Ancient Art Podcast (audio)
by Lucas Livingston
Explore the art and culture of the Ancient Mediterranean World in the Ancient Art Podcast with your host Lucas Livingston. Uncover the truths and unravel the mysteries of the civilizations that shaped our modern world. Each episode features detailed examinations of exemplary works from the Art Institute of Chicago and other notable collections in addition to broad themes and concepts of Ancient Mediterranean art and culture.
Episodes
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67: Buddha's Past Lives – Dipankara and Shakyamuni
Two tales from the many lives of Buddha. The top scene depicts Buddha Shakyamuni meditating in the Indrashala cave awaiting his rebirth on Earth. The bottom scene shows Buddha Dipankara meeting the hermit Sumedha. Among other Gandharan works of art, this Buddhist carving might include...
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66: Star Wars and Stupas
Episode 66 of the Ancient Art Podcast picks up where we left off in episode 65 with the Gandharan Stupa Reliquary in the Art Institute of Chicago. We briefly touch on some commonalities between Buddhism and Star Wars. We also learn more about the historic origin of the four pillars around the…
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65: Gandharan Stupa Reliquary
Episode 65 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores a Gandharan Stupa Reliquary in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The subdued appearance of this small reliquary belies its cultural and aesthetic significance at the crossroads of East and West, where great empires collide. Who were the...
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63: Dogs in Antiquity: Greece and Rome
In my third installment of a three-part series on dogs in antiquity, we're back in our familiar stomping ground of the Classical World to consider the roles of dogs in ancient Greece and Rome. Ancient writings give us the names of prized breeds in antiquity, which we match to magnificent examples...
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62: Dogs in Antiquity: China
Last time in our three-part series on dogs in antiquity, we explored the ancient hairless breeds of the New World and had a look at the popular ceramic funerary effigy of the Colima dog from a couple thousand years ago. We were also introduced to a young celebrity, Sputnik, my cute little…
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64: Striding Horned Wild Man
Just in time for Christmas, episode 64 of the Ancient Art Podcast spins a Yuletide yarn. All decked out for the holidays, this amazing, little, elvish sprite weaves us up a tall mountain pass on an enchanting journey through antiquity. The 5,000 year old horned striding figure from the ancient…
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61: Dogs in Antiquity: Xoloitzcuintli & Colima
Dig in to this feast for the eyes as we discuss the role of dogs in ancient Mesoamerican civilization and art. This is our first in a three-part series on dogs in antiquity. This episodes serves up one of the most popular examples of canines in art, the Colima dog of ancient West Mexico, captured...
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60: Comets & Antiquity, Halley's Comet, ISON, Apophis, and More
It's a cosmic collision of contemporary and antiquity on the Ancient Art Podcast! The prophesied comet of the century, Comet ISON, may have bit the dust, but that's no reason to pile dirt on our exploration of comets of past and present in the world of art. In two rare examples of auspicious…
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59: A Witches' Sabbath
Greetings gashlycrumbs! Enjoy this spooktacular free Halloween segment of the Ancient Art Podcast episode 59, "A Witches' Sabbath!" Meet the wicked witches, devilish denizens, and things that go bump in the night in the Art Institute of Chicago's painting "A Witches' Sabbath" by Dutch artist...
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Curious
A short announcement about some changes to the Ancient Art Podcast. The Ancient Art Podcast and Curious.com have teamed up to host episodes of the podcast at Curious.com. Episodes now include quizzes, handouts, discussions, and more. Visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/curious to see more! You can...
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58: Lycurgus Cup
Raise your glass to the most incredible chalice from antiquity. The Lycurgus Cup in the British Museum is truly exceptional for its exquisite beauty, delicate craftsmanship, magnificent detail, and a seemingly magical ability to transform colors before your very eyes. Discover the myth of the...
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57: Medusa Up Close and Personal
Episode 57 of the Ancient Art Podcast builds on what we learned in episode 53 about the mythology and artistry of the creepy creature of chaos, the Gorgon Medusa. This episode delves deeper into her primal lair. We confront her petrifying gaze while closely examining a few famous works of ancient...
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56: Build a Beer: Krampuslauf, Ein Holiday Ale mit Horns
This episode of the Ancient Art Podcast is a journey in music, imagery, and text. There is no vocal component. Please visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/56 or subscribe to the video podcast to watch episode 56. In the epic journey of homebrewing, episode 56 of the Ancient Art Podcast takes you...
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55: Jaharis Galleries of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Art
Jump in for a VIP visit to the Art Institute of Chicago's new Jaharis Galleries of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Art. Quadruple in size from the museum's earlier ancient art galleries, the new vista boasts a massive display of 550 ancient treasures from the Art Institute and collections around the...
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54: Krampus the Christmas Devil
He's knows when you are sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows when you've been bad or good, So be good, for YOUR LIFE'S AT STAKE! Who's that hiding behind Santa's jolly mask? Episode 54 of the Ancient Art Podcast takes a holiday to the Austrian Alps to discover the true meaning of...
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53: Medusa, Mythic Monster
In this spooktacular Halloween episode of the Ancient Art Podcast with monstrous fiends and tortured souls lurking about in dark shadows, we explore a mythic monster from the Classical world, the original femme-fatale, the slithering seductress, the Gorgon Medusa. From ancient poets Hesiod and...
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52: Wine in Ancient Egypt
When equipping yourself for the afterlife, be sure to bring enough wine! Episode 52 of the Ancient Art Podcast is all about Wine in Ancient Egypt. There really was a King Scorpion and what did he drink? Ancient Egyptian Spring Break drunken orgies. Embarrassing yourself for all eternity well…
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51: Beer in Ancient Egypt
Episode 51 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores the art, culture, history, and mythology surrounding beer in Ancient Egypt. We'll look at the archaeological record to sort fact from fiction on the brewing process and dig up some modern attempts at recreating the ancient recipes for Egyptian beer....
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50: Images of Buddha
In some Buddhist traditions, people are encouraged to devote 100,000 miniature stupas, pagodas, or idols of Buddha as an act of extreme piety. Well, I'm not that pious. We celebrate 50 episodes of the Ancient Art Podcast with 50 images of Buddha. Enjoy this feast for the eyes of magnificent...
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49: Ancient Dragons
Episode 49 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores the ancient legends and origins of dragons, separating fact from fiction and good from evil. Dragons permeate our cultural heritage in many forms and fashions: as ferocious fire-breathing, flesh-eating monsters, noble emblems of honor, and…
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48: Apollo Sauroktonos the Lizard Slayer
Episode 48 returns our attention to the art of the famous ancient Greek sculptor Praxiteles as we dig deep into the secrets of the frequently copied and highly praised statue of Apollo Sauroktonos, the Lizard Slayer. We look at a few later marble and bronze copies of this acclaimed work housed in...
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47 beta: I Can Has Podcast
A short audio announcement. We recently had to move the podcast over to a new web host. Trying to make the transition as smooth as possible, in short, if you've received this, then you're in the right place and your podcast client is connected to the correct feed. If you have any old bookmarks…
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47: Roman Fasces
Just how much can we discuss about a pile of wood? Well, episode 47 of the Ancient Art Podcast about the "Roman Fasces" dares to find out! Composed of a bundle of rods with an axe blade sticking out, this ancient symbol of solidarity and judicial authority was a very recognizable sight in Ancient...
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46: Ara Pacis
Episode 46 of the Ancient Art Podcast takes us in and out and around one of the most magnificent works of imperial Roman architecture, the Ara Pacis Augustae, of the Altar of Augustan Peace. We'll explore how the Ara Pacis weaves together images from Rome's legendary past and 1st century BC…
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45: Courtesans and Fish Plates
Pardon me sir, but do you have any garum? Slurp up a puddle of fermented fish guts with the Ancient Art Podcast! Episode 45 explores the decorative delights, culinary curiosities, and amorous affections of the ancient Greek world. While it packs a punch as an interesting cultural anomaly, the…
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44: Top 10 Myths: Egyptian Civilization is Dead
Episode 44 of the Ancient Art Podcast concludes the countdown of the Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions with the false belief that Ancient Egyptian civilization is dead. Scarcely recognized around us in its present form, the legacy of Ancient Egypt continues to thrive. In pyramids…
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43: Top 10 Myths: Cleopatra/Nefertiti ... Was/Was Not Black/White ...
Number 2 in the countdown of the Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions explores the hot issue of race and ethnicity in Ancient Egypt, including the two most frequently invoked figureheads of the discussion, the Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra. Despite the heated rhetoric…
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42: Top 10 Myths: The "Boy King" Tutankhamun
Don't Panic! Celebrating the our 42nd episode with a brief nod to the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by the uncanny Douglas Adams, the Ancient Art Podcast continues to explore the Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths & Misconceptions with "The 'Boy King' Tutankhamun." Arguably the most famous and...
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41: Top 10 Myths: Egyptian Art Doesn't Change over Time
Is Ancient Egyptian art truly unchanging for thousands of years? Were the Egyptians just stuck in the mud or what? No and no! The Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions continues with an examination of broad changes to Egyptian art across the history of their civilization. We go from…
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40: Top 10 Myths: Akhenaten was the World's First Monotheist
Too often the 18th Dynasty "Heretic King" Akhenaten (r. ca. 1353-1336 BC) is labeled the world's first monotheist, proselytizing the one true god Aten, the solar disk. But was he truly a monotheist or is there something deeper going on here? Episode 40 explores this question, continuing the...
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39: Top 10 Myths: Tombs Depict Scenes from Daily Life
We learn that the Ancient Egyptians surrounded themselves in death with idyllic scenes from everyday life. Are these truly scenes from daily life or is there more to it than that? Episode 39 delves deeper into the meaning and symbolism behind tomb decoration. We compare private and royal tombs,...
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38: Top 10 Myths: Egyptians Were Obsessed with Death
Episode 38 sets the story straight about the misconception that the Ancient Egyptians were obsessed with death. We delve into the Ancient Egyptian concept of Heaven, unearth some ancient grave goods, and take a close hard look at the themes and subjects decorating the walls of Ancient Egyptian...
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37: Top 10 Myths: The Pyramids Were Built By Slaves
Coming in at number 8 in the countdown of the Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions, episode 37 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores the age-old myth that the "Pyramids were Built by Slaves." From the tomes of ancient literature to the annals of modern media, the myth that slaves built...
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36: Top 10 Myths: The Orion Mystery
Number 9 in our countdown of the Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions, episode 36 of the Ancient Art Podcast exposes the Orion Mystery, or the Orion Correlation Theory, the belief that the Ancient Egyptians were mapping out the heavens on earth. Do the pyramids of Giza correspond to…
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35: Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions
Number 10 in our countdown of the Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions, episode 35 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores the truth behind the claim that the lotus flower in Ancient Egypt was used as an intoxicant, psychotropic stimulant, or form of sexual enhancement. We'll look at...
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34: Haniwa Horse and Hokusai's Ghosts
Enchanted riders, ghostly horses, and tortured souls round out this Halloween edition of the Ancient Art Podcast. The Art Institute of Chicago's new Weston Wing of Japanese Art showcases wonderful works from Japanese prehistory through present day. We wrap our head around the 5th and 6th century...
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33: Ganesha
Learn all about the beloved elephant-headed Hindu deity Ganesha in episode 33 of the Ancient Art Podcast. We explore the annual festival celebrating his birth, Ganesha Chaturthi, and discover how he happened to get that elephant head. Plus we investigate why, oh, why he’s missing a tusk! We look...
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32: Hadrian and Antinous
Episode 32 of the Ancient Art Podcast revisits the lovely discussion of the disembodied with the portrait busts of Roman Emperor Hadrian and his young beloved Antinous from the Art Institute of Chicago. From the 2nd century CE, the larger-than-life marble heads of Hadrian and Antinous exemplify…
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31: Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance
Episode 31 takes a look at the iconic figure of the Hindu deity Shiva Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance. Examining two images of the dancing Shiva at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame, we explore the timeless concept of the cosmic cycle of...
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30: Karnak II
Part 2 in our miniseries on Karnak Temple, episode 30 takes us behind the scenes, exploring the grand hypostyle hall and the meaning to the propagandistic and sacred imagery on the walls, both inside and out. We reenact one of the most famous Ancient Egyptian temples, the Opet Festival, following...
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29: Karnak
The first of at least two parts, episode 29 invites us inside one of the world's most ancient, largest, and most mysterious sacred space, the Ancient Egyptian Temple of Karnak. Including video and photo highlights from the host's recent visit to Karnak, we take a survey of the temple complex…
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28: Avatars of Vishnu
With all the hype about James Cameron’s latest film, Avatar, episode 28 takes a look at the real story of the avatar as we explore the stories and art of the avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu. We’ll learn about the epic heroes Rama of the Ramayana and Krishna of the Mahabharata, discover the…
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27.1: Announcement
A short announcement about the new look and features of the Ancient Art Podcast website. Plus the debut of the Ancient Art Podcast Facebook Page! Explore more at http://ancientartpodcast.org.
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27: Hiratsuka Un’ichi
Episode 27 explores the art and life of one of the most influential 20th century Japanese woodblock print artists, Hiratsuka Un'ichi, including prints recently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago. A pioneer of the early 20th century Japanese Creative Print movement (sosaku hanga), Hiratsuka…
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26: Aphrodite of Knidos
Keeping our promise from last episode, episode 26 explores the history, artistry, and mythology of the famous Hellenistic sculpture, the Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles. Using the words of ancient authors like Hesiod, Pliny the Elder, and others, we examine multiple copies of the sculpture,...
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25: Beheaded Beauties
With a nod to the Art Institute of Chicago’s October self-guide and celebrating the Halloween season, episode 25 explores a few headless and disembodied works of art, including the humorous, the grotesque, and the just plain practical. We compare a Roman statue of a seated woman to its Classical...
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24: Japanese Screens
Episode 24 brings us the art of the Japanese folding screen from the exhibition Beyond Golden Clouds: Japanese Screens from the Art Institute of Chicago and the Saint Louis Art Museum. We’ll explore traditional styles, motifs, subjects, and forms, and also discover contemporary examples of the...
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23: King Tut and Beyond
Putting the cap on the jar of Akhenaten, episode 23 explores works from the reign of the boy king Tutankhamun and his successors. Do the efforts of the 18th dynasty heretic king Akhenaten die hard or do his radical transformations live on? Dive in to discover the artistic legacy of the Amarna...
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22: Nefertiti, Devonia, Michael
Another foray into contemporary art, where antiquity and modernity collide. Episode 22 explores two works by contemporary performance and visual artist Lorraine O’Grady: Nefertiti/Devonia Evangeline and Miscegenated Family Album. We delve deep into the family history of Nefertiti and Akhenaten of...
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21: Akhenaten and the Amarna Style
In episode 21, we scratch the surface of one of the most interesting periods from Ancient Egypt, the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten. We explore the radical social transformations during his reign and its uniquely characteristic artistic revolution known as the Amarna style.
About this show
Explore the art and culture of the Ancient Mediterranean World in the Ancient Art Podcast with your host Lucas Livingston. Uncover the truths and unravel the mysteries of the civilizations that shaped our modern world. Each episode features detailed examinations of exemplary works from the Art Institute of Chicago and other notable collections in addition to broad themes and concepts of Ancient Mediterranean art and culture.
Hosted by
Lucas Livingston