Afleveringen
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On this episode of The Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie offer an in-depth exploration of the animated film "Asterix versus Caesar," originally titled "Astérix et la Surprise de César," which was released in 1985. This film is an adaptation of the beloved French comic series created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, a significant part of French culture since its inception. Megan and Lexie provide an insightful exploration of "Asterix versus Caesar," emphasizing the differences between the French and English versions, particularly in character names and cultural references. The discussion highlights the challenges of translating humor and wordplay while also acknowledging the film's lighthearted approach to storytelling, despite the presence of outdated stereotypes. This analysis enriches the understanding of the film and invites viewers to appreciate the nuances of language and culture in adaptations.
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In this episode of the Reading Party podcast, Megan and Lexie dive into the 2007 fantasy historical adventure film, The Last Legion. Set against the backdrop of the fall of the Roman Empire, the movie intertwines legendary elements such as the last Roman Emperor, Excalibur, Merlin, and King Arthur, creating a captivating narrative that blends historical fantasy with medieval Britain. "The Last Legion" ultimately serves as a unique cinematic experience that combines the fall of the Roman Empire with the enchanting world of Arthurian legend. While it is rife with historical inaccuracies, the film's charm lies in its ability to entertain and engage viewers with its fantastical elements. The blending of these two distinct narratives creates a story that, while not true to history, captures the imagination and invites audiences to explore the myths that have shaped our understanding of the past.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In this episode of The Reading Party, hosts Megan and Lexie dive into the world of Roman history with esteemed guests Dr. Peta Greenfield and Dr. Fiona Radford, co-hosts of The Partial Historians podcast. With their expertise in Classics and Ancient History, they explore the iconic 2000 film Gladiator, discussing its impact and cultural significance. Dr. Radford shares her specialization in reception studies, particularly Roman film, as they reflect on how Gladiator shaped their generation. Tune in for an insightful conversation that bridges cinema and history, and get insights from seasoned podcasters who have been engaging audiences with ancient Rome for over a decade.
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Lexie and Megan are back for season 3! Welcome back to the Reading Party Podcast! In this exciting episode of our Rome Centric Season 3, we have not one, but two special guests: ancient historians Aaron Irvin and Jeff Stevens both experts on the Roman Empire, as well as consultants for Starz series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand”. Join us as we dive deep into the world of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," focusing on episodes five and six.
In this episode, we recap the intense journey of Spartacus, a Thracian warrior turned gladiator, as he fights for survival and seeks to reunite with his wife. We discuss the brutal realities of gladiatorial life, the historical accuracy of the show's portrayal of the pits, and the complex social hierarchies within the ludus.
Aaron and Jeff share their insights on the historical context of gladiators, the motivations behind characters like Varro, and the significance of the show's representation of violence and sexuality. We also explore the challenges of balancing historical accuracy with modern sensibilities in storytelling.
Whether you're a fan of the series or just curious about ancient Rome, this episode is packed with fascinating discussions and expert analysis. Don't miss out!
Guests:
Aaron Irvin: A professor at Murray State University specializing in ancient Rome, Egypt, the ancient Near East, and ancient Greece. He contributed to the Spartacus series during his grad school years at UCLA.
Jeff Stevens: An ancient historian at the University of Missouri and the director of undergraduate studies. Like Aaron, he worked on the Spartacus series as a grad student at UCLA and is currently involved in archaeological digs in Italy.
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Join Megan and Lexie for a wrap up of season two!
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In the season finale of The Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie dive deep into the final chapters of "Desert God" by Wilbur Smith. They discuss the inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and unsatisfying conclusions in the book, questioning the choices made by the author. Despite the captivating writing style and beautiful descriptions, they express disappointment in the lack of resolution and the abrupt ending. Join them as they analyze the plot, characters, and historical inaccuracies, offer a critical review of "Desert God”, and explore the complexities of blending mythology and history in fiction.
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In this episode of the Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie dive into the world of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia as they discuss the book "Desert God" by Wilbur Smith. Join them as they dissect the historical inaccuracies, character developments, and plot twists in this fifth installment of the Egyptian series. From the over-sexualization of characters to the questionable lore inconsistencies, Megan and Lexie provide a critical yet engaging analysis of the book.
Grab your favorite beverage and snacks as they spill the tea on the adventures of Taita, Mem, and the princesses in this epic journey through ancient lands. Tune in to explore the themes of misogyny, racism, and fantastical elements in this historical fantasy novel.
If you're a fan of ancient history, fantasy, or just enjoy a good book discussion, this episode is a must-listen. Join Megan and Lexie on their adventure through the pages of "Desert God" and get ready for some intriguing insights and lively commentary on this captivating tale.
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In this episode of the Reading Party Podcast, hosts Megan and Lexie are joined by Dr. Roselyn A. Campbell to discuss the animated movie "The Prince of Egypt" set in ancient Egypt. Dr. Campbell, a subject matter expert, shares insights and expertise on bioarchaeology, the historical/cultural aspects of the film, and provides a captivating exploration of ancient Egyptian stories. Tune in for a lively discussion filled with tea-spilling and historical analysis on this engaging episode!
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Join your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians, Megan and Lexie, as they unpack the fast-paced plot and questionable historical accuracy of the book Pharaoh by Wilbur Smith on today’s episode of The Reading Party Podcast!
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Today on the Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie discuss the 2014 movie "Exodus: Gods and Kings" starring Christian Bale. Egyptologist Dr. Christian Casey, a postdoc at the Freie Universität Berlin working on the Zodiac Project, joins them to talk about ancient zodiacal terms and the development of horoscopes in Mesopotamia. Dr. Casey also shares insights on popular representations of ancient Egypt, focusing on accuracy and educating audiences about the reality of ancient Egyptian culture.
Dr. Casey’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osarnachthis/
Website: https://www.caseyegyptologist.com/
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Grab your tea and snacks, and join your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians, Megan and Lexie, today as they talk about the 2000 animated movie Joseph, King of Dreams with special guest Dr. Joshua Bowen, who shares his expertise as an honorary Hebrew Bible scholar to analyze the biblical context of the film!
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On today’s episode of the Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie are joined by Egyptologist Kara Cooney, to discuss Egypt during Cleopatra's reign.
Cleopatra's identity and heritage have been a subject of debate, with various theories suggesting different aspects of her ancestry. The episode discusses the possibility that Cleopatra may have had Egyptian ancestry, despite being part of the Macedonian Ptolemaic dynasty. One key piece of evidence supporting this theory is Cleopatra's ability to speak and read Egyptian, a language that was not commonly known among the ruling class of the Ptolemaic dynasty. This linguistic skill indicates a deeper connection to Egyptian culture and society than what was typical for a Ptolemaic ruler.
The podcast also touches on the cultural representations in the film, such as the depiction of Egyptian and African individuals in stereotypical roles. The use of blackface and racial stereotypes in the film's portrayal of Egyptian and African characters reflects the problematic racial attitudes prevalent in the entertainment industry at the time. These portrayals perpetuated harmful stereotypes and reinforced colonialist narratives about race and identity.
Ultimately, the complex relationship between Egypt and Rome, as explored in the podcast episode, highlights the power dynamics and political intricacies that shaped the interactions between these two ancient civilizations. Egypt's role as a provider of wealth and resources to Rome, coupled with Cleopatra's strategic maneuvers to maintain her rule, exemplifies the intricate web of alliances and conflicts that ultimately led to Egypt's absorption into the Roman Empire and the demise of its independent status.
Join your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians as they delve into ancient history and the legacy of Egyptian queens!
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Today on The Reading Party Podcast, join your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians, Megan and Lexie, as they shed light on the inaccuracies in costumes and historical context present in the 1963 movie Cleopatra, prompting discussions about the creative liberties taken in portraying ancient Egypt and Roman culture on screen.
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Your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians, Megan and Lexie, are back this week to delve into their changing perspective on Wilbur Smith's novel The Quest, a mystical high fantasy novel set in ancient Egypt. They explore problematic themes of race essentialism, exoticism, and strange relationships within the story. The discussion highlights uncomfortable elements like magical rituals involving sex for knowledge transfer and the villain who steals magic from others. While critical, you don't want to miss this discussion examining the book's flaws and contradictions, offering a nuanced take on its content!
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Today, Megan and Lexie are joined by Egyptologist Dr. Jill Waller, to discuss the 2017 movie "The Mummy". Definitely not cut from the same cloth as the original movies with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, Megan, Lexie, and Jill explore how the film deviates from actual Egyptian history and culture, resulting in a portrayal that is far from accurate.
One key point raised by the hosts is the misrepresentation of Egyptian hieroglyphs and language in the movie. They note that the language used in the film, while aiming to sound ancient and mystical, does not align with historical accuracy. Not only that, but the characters in the movie casually read inscriptions and decipher ancient texts without the necessary research and expertise required in real archaeological work.
The portrayal of ancient Egyptian royalty and succession in the film is also highly selective at best. Megan, Lexie, and Jill explore the unrealistic depiction of a princess next in line to the throne resorting to murder to secure power, which goes against historical norms and practices in ancient Egypt.
Finally, they touch upon the use of cultural artifacts and the treatment of archaeological sites in the movie. They discuss how the movie portrays looting and destruction of ancient sites without addressing the ethical and legal implications of such actions.
To get your tickets for Hitpoints & History head over to https://HitpointsandHistory.eventbrite.com and use code “leapyear” for 29% off through the end of February! Find out more about Hitpoints & History at hitpointscon.com!
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Grab your tea and your snacks, and join your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians, Megan and Lexie, as they talk with Dr. Christian Casey about how Assassin's Creed Origins incorporates elements of ancient Egyptian culture and history to enhance the gameplay experience. They focus on the significance of the feather of Ma'at in the game, a symbol of truth and justice in ancient Egyptian mythology associated with the weighing of the heart ceremony in the afterlife. Players engage in conversations with defeated characters in the underworld, using the feather of Ma'at for judgment.
They discuss how the game integrates this cultural symbol, providing players with insight into ancient Egyptian beliefs and rituals. This inclusion provides players with insight into ancient Egyptian beliefs and rituals, adding authenticity and immersion to the gaming experience and allowing players to interact meaningfully with the mythology and symbolism of ancient Egypt.
Overall, incorporating these cultural and historical elements enriches gameplay and educates players about ancient Egypt's heritage, effectively blending entertainment with education.
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*Content warning below* Today Megan and Lexie discuss part two of Wilbur Smith's novel, Warlock, which includes a pursuit, a trick, a dust storm, and a change in plans. How many things are we frustrated with in this episode? Too many to count. Gratuitous and poorly written sex scenes, racist and misogynistic elements, and the problematic portrayal of women, particularly African women, in the book, with descriptions that perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Grab your tea, your snacks, and join your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians for all of this, plus the many historical inaccuracies!
CONTENT WARNING: The end of the book contains explicit scenes of sexual assault. Please listen (and read) with caution.
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*Content warning below* In this episode of the Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie dive into the first part of the book "Warlock", from the “Egyptian Series” by Wilbur Smith. They discuss their initial thoughts and share their feelings of familiarity with the plot. Despite some disappointments, they appreciate the well-written descriptions and the immersive atmosphere of the story, though the villain could have done with some more work! Grab your tea, your snacks, and join your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians as they analyze and enjoy another ancient Egypt-inspired story!
Content warning: "Warlock" contains scenes of graphic sexual assault and rape, and we do touch on those in this episode and the next. Please listen with caution!
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In this episode, Megan and Lexie discuss the 2016 movie "Gods of Egypt" with special guest Dr. Marissa Stevens, an Egyptologist at UCLA. They delve into the themes and cultural influences of the film, as well as the intersection between Egypt and Ancient Persia. Marissa shares her expertise on funerary papyri and the significance of the 21st dynasty. Grab your tea, your snacks, and join your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians as they explore the connections between ancient civilizations and the impact on religious practices.
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This week, Dr. Briana Jackson joins us again to tackle part 2 of Wilbur Smith’s novel, “River God”! What do we think of the novel’s ending? Who exactly were the Hyksos? Is the relationship between Taita and Lostris as weird as we all think? All this and more, on this episode of The Reading Party Podcast!
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