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Literature and History

Literature and History

By: Doug Metzger
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 With millions of downloads, hundreds of hours of soundtracked content, and an overall emphasis on the cultural history behind famous works of literature, Literature and History is one of the most popular independent podcasts on its subject. Starting with Sumerian cuneiform in 3,100 BCE, Literature and History moves forward in chronological order through Assyriology, Egyptology, the Old Testament, Ancient Greece and Rome, and the birth of Christianity. The show's current season is on Late Antiquity (or 200-700 CE) and the dawn of the Middle Ages. A typical episode (they average about two hours) features a general introduction to a work of literature, then a full summary of that work that expects no prior knowledge, and finally, an analysis of the cultural, biographical, and historical forces that gave rise to the work in question. Original symphonic and ambient background music is woven throughout each show, and all episodes offer free full, illustrated, footnoted transcriptions as well as quizzes for purposes of review. The show has no advertisements, and its host takes pride in a professional approach that avoids chitchat and ephemera and gets straight to the educational content. You can listen to the episodes in any order, although most listeners begin at the beginning and proceed from there, as the podcast itself is chronologically organized. Art Literary History & Criticism World
Episodes
  • Episode 124: The Last Great War of Antiquity

    Episode 124: The Last Great War of Antiquity
    Apr 15 2026

    DOUG'S NEW BOOK - The Odyssey: An Illustrated Guide

    COLORING BOOK VERSION - The Odyssey Coloring Book

    Episode 124 Quiz:
    https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-124/

    Episode 123 Transcription:
    https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-124-the-last-great-war-of-antiquity

    Image Credit: Alborz Fallah

    Bonus Content:
    https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content

    Patreon:
    https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

    YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@literatureandhistorypodcast/

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/literatureandhistorypodcast/

    Facebook:
    https://www.facebook.com/literatureandhistory

    TikTok:
    https://www.tiktok.com/@lahpodcast

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    2 hrs and 14 mins
  • Episode 123: An Introduction to the Hadiths

    Episode 123: An Introduction to the Hadiths
    Mar 15 2026

    The hadiths are second only to the Qur'an in Islam. Short narratives about the Prophet Muhammad - the things he said and did - hadiths have been a source of wisdom and inspiration for Muslims for more than a thousand years.

    Episode 123 Quiz:
    https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-123/

    Episode 123 Transcription:
    https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-123-an-introduction-to-the-hadiths

    Bonus Content:
    https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content

    Patreon:
    https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

    YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@literatureandhistorypodcast/

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/literatureandhistorypodcast/

    Facebook:
    https://www.facebook.com/literatureandhistory

    TikTok:
    https://www.tiktok.com/@lahpodcast

    Bluesky:
    https://bsky.app/profile/lahpodcast.bsky.social

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    2 hrs and 1 min
  • Episode 122: The Early Abbasid Caliphate

    Episode 122: The Early Abbasid Caliphate
    Feb 15 2026

    From 750-861, a dynasty of ten caliphs seated in modern-day Iraq ruled one of history's largest empires. The territory they lost and won, the wars they fought, and the cultural renaissance that they helped usher in all had far reaching impacts on world history.

    Ancient Novels Interview:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zrUMtCpNt4

    Oresteia Interview:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK7e8WOOl4g

    Episode 122 Quiz:
    https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-122/

    Episode 122 Transcription:
    https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-122-the-early-abbasid-caliphate

    Bonus Content:
    https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content

    Patreon:
    https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory

    YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@literatureandhistorypodcast/

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/literatureandhistorypodcast/

    Facebook:
    https://www.facebook.com/literatureandhistory

    TikTok:
    https://www.tiktok.com/@lahpodcast

    Bluesky:
    https://bsky.app/profile/lahpodcast.bsky.social

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    2 hrs and 25 mins
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