In the 4th and in the 5th centuries Rome faced an unprecedented threat from various so called barbarian peoples. It had faced threats before and survived; but this time, at least in the west, the Roman imperial system would collapse. This course tells the story of that implosion in the...
In the 4th and in the 5th centuries Rome faced an unprecedented threat from various so called barbarian peoples. It had faced threats before and survived; but this time, at least in the west, the Roman imperial system would collapse. This course tells the story of that implosion in the last 100 years leading up to the fall of the...
ALL SHOOK UP: ART, MUSIC AND POLITICS IN AMERICA 1950-1975 1950-1975 is arguably the most tumultuous period in modern American history. It began, and ended, with the country’s involvement in eastern Asia. No sooner had the Korean War ended than the Vietnam War began – a conflict that would dominate...
ALL SHOOK UP: ART, MUSIC AND POLITICS IN AMERICA 1950-1975 1950-1975 is arguably the most tumultuous period in modern American history. It began, and ended, with the country’s involvement in eastern Asia. No sooner had the Korean War ended than the Vietnam War began – a conflict that would dominate American politics for twenty years. The 1950s saw rock and roll...
Following the collapse of the Old Kingdom there was a period of instability called the First Intermediate Period. Then around 2000BC a ruler called Montuhotep restored unity and order. The next few centuries covering Dynasties 11-13 saw a renaissance in art and literature associated with what is known as the...
Following the collapse of the Old Kingdom there was a period of instability called the First Intermediate Period. Then around 2000BC a ruler called Montuhotep restored unity and order. The next few centuries covering Dynasties 11-13 saw a renaissance in art and literature associated with what is known as the Middle Kingdom. Then a further collapse linked to internal disorder...
Egypt in the 14th century BC was at the height of its power and wealth under the “Sun King” Amenhotep III. But his son, who took the name Akhenaten, attempted a religious revolution of a kind unprecedented in Egyptian history. He did this alongside his famous wife Nefertiti. He moved...
Egypt in the 14th century BC was at the height of its power and wealth under the “Sun King” Amenhotep III. But his son, who took the name Akhenaten, attempted a religious revolution of a kind unprecedented in Egyptian history. He did this alongside his famous wife Nefertiti. He moved away from Thebes and created a new capital at Amarna...
Following on from the popular and well-attended “Road Less Travelled” series, this brief course seeks to continue our exploration of locations, in Italy, that are off the beaten tourist pathway. It is organised around themes that will see us travelling all around the “mighty boot” looking for yet more places...
Following on from the popular and well-attended “Road Less Travelled” series, this brief course seeks to continue our exploration of locations, in Italy, that are off the beaten tourist pathway. It is organised around themes that will see us travelling all around the “mighty boot” looking for yet more places to savour. Topics will include:- The...
“It is what it is” so said so many artists when asked what was the idea behind their work, some being deliberately evasive and others being absolutely honest.But on frequent occasions art is employed by the the Monarch, the State, the Government or the artist themselves to emphasies power, authority,...
“It is what it is” so said so many artists when asked what was the idea behind their work, some being deliberately evasive and others being absolutely honest.But on frequent occasions art is employed by the the Monarch, the State, the Government or the artist themselves to emphasies power, authority, status or to fight a deeply felt political cause.Art so...
Strap in for a captivating journey through the most explosive, transformative decade in modern history! Join hosts Steve Millward and Frank Vigon as they unravel the seismic cultural and political shifts of the 1960s—a time when youth culture broke all the rules. From the world-shaking phenomenon of The Beatles and...
Strap in for a captivating journey through the most explosive, transformative decade in modern history! Join hosts Steve Millward and Frank Vigon as they unravel the seismic cultural and political shifts of the 1960s—a time when youth culture broke all the rules. From the world-shaking phenomenon of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to groundbreaking cinema, psychedelic rock, and the...
The first Viking raid on Lindisfarne occurred in 793 and in 1066 Harald Hardrada attempted to seize the throne of England. But it was not only England that faced Viking expansion. Norwegian Vikings sailed to Ireland, France and Spain and into the Mediterranean and discovered both Iceland and Greenland. In...
The first Viking raid on Lindisfarne occurred in 793 and in 1066 Harald Hardrada attempted to seize the throne of England. But it was not only England that faced Viking expansion. Norwegian Vikings sailed to Ireland, France and Spain and into the Mediterranean and discovered both Iceland and Greenland. In the east Swedish Vikings morphed to become the Rus and...
This course examines the role and impact of film from the silent era to the present. We look at approaches to the historical study of film and make comparisons across several countries, genres and periods. We place the films in historical context and assess the production, style, content and reception."Over...
This course examines the role and impact of film from the silent era to the present. We look at approaches to the historical study of film and make comparisons across several countries, genres and periods. We place the films in historical context and assess the production, style, content and reception."Over the years, I have dipped in and out of various...
This course will look at the developments in British art from the Second World War until the end of the 20th Century. Artists we will look at include Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Barbara Hepworth, Frank Auerbach, David Hockney, Pauline Boty, Maggie Hambling, and Damien Hirst.
This course will look at the developments in British art from the Second World War until the end of the 20th Century. Artists we will look at include Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Barbara Hepworth, Frank Auerbach, David Hockney, Pauline Boty, Maggie Hambling, and Damien Hirst.
A curtain is falling across the face of Europe…not the iron curtain but a curtain of extremeism in which the left behind have suddenly become energised to take part in a system they always considered excluded them …..Politics!In many countries as the gulf between the ultra-rich and the ultra-poor widens, there is...
A curtain is falling across the face of Europe…not the iron curtain but a curtain of extremeism in which the left behind have suddenly become energised to take part in a system they always considered excluded them …..Politics!In many countries as the gulf between the ultra-rich and the ultra-poor widens, there is a growing distrust of politicians that reaches back as far...
Step beyond emperors and battles to explore how ordinary people actually lived in ancient Rome. This course brings the Roman world to life through its streets, homes, meals, journeys, and entertainment. Using a rich mix of literary texts, inscriptions, and material culture, we will uncover the rhythms of daily life...
Step beyond emperors and battles to explore how ordinary people actually lived in ancient Rome. This course brings the Roman world to life through its streets, homes, meals, journeys, and entertainment. Using a rich mix of literary texts, inscriptions, and material culture, we will uncover the rhythms of daily life - from what Romans ate and how they travelled, to...