Your Attention Please

A post-scriptum on our story where we discuss the fortunes of Caesar's adopted heir and Cato's children, Porcia and Marcus Junior. Afterwards, I share some deep reflections on this part of history, how it was told to me in the past and any careful lessons we may draw.     Sources  Primary Sources The Civil Wars - Appian (Penguins) The Gallic War - Julius Caesar (Folio Society) trans. S.A Handford and Jane F. Gardner The Civil War – Julius Caesar (Oxford Classics) trans. John Carter  The Jugurthine Wars | The Catiline Conspiracy - Sallust (Penguin) The Fall of the Roman Republic (Books 36-40) - Cassius Dio (Oxford Classics) Lives of the Caesars (Julius Caesar) - Suetonius  Lives of Cicero | Julius Caesar | Cato the Younger – Plutarch trans. Rex Warner Pharsalia – Lucan Secondary Sources Uncommon Wrath - Josiah Osgood Before Augustus - Natale Barca  Pompey the Great – Robin Seager Caesar - Mattias Gelzer Julius Caesar and the Roman People – Robert Morstein-Marx Cato the Younger - Fred Drogula  In the Name of Rome – Adrian Goldsworthy The Fall of Egypt and the Rise of Rome – Guy de la Bedoyere Roman World War - Giusto Traina Fiction Cicero Trilogy (Imperium, Lustrum, Dictator) – Robert Harris Caesar's Women - Colleen McCullough    TV Series Rome – 2005-6 (HBO) iHeart Podcasts: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-your-attention-please-326046416/ OmnyStudio: https://omny.fm/shows/your-attention-please Email: yourattentionplease@alive905.com.au  

Today's show is an part of the On Flicks Series and explores the film The Misfits (1961) written by Arthur Miller, directed by John Huston and starring in their last film, Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable.  ---- Reference The Misfits: The Story of a Shoot - Photographs by Magnum photographers, with text by Serge Toubiana and an interview with Arthur Miller  

Caesar arrives at Utica to find Cato has taken his life. He now continues to Spain for a final battle against Republican forces at Munda. After extravagant triumphs, Caesar settles into governing as Dictator but a opposition to his rule looms. This episode will look into the aftermath and the afterlives of both our antagonists as their mortality is revealed.    Sources  Primary Sources The Civil Wars - Appian (Penguins) The Gallic War - Julius Caesar (Folio Society) trans. S.A Handford and Jane F. Gardner The Civil War – Julius Caesar (Oxford Classics) trans. John Carter  The Jugurthine Wars | The Catiline Conspiracy - Sallust (Penguin) The Fall of the Roman Republic (Books 36-40) - Cassius Dio (Oxford Classics) Lives of the Caesars (Julius Caesar) - Suetonius  Lives of Cicero | Julius Caesar | Cato the Younger – Plutarch trans. Rex Warner Pharsalia – Lucan Secondary Sources Uncommon Wrath - Josiah Osgood Before Augustus - Natale Barca  Pompey the Great – Robin Seager Caesar - Mattias Gelzer Julius Caesar and the Roman People – Robert Morstein-Marx Cato the Younger - Fred Drogula  In the Name of Rome – Adrian Goldsworthy The Fall of Egypt and the Rise of Rome – Guy de la Bedoyere Fiction Cicero Trilogy (Imperium, Lustrum, Dictator) – Robert Harris Caesar's Women - Colleen McCullough    TV Series Rome – 2005-6 (HBO) iHeart Podcasts: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-your-attention-please-326046416/ OmnyStudio: https://omny.fm/shows/your-attention-please Email: yourattentionplease@alive905.com.au    

As Caesar approaches the city of Utica, Cato residing between its walls will have to decide to continue the fight, flee, be pardoned or commit an almost inexplicable act. Sources  Primary Sources The Civil Wars - Appian (Penguins) The Gallic War - Julius Caesar (Folio Society) trans. S.A Handford and Jane F. Gardner The Civil War – Julius Caesar (Oxford Classics) trans. John Carter  The Jugurthine Wars | The Catiline Conspiracy - Sallust (Penguin) The Fall of the Roman Republic (Books 36-40) - Cassius Dio (Oxford Classics) Lives of the Caesars (Julius Caesar) - Suetonius  Lives of Cicero | Julius Caesar | Cato the Younger – Plutarch trans. Rex Warner Pharsalia – Lucan Secondary Sources Uncommon Wrath - Josiah Osgood Before Augustus - Natale Barca  Pompey the Great – Robin Seager Caesar - Mattias Gelzer Julius Caesar and the Roman People – Robert Morstein-Marx Cato the Younger - Fred Drogula  In the Name of Rome – Adrian Goldsworthy The Fall of Egypt and the Rise of Rome – Guy de la Bedoyere Fiction Cicero Trilogy (Imperium, Lustrum, Dictator) – Robert Harris Caesar's Women - Colleen McCullough    TV Series Rome – 2005-6 (HBO) iHeart Podcasts: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-your-attention-please-326046416/ OmnyStudio: https://omny.fm/shows/your-attention-please Email: yourattentionplease@alive905.com.au  

We return to the ancient feud that doomed the Roman Republic, but it has been a while. So this week we will embark on a massive recap of affairs to date. Caesar marches triumphantly to Utica, eager to pardon his foe, Cato busy in Utica awaiting the arrival of a man he has not seen in over 13 years. Will they meet? ------- Sources  Primary Sources The Civil Wars - Appian (Penguins) The Gallic War - Julius Caesar (Folio Society) trans. S.A Handford and Jane F. Gardner The Civil War – Julius Caesar (Oxford Classics) trans. John Carter  The Jugurthine Wars | The Catiline Conspiracy - Sallust (Penguin) The Fall of the Roman Republic (Books 36-40) - Cassius Dio (Oxford Classics) Lives of the Caesars (Julius Caesar) - Suetonius  Lives of Cicero | Julius Caesar | Cato the Younger – Plutarch trans. Rex Warner Pharsalia – Lucan Secondary Sources Uncommon Wrath - Josiah Osgood Before Augustus - Natale Barca  Pompey the Great – Robin Seager Caesar - Mattias Gelzer Julius Caesar and the Roman People – Robert Morstein-Marx Cato the Younger - Fred Drogula  In the Name of Rome – Adrian Goldsworthy The Fall of Egypt and the Rise of Rome – Guy de la Bedoyere Fiction Cicero Trilogy (Imperium, Lustrum, Dictator) – Robert Harris Caesar's Women - Colleen McCullough    TV Series Rome – 2005-6 (HBO) iHeart Podcasts: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-your-attention-please-326046416/ OmnyStudio: https://omny.fm/shows/your-attention-please Email: yourattentionplease@alive905.com.au -------

We are wrapping up our coverage of all things Odyssey with a review of Christopher Nolan's film. An emphasis is placed on analysing how Nolan re-motivated the story and characters to serve his adaptation of the poem that centres on the effects of war on the human psyche. We will also discuss the purposeful omissions, some technical elements and finally provide a conclusion.  Sources The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Robert Fagles) The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Emily Wilson) Filming the Odyssey: Inside the Making of Christopher Nolan's Modern Epic - James Mottram (2026)

Today we wrap up our discussion on the Odyssey, looking at the aftermath of event in the palatial hall of Ithaka including the reconciliation of Penelope and Odysseus. We then track back to cover two areas of the epic poem we had not discussed yet - Role of Femininity and summoning of those in Hades.  -- Primary Sources The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Robert Fagles) The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Emily Wilson) The Aeneid - Virgil (trans. David West) Secondary Sources Hattusili: the Hittite Prince Who Stole an Empire - Trevor Bryce Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the Hittites - Trevor Bryce 1117 B.C. The Year Civilisation Collapsed - Eric Cline Love, War and Diplomacy - Eric Cline Children of Athena - Charles Freeman Alexander to Actium - Peter Green Byzantium Unbound - Anthony Kaldellis The Greeks: Lost Civilisations - Philip Matyszak  The Brotherhood of Kings - Amanda Podany Weavers Scribes and Kings - Amanda Podany The Hittites - Damien Stone  The Hellenistic Age - Peter Thonemann Ramesses the Great: Egypt's King of Kings - Toby Wilkinson Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature - Emily Wilson Modern Depictions The Odyssey (1968) - 8 episode European/Italian Broadcast O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) - Coen Brothers film recasting elements of the Odyssey in the Deep South of the USA The Simpsons (S13 Ep. 14) - A Comedic look at the Odyssey with Homer Simpson cast in the role of the Odysseus The Return (2025) - Depicting the final few books of the Odyssey when Odysseus finally washes up on the shores of Ithaka The Odyssey (2026) - Christopher Nolan's vision of the Odyssey  

We have finally reached nostos, the homecoming. Odysseus has reached the rocky shores of Ithaka, and can now reclaim his throne and family. We will look into all the steps, deceptions and plans employed by him, his son Telemachus and the Goddess Athena, for it is not as simple as it seems but it sure is bloody.    Primary Sources The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Robert Fagles) The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Emily Wilson) The Aeneid - Virgil (trans. David West) Secondary Sources Hattusili: the Hittite Prince Who Stole an Empire - Trevor Bryce Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the Hittites - Trevor Bryce 1117 B.C. The Year Civilisation Collapsed - Eric Cline Love, War and Diplomacy - Eric Cline Children of Athena - Charles Freeman Alexander to Actium - Peter Green Byzantium Unbound - Anthony Kaldellis The Greeks: Lost Civilisations - Philip Matyszak  The Brotherhood of Kings - Amanda Podany Weavers Scribes and Kings - Amanda Podany The Hittites - Damien Stone  The Hellenistic Age - Peter Thonemann Ramesses the Great: Egypt's King of Kings - Toby Wilkinson Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature - Emily Wilson Modern Depictions The Odyssey (1968) - 8 episode European/Italian Broadcast O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) - Coen Brothers film recasting elements of the Odyssey in the Deep South of the USA The Simpsons (S13 Ep. 14) - A Comedic look at the Odyssey with Homer Simpson cast in the role of the Odysseus The Return (2025) - Depicting the final few books of the Odyssey when Odysseus finally washes up on the shores of Ithaka The Odyssey (2026) - Christopher Nolan's vision of the Odyssey  

Today we explore the Odyssey against notion of veracity when dealing with artistic adaptations. These include notes on the historicity, aesthetics, and translation. Finally, we explore the nexus between canonising a work of art and how it affects representation over time, with a few personal opinions.   Primary Sources The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Robert Fagles) The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Emily Wilson) The Aeneid - Virgil (trans. David West) Secondary Sources Hattusili: the Hittite Prince Who Stole an Empire - Trevor Bryce Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the Hittites - Trevor Bryce 1117 B.C. The Year Civilisation Collapsed - Eric Cline Love, War and Diplomacy - Eric Cline Children of Athena - Charles Freeman Alexander to Actium - Peter Green Byzantium Unbound - Anthony Kaldellis The Greeks: Lost Civilisations - Philip Matyszak  The Brotherhood of Kings - Amanda Podany Weavers Scribes and Kings - Amanda Podany The Hittites - Damien Stone  The Hellenistic Age - Peter Thonemann Ramesses the Great: Egypt's King of Kings - Toby Wilkinson Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature - Emily Wilson Modern Depictions The Odyssey (1968) - 8 episode European/Italian Broadcast O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) - Coen Brothers film recasting elements of the Odyssey in the Deep South of the USA The Simpsons (S13 Ep. 14) - A Comedic look at the Odyssey with Homer Simpson cast in the role of the Odysseus The Return (2025) - Depicting the final few books of the Odyssey when Odysseus finally washes up on the shores of Ithaka The Odyssey (2026) - Christopher Nolan's vision of the Odyssey

We continue our series on the Odyssey by finishing our deliberation on the role of the divine in driving the story. After we turn our attention to uncovering the man, the hero, the legend at the centre, Odysseus. Diving into his character arc and events portrayed in the poem (with the exception of his homecoming), we shall try to draw several conclusions that make Odysseus an atypical hero.     Primary Sources The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Robert Fagles) The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Emily Wilson) The Aeneid - Virgil (trans. David West) Secondary Sources Hattusili: the Hittite Prince Who Stole an Empire - Trevor Bryce Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the Hittites - Trevor Bryce 1117 B.C. The Year Civilisation Collapsed - Eric Cline Love, War and Diplomacy - Eric Cline Children of Athena - Charles Freeman Alexander to Actium - Peter Green Byzantium Unbound - Anthony Kaldellis The Greeks: Lost Civilisations - Philip Matyszak  The Brotherhood of Kings - Amanda Podany Weavers Scribes and Kings - Amanda Podany The Hittites - Damien Stone  The Hellenistic Age - Peter Thonemann Ramesses the Great: Egypt's King of Kings - Toby Wilkinson Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature - Emily Wilson Modern Depictions The Odyssey (1968) - 8 episode European/Italian Broadcast O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) - Coen Brothers film recasting elements of the Odyssey in the Deep South of the USA The Simpsons (S13 Ep. 14) - A Comedic look at the Odyssey with Homer Simpson cast in the role of the Odysseus The Return (2025) - Depicting the final few books of the Odyssey when Odysseus finally washes up on the shores of Ithaka The Odyssey (2026) - Christopher Nolan's vision of the Odyssey

Our analysis of Homer's Odyssey continues, as look delve into the role of that hospitality (the competing ideas of xenia and xeno), character names and the role of divinity.  Note: This will be the final recorded episode prior to the host watching The Odyssey (2026).     Primary Sources The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Robert Fagles) The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Emily Wilson) The Aeneid - Virgil (trans. David West) Secondary Sources Hattusili: the Hittite Prince Who Stole an Empire - Trevor Bryce Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the Hittites - Trevor Bryce 1117 B.C. The Year Civilisation Collapsed - Eric Cline Love, War and Diplomacy - Eric Cline Children of Athena - Charles Freeman Alexander to Actium - Peter Green Byzantium Unbound - Anthony Kaldellis The Greeks: Lost Civilisations - Philip Matyszak  The Brotherhood of Kings - Amanda Podany Weavers Scribes and Kings - Amanda Podany The Hittites - Damien Stone  The Hellenistic Age - Peter Thonemann Ramesses the Great: Egypt's King of Kings - Toby Wilkinson Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature - Emily Wilson Modern Depictions The Odyssey (1968) - 8 episode European/Italian Broadcast O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) - Coen Brothers film recasting elements of the Odyssey in the Deep South of the USA The Simpsons (S13 Ep. 14) - A Comedic look at the Odyssey with Homer Simpson cast in the role of the Odysseus The Return (2025) - Depicting the final few books of the Odyssey when Odysseus finally washes up on the shores of Ithaka The Odyssey (2026) - Christopher Nolan's vision of the Odyssey

In the first part of this episode we continue our discussion of the reception and transmission of the Odyssey. We then move on to analyse some story constructions, themes and ideas found in the opening books of the epic poem.  Primary Sources The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Robert Fagles) The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Emily Wilson) The Aeneid - Virgil (trans. David West) Secondary Sources Hattusili: the Hittite Prince Who Stole an Empire - Trevor Bryce Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the Hittites - Trevor Bryce 1117 B.C. The Year Civilisation Collapsed - Eric Cline Love, War and Diplomacy - Eric Cline Children of Athena - Charles Freeman Alexander to Actium - Peter Green Byzantium Unbound - Anthony Kaldellis The Greeks: Lost Civilisations - Philip Matyszak  The Brotherhood of Kings - Amanda Podany Weavers Scribes and Kings - Amanda Podany The Hittites - Damien Stone  The Hellenistic Age - Peter Thonemann Ramesses the Great: Egypt's King of Kings - Toby Wilkinson Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature - Emily Wilson

The Odyssey existed in a world filled with Gods, most of whom survived the collapse of the Mycenaean civilisation to be integral to the world that is still forming. We then move from the lofty heights of Mount Olympus to the world of man as we discuss the epic poem's journey from the Greek Dark Ages to the early Augustan Roman Empire.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Primary Sources The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Robert Fagles) The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Emily Wilson) The Aeneid - Virgil (trans. David West) Secondary Sources Hattusili: the Hittite Prince Who Stole an Empire - Trevor Bryce Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the Hittites - Trevor Bryce 1117 B.C. The Year Civilisation Collapsed - Eric Cline Love, War and Diplomacy - Eric Cline The Greeks: Lost Civilisations - Philip Matyszak  The Brotherhood of Kings - Amanda Podany Weavers Scribes and Kings - Amanda Podany The Hittites - Damien Stone  Ramesses the Great: Egypt's King of Kings - Toby Wilkinson Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature - Emily Wilson

The Odyssey in the popular imagination has been portrayed as the travails of one man traversing an alien landscape, peopled by the uncanny and terrible monsters hounded by a vengeful God. Whilst that is true, it is but one of the stories nested within this epic poem. Join me, as I explore the other worlds, both internal and external, that The Odyssey brings to life. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Primary Sources The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Robert Fagles) The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Emily Wilson) Secondary Sources Hattusili: the Hittite Prince Who Stole an Empire - Trevor Bryce Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the Hittites - Trevor Bryce 1117 B.C. The Year Civilisation Collapsed - Eric Cline Love, War and Diplomacy - Eric Cline The Greeks: Lost Civilisations - Philip Matyszak  The Brotherhood of Kings - Amanda Podany Weavers Scribes and Kings - Amanda Podany The Hittites - Damien Stone  Ramesses the Great: Egypt's King of Kings - Toby Wilkinson Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature - Emily Wilson

Cato leads 10,000 Republican troops on a march from Libya to Utica capital of the Roman Province of Utica. He arrives amidst a stoush between wannabe Roman Commanders. Stuck in Egypt with Cleopatra, Caesar must fight his way out to survive. Will Cato restore the Republican resolve before Caesar can escape his Alexandrine hell, and finally take the fight to North Africa? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sources  Primary Sources The Civil Wars - Appian (Penguins) The Gallic War - Julius Caesar (Folio Society) trans. S.A Handford and Jane F. Gardner The Civil War – Julius Caesar (Oxford Classics) trans. John Carter  The Jugurthine Wars | The Catiline Conspiracy - Sallust (Penguin) The Fall of the Roman Republic (Books 36-40) - Cassius Dio (Oxford Classics) Lives of the Caesars (Julius Caesar) - Suetonius  Lives of Cicero | Julius Caesar | Cato the Younger – Plutarch trans. Rex Warner Pharsalia – Lucan Secondary Sources Uncommon Wrath - Josiah Osgood Before Augustus - Natale Barca  Pompey the Great – Robin Seager Caesar - Mattias Gelzer Julius Caesar and the Roman People – Robert Morstein-Marx Cato the Younger - Fred Drogula  In the Name of Rome – Adrian Goldsworthy The Fall of Egypt and the Rise of Rome – Guy de la Bedoyere Fiction Cicero Trilogy (Imperium, Lustrum, Dictator) – Robert Harris Caesar's Women - Colleen McCullough    TV Series Rome – 2005-6 (HBO) iHeart Podcasts: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-your-attention-please-326046416/ OmnyStudio: https://omny.fm/shows/your-attention-please Email: yourattentionplease@alive905.com.au  

Caesar finally crosses the Adriatic to face up against the Republican forces. Eventually they meet on the field of Pharsalus. Cato, away from the action in Corfu awaits the outcome.    Sources  Primary Sources The Civil Wars - Appian (Penguins) The Gallic War - Julius Caesar (Folio Society) trans. S.A Handford and Jane F. Gardner The Civil War – Julius Caesar (Oxford Classics) trans. John Carter  The Jugurthine Wars | The Catiline Conspiracy - Sallust (Penguin) The Fall of the Roman Republic (Books 36-40) - Cassius Dio (Oxford Classics) Lives of the Caesars (Julius Caesar) - Suetonius  Lives of Cicero | Pompey | Crassus | Julius Caesar | Cato the Younger – Plutarch trans. Rex Warner Secondary Sources Uncommon Wrath - Josiah Osgood Before Augustus - Natale Barca  Pompey the Great – Robin Seager Caesar - Mattias Gelzer Cato the Younger - Fred Drogula  The Fall of Egypt and the Rise of Rome – Guy de la Bedoyere Fiction Cicero Trilogy (Imperium, Lustrum, Dictator) – Robert Harris Caesar's Women - Colleen McCullough    TV Series Rome – 2005-6 (HBO) iHeart Podcasts: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-your-attention-please-326046416/ OmnyStudio: https://omny.fm/shows/your-attention-please Email: yourattentionplease@alive905.com.au