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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The Han Synthesis
Thu 14 Oct 2004
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Han Synthesis philosophies of China.
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Sartre
Thu 7 Oct 2004
The life and work of French novelist, playwright and philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre.
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Politeness
Thu 30 Sep 2004
Melvyn Bragg examines the cultural effect of the eighteenth century idea of Politeness.
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The Origins of Life
Thu 23 Sep 2004
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss when and how life on earth originated.
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Agincourt
Thu 16 Sep 2004
The history and legacy of the English army's defeat of the French at Agincourt in 1415.
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The Odyssey
Thu 9 Sep 2004
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the monster filled epic, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½r’s Odyssey.
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Pi
Thu 2 Sep 2004
Melvyn Bragg examines the history of the longest and most detailed number in nature.
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Washington and the American Revolution
Thu 24 Jun 2004
Melvyn Bragg examines the first President of the US and what drove him to revolution.
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Renaissance Magic
Thu 17 Jun 2004
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Renaissance obsession with Magic.
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Empiricism
Thu 10 Jun 2004
Melvyn Bragg examines the 17th century idea that all knowledge arises from experience.
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The Planets
Thu 27 May 2004
Melvyn Bragg examines our knowledge of the planets in both our and other solar systems.
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Toleration
Thu 20 May 2004
Melvyn Bragg looks at the politics behind the rise of religious freedom in England.
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Zero
Thu 13 May 2004
Melvyn Bragg examines the number between 1 and -1, once denounced as the devil's work.
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Heroism
Thu 6 May 2004
Melvyn Bragg explores what defines a hero, and their place in classical society.
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Hysteria
Thu 22 Apr 2004
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how emotional experiences can become physical symptoms.
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The Later Romantics
Thu 15 Apr 2004
Melvyn Bragg examines the poetry, tragedy and idealism of Byron, Shelley and Keats.
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The Fall
Thu 8 Apr 2004
Melvyn Bragg examines the concept of original sin and its influence in Christian Europe.
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China's Warring States period
Thu 1 Apr 2004
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the astonishing productivity of the Chinese Golden Age.
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Theories of Everything
Thu 25 Mar 2004
Melvyn Bragg explores the 30 year search to solve all the biggest questions in physics.
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The Norse Gods
Thu 11 Mar 2004
Melvyn Bragg examines the myths and theology that inspired the Vikings.
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The Mughal Empire
Thu 26 Feb 2004
Melvyn Bragg and guests examine how much the British Raj owed to the Mughal Emperors.
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Rutherford
Thu 19 Feb 2004
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Ernest Rutherford, the father of nuclear science.
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The Sublime
Thu 12 Feb 2004
Melvyn Bragg explores a transcendental idea that took hold on the Age of Enlightenment.
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Thermopylae
Thu 5 Feb 2004
Melvyn Bragg examines the Battle of Thermopylae, a defining clash between East and West.
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Lamarck and Natural Selection
Boxing Day 2003
Melvyn Bragg discusses Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, the 18th century French precursor to Darwin.
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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