Kes Publica

This episode is aimed at pupils who are studying slavery in the ancient world in their Latin lessons at KES. However, it is also appropriate for anyone interested in the subject. Mr Burns and Mr Feeney go into depth about the distinctive characteristics of ancient slavery, exploring what it was like and how it was viewed. KES pupils, parents, and indeed anyone else are most welcome to listen in and hear about what students are learning.

In this episode Mr Burns and Mr Feeney deal with the second half of Book 8. Expect Lord of the Rings comparisons, psychedelic passages about lightning bolts, divine comedy, and of course the inimitable shield of Aeneas. Enjoy!

The next episode in our Aeneid series for A Level and GCSE students (and anyone else!). Here we tackle the first half of Book 8. Expect fantastic similes, nerdy tangents on guest-friendship and the nature of religious experience, and of course the monster Cacus. We unpick all the different layers of the omens and myths that Virgil throws at the reader, and dispute whether one 'rows' or 'sails' up a river. Enjoy!

In this episode Mr Burns and Mr Feeney continue with the Aeneid in an episode designed for our A Level students. Of course all are welcome to listen! Mr Burns hogs the mic with his many thoughts about the sophistication of divine causation in the Aeneid while Mr Feeney displays the patience of a saint and scepticism of a scholar. Expect a lot of focus on the most terrifying character in the whole poem: Allecto the Fury.

In this episode Mr Feeney and Mr Burns give their wise advice to those starting either GCSE or A-Level in Latin or Greek. Who flunked their GCSE Latin mock? What's the best way to get a top grade? Listen to find out.

In this episode, Mr Feeney and Mr Burns discuss Roman education. Was school so much better in the old days? Did the Romans have much more sensible ideas about discipline and learning? Will Mr Feeney and Mr Burns in fact have children together as they imagine in this podcast? There's only one way to find out!

This week Mrs Greenbury, Head of Classics at KES, asks the tough questions. Who would win in a fight between Caesar, Alexander, and Hannibal? Which hero would you want your sister to date? If you want to know the answer to crucial questions like these, then join us in this episode.

In this special episode of KES Publica, we interview Professor Denis Feeney about Roman Religion. Professor Feeney is a renowned Classicist and a global staple of university reading lists. He is also Mr Feeney's father! He is currently Professor Emeritus at Princeton, and has worked in top global institutions throughout his career. We get his thoughts on what was distinctive about Roman religion, starting with the small city state in Latium and ending with the mediterranean empire facing the baffling phenomenon of early Christianity. A must-listen for all our A Level students, and a fascinating insight into the top level of classical scholarship for everyone.

Mr Feeney and Mr Burns finally get to the end of their katabasis. The crescendo of Book VI is reached! Not to be missed if you're studying the Aeneid in any subject.

Most people think they know about Sparta: shining and brave defenders of Greek liberty against the ranks of despotism; the heroic self-sacrificing defenders of Thermopylae, with noble bearing and massive muscles. In this episode Mr Burns contends that this is all, utterly wrong (apart from possibly the muscles). The Spartans were utterly detestable ethnic supremacists who built a society of brutality, exploitation, and violence. Mr Feeney takes a more nuanced position. Who is right? Have a listen to make up your own minds.

In this episode, Mr Burns and Mr Feeney are joined by two sixth form Classics students who pick their teachers' brains about the most pressing issues of the ancient world. Was Caligula actually mad? What was all the gossip about the women of the imperial palace during the reigns of the Julio-Claudians? What would the best drink order in an ancient bar be? Listen to find out!

This is the second part of our deep dive into book six of the Aeneid. Listen for the shock return of none other than Dido! What does she have to say to the man who abandoned her in the name of destiny? What does the rest of the department have to say to Mr Burns after he defends Aeneas (again)? This is the place to find out.

In this episode we start our marathon analysis of Book 6 of Virgil's Aeneid. While the conceptual and ideological heart of the poem, it is also deeply weird. Expect dark magic, Golden Boughs, the dead mixing with the yet to be born, and in the centre of it all the shadow of Augustus. While designed for our A Level students, we hope this episode might appeal to those with a general interest in the poem as well.

In this episode we explain why you might pick Latin, Greek, or Classical Civilisation. We explain what we personally chose and why as students, and then talk about what these subjects can offer. We explain why they are appealing to admissions tutors and employers, and why they are personally enriching. If you want to hear all this alongside some surprising truths about Mr Burns and Mr Feeney as schoolboys, this is the episode for you. This is very much an episode for parents and families as well as pupils - if you want to get to know the teachers in the department a little better, then please do have a listen!

Mr Burns is joined by Mr Feeney and Mrs Greenbury for a Christmas treat of an episode. Everything is Classical including Christmas, who knew?! We explore the links between the Saturnalia and Christmas (spoiler alert: there are many) and campaign for the reinstatement of the ‘Lord of Misrule’.

This is the long anticipated second part of our close reading of book four of the Aeneid. A torrid love affair reaches its tragic denouement, and we are treated to witchcraft, death, and some Virgilian deep cuts. The ultimate question must be answered: whose side are you on?

We're back! In this episode Mr Burns and Mrs Greenbury discuss the power of the first Roman emperor's propaganda, and how it won him control of the world. We compare it to modern political propaganda, with an emphasis on the recent US elections. The parallels are uncanny...

Welcome to the best book of poetry by the best (literate) poet. Here Mr Burns and Mr Feeney go completely mad for Virgil in everyone's favourite: Aeneid Book 4. This is the book that's made more people love Classics than any other. It's so great that we will have to do it in two parts. Enjoy.

Mr Feeney is joined by Mrs Greenbury, in her first ever appearance on the podcast, to talk all things Roman Britain: from Julius Caesar's raid to requests from legionaries serving on Hadrian's Wall for woolly socks, this episode unpacks what arriving in Britannia must have felt like for Roman legionaries, and how their arrival affected the woad-covered Celts with their spiky hair and impressive moustaches.

In this episode we discuss what the consequences of crossing the Rubicon were for Caesar. We look at what led to possibly one of the most dramatic political events in European history - the Ides of March.

In this episode Nick and Peter discuss Rome's journey from monarchy to republic to empire. Brutus, Julius Caesar, Hannibal, Pompey, Crassus, Marius and Sulla...the illustrious names from Rome's history are at the forefront of Rome's fascinating, and often brutal, journey to supremacy.

In this episode Mr Burns and Mr Feeney discuss book 2 of the Aeneid in an episode aimed at A Level students studying the poem. We discuss the subtleties of Virgil's characterisation of Trojans and Greeks, as well as the subtleties of some of Virgil's Latin. Battle lines are drawn over the character of Aeneas himself - is he a hero we can admire? Have a listen to find out.

In this second part of our films epic Mr Bull returns with more opinions! We discuss 300 and its links to the Vietnam War, and the much anticipated Gladiator 2. Which features of classical films make classics teachers dissolve into a pile of rage? Have a listen to find out.

In this week's episode we have the inimitable Mr Bull as our special guest! Mr Feeney and Mr Burns quiz him about classically-themed films. We discuss Gladiator, Troy, and even Carry on Cleo (for our older listeners). Mr Burns and Mr Feeney argue about Troy, and Mr Bull reveals how he swore a vow and nearly crashed his car. This is the first part of a pair of episodes - it turns out we all have much more to say than can be fit into one school lunchtime.

In this episode Mr Feeney returns from the underworld! We look closely at book 1 of the Aeneid, exploring the themes and incidents of Virgil's magnificent opening. What does it mean to be a hero? Is Aeneas actually Jesus? Why is not everything as it seems? All these questions and more answered for A Level students and anyone with an interest.

In this episode Mr Burns interviews Dr Gruzelier about her recent trip to Corfu. If you want to learn a little about the ancient background of this wonderful island, then this is the episode for you! We cover the Sicilian expedition, the inspiration for the landscaping of British estates, and a strange empress Sisi Elisabeth of the Austro-Hungarian empire who built a cake-like building in honour of Achilles.

This is the first of our series on Virgil, which will run alongside our ongoing series on Homer. It is designed to help A Level students studying Latin or Classical Civilisation, but we hope it is also an accessible and interesting listen for anyone with an interest! In the episode we discuss the essential things to understand about the third great work of western civilisation: Virgil's Aeneid. It is the story of the Trojan survivors on their epic journey to found a new and powerful city: Rome. However, beneath the surface it is also an intensely political story about Rome's first emperor Augustus, the sphinx-like winner of terrible civil wars.

In this episode, Mr Burns answers two A Level students’ burning questions about the ancient world. Why was rotten fish sauce so popular? Why did empires always want to go to war? Which classical poet would be good to chat to in the pub? All these and more are answered. You can also from time to time hear the authentic sounds of KES students joyously hurrying to lessons in the background – listen out and enjoy!

In this second episode of the miniseries on Homer, Mr Burns and Mr Feeney discuss the gods. They are the terrifying, cruel, awe-inspiring, childlike, immensely powerful beings who are always intervening in the mortal drama. The discussion ranges from particular strange incidents to trying to reach an understanding of the poet's own beliefs. This is a useful discussion for any A-Level classicist as always, but you don't need to be a student or even to have read the poems to enjoy this exploration of the not so friendly real figures behind all those childhood stories!

In this episode, Mr Burns and Mr Feeney discuss death in the ancient world. Mr Feeney deals with the Greeks and their rituals, and then Mr Burns gives an overview of the Romans and their creepy ancestor worship. Did you know that Roman ghosts liked beans? Do you think that there's a link between agriculture, fertility, women, and death? Mr Burns thinks you should. We hope you enjoy this memento mori - carpe diem!

This is the first episode of our mini-series on Homer. We believe it’s perfect for those studying A-Level Classical Civilisation, A-Level Greek, and anyone with an interest in the world’s greatest poet. In this first episode, we look at how women are presented in both the Iliad and the Odyssey. Was Homer sexist? Does it make sense to even ask the question? Does he care about his female characters? What did he think about the relationships between women and men? Can Mr Burns remember the name of Hector’s mother? All this and more are answered. Mr Feeney also makes an excellent case for why Penelope and Odysseus are just perfect for each other, and for why Mr Burns is wrong in every way about the Odyssey in general.

In episode III we discuss the disturbing attraction of the gladiatorial games. We look at their dark origins, their evolution, and ways of understanding their function both for individual Romans and Roman society as a whole. Mr Burns goes off-piste about catharsis and vicarious identification while Mr Feeny delivers the goods on some solid facts.

In this episode, Peter explains the essence of Greek tragedy. We answer the burning questions: is it universal or Athenian? Is something deeply weird going on, with the scary god Dionysus himself present in the theatre and watching each play? What does it have to do with goats? Nick makes his usual unfalsifiable claims about what it all means, and talks far too much about pigs' blood. Peter provides genuine knowledge and facts.

In this pilot episode of KES Publica, Mr Burns and Mr Feeney discuss who is truly at the centre of the Iliad (the greatest work of literature that humanity possesses). Mr Burns fails to articulate a clear view on the meaning of Achilles' shield (something about life force?). And we discuss two great questions about pets and the Muses.