The study of art is important for the student of history as it shows us something of the culture that produced it in a way that goes beyond what they needed to do and touches on what they wanted to do.

I would argue that no branch of art captures this junction of need and want better than architecture.

And in pre-modern societies there was no building that exemplified

the architecture of a society better than that of its temple, or its church.

From the imposing zigarots of the fertile crescent to the delicate cathedrals of Europe, Societies brought together administrative, economic, and entertainment functions into buildings

that also gave form to their collective vision of the nature of being,

the ordering of the Cosmos and humanity's role within these lofty horizons.

Today Ryan is going to give us a glimpse into the way the ancient Greeks executed this grandest of

pre-modern architectural endeavors with all his accustomed wit and relentless research.

And as with all good writers, Ryan will likely give you enough to tell a complete story, but leave

you wanting something, just a little bit more, a desire, a thirst for more information.

Well, if you find yourself, after the next hour or so, burning with such a thirst,

allow me to offer you a cool glass of knowledge.

Oh, but of course you would never accept a drink from a stranger.

How rude of me.

Allow me to introduce myself.

I am Benjamin Jacobs, host of Wittenberg to Westphalia, the Wars of the Reformation.

Now that we are acquainted, let me tell you just a little bit about my show.

On my show, I aim to trace the story of how Europe got modern.

Through the lens of the religious wars that racked the continent from 1524 to around oh 1688 or so.

Of course the role of religion in European society is deeply important to such tale and one

cannot discuss pre-modern religion without discussing pre-modern temples, churches, and one cannot discuss pre-modern

...