The Persian Cyrus the Younger recruits Greek mercenaries (12,900 to be exact, although Ten Thousand has a nicer ring to it) to help him try to claim the throne of Persia. The battle doesn’t go well, Cyrus loses a hand and a head, and the Greeks are forced to retreat to their country of origin. These events, take place between 401 - 399BC.Anabasis means a movement upwards, but can also refer both to an advance and a retreat. Both occur in this work, with Xenophon not only authoring the work but being a main character in the history.Xenophon was both a friend and a student of the philosopher Socrates. He was also a leader of these soldiers and he used what he learned from Socrates to try to persuade his men.This is an action-packed thriller of a tale. The Greeks meet unique people groups with wild customs, eat some mad honey, and party with clowns. All the while, they are longing to return home, a place many of them will never see again. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe
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40:39
Should You Re-Read Books From Your Past or Focus on New Books?
I love experiencing a book for the first time. There’s the rush of discovering a new story, an intoxicating idea, or a memorable character. By the time I’ve finished the book, I’m ready to get that hit again with a new book. I actually fear the high won’t be as good if I go back and read a book for a second time, even if it’s a book I really enjoyed.But that’s not how books work. Re-reading a book creates a new experience, not a recreation of the first reading. I’ve changed during readings. Life experience clues me into things I missed the first time around. I’m reminded of people, places, and things that stuck out the first time that made an indelible mark on my life.Many experiences in life can deteriorate with continued exposure. Reading a great book multiple times over the years is not one of those experiences.What I hope to do in this podcast episode is to encourage you begin re-reading certain books as part of your reading life. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe
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19:53
#252 - The Frogs by Aristophanes
It took me 5 comedy plays by Aristophanes to begin to enjoy them. This was the 5th. It wasn’t as crude or banal as the first four I read (Clouds, Birds, Lysistrata, Women of the Assembly). I really enjoyed this one. Dionysus journeys to Hades to meet Euripides. A verbal contest ensues between the great tragedians Aeschylus and Euripides to determine who is the Best Tragic Poet. On the way to Hades, Dionysus hears the song of the Frogs, the title for this play.The Frogs was first performed at the City Dionysus festival in 405BC. It won first prize. This was one year after the death of Euripides and 51 years after the death of Aeschylus.In this episode, I talk about The Frogs, discuss aspects of comedy that had bothered me just a week ago, and share the one thing the stuck out the most. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe
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29:20
#251 - The Clouds by Aristophanes
A father seeks to get out of debt, not in the traditional way of paying it off, but in the new way of winning an argument over his creditors. It doesn’t matter whether the argument is true or not, only if it gets him out of debt.This quest drives the father, Strepsiades, into the school of Socrates (likely in attendance at the play in 423BC) to learn the “wrong argument.” What ensues is a hilarious series of scenes masking some serious commentary on truth, justice, and persuasion. Arguments in the form of Right vs Wrong are even personified by actors, with the fourth wall between the audience regularly broken.I’m new to comedies, but what I’ve seen so far is a mix of Saturday Night Live and a roast. SNL for the cultural commentary and a roast for the tremendous abuse inflicted in person against notable people in the community. It’s funny, but it borders on cringe. I’m amazed that this was allowed in Ancient Greece, but I also wonder if this play set a path that led to the death of Socrates 24 years later.In this podcast episode, I highlight some key themes, give an overview of the story, and share the one thing that delighted me the most. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe
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33:45
#250 - Reading the Greek Tragedies
I just finished reading all of the Greek Tragedies that survive from Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. That was not the plan, I only expected to read 2 or 3 by each playwright, but I got hooked.In this episode, I share about my experience, cover the major themes throughout those plays, and talk about my favorites. These stories will be with me for the rest of my life. They cover ideas we hear daily in politics, news, and conversation. The plays are utterly thrilling and breathtaking.And we only get to read them. The lucky audience 2,500 years ago got to experience an all-encompassing extravaganza of dance, song, music, and acting. It must have been astonishing. When the time machine is invented, I’m typing in the 400s BC in Athens.Show Notes:* Suggested Greek Tragedy Reading Order This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe
Welcome to the Books of Titans Podcast where I (Erik Rostad) seek truth & beauty in the Immortal Books. My goal is to read the Great Books written by 200 authors over the next 15 years and share what I’m learning. I’ll talk a bit about each book, tie ideas together from a variety of genres, and share the one thing I always hope to remember from each of the Immortal Books. www.booksoftitans.com
South Africa