172. Reading Classics

172. Reading Classics

From Undeceptions with John Dickson by Undeceptions Ltd

March 22, 2026 · 1h 11m · Season 16 · Episode 5

About this episode

The episode discusses the significance and challenges of engaging with Classical texts from ancient Greece and Rome.

There’s a certain collection of Greek and Roman writings - from roughly 800 BC to AD 200 - which, apart from the Bible, has shaped the Western world more than any other intellectual tradition. Today, we call them the Classics. Many are familiar with the names behind these ancient texts: Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Livy … the list goes on. But just because these works have a legacy doesn’t mean that people today actually like them. For starters, they’re hard work. Mark Twain once described a Classic as “something that everybody wants to have read, and nobody wants to read”. Others dislike the very concept of the Classics because they privilege the writings of (presumably) white men over other rich, non-Western traditions. But like it or not, the Classics still matter in their own right today - especially if you’re interested in Christianity. FOR FULL SHOW NOTES - click here CREDITS Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Peter Kozushko…

People in this episode

Host: John Dickson

Topics covered

  • Classics
  • Greek writings
  • Roman writings
  • Western intellectual tradition
  • Christianity

Keywords

  • Plato
  • Aristotle
  • Socrates
  • Livy
  • Mark Twain

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Classics, Bible, CREDITS Undeceptions, Undeception

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