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Intelligence Squared

Greece vs Rome, with Boris Johnson and Mary Beard

Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

News, Society & Culture, Arts, News Commentary

4.21.2K Ratings

🗓️ 19 March 2023

⏱️ 64 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In 2015, Intelligence Squared staged the ultimate clash of civilisations: Greece vs Rome. Boris Johnson, at that time Mayor of London and ardent classicist, made the case for Greece; while Mary Beard, today Lecturer in Classical Archaeology at the University of Sheffield and known for her extensive career as a broadcaster and writer, championed Rome. As we revisit this archive debate held in the pre-Brexit, pre-pandemic era, it's fascinating to observe how history would soon be shaped by some of the figures on stage and whose actions are the subject of much divisive debate today. Our host for the event was the journalist and broadcaster, Andrew Marr.  We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be about. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com.  At Intelligence Squared we’ve got our own online streaming platform, Intelligence Squared+ and we’d love you to give it a go. It’s packed with more than 20 years’ worth of video debates and conversations on the world’s most important topics as well as exclusive podcast content. Tune in to live events, ask your questions or watch on-demand, totally ad-free with hours of discussion to dive into. Visit intelligencesquaredplus.com to start watching today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hello, this is Jeremy Bowen, the International Editor of BBC News and I'm here because I want

0:05.1

to talk to you about an event I'm doing with Intelligent Squared on the 2nd of November in London

0:11.5

and I'm going to be talking about the more than 30 years that I've spent reporting on major

0:17.6

events in the Middle East with my great friend and colleague over many, many years just in web

0:25.6

and I'm sure we'll talk about a few other things as well just in and I started at the BBC

0:31.5

on the same day in 1984. So if you'd like to join us either in person or online then visit

0:41.6

IntelligentSquared.com to find out more.

0:49.4

Hello, it's Kamala Ahmed here and I'm here to tell you about energised the brand new

0:54.4

podcast Intelligent Squared is launching in partnership with EBITRO.

0:59.5

The climate crisis is the most pressing issue of our time. Temperatures are set to rise more

1:05.2

than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in the next two decades and increase that

1:11.5

will cause irreversible damage to our planet. But is there still hope?

1:18.3

If humans are to blame for climate change then we must also provide the solutions

1:23.4

and that's where energised comes in. Join me as I bring together experts and policymakers

1:29.3

to delve deep into the key issues at the heart of the global drive towards net zero and the

1:34.3

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1:40.3

Just search energised wherever you get your podcasts.

1:43.9

Welcome to Intelligent Squared. I'm senior producer Connor Boyle. It's a dip into the archive

1:55.2

for this week's Sunday debate. A battle for the ages as we revisit 2015 and our debate

2:01.2

Greece vs Rome. Our panel for this debate was one whose influence is still very much being felt

2:10.0

today. Back in 2015, pre-Brexit, pre-pandemic, none other than Boris Johnson at that time mayor

2:16.6

of London and an ardent classicist was making the case for Greece while Mary Beard at the time

...

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