In Our Time Podcast
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nerfertiti. Or perhaps you’re looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism’s early teachings to the Protestant Reformation.
If you’re interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity’s cultural achievements.
Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets.
Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato’s concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis?
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
Episodes to download
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Water
Thu 28 Mar 2013
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss water, one of the most remarkable of all molecules.
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Alfred Russel Wallace
Thu 21 Mar 2013
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the work of the biologist Alfred Russel Wallace.
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Chekhov
Thu 14 Mar 2013
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the life and work of the Russian writer Anton Chekhov.
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Absolute Zero
Thu 7 Mar 2013
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature.
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Pitt-Rivers
Thu 28 Feb 2013
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Victorian archaeologist Augustus Pitt-Rivers.
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Decline and Fall
Thu 21 Feb 2013
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Evelyn Waugh's comic novel Decline and Fall.
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The War of 1812
Thu 31 Jan 2013
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the War of 1812 between America and Great Britain.
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Romulus and Remus
Thu 24 Jan 2013
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Romulus and Remus, the foundation myth of Rome.
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Comets
Thu 17 Jan 2013
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss comets, the 'dirty snowballs' of the solar system.
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Le Morte d'Arthur
Thu 10 Jan 2013
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Malory's epic medieval tale Le Morte d'Arthur.
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The Cult of Mithras
Thu 27 Dec 2012
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the cult of Mithras, the Roman mystery religion.
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The South Sea Bubble
Thu 20 Dec 2012
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the South Sea Bubble of the early 18th century.
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Shahnameh of Ferdowsi
Thu 13 Dec 2012
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Persian epic poem, the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi.
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Bertrand Russell
Thu 6 Dec 2012
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss influential British philosopher Bertrand Russell.
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Crystallography
Thu 29 Nov 2012
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the history and achievements of crystallography.
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The Borgias
Thu 22 Nov 2012
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Borgias, the most infamous family in Renaissance Italy
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Simone Weil
Thu 15 Nov 2012
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the French philosopher and social activist Simone Weil.
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The Upanishads
Thu 8 Nov 2012
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Upanishads, the sacred texts of Hinduism.
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The Anarchy
Thu 1 Nov 2012
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss The Anarchy, the 12th-century English civil war.
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Caxton and the Printing Press
Thu 18 Oct 2012
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss William Caxton and the influence of the printing press.
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Hannibal
Thu 11 Oct 2012
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the remarkable Carthaginian general Hannibal.
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Gerald of Wales
Thu 4 Oct 2012
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the medieval scholar Gerald of Wales.
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The Ontological Argument
Thu 27 Sep 2012
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Ontological Argument for the existence of God.
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Scepticism
Thu 5 Jul 2012
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the history of philosophical scepticism.
In Our Time podcasts
Download programmes from the huge In Our Time archive.
The In Our Time Listeners' Top 10
If you’re new to In Our Time, this is a good place to start.
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