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History & The Arts
The first geological map of the UK
One of the most important maps of the UK ever made – described as the ‘Magna Carta of geology’ – is to go on permanent public display in Cambridge after being restored to its former glory.
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History & The Arts
Women Writers: Voices in Transition
In the last century which women writers have truly challenged the existing forms of literature? How did they make their voices heard using brand new techniques and styles? For centuries there have been women writers who have changed the face of literature, but we tend to talk of their lives and work in very certain terms. This series of ...
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History & The Arts
The Life of Socrates
Who was Socrates? Find out what we know about his life.
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History & The Arts
How to use a musical score
Do you know how music is written down? How do musicians use scores in their work? Catherine Tackley and Naomi Barker, of the Open University, explain about different types of music, how it is written down, and what that notation means to performers.
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History & The Arts
Rene Descartes - “I think, therefore I am”
Stephen Fry explains Rene Descartes argument 'Cogito Ergo Sum' - 'I think, therefore I am'.
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History & The Arts
World-Changing Women: Nur Jahan
In the 17th century Nur Jahan exerted power over her Emperor husband, allowing her to give opportunities to orphaned girls and architectural developments in India. This article outlines her remarkable leadership...
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Education & Development
Pathways To Success in Higher Education
For use in conjuction with the 'Pathways to Success' guide created by The Open University in Wales.
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History & The Arts
Outside the Book
What function does comedy serve? What do people in power learn by watching tragedies? In this collection of five animations comedienne Josie Long guides us into the fascinating world of Literary Theory. Along the way we’ll discover two very different types of poet (and lover): The Petrarchan and The Libertine, we’re given insight into the ...
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Digital & Computing
Telegram brief history. Stop
What can the history of the telegram tell us about our own hopes and fears of modern technologies?
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History & The Arts
Solon upsets the wealthy Croesus
Consider the answer to Croesus’ question of him about ‘happiness’ before exploring possible routes for Solon’s journey, comparing them with travelling in the Mediterranean today. According to Herodotus, Solon, the Athenian lawmaker, spent ten years ‘sailing forth to see the world’, before meeting with Croesus in Sardis.
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History & The Arts
Crowdsourced annotation: what do you think?
Take a look at 'crowdsourced' resources to help understand ‘The Histories’ alongside the Hestia project. We direct you to other resources so that you may extend your enquiry by comparing accounts, cross-referencing evidence, or verifying sources.
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History & The Arts
Consulting the oracle at Delphi
Explore the ‘riddles’ of the oracle through the words of Herodotus, and consider the power of the Pythian priestess. The utterances of the oracle at Delphi had significant influence over Croesus, King of Lydia and the Athenian politician, Themistocles as they were both consulting the oracle under different circumstances.