Newsletter, April 2022

New Interviews, Virgil's "Aeneid", and the History of China

Dear Friends,

hope everything is well and that the Easter and Spring celebrations are joyful!

Since the last newsletter we’ve been going through the Epic Poem of the “Aeneid” by Virgil, and we’ve made a 10 episode series on our subscription podcast here (available from the $2 tier): patreon.com/ancientworld. For a shorter introduction to the Epic and Founding Story of the Roman Empire, we’ve also made an episode on the Ancient World Podcast here: https://apple.co/3xzroMF

A new project this year has been to start up a “people” podcast with interviews about books, travels, mythology, good life and inspiring stories. Our two first guests have been author, philosopher and doctor James Willis from England, and podcaster and linguistics student Adam Bishop from Missouri, US. Both episodes and highlights are available here: https://apple.co/3xoqRNz. The overall name and shape of this podcast will come gradually in the coming months, as we have new guests and explore different topics.

Finally, we’re having a brief dive into Chinese History and their 4,000 years of civilization from the first Xia Dynasty founded around 2100 BC. A first introduction episode to the founding thoughts in the Zhou Dynasty (1054 - 256 BC) and guiding principles for governing the state and the people is here: https://apple.co/3JQWuSk.

Overall, we might have entered a time of fundamental change on the planet this year, with a different power balance between China and America/Europe, and a sudden end to some of the international structures over the last 30 years. All of which could make a deeper knowledge of both the European and Chinese history and cultural roots helpful to interpret and navigate the challenges and great opportunities that lie ahead.

Have a wonderful rest of April, and beginnings of May!

All the best,

Richard Emerson