Podcast 'Experiences in Loneliness'

In the podcast "Experiences in Loneliness," researchers from CRASIS explore themes of loneliness throughout antiquity, featuring discussions on literature, history, religion, archaeology, and their modern-day interpretations. This series offers a deep dive into how ancient cultures understood and expressed the concept of loneliness.

Episodes

• Episode 1: "The Radical Isolation of Athenian Women," featuring Dr. Jacqueline Klooster, examines the social and cultural constraints that led to profound solitude among women in ancient Athens.

• Episode 2: "The Philosopher-Coach in Cicero’s Exile," with Leanne Jansen, MA, explores how Cicero's philosophical writings during his exile reflect themes of mentorship and isolation.

• Episode 3: "The Solitary Sites of Dura Europos and Hatra," with Dr. Rocco Palermo, discusses the archaeological evidence of isolation at these ancient sites.

• Episode 4: "Jonah in the Whale," featuring Dr. Bärry Hartog, analyzes the biblical story of Jonah as a metaphor for isolation and divine intervention.

• Episode 5: "Ovid's Black Sea of Loneliness," with Dr. Bettina Reitz-Joosse, delves into Ovid's exile and the loneliness depicted in his poetry from the Black Sea region.

• Episode 6: "Fear of a Lonely Grave," with Prof. Onno van Nijf, investigates ancient beliefs and fears surrounding solitude in death and burial practices.

• Episode 7: "Listening to Antiquity in Your Loneliness," with Prof. David Rijser, discusses how ancient texts can provide comfort and insights into the experience of loneliness today.

Production Team

• Idea and Presentation: Dr. Albert Joosse

• Producer: Evelien de Graaf BA

Special acknowledgment goes to the research institute CRASIS for supporting this insightful exploration into the emotional landscape of the ancient world. This series is inspired by the "Emotions of Isolation" project by Dawn LaValle Norman, which seeks to understand emotional experiences of isolation through historical perspectives.