The Great Courses

With Julius Caesar dead, who would seize power? Trace the struggle that involved the Brutus-led liberators, who claimed a goal of restoring the republic; Caesar's lieutenant, Marc Antony; and a surprise third candidate: Caesar's 18-year-old nephew, Octavian, named his heir in Caesar's will.

The Greeks offered more than just action and warfare in their art. This episode examines the first female nude in the tradition, a sculpture of Aphrodite, the femme fatale of Mount Olympus. Whereas Greeks would have considered it unseemly to represent a nude woman, Aphrodite was a goddess and could be portrayed as sensuous, beautiful, and alluring.

Travel down to South and Central America to learn about the Maya, the Aztecs, and the Incas. While there are many shared stories and common origins, these people maintain cultures and myths that are significantly different from those of their cousins to the north.

This lecture uncovers the methodology archaeologists use to look for sites. Get acquainted with the uses of remote sensing technologies, such as LiDAR and ground penetrating radar, which enable archaeologists to visualize objects obscured by vegetation and soil. Then investigate ground surveys-reconnaissance done by carefully walking potential sites-which reveal vital information before digging.

Beowulf is not an easy poem to understand, but Beowulf is not an easy character to understand. Here, analyze how this classic male hero, a big, strong monster killer, may have a hidden vulnerability. Then, look at what insights Beowulf's story offers about life and death, the limits of self-reliance, and the path to achieving wisdom.

Students take a closer look at play, risk, trust, and other mind-sets needed for creative thinking, as well as practical techniques for brainstorming, using a different viewpoint, and changing their environment.

Take a wide-ranging look at the transformation of American art and entertainment during the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. Chart the accomplishments of the Ashcan School of painting and realist fiction. Witness the birth of ragtime, blues, and jazz, and the rise of spectator sports, stage entertainment, and the new medium of film.

Mindfulness meditation is based in the use of an anchor or focus of attention, allowing the mind to calm itself. Using breathing as the focus, learn in detail about the fundamental elements of sitting meditation, focusing attention on the breath and returning to it when the mind strays, without judgment.

Now turn from the subcontinent inlands to the sea, where European traders began arriving on the Indian coast to establish global companies, including several East India companies. After surveying Portugal's 200-year dominance of trade, Professor Fisher shows how the English eventually established their own foothold in the market.

Identify the nine hallmark symptoms of depression, then use the CBT triangle to describe the three downward spirals that contribute to a depressive episode. Observe as Dr. Satterfield walks Maria through tools to help her alleviate her depression, and learn how you can apply these same techniques to lift your mood.