I actually chose this name in 2004 as the presidential race was picking up. I’m interested in history, particularly female figures, but not really a expert.

As I watched the deterioration of the foundations of American democracy, I felt that I was seeing our nation raped before my eyes much as Boadicea was forced to watch her own daughters abused and felt the each degradation of Constitutional protections as a blow of the whip (I know, sounds melodramatic, but that’s how it felt).

I decided I had to enter the fray in some way, and I had to be willing to fight with all my strength-no matter what the outcome. Taking Boadicea’s name as my blog pseudonym was my declaration that I would no longer stand by and leave those who come after me a weakened and compromised democracy. No matter what the result, I wouldn’t acquiesce.

I expect to be in this fight for the rest of my life. Because before you win you have to fight.

As that’s likely more than anyone wants to know, *g*, I’ll leave it at that for the moment.

First of all, I’m glad you usually enjoy our shows and that we’ve been of some help to you recently.

Bar-Serapion’s letter is well known to me. As I’m sure you’re aware, he doesn’t mention Yeshua/Jesus by name nor does he mention Christians, and, according to the NT, the Jews certainly didn’t believe Jesus to be a king, so we don’t really know who he is referring to. If that’s the best you can come up with as evidence that the biblical Jesus existed, then I’m afraid you’re making my point for me. The simple truth is that there isn’t a single first-hand account of Jesus anywhere to be found, including the books in the New Testament. All we have are stories of magical powers and wonderful events, told decades or centuries after the events are supposed to have occurred. That is the very definition of mythology.

The fact that billions of people around the world, in the 21st century, still believe that this ancient mythology is FACT gives me more reason to point out that that it isn’t history, it isn’t based on any supporting evidence, it is mythology, just like the story of Helen Of Troy.

I’m very happy to discuss / debate the subject in a calm, polite fashion with anyone, in the same way I’d discuss Napoleon’s legacy or whether or not Helen of Troy really existed. Christianity has no special claim to being out of bounds as a topic of discussion. In fact, after the murder, bloodshed and halt of progress committed in Christianity’s name over the last 1700 years, I think the opposite is true.

I will defend your right to believe whatever you want to believe but that doesn’t mean I need to agree with you or not point out that what you believe is based on zero evidence.

best,
Cameron

But I have just finished listening to the podcast on Helen of Troy, and I am disappointed that you slammed the beliefs of billions of people around the world. There are secular historical references to Jesus available for you to learn about.

Mara Bar-Serapion, a Syrian and probably a Stoic philosopher from 70ad. writes a letter to his son to encourage him to seek wisdom. “What advantage did the Athenians gain from putting Socrates to death? Famine and plague came upon them as a judgment for their crime. What advantage did the men of Samos gain from burning Pythagoras? In a moment their land was covered with sand. What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise King? It was just after that that their kingdom was abolished. God justly avenged these three wise men: the Athenians died of hunger, the Samians were overwhelmed by the sea: the Jews, ruined and driven from their land, live in complete dispersion. But Socrates did no die for good; he lived on in the teachings of Plato. Pythagoras did not die for good, he lived on in the statue of Hera. Nor did the wise King did for good; He lived on in the teachings which He had give.”

Sounds like a man that lived around the time of Jesus seems to know that this man lived. You will also find references in the writings of Phily the Younger, Phlegon, Thallus, and others.

I’m not trying to convince you that Jesus is God, I am only pointing out that there is evidence out there that a man named Jesus did live, and people thought he was the King of the Jews, and much more. Comparing the mythological Helen of Troy to Jesus is a terrible comparison.

Other than that, I love the show, so keep up the good stuff.

God Bless,
Terri

You can be certain that we will give women their due. History often downplays their importance, and we will try to overcome that all too common situation. That said, it is also true that a majority of the world’s movers and shakers, especially in earlier times, have tended to be men (not many female conquerors). That probably means that we’ll do stories on more men than women, since we tend to be heavy on military and political leaders. But I promise you that we will do everything we can to bring some much-needed balance to the study of history!

As to your namesake, what a fascinating story she is! I’ve seen at least two documentaries on her. We’ll try to discuss her in one of our earliest shows.

I’d be interested to know why you picked her for your namesake. If you’re an expert, maybe we’ll put you on the show!

And thanks for buying my book and sending in a subscription.

Cheers,

David

I’m already psyched at the inclusion of Hammurabai-most folks have no idea how innovative a leader he was.

I have a request. Please make a concerted effort to include the women who’ve made their mark on history. Too often, Cleopatra, Elizabeth I, and Victoria are the only historical figures that seem to get any real popular attn.

Nothing against those women, but I’d also love to see women like my namesake, Bess of Harwicke, Mary Stuart, Madame Pompadour, Clara Barton, etc get a little of their historical due.

Many thanks for making history so engaging, and I’ll be signing on for a subscription shortly.

You guys are great! You post my kvetch uncensored! After complaining — and not finding the offering on iTunes — I was surprised to find that my subscription went through nonetheless. So, I listened the the first show and was very impressed, as I expected to be after listening to 37+ episodes of Napoleon. So, I made a real $$ subscription.

With the exception of Napoleon, your new show is by far the best biography podcast out there. All the others are way too short to provide any meaningful amount of information. I don’t mind a full hour or even hour and a half. If anything, 30 minutes is too short — particularly for you guys, even if your colleague eschews his medicine (which is the same as mine)!

It was long, but well worth every second of it. One of the best things about the podcasts by the duo, is their depth, and I very well wouldn’t have minded Markham talking for another three hours. I understand that there are other considerations to take into account than our endurance when deciding podcast length, but just in case you were wondering, we still don’t mind if you speak longer than you intended to.

Geewizz, is this a videopodcast, or have they set a new record?

I am a lover of Napoleon 101 and am ready to contribute to TPN. I have no double that this podcast will be just as great or even better then Napoleon 101. I like the options of either a subscription or lump sum.

Are we going to be able to subscribe to this podcast through iTunes?

CHEERS!

D

*PS: don’t stop with the Napoleon Podcast series yet!