#ancientrome #romanempire #romanantiquity #labormovements #strike #unions #union #unionmovement #classicalantiquity #antiquity

Dr. Sarah Bond, Roanoke, Virginia native and author of the hit book Strike: Labor, Unions, and Resistance in the Roman Empire, stopped by the podcast to talk about how people engaged in collective action in Antiquity. In addition to discussing how Roman workers engaged in actions that are similar to the modern labor movement, such as by forming collegia of various types, we cover a lot of topics including why Roanoke is so great, how we should approach the study of history and the power that laborers have. Another topic we get into is how the Roman state restricted collegia and why Christians were persecuted. And if that weren't enough, we also discuss the Mint Strike during Aurelian's reign. Not to give away the ending, but as Omar warned us, "You come at the king, you best not miss."

Your reading assignments include The Great Leveler and Surviving Rome.

The theme music is from Brent Arehart. Please call the pod (540-632-0160), leave a message and you’ll get in an episode. Let me know what you think about what we think in the comments, on Bluesky, on Mastodon, on Reddit, or on Instagram.

And never forget that The Classical Antiquity Sidequest is a podcast without end.

#magic #christianity #history #religion #religioushistory #antiquity #rome #romanhistory #romanempire

In response to a suggestion from Dr. Rhiannon Garth Jones, I reached out to Dr. Shaily Patel at Virginia Tech (GO HOKIES!) to see if she would come on the podcast. Turns out she was willing to do so and this led to a discussion about the complex relationship between early Christianity and magic. This includes how early Christians employed heresy to attack and marginalize non-Christian practitioners of magic (looking at you, Augustine). Dr. Patel has covered this topic thoroughly and written a book about it that is very, very good. Please check out the book. You will enjoy it.

In addition to covering the complex role that early Christianity and Christians had with magic, we discuss the state of higher education, how we should discuss history and the complexities involved in putting together historical narratives, the D.C. Comics character John Constantine, the brilliant TV show Grimm and The Dresden Files. Don't judge us.

Your reading assignments include the Scholomance series and Things Unseen.

The theme music is from Brent Arehart. Please call the pod (540-632-0160), leave a message and you’ll get in an episode. Let me know what you think about what we think in the comments, on Bluesky, on Mastodon, on Reddit, or on Instagram.

And never forget that The Classical Antiquity Sidequest is a podcast without end.

#highereducation #highered #historiography #ancientgreece #drinkinggames #odysseus #theodyssey #antiquity #classicalantiquity

Our friend Amy Pistone returns to the podcast to educate us on drinking habits in Ancient Greece. During this episode, we'll hear about the current climate in higher education and discuss the uncertainty professors have. We will also cover what would go down at a symposium and how people in Antiquity knew how to play drinking games. And, if that weren't enough, we answer a question that has stumped scholars for centuries - was Odysseus a woo girl, or did he just keep it real? Listen and find out.

Your reading assignments include Glorious Exploits and Sarah Bond's Strike. Given the number of times that Strike has been suggested as a book to read, isn't it time for Dr. Bond to come on the podcast? I think so.

The theme music is from Brent Arehart. Please call the pod (540-632-0160), leave a message and you’ll get in an episode. Let me know what you think about what we think in the comments, on Bluesky, on Mastodon, on Reddit, or on Instagram.

And never forget that The Classical Antiquity Sidequest is a podcast without end.