How the Renaissance (re)invented Ancient Rome

Comments · 100

• QU

  @QuantumHistorian · 6 months ago

  This is not only a masterclass on the renaissance, but also on how to answer historical questions: peeling back the layers of "why?" behind every statement, examining implicit assumptions, inverting presumed cause-and-effect relationships, and noting how the historiography influences itself. It's amazing how such deep concepts are explained with such clarity without over simplifications or grandiose generalisation. I find myself compelled to go and read every book every written by Ada!

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• RO

  @RobbieLong-i3z · 6 months ago

  Wonderful guest! She's such a good and clear speaker

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• K2

  @k2024-b8n · 6 months ago

  She is a superb mind, she really has everything from the longue duree to the attention to important detail and the ability to express all that intellectual history that very few peers have.

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• MI

  @mikeniete2150 · 8 months ago

  Oh wow! I enjoyed this episode so much! Thank you both.

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• TH

  @TheArghnono · 8 months ago

  A great interview! "Inventing the Renaissance" was the favorite book I read in 2025, and there is some stiff competition.

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• BR

  @bryanreed8206 · 6 months ago

  I just picked up Inventing the Renaissance after listening to this interview. Very excited to start it!

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• FL

  @flourishes4u · 2 months ago

  This is the finest podcast episode I have ever listened to. Prof Palmer has a uniquely brilliant and engaging way of explaining her subject.

• SZ

  @szaro-the-younger · 6 months ago

  Just got the book. I just kinda shelved the Renaissance to learn about other periods because I thought I knew enough about it. Guess not! Thanks so much!

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• RF

  @RFL1976 · 8 months ago

  Very enjoyable discussion, thank you both)

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• VA

  @Vampirewolfking · 6 months ago (edited)

  If you want to hear more of her talking about the book, she also appears in the podcast &quot;Byzantium and Friends&quot;, episode 141. <br><br>She tells pretty much the same stories in both, but of course the context is a bit different.

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• TH

  @thenoblegnuwildebeest3625 · 8 months ago

  Could we get a podcast on the resurgence of Hellenic imagery during the Greek Revolution?

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• LU

  @LunaticArchives · 8 months ago (edited)

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ws87TCojyc&amp;t=652">10:52</a> I think we shouldn&apos;t be talking about &quot;The Renaissance&quot;, but more in terms of &quot;a renaissance&quot;.<br>I mean it&apos;s a perfectly functional relative term to express some kind of (perceived) historical rebirth.<br>And if you treat I it like that instead of some kind of supposed monolithic historical term, then all the seemingly contradicting dates and periods people would mention suddenly wouldn&apos;t be contradictory at all anymore.

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