646. The Fall of the Incas: Death to the Emperor (Part 3)
What happened to the emperor of the Incas after he was taken prisoner by the Spanish conquistadors? Did the formidable buccaneer, Francisco Pizarro, a...
The Book Club: Wuthering Heights
Why does Emily Brontë's novel, Wuthering Heights, have such an enduring romantic association? Is Heathcliff a romantic lead, or an abusive antihero? A...
645. The Fall of the Incas: Massacre in the Andes (Part 2)
What happened when the Spanish conquistadors lead by Francisco Pizarro came face to face with the ruthless emperor of the Incan Empire, Atahualpa? How...
Greatest Paintings: Age of Enlightenment - Raeburn's Skating Minister
How does Henry Raeburn’s Skating Minister represent both the Scottish Enlightenment and the Romantic movement? In what ways does subject Reverend Robe...
644. The Fall of the Incas: Empire of Gold (Part 1)
Why was the Spanish conquest of the Incas one of the most pivotal moments in world history? Who was Francisco Pizarro, the buccaneer behind this blood...
643. Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Carthage Destroyed (Part 4)
Three decades after the defeat of Hannibal, how had the Roman Empire managed to conquer vast swathes of the known world? Why did the predatory eyes of...
Greatest Paintings: The Ghost of Spain – Velázquez’s Las Meninas
Why does Diego Velázquez’ Las Meninas represent the fading Spanish Golden Age? How did he challenge the boundaries between viewer and artwork? And, in...
642. Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Bloodbath in Africa (Part 3)
Would the Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio successfully march on Africa? What happened when Hannibal and Scipio - the greatest commanders of the...
641. Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Hannibal’s Nemesis (Part 2)
What happened at the Battle of Ibera, a totemic though overlooked battle of the Punic Wars? With the forces of Carthage closing in on a depleted Rome,...
Greatest Paintings: Dawn of the Dutch Golden Age - The Arnolfini Portrait
Why is Jan Van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait perceived as one of the greatest mysteries of the arts? What elements and symbolisms provoke debates about it...