How do empires rise? Why do they fall? And how have they shaped the world around us today?
William Dalrymple and Anita Anand explore the stories, personalities...
The story of the Three Wise Men has been reinterpreted since it was first written down. The gift-bearing visitors to the newborn Jesus were initially described as “Magi”, meaning Persians of a priestly caste, but by the 4th century they were given the individual names of Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar. And in Medieval Europe they were described not as Three Wise Men, but as Three Kings. Yet there’s more to the evolution of the Magi than Western ideas, in Syriac Christian traditions there are up to 24 Magi, and in the Ethiopian church they are named Hor, Karsudan, and Basanater. So how have these ideas developed over time?
Listen as William and Anita are again joined by Professor Lloyd Lewellyn-Jones to discuss the evolution of the story of the Magi, and the influence of British imperialism on their symbolism…
Twitter: @Empirepoduk
Email: [email protected]
Goalhangerpodcasts.com
Assistant Producers: Anouska Lewis
Producer: Callum Hill
Exec Producer: Neil Fearn
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44:22
212. Who Were The Three Wise Men? (Ep 1)
The truth behind the story of the Three Wise Men has more connections to empire than many of us realise…
Featured in every Nativity scene in school plays, churches, and art around the world, the Three Wise Men are key characters in the Christmas story. They are only mentioned once in the Bible, appearing in Matthew’s gospel described as the Magi - meaning Persians of a priestly caste from Persia. But who were they? Where were they from? And what was the meaning behind their gifts?
Listen as Anita and William are joined by Professor Lloyd Lewellyn-Jones to discuss how the story of the Magi highlights the intermingling of Persian and Jewish culture at the time, as well as tensions between two great empires: the Parthians and Rome…
Twitter: @Empirepoduk
Email: [email protected]
Goalhangerpodcasts.com
Assistant Producers: Anouska Lewis & Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Exec Producer: Neil Fearn
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44:43
211. A Beautiful World: The Art of Akbar (Ep 3)
As a dyslexic child, Akbar explored his curiosities about the world through visual wonders, and by having literature read aloud to him. As an adult, his love of art evolved as he became the patron of a multicultural group of calligraphers, painters, poets and more. A now infamous Mughal artistic style developed from his court, with iconic paintings full of bright colours and meticulous details. How did Akbar shape this style? And how was his art and architecture impacted by the religious tolerance he promoted?
Listen as William and Anita explore the art and architecture that emerged from Akbar’s court.
Twitter: @Empirepoduk
Email: [email protected]
Goalhangerpodcasts.com
Assistant Producer: Anouska Lewis
Producer: Callum Hill
Exec Producer: Neil Fearn
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49:19
210. Akbar the Great: Revolutionising Religious Tolerance (Ep 2)
Raja Birbal is a man of such exceptional wisdom and wit that he will become the stuff of legends. Birbal is just one of the Nine Gems Akbar surrounds himself with, remarkable people who will help the emperor enact a series of wide reaching and radical reforms. The ruler takes it upon himself to absorb the teachings of all religions he has access to, which includes the Portuguese Jesuits who are making Goa their home. In rejecting tradition in the pursuit of reason, how will Akbar foster open minded religious debate? And how, amidst all this peaceful dialogue, does he still manage to wage war and expand his kingdom?
Listen as William and Anita discuss how Akbar revolutionised his governance and promoted religious tolerance in his realm.
Twitter: @Empirepoduk
Email: [email protected]
Goalhangerpodcasts.com
Assistant Producers: Anouska Lewis & Alice Horrell
Producer: Callum Hill
Exec Producer: Neil Fearn
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44:42
209. Akbar the Great (Ep 1)
It’s 1542, and the baby who will grow up to be Akbar the Great is born into nothing and nowhere. His father, Humayun is on the run to Persia and the young family are living like beggars in the desert. Later, in the impossibly wealthy Mughal court, the prince becomes emperor at aged just thirteen. Akbar is a unique example of tolerance in an era of religious divisions, presiding over an empire of flourishing religious pluralism and meritocracy. But how will he first go about building and cementing this empire? And what lengths will he go to to eliminate those threatening his rule?
Listen as William and Anita explore how Akbar consolidated his power through any means necessary.
Twitter: @Empirepoduk
Email: [email protected]
Goalhangerpodcasts.com
Assistant Producers: Anouska Lewis & Alice Horrell
Producer: Callum Hill
Exec Producer: Neil Fearn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How do empires rise? Why do they fall? And how have they shaped the world around us today?
William Dalrymple and Anita Anand explore the stories, personalities and events of empire over the course of history.
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