Archways: Western Civilization History Podcast

History of Demons: Part 1 (1000 BC - AD 1942) 12.02.2026 23分

In this episode we're discussing the origins of demonology in Western Civilization, tracing it back to its ancient roots. Pre-Christian cultures across Mesopotamia, Egypt, and beyond featured a range of supernatural beings blamed for sickness and bad choices. When Zoroastrianism came on the scene, in 8th century BC Iran, religion first developed the idea of dualism: that the world is locked in the struggle between good and evil. This idea profoundly influenced post-exilic Judaism during Persian rule, enabling them to develop concepts of organized demons, angels, Satan, and eschatology in texts like the Book of Enoch, Jubilees, and Tobit. Christianity built on this rich heritage, portraying Satan as God's active adversary and demons as a malignant force to be reckoned with in the New Testament. Later works, from the Testament of Solomon and Dante's Inferno to Milton's Paradise Lost and C.S. Lewis's Screwtape Letters, further enriched the popular imagination of demons thus giving us the understanding of demons that we have today. This episode is the first in a series exploring demonology. Further episodes will look into exorcisms and demon hunting.

History of Leisure (384 BC - AD 2020) 26.04.2025 24分

In this episode we discuss the history of thinking about leisure from Aristotle, Epicurus, Seneca, and Cicero to St. Paul, Gregory I, St. Benedict, Thomas Aquinas, Dante, and John Calvin to Schopenhauer and Nietzsche. Leisure was once seen as a time for debating philosophy or studying the universe, before giving way to slothful bread and circuses. Christian thought hit back hard against Roman excess, teaching leisure was a sinful waste of God's time. In modern times, thinkers are trying to discover what leisure is good and how much is too much. In the face of the AI revolution, will we choose a future of constant passive entertainment, or will we continue to find meaning in our leisure or at the very least more work to do?

Ranking American Monarchies (AD 1804-1883) 27.03.2025 24分

In this episode we use a ranking system I made up to examine the unique monarchies that were declared in the Americas during the Age of Revolutions. We will learn about the Haitian Revolution that led to the Empire of Haiti and the Kingdom of Haiti. We will learn about the Mexican Revolution that led to the First and Second Empires of Mexico. And we will learn about the Brazilian War of Independence that led to the establishment of the Empire of Brazil. Based on duration, power, accomplishments, and swagger we will determine the best endemic non-colonial western civilization-based empire of the Americas.

Monarchy: History and Advantages 16.01.2025 24分

In this episode we take a deep dive into one of the oldest, most famous, and most stable forms of government: monarchy. Looking at examples from the past, we see what makes a monarchy successful. And we extract lessons for our own governments today. We will study with particular interest Ancient Egypt, Babylon, as well as 17 century France, Belgium, Britain, and modern Japan and Saudi Arabia.

History of Bacon Cheeseburgers: Only in the West 08.08.2024 18分

Bacon cheeseburgers are a unique creation of the West, particularly the American melting pot and its dynamism. While all civilizations have governing dietary restrictions based on their religion or philosophy, only the West had the perfect combination of dietary beliefs that permitted the Bacon Cheeseburger to be created. In this episode, we will look into what taboos the Bacon Cheeseburger violates in Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism. Sources used in the episode: britannica.com/topic/dietary-law/Hunter-gatherers Dietary Restrictions of Other Religions - Journal of the American Dietetic Association (jandonline.org) Confucianism | Meaning, History, Beliefs, & Facts | Britannica Confucius’s Rules on Diet and Food - Chinese Culture (bellaonline.com) All About the Hindu Diet. A Simple Guide! (pastandpresentdiets.com) jewishvirtuallibrary.org/overview-of-jewish-dietary-laws-and-regulations

West Threats: Horse Archers Pt. 2 18.05.2024 31分

In this captivating episode, we delve into the remarkable legacy of horse archer civilizations—the Parthians, Mongols, and Comanche—and their profound impact on Western societies. Buckle up as we ride through history, exploring their strategies, innovations, and cultural exchanges. 🏹 The Parthians: From the mid-3rd century BC until 224 CE, the Parthian Empire spanned vast territories—from the Euphrates River to Central Asia. Their skilled horse archers revolutionized warfare, employing tactics that confounded enemies. We’ll uncover their influence on the Greeks, Persians, and Romans. 🐎 The Mongols: Under Genghis Khan’s leadership, the Mongols forged the largest land empire in history. Their swift cavalry, including expert horse archers, reshaped geopolitics across Asia and Europe. Discover how their legacy echoes in Rus, Poland, and beyond. 🌾 The Comanche: On the American frontier, the Comanche—a formidable horse culture—transformed the Great Plains. Their mobility, tactics, and archery prowess challenged European settlers and left an indelible mark on American history. Join us as we ride alongside these equestrian warriors, exploring their impact on trade, military strategy, and cultural exchange. From ancient times to the Wild West, Japan to Amarillo, their legacy gallops through the annals of Western civilization!

West Threats: Horse Archers Pt. 1 (2000 BC-AD 1875) 04.04.2024 19分

In this episode we study the unique technologies and cultures that developed in the womb of the great Eurasian and American steppes. We will look at how these hearty humans adapted to their harsh environments and synergized with horses to form mobile civilizations. We will then look into how these civilizations accumulated enormous wealth and developed key horse-related technologies: the bridle, saddle, and stirrups. We will then discuss the evolution of mounted archers and the unique danger this posed to Western Civilization. This episode is focused specifically on early horse civilizations and the Scythians. Part 2 will discuss the Parthians, Mongols, Magyars, and Comanche.

Tales of Medieval Courtship Fails (AD 900-1200) 16.02.2024 20分

It's the time of year where romance is in the air. In this episode, we look at several ill-fated high-profile romances throughout the medieval period including... - Prince Mal and Princess Olga of Kiev - Constantine the VII and Regent Olga of Kiev - Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere - Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Polenta - Heloise and Abelard Sources for this episode include: The Primary Chronicles http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/01/saint-buried-people-alive-burned-city-revenge/ History Tea Time Podcast https://www.historyandwomen.com/2010/10/love-story-of-lancelot-and-guinevere.html https://vault.hanover.edu/~battles/arthur/affair owlcation.com/humanities/Famous-Love-Stories-in-History-Paolo-and-Francesca abelardandheloise.com

Chess Openings: History and Strategy 08.02.2024 19分

In this episode, we draw from the well of chess again. This time discussing five of the most popular and successful openings in Chess: the Spanish Opening, the Sicilian Defense, the Italian Game, the French Defense, and the Caro-Kann. On our journey to learn about openings, we will also learn about chess legends like Arpad Elo (the inventor of ELO), Ruy Lopez, Giulio Greco, and more. We will sink our teeth into chess history like the Gottingen manuscript and the first recorded games. Then, we will study how the greatest players of today like Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Vladislav Artemieve like to start their games. Special guest appearance from Napoleon Bonaparte. Sources: How to Win At Chess by Levy Grozman Chess.com

The History of Podcasting: From cavemen to now 18.01.2024 17分

It is our 50th episode! To celebrate this historic milestone we are having a meta episode about the history of speaking itself. We will examine the oldest oral histories of the Indigenous Australians that have endured over 10,000 years. Then we will look at Moses and the oral law, followed by Homer and the bardic tradition. We will look at tricks bards used to memorize lengthy historical epics. After that, we will study how medieval Europe adapted the spoken word into sermons and operas, and then see how modern technology like radios, iPods, and RSS feeds launched the spoken word to new heights. Sources: Microphone Image Courtesy of Alvaro_cabrera / Freepik Homer: From Oral Tradition to Canon | Ancient Origins (ancient-origins.net) Brief History Of The Radio From 1900 To 2023 Evolution (radio4all.org) 'Here is a story! Story it is': how fairytales are told in other tongues | Fairytales | The Guardian

Guy Fawkes Night (AD 1605) 06.11.2023 15分

November 5th is the anniversary of the Gunpowder Treason Plot, an almost successful attempt by persecuted Catholics to blow away their Protestant opposition by detonating 36 barrels of gunpowder directly underneath the House of Lords on the opening day of parliament in 1605. Learn how crafty King James I avoided the fate of his father (being exploded), and why the man caught holding the fuse, Guy Fawkes, is an inspiration to anarchists and hackers and the origin for the word "guy." The events that would happen this night would topple the dominoes leading to Shakespeare's and Milton's greatest works as well as the colonization of America and establishment of it as a place of religious freedom. Sources for this episode: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Guy-Fawkes https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/parliamentaryauthority/the-gunpowder-plot-of-1605/overview/the-plot-and-its-discovery/conspiracy-and-deception/ https://www.tudorsociety.com/5th-november-1605-the-gunpowder-plot/ https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/gunpowder-plot-what-history-behind-bonfire-night

History of Halloween: What do ghosts, candy, costumes and pumpkins have to do with each other? 29.10.2023 14分

In this episode learn about Halloween's spooky origins as Samhain, an October 31st Celtic harvest festival featuring all the scariest things: mischievous fairies, ghosts, and taxes! Then learn how All Saints Day and All Souls Day got moved to this time of the year fusing them inextricably with the Celtic traditions resulting in new rituals like wearing white bedsheets and calling yourself a ghost, trick-or-treating, and turnip -carving. Finally, learn how these traditions were exported into America and forever changed into the pumpkin-obsessed candy-filled 12 billion dollar holiday we know and love today. Sources: https://time.com/5434659/halloween-pagan-origins-in-samhain/ https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Joukowsky_Institute/courses/13things/7448.html https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/samhain

History of Playing Cards 04.09.2023 15分

Marie is back! This episode discusses the origins of playing cards and tarot cards in the Middle Ages. We discuss the origins of suits, the games you could play and what they tell us about Medieval life. Sources A Cultural History of Tarot by Farley Pleasure and Leisure in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Age by Classen Random Riches by Zollinger Master of the Playing Cards | The Queen of Flowers | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org) We’re going on a bear hunt - Medieval manuscripts blog ace | Etymology, origin and meaning of ace by etymonline Karnöffel Game Rules - How to Play Karnöffel the Card Game

History of the Papal States: the Pope's Kingdom on Earth (AD 756-1870) 14.08.2023 13分

When looking at the Republics of medieval Italy it's always shocking to see on the map a northern central Italian country with Rome in it known as the Papal States. The Papal States were a territory under the direct control of the Pope for over a thousand years from AD 756 to 1870. In this episode, we look into why the Pope became a sovereign king over earthly territory, how he protected this land from Huns, Goths, Vandals, and Lombards, how the territories forced the Pope to crown 2 Roman Emperors in France 1000 years apart (Charlemagne and Napoleon), and how the territories eventually got reduced to just the Vatican Hill near Rome. Finally, we look at the modern state of Vatican City and compare it to its past iterations, as well as discuss how even though the Pope's earthly power has waned, his influence is more relevant than ever. Sources for this episode: https://www.britannica.com/place/Papal-States https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/pope-titles/1937813/ https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-a-bishop.html https://religion.fandom.com/wiki/Papal_supremacy

History of the Pope: What Do All His Titles Mean? 31.07.2023 11分

In this episode we continue our series on the Italian City-States by discussing the ruler of the Papal States: The Pope. He is probably more famous for being the head of the Catholic church though, and so this episode focuses on the history of this position. We will look at where his authority derives from and how the early Bishops of Rome gained primacy over their peers: the Bishops of Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Antioch. We will then discuss what the New Testament teaches about the leaders of Christianity and how those ideas evolved into the modern Pope. Lastly, we will cover the Pope's eight titles and what they all mean: the Bishop of Rome, the Vicar of Jesus Christ, the Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, the Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, the Primate of Italy, the Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, and the Sovereign of the State of Vatican City. Next week, we will discuss the history of the Papal States and the Popes who ruled over them. Sources for this episode are: https://www.britannica.com/place/Papal-States https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/pope-titles/1937813/ https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-a-bishop.html https://religion.fandom.com/wiki/Papal_supremacy

History of Genoa: Jeans, Salami, Columbus, and Crossbows (AD 900-1700) 13.07.2023 18分

In this fourth episode in our series on the Italian City States of the high middle ages and Renaissance, we learn about Genoa. Genoa was a major maritime republic in the northwest of Italy that ran an empire from the 10th century to the 17th century that included territories across the Crimean coast, Anatolia, the Aegean sea, Corsica, Sardinia, and even Panama. In this episode you'll learn about Genoa's contributions to western civilization including helping win the first crusade, creating the best crossbowmen on the continent, restoring Constantinople to the Byzantines, giving birth to Columbus, inventing jeans, and connecting the trade of the Levant to the markets of Europe. Learn about Genoa's fierce rivalries with Pisa and Venice, as well as its ruinous business partnerships with France and Spain. Sources for this episode: https://www.britannica.com/place/Genoa-Italy https://www.historicmysteries.com/sacro-catino/ https://www.travelplan.it/genoa_guide_historical_buildings_monuments.htm https://ageofempires.fandom.com/wiki/Genoese_Crossbowman https://www.tasteatlas.com/genoa-salami

History of Florence: Part 2 - Birthplace of the Rennaissance (AD 1300-1600) 09.06.2023 23分

In this episode, we learn about how the Medici family came to power in Florence, and how their efforts gave a place to thrive for the geniuses who called Florence home. We will discuss some of these famous Florentines: including Donatello, Botticelli, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Amerigo Vespucci. But of course, that would be impossible without discussing the Medici family and its two most famous scions: Cosimo and Lorenzo, who will be the focus of this episode. Sources Florence | Italy, History, Geography, & Culture | Britannica History of Florence and Of the Affairs Of Italy, by Niccolo Machiavelli (gutenberg.org) Medici Bank - Wikipedia House of Medici - Wikipedia

History of Florence: Part 1 - from Romans to Dante (AD 300-1300) 02.06.2023 16分

In this episode you will learn about a Roman fort that turned into a retirement community for veterans of the legions. They moved out of the mountains and into the valley, establishing a key trading hub that became the gateway to northern Italy. For this reason, the city was quarreled over by the Ostrogoths and the Byzantines. Eventually, their fighting reduced the city to rubble. Fortunately, visionary and faithful leaders like Charlemagne, Hugh the Great, and Contessa Matilda would see to it that Florence rise again. It would become the capital of Tuscany, and it would become the Pope's choice city to oversee his banks. Florence would then become the mint for the world's monetary standard: the gold florin. In this time of prosperity, Florence decided to give power to its people and guilds. They established a unique democracy with incredibly short terms of service for government officers. Immediately, the nobles and external powers such as the Pope and the Holy Roman Empire sought to take advantage of the little democracy. Yet, the people of Florence continually succeeded in fighting to preserve the fledgling institution. The one thing their democracy could not survive, however, was internal division. In this episode we will discuss the sorry state of their democracy when they exiled Dante Alighieri, one of their greatest citizens. In spite of the wickedness of this act, it actually galvanized Dante to process how this could happen to him, inspiring him to write one of the greatest poems ever created: the Divine Comedy. The success of this poem gave rise to the Florentine dialect, resulting in all of Italy speaking in the Florentine way. Even today, modern Italian is derived from Florentine.

History of Venice: Seeing Through A Glass Darkly (AD 697-1797) 18.05.2023 8分

In this short episode, we take a quick look into what was up with the Republic of Venice: a free market merchant-run nation that lasted for over 1100 years. We talk about its industries, innovations, and institutions to figure out what made this unique place tick. First episode in a series on medieval Italian city-states. Sources Referenced: Italy - The Republic of Venice | Britannica https://www.venicebyvenetians.com/brief-history-venice/ https://www.furniturelibrary.com/mirror-glass-darkly/

History of Chariot Racing in Rome and Byzantium: Bread and Circuses 29.03.2023 21分

In this episode, Doug discusses the history and rules of chariot racing in ancient Rome and how it carried over to the Byzantines. He will discuss the various strategies and teams that developed, as well as some notable racers and horses. He concludes with an assessment of how wealthy winners could become vs how deadly the races were, including, sometimes, for the spectators. Sources Chariot racing | History, Rules, & Facts | Britannica saymedia.com (history.com) meaning and origin of the phrase ‘bread and circuses’ – word histories Chariot Racing in Ancient Rome - World History Encyclopedia Blue versus Green: Rocking the Byzantine Empire | History| Smithsonian Magazine Chariot Racing In The Roman Empire: Speed, Fame, and Politics (thecollector.com)