The history and legacy of classical Humanism, invented by Cicero. Read more
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Humanism
The history and legacy of classical Humanism, invented by Cicero.
The Restoration
Melvyn Bragg looks at the reign of Charles II and the consequences of the Restoration.
Quantum Gravity
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 20th century attempts to understand the Quantum world.
Money
Melvyn Bragg examines whether economic factors really are behind all historical events.
Shakespeare's Life
Melvyn Bragg and guests consider the enigma of the life of William Shakespeare
Fossils
The significance of fossils in history and the impact of techniques in understanding them.
The Philosophy of Love
Melvyn Bragg examines the western understanding of the Philosophy of Love since Plato.
The Roman Empire's Collapse in the 5th century
The causes and events of the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century.
Black Holes
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Black Holes, the ghosts of massive stars.
The Glorious Revolution
Melvyn Bragg considers whether the events of 1688 were really glorious or revolutionary.
Literary Modernism
Melvyn Bragg examines the movement that embraced Joyce, DH Lawrence and Virginia Woolf.
Evil
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the notion of evil in western philosophy.
The French Revolution's Legacy
The impact and legacy of the French Revolution on European culture and politics.
The Sonnet
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Sonnet, the most enduring form in the poet’s armoury.
Existentialism
Melvyn Bragg and guests examine the 20th century philosophy of existentialism
The Earth's Origins
Melvyn Bragg discusses the origins of the Earth.
Dickens
The achievements and legacy of the 19th century literary giant Charles Dickens.
Byzantium
The culture, history and legacy of the eastern Byzantine Empire.
Democracy
Melvyn Bragg examines the origins of the most cherished form of government in the world.
Napoleon and Wellington
The comparative histories of two titans of 19th century history.
Confucius
Melvyn Bragg and guests examine the chinese philosophy of Confucianism.
The British Empire
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ethos and legacy of the British Empire.
Surrealism
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss surrealism, the art of the unconscious.
Oceanography
Melvyn Bragg explores what science has revealed, and we still don't know, about the sea.
Third Crusade
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the highs and lows of the Third Crusade.
Oscar Wilde
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Oscar Wilde, his literary legacy and the Aesthetes.
Genetics
Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the development of the science of genetics.
Rome and European Civilization
Melvyn Bragg and guests assess the role that Rome has played in European civilization.
Food
The cultural history of food in Modern Europe since the Renaissance.
Sensibility
Melvyn Bragg examines the ideas behind the 18th century literary cult of sensibility.
Nuclear Physics
Melvyn Bragg examines the 20th century development of nuclear physics as a science.