Kes Publica

by Nick Burns & Peter Feeney

Education History

Season 1

Episode 7: Questions from KES Students

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!

Episode 6: On Homer - The Gods

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!

Episode 5: The Dead

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!

Episode 4: On Homer - Women

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.

Episode 3 : Gladiators

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.

Episode 2: Tragedy

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.

Episode 1: The Iliad, ancient pets and the Muses

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.

Episode 23: Aeneid Book 6 - Part 2

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.

Episode 16: Roman Invasion of Britain, a Year 8 Special

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.

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