Have Toga, Will Travel

Emily and Cam break down the character arc of Eleven in Stranger Things and argue that she is on a “heroic journey” like that of Herakles.

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For more information about Herakles and about “heroes” in Ancient Greece, listen to our previous episode:

• https://havetogawilltravel.com/episode/holding-out-for-...

What’s a “hero”, and what kinds of stories do we tell about them? Emily and Cam explore how heroes were imagined in ancient Greece as they lay the groundwork for next episode’s discussion of Eleven’s heroic journey in Stranger Things.

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• https://havetogawilltravel.com

Links:

• NYPL’s list of “Heroines in Fairytales, Folklore, F...

The Athenian Acropolis, Then and Now

The Athenian Acropolis had a long life both before and after the construction of the Parthenon in the fifth century BCE. Join Emily and Cam as they explore the long history of Athens’ most iconic landmark.

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Cover Image: Illustration from Atene Attica Descritta da suoi Principii sino all’a...

In this episode, Emily and Cam talk about what it’s like to visit the Athenian Acropolis today; how that experience compares to what visitors would have seen in the fifth century BCE; when and why the remains of the structures there today were created (especially the Parthenon and the Erechtheion); and what those structures meant to ancient Athenians.

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In this episode—the final episode in a three-part series on gladiators—Emily and Cam focus on Spartacus, the most famous gladiator of all. They first discuss the causes of Spartacus’ rebellion against the Romans, and then explore how Spartacus has been represented in modern literature and film.

• Cover image: Vincenzo Vela, Spartacus (1848); photograph by Rama (Wikimedia commons)

Links:

• “I am Spartacus”: an iconic scen...

In this episode—the second of three on gladiators and related topics—Emily and Cam talk about what happened in the Colosseum and in other Roman arenas. First, they discuss the kinds of things that people would expect to see when they went to the games, including beast shows, public executions, and gladiator matches. Then, they focus on the gladiators themselves: who were they, and what were their lives like?

Links:

• The Zliten mos...

In the first of three episodes about gladiators in ancient Rome, Emily and Cam explore the world’s most iconic remnant of ancient gladiator games: the Roman Colosseum. They talk about the appearance of the building, then and now; the origins of the building as part of the emperor Vespasian’s effort to legitimize his power; and the cycles of destruction and renewal that produced the ruin that survives in Rome today.

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“The Return” sticks the landing. Join Emily and Cam as they talk about how the movie adapts and builds on its source material, the Odyssey, to deliver a gripping modern interpretation of Homer’s timeless story.

The Return

• Released December 6, 2024
• Starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche
• Directed by Uberto Pasolini

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In Part Two of a two-part series on the Athens Marathon, Emily and Cam talk about what it’s like to participate in the Athens Marathon today. They discuss the first marathon race at the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens; the development of the marathon as a marquee sporting event; and the route of the contemporary Athens marathon.

Links:

• Part I of our photo essay on the Athens Marathon;
• Part II of our phot essay on the Athens Marathon;
• ...

In Part One of a two-part series on the Athens Marathon, Emily and Cam dive into ancient Greek legend and history as they explore the origins of the modern marathon race. They discuss the well-known story of the messenger (Pheidippides?) who is said to have run from Marathon to Athens with news of the Athenian victory over the Persians at Marathon in 490 BCE; the context of the Battle of Marathon itself; and the accomplishments of ...