1. Ancient Rome in the Making

What sets Herodotus’ work apart?When Herodotus completed his work in the 5th century BC, a new branch of literature began. Historical writing, the discipline of reporting the past based on critically examining sources and driven by research questions, was Herodotus’ gift to the world. Many modern standards and methods historians use today are improved versions of Herodotus’ approach.

Every religion has its beginningThe Battle of Kalinga was a history-changing event that led Emperor Ashoka to embrace Buddhism and abandon violence. This historic battleground is the origin of Buddhism as a religious institution, and it reminds us that all thriving world religions rely on some level of government support.

Unity in diversity Hinduism tells us about souls traveling forever from life to life, universes arising from the mind of a god, and cosmic justice as a consequence of blind Karmic Law. This episode is a stroll through some of the most important concepts of Hinduism, one of the richest and oldest traditions.

What stories did the Romans tell about their origin?Rome’s beginning is much older than Romulus and Remus: it goes back to a group of refugees looking for a fresh start. The Romans connected their culture to older traditions which resulted in a fictional mix of the Trojan War, conflicts with Carthage, and an epic struggle for survival in central Italy.