Ancient Greek & Roman Medicine
You're Dead to Me
02/05/21
•57m
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Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Kristi Upson-Saia and comedian Stu Goldsmith to explore the strange world of Ancient Greek and Roman medicine.
Welcome to a world where health was fleeting, water could be dangerous and communal bum sponges are all the rage. The team will take you through a variety of common ailments from tight atoms to wandering wombs and provide startling cures in the form of electric eels and beaver anuses.
Produced by Cornelius Mendez Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse Research by Hannah MacKenzie
The Athletic production for BBC Radio 4
Previous Episode
Grainne O’Malley
January 29, 2021
•54m
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Gillian Kenny and comedian Catherine Bohart in 16th century Ireland to look at the life of pirate queen Grainne O’Malley.
Against the backdrop of the changing legal landscape of Ireland as it faced brutality from incoming English administrators, we look at the difficult decisions Grainne was forced to make to ensure her family's survival. From bold changes to her appearance as a teenager to ensure her place on her fathers ship, to aggressive actions on a castle that refused to serve her food. Grainne O’Malley was not a woman to be messed with. This strength and defiance would lead to an unlikely understanding with Queen Elizabeth I.
Produced by Cornelius Mendez Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse Research by Jessica White
The Athletic production for BBC Radio 4
Next Episode
The Borgias
February 12, 2021
•55m
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Catherine Fletcher and comedian Phil Wang in 15th-century Rome as they introduce us to the infamous Borgias family. With dynastic alliances, poisonous rings, murders and chestnut orgies, it’s not hard to see how they may have inspired Mario Puzo, author of The Godfather. But how much of what we know of Italy’s original crime family is actually true?
Produced by Cornelius Mendez Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse Research by Jessica White
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.
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