha." Features Works of Art: …

1
Boli Ritual Object - Meaningful Materials (79) 3:07

7y ago3:07

3:07

ancientartpodcast.org/79 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful materials in a Boli Ritual Object of the Bamana people in Mali, Africa. This recording comes complete with all the juicy, unscripted, live-…

1
African Nkisi Nkondi Power Figure - Meaningful Materials (78) 4:07

7y ago4:07

4:07

ancientartpodcast.org/78 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful materials in a Nkisi Nkondi Power Figure of the Vili people in central Africa. This recording comes complete with all the juicy, unscripted…

1
African Congo Kuba Mukenga Mask - Meaningful Materials (77) 6:45

7y ago6:45

6:45

ancientartpodcast.org/77 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful materials in an African Congolese ceremonial mask of the Kuba Kingdom. This recording comes complete with all the juicy, unscripted, live-a…

1
Black Figure vs Red Figure Ancient Greek Vase Painting Techniques (76) 10:19

7y ago10:19

10:19

ancientartpodcast.org/76 In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I discuss the techniques of Greek vase painting and the differences between the black-figure and red-figure styles. We also dip a toe into some Greek history, talk about the names of Greek vase painters, artists signing their works, and compare Greek vase painters to the French I…

1
Chinese Tang Funerary Figurines - Coloring the Past (75) 3:28

7y ago3:28

3:28

ancientartpodcast.org/75 Why are the heads, crowns, and hands of magnificent Tang Dynasty Chinese tomb figurines so startlingly bare compared to their brilliantly colored bodies? This is an excerpt from my gallery talk "Coloring the Past" in the Art Institute of Chicago from March 9, 2017. This recording comes complete with all the juicy, unscripte…

1
Etruscan Gigantomachy, Gods vs Giants - Coloring the Past (74) 6:20

7y ago6:20

6:20

ancientartpodcast.org/74 We examine the use of color in ancient art to designate role, status, nature, and more, and discuss causes for the disappearance of polychromy in ancient art. Side note: Why does the Egyptian God Osiris sometimes appear with black skin and sometimes with green skin? Names dropped: Zeus, Athena, Olympians, Giants, Gaia, Osir…

1
Zeuxis and Parrhasius, Pliny the Elder, Roman Painting - Coloring the Past (73) 2:08

7y ago2:08

2:08

ancientartpodcast.org/73 Pliny the Elder shares with us the tale of dueling artists Zeuxis and Parrhasius as they battled for the title of who could paint a more beguilingly realistic trompe-l'oeil ("fools the eye") masterpiece. We also hear another short story of Zeuxis's dashed pride. This is an excerpt from my gallery talk "Coloring the Past" in…

1
Tinted Venus - Painted Aphrodite - Coloring the Past (72) 4:32

7y ago4:32

4:32

ancientartpodcast.org/72 Many sculptural works from the ancient world were once beautifully colored. This is an excerpt of my gallery talk "Coloring the Past" in the Art Institute of Chicago from March 9, 2017. Here we discuss the original polychromy of the famous Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles and the 1862 Tinted Venus by English sculptor John …

1
Cycladic Female Figure - Coloring the Past (71) 6:20

7y ago6:20

6:20

ancientartpodcast.org/71 Many sculptural works from the ancient world were once beautifully colored. This is an excerpt of my gallery talk "Coloring the Past" in the Art Institute of Chicago from March 9, 2017. Here we explore the use of color on a Cycladic Statuette of a Female Figure from the Early Bronze Age, 2600-2400 B.C. Please forgive the po…

1
70: Drinking along the Silk Road: Wine in China 19:07

7+ y ago19:07

19:07

ancientartpodcast.org/70 We dig up the dirt on vines and wines in China's Tang dynasty and beyond, explore the wares of our Central Asian caravan, marvel at the magnificent horses of the Fergana Valley, and sip the delicious nectar from the Grape Valley of the Flaming Mountains to the accompaniment of colorful poetry. Names dropped: Poets Li Qi and…

1
69: On Ramp to the Silk Road 9:58

7+ y ago9:58

9:58

ancientartpodcast.org/69 In this episode, we trek along the dusty trails of the famed Silk Road. We meet some of the people traipsing this network, hitch a ride on a merchant's camel, pass by some pilgrims, and meet a young religious faith called Buddhism. And we'll look at a lot of ceramics. Ceramics from China's Jin, Tang, Yuan, and Ming dynastie…

1
Ten Years of the Ancient Art Podcast 2:09

7+ y ago2:09

2:09

Hey folks! This is Lucas Livingston from the Ancient Art Podcast, serving up hot meals of antiquity since 2006 with a healthy side of smack! Yeah, that's right. 10 years. A good decade now. Going way back to when smartphones were still cool and your friends were telling you all about why you gotta join this Facebook thing. So I got 2 things I wanna…

1
68 (HD): Hercules and Buddha Walk into a Bar 8:00

8y ago8:00

8:00

Last time in episode 67 we learned all about a Buddhist relief carving in the Art Institute of Chicago. We met two Buddhas — one legendary and one historical — Dipankara and Shakyamuni. Now the promised bombshell. The reason you all came back. This muscular, shaggy-bearded, club-wielding brute next to Buddha. Why in the world in a Buddhist work of …

1
67 (iPod): Buddha's Past Lives – Dipankara and Shakyamuni 6:58

8y ago6:58

6:58

Two tales from the many lives of Buddha. The top scene depicts Buddha Shakyamuni meditating in the Indrashala cave awaiting his rebirth on Earth. The bottom scene shows Buddha Dipankara meeting the hermit Sumedha. Among other Gandharan works of art, this Buddhist carving might include representations of the Hindu gods Indra and Brahma. But that's o…

1
67 (HD): Buddha's Past Lives – Dipankara and Shakyamuni 6:58

8y ago6:58

6:58

Two tales from the many lives of Buddha. The top scene depicts Buddha Shakyamuni meditating in the Indrashala cave awaiting his rebirth on Earth. The bottom scene shows Buddha Dipankara meeting the hermit Sumedha. Among other Gandharan works of art, this Buddhist carving might include representations of the Hindu gods Indra and Brahma. But that's o…

1
66 (iPod): Star Wars and Stupas 3:42

8y ago3:42

3:42

Episode 66 of the Ancient Art Podcast picks up where we left off in episode 65 with the Gandharan Stupa Reliquary in the Art Institute of Chicago. We briefly touch on some commonalities between Buddhism and Star Wars. We also learn more about the historic origin of the four pillars around the dome, discover what the deal is with those lion capitals…

1
66 (HD): Star Wars and Stupas 3:42

8y ago3:42

3:42

Episode 66 of the Ancient Art Podcast picks up where we left off in episode 65 with the Gandharan Stupa Reliquary in the Art Institute of Chicago. We briefly touch on some commonalities between Buddhism and Star Wars. We also learn more about the historic origin of the four pillars around the dome, discover what the deal is with those lion capitals…

1
65 (iPod): Gandharan Stupa Reliquary 5:44

8y ago5:44

5:44

Episode 65 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores a Gandharan Stupa Reliquary in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The subdued appearance of this small reliquary belies its cultural and aesthetic significance at the crossroads of East and West, where great empires collide. Who were the Gandharans and what is their legacy? Walk in the foo…

1
65 (HD): Gandharan Stupa Reliquary 5:44

8y ago5:44

5:44

Episode 65 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores a Gandharan Stupa Reliquary in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The subdued appearance of this small reliquary belies its cultural and aesthetic significance at the crossroads of East and West, where great empires collide. Who were the Gandharans and what is their legacy? Walk in the foo…

1
63 (iPod): Dogs in Antiquity: Greece and Rome 11:25

8+ y ago11:25

11:25

In my third installment of a three-part series on dogs in antiquity, we're back in our familiar stomping ground of the Classical World to consider the roles of dogs in ancient Greece and Rome. Ancient writings give us the names of prized breeds in antiquity, which we match to magnificent examples in art. Classical authors like Arrian and Xenophon h…

1
63 (HD): Dogs in Antiquity: Greece and Rome 11:25

8+ y ago11:25

11:25

In my third installment of a three-part series on dogs in antiquity, we're back in our familiar stomping ground of the Classical World to consider the roles of dogs in ancient Greece and Rome. Ancient writings give us the names of prized breeds in antiquity, which we match to magnificent examples in art. Classical authors like Arrian and Xenophon h…

1
62 (iPod): Dogs in Antiquity: China 7:10

8+ y ago7:10

7:10

Last time in our three-part series on dogs in antiquity, we explored the ancient hairless breeds of the New World and had a look at the popular ceramic funerary effigy of the Colima dog from a couple thousand years ago. We were also introduced to a young celebrity, Sputnik, my cute little hairless Xoloitzcuintli-Chihuahua mix. This time in episode …

1
62 (HD): Dogs in Antiquity: China 7:10

8+ y ago7:10

7:10

Last time in our three-part series on dogs in antiquity, we explored the ancient hairless breeds of the New World and had a look at the popular ceramic funerary effigy of the Colima dog from a couple thousand years ago. We were also introduced to a young celebrity, Sputnik, my cute little hairless Xoloitzcuintli-Chihuahua mix. This time in episode …

1
64 (iPod): Striding Horned Wild Man 7:07

9+ y ago7:07

7:07

Just in time for Christmas, episode 64 of the Ancient Art Podcast spins a Yuletide yarn. All decked out for the holidays, this amazing, little, elvish sprite weaves us up a tall mountain pass on an enchanting journey through antiquity. The 5,000 year old horned striding figure from the ancient Near Eastern Proto-Elamite culture captivates our imagi…

1
64 (HD): Striding Horned Wild Man 7:07

9+ y ago7:07

7:07

Just in time for Christmas, episode 64 of the Ancient Art Podcast spins a Yuletide yarn. All decked out for the holidays, this amazing, little, elvish sprite weaves us up a tall mountain pass on an enchanting journey through antiquity. The 5,000 year old horned striding figure from the ancient Near Eastern Proto-Elamite culture captivates our imagi…

1
61 (iPod): Dogs in Antiquity: Xoloitzcuintli & Colima 7:17

9+ y ago7:17

7:17

Dig in to this feast for the eyes as we discuss the role of dogs in ancient Mesoamerican civilization and art. This is our first in a three-part series on dogs in antiquity. This episodes serves up one of the most popular examples of canines in art, the Colima dog of ancient West Mexico, captured in an exemplary ceramic specimen in Art Institute of…

1
61 (HD): Dogs in Antiquity: Xoloitzcuintli & Colima 7:17

10y ago7:17

7:17

Dig in to this feast for the eyes as we discuss the role of dogs in ancient Mesoamerican civilization and art. This is our first in a three-part series on dogs in antiquity. This episodes serves up one of the most popular examples of canines in art, the Colima dog of ancient West Mexico, captured in an exemplary ceramic specimen in Art Institute of…

1
60 (iPod): Comets & Antiquity, Halley's Comet, ISON, Apophis, and More 13:01

10y ago13:01

13:01

It's a cosmic collision of contemporary and antiquity on the Ancient Art Podcast! The prophesied comet of the century, Comet ISON, may have bit the dust, but that's no reason to pile dirt on our exploration of comets of past and present in the world of art. In two rare examples of auspicious comets in antiquity, Augustus Caesar and Mithridates VI o…

1
60 (HD): Comets & Antiquity, Halley's Comet, ISON, Apophis, and More 13:01

10y ago13:01

13:01

It's a cosmic collision of contemporary and antiquity on the Ancient Art Podcast! The prophesied comet of the century, Comet ISON, may have bit the dust, but that's no reason to pile dirt on our exploration of comets of past and present in the world of art. In two rare examples of auspicious comets in antiquity, Augustus Caesar and Mithridates VI o…

1
59 (iPod): A Witches' Sabbath 5:10

10+ y ago5:10

5:10

Greetings gashlycrumbs! Enjoy this spooktacular free Halloween segment of the Ancient Art Podcast episode 59, "A Witches' Sabbath!" Meet the wicked witches, devilish denizens, and things that go bump in the night in the Art Institute of Chicago's painting "A Witches' Sabbath" by Dutch artist Cornelis Saftleven. Grab the complete episode at http://a…

1
59 (HD): A Witches' Sabbath 5:10

10+ y ago5:10

5:10

Greetings gashlycrumbs! Enjoy this spooktacular free Halloween segment of the Ancient Art Podcast episode 59, "A Witches' Sabbath!" Meet the wicked witches, devilish denizens, and things that go bump in the night in the Art Institute of Chicago's painting "A Witches' Sabbath" by Dutch artist Cornelis Saftleven. Grab the complete episode at http://a…

1
Curious 1:58

10+ y ago1:58

1:58

A short announcement about some changes to the Ancient Art Podcast. The Ancient Art Podcast and Curious.com have teamed up to host episodes of the podcast at Curious.com. Episodes now include quizzes, handouts, discussions, and more. Visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/curious to see more! You can now help support the Ancient Art Podcast. Visit http…

1
58 (iPod): Lycurgus Cup 4:40

10+ y ago4:40

4:40

Raise your glass to the most incredible chalice from antiquity. The Lycurgus Cup in the British Museum is truly exceptional for its exquisite beauty, delicate craftsmanship, magnificent detail, and a seemingly magical ability to transform colors before your very eyes. Discover the myth of the doomed Thracian king, Lycurgus, driven mad by Dionysus a…

1
58 (HD): Lycurgus Cup 4:40

11y ago4:40

4:40

Raise your glass to the most incredible chalice from antiquity. The Lycurgus Cup in the British Museum is truly exceptional for its exquisite beauty, delicate craftsmanship, magnificent detail, and a seemingly magical ability to transform colors before your very eyes. Discover the myth of the doomed Thracian king, Lycurgus, driven mad by Dionysus a…

1
57 (iPod): Medusa Up Close and Personal 9:59

11y ago9:59

9:59

Episode 57 of the Ancient Art Podcast builds on what we learned in episode 53 about the mythology and artistry of the creepy creature of chaos, the Gorgon Medusa. This episode delves deeper into her primal lair. We confront her petrifying gaze while closely examining a few famous works of ancient art exploring Medusa’s roots, influences, and evolut…

1
57 (HD): Medusa Up Close and Personal 9:59

11y ago9:59

9:59

Episode 57 of the Ancient Art Podcast builds on what we learned in episode 53 about the mythology and artistry of the creepy creature of chaos, the Gorgon Medusa. This episode delves deeper into her primal lair. We confront her petrifying gaze while closely examining a few famous works of ancient art exploring Medusa’s roots, influences, and evolut…

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Myths And Legends Of Ancient Greece And Rome Podcasts

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