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Nov. 29, 2023
Lorenzo de Medici left an indelible mark on Italian politics and economics during a time riddled with conspiracy and war. In this episode, we explore Medici rule in the aftermath of the Pazzi conspiracy, the impact of war on…
Nov. 8, 2023
This episode promises a richer understanding of the Florentine "Golden Age" marked by the prolific patronage of Lorenzo de Medici, who fostered an inspiring environment for artists and writers alike. We will spotlight his s…
Oct. 25, 2023
Ever wondered how the seeds of the early modern period were sown? Prepare to journey back to mid-15th century Florence, a period of profound intellectual evolution, as we trace the steps of the central figure of this shift -…
Oct. 11, 2023
We venture into the complex world of 15th-century Italy, exploring the early years of Lorenzo de' Medici's rule and the intricate web of politics, diplomacy, and intrigue that shaped the Italian Renaissance. When Lorenzo de…
Sept. 26, 2023
This episode tackles the uneasy shift towards dynastic rule, casting light on Piero de Medici's humanist upbringing, his complex web of relationships, and the political discontent that simmered as he inherited power from his…
Sept. 12, 2023
Ever marvel at the architectural genius of one of Italy's grandest cathedrals? We journey back to the 15th century and unravel the fascinating story of Florence's Santa Maria del Fiore's majestic dome. We unravel the inval…
Aug. 29, 2023
Donatello was perhaps the greatest of Renaissance sculptors, with a life filled with artistry and intrigue. This is Donatello's story, layered with insights into his character and his rapport with Cosimo de Medici, providin…
Aug. 15, 2023
Get ready to step back into the heart of the Florentine Renaissance, where we unravel the fascinating tales of book hunters who reshaped the intellectual landscape of Europe. The episode takes us through the journey of renow…
Aug. 1, 2023
This episode will take you on a historical journey, shedding light on the complex cultural, linguistic, and administrative differences and the theological disputes that fueled the Great Schism between the Latin Church and th…
July 18, 2023
In this episode, we continue to explore Cosimo de Medici's delicate balancing act of power and his unique approach to ruling without seeming to do so. We broaden our gaze to the broader political landscape of the time, deta…
July 5, 2023
In the last episode, our journey began with Giovanni di Medici, the unassuming but shrewd head of a flourishing bank, whose political maneuvers and wealth catapulted his family into prominence. In this episode, we continue …
June 20, 2023
In 1397, Banco dei Medici was founded by Giovanni de Bicci de Medici, the progenitor of the influential Medici family. He skillfully built his bank through a close relationship with the papacy, and the church, despite conde…
May 28, 2023
Modern banking traces its roots back to the 12th century. Medieval moneychangers expanded their services from currency exchange to partnerships, deposits, credit, and foreign exchange. With the growth of commerce, the trad…
May 17, 2023
Historian Hans Baron referred to it as the crisis of the Early Renaissance. In 1390, war broke out between Florence and Milan. At stake was the possibility of Italy becoming a unified kingdom or remaining fractured into i…
May 3, 2023
If Milan can be seen as the model despotic Renaissance state, then Florence portrayed herself as the ideal of civic republicanism. Throughout the 1300s, Florence grew fearful of the growing power of Milan under the Visconti…
April 19, 2023
In the latter half of the 14th century, the Trecento, Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Lord of Milan, would dominate the political landscape of Italy. Consolidating power as the single rule of the Milanese state, Gian Galeazzo set h…
April 3, 2023
Medieval Italy was a distinct region with unique characteristics that set it apart from the rest of Europe. In an environment of urban expansion and commercial prosperity, Italian Renaissance humanism would emerge. The city-…
March 21, 2023
The Italian poet Petrarch is the paradigm of Renaissance humanism. He espoused the revival of classical learning and the study of Roman literature as a way to morally improve humanity. He criticized his scholastic contempo…
March 7, 2023
The House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikma) was a translation center, a library, and a research institute. It represented the cultural and intellectual efflorescence under the Abbasid Caliphate during the 8th and 9th centuries. It…
Feb. 21, 2023
In this episode, we explore the scholastic method of the 13th and 14th centuries as it developed from the rediscovery of Aristotle's complete works on logic, known as the Organon . Scholasticism, at its height, emphasized l…
Feb. 7, 2023
Pierre Abelard was one of the great thinkers of the Medieval period. He was, in many ways, an iconoclast, unafraid to challenge the establishment of the early 12th-century church. He was brilliant, and he knew it. His arroga…
Jan. 23, 2023
In this episode, I look broadly at the development of Medieval thought and learning since the end of the Roman Empire in the West. The philosopher Boethius in the early 6th century CE, would undertake the task of translatin…
Jan. 8, 2023
The university as an educational institution appeared in the 12th century CE. The Universities of Paris and Bologna became models of higher education right up to the present day. The emergence of the university as an urban…
Dec. 19, 2022
Over the last thirty years, we have witnessed how the introduction of the internet and the rise of social media has spurred drastic cultural and social changes that have impacted all aspects of life. Many of the same themes…