The John Batchelor Show

Londinium Chronicles Part 3 Audio Sept 28.mp3 HEADLINE: How to Move the Billionaires: War, Leveling, and the Failure of Reform SPEAKERS: Germanicus and Gaius 200 WORD SUMMARY: The speakers address the internal crisis within "Fortress America": the modern-day Palatine Hill, represented by the billionaires who are untouchable and above the law. Gaius cites economist Thomas Piketty, highlighting the "gigantic" wealth amassed by the super-rich. Germanicus asserts that the only guaranteed pathway to practical leveling—bringing the super-rich back down—is through war, whether external conflict or civil war. He explains that upheaval is necessary because the rate of return on investments consistently outpaces inflation, creating extraordinary wealth imbalance. World War II and the Great Depression were instruments of leveling in the US, creating the middle class and a more cohesive society. Today, US society is highly bifurcated, with the top 7-8% of the population holding 60% of the nation's wealth. Germanicus suggests that the populares committed to radical change are not the conventional "socialist" progressives (who are "parasites" of the state), but groups motivated by non-material goals. Both speakers emphatically agree that the problem of wealth inequality and the power of the Palatine will not be solved by reforms, calling reform a "misdirection." They conclude that maintaining the "status quo" means they are deeply "in trouble." 1790 SULLA'S PROSCRIPTIONS

Londinium Chronicles Part 2 Sept 28.mp3 HEADLINE: The Verres Moment: Indictment, Corruption, and the Threatened Legitimacy of the American Vote SPEAKERS: Gaius and Germanicus 200 WORD SUMMARY: Gaiusand Germanicus draw parallels between the collapse of the Roman Republic—where the people lost confidence in the Senate—and modern America. They recount the trial of Verres, the notoriously corrupt governor of Sicily in 70 B.C.E., whom Cicero prosecuted to expose corruption not just of Verres, but of the entire Roman establishment. Cicerofamously appealed to common sense and immediately brought in witnesses to demonstrate the blatant nature of the corruption. Gaius asks if the indictment of former FBI Director Comey represents a modern "Verres moment," a necessary "hinge moment" to expose deep corruption in the US political system. Germanicus confirms the goal is to expose the systemic failure that is strangling representative government. Gaius views Trump as a "tribune of the people" seeking payback against a corrupt system that undermined the vote's credibility in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Gaius expects more indictments, noting that, like Cicero, the current political appeal is to sentiment rather than solely evidence. Germanicus worries that the escalation of political combat into "lawfare" could lead to a complete breakdown of constitutional order and legitimate transfers of power, citing the Spanish Civil War. The underlying cause is the extreme inequality of wealth and income, where a tiny minority holds immense political status while the majority is reduced to "plebeians." 1902

Londinium Chronicles Part 1 Sept 28.mp3 HEADLINE: Reorganizing the Legions: Fortress America, the Corrupt Senate, and the Stranglehold of the Military-Industrial Complex SPEAKERS: Gaius Londinium and Germanicus 200 WORD SUMMARY: The Friends of History Debating Society opens by discussing the panicking temperament of European leadership due to Russian provocations (drones, jamming) and Washington's silence on requests for Tomahawks for Kyiv. They contrast the effective Roman legions—combat units and engineers—with the modern USmilitary, which has "too many generals and too few war fighters." Major changes are anticipated, including a speech by Secretary of Defense Hegseth promoting the theme of "Fortress America" and reorganizing the military to match the needs of an empire. Germanicus argues that the US military needs an overhaul akin to Rome's transition from the Republic, having squandered its post-Cold War strength and now facing powerful rivals like Russia and China, who have adopted new technologies. He notes that the US military is hampered by reliance on 1945 weapon systems (like the heavy bomber). Germanicus believes the military is unwilling to change because the military-industrial complex (MIC), dominated by five defense firms, maintains a powerful stranglehold over procurement and general officers. This results in massive inefficiencies, such as the F-35 program, a trillion-dollar effort with only 10% combat availability. Gaius insists the core problem is the corrupt Senate (Congress), which enables these wasteful contracts and sets priorities like focusing on DEI and climate change over war fighters. 1770 PANTHEON

HEADLINE: Runestones, Artifacts, and Modern Misappropriation BOOK TITLE: American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America AUTHOR: Martyn Whittock 100 WORD SUMMARY: Following the translation of the sagas, runestones (e.g., Kensington in Minnesota) began appearing, primarily after 1865. These are almost certainly fakes created by newly arrived Scandinavian immigrants seeking to claim "prior title" to the land by asserting "Vikings were here first." The only artifact likely to be genuine is the Maine Penny (Goddard Coin), found at a Native American trading site in 1957. It was likely passed along Native American trade networks, indicating Norsecontact as far south as Maine.

HEADLINE: L'Anse aux Meadows, Conflict, and Freydís BOOK TITLE: American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America AUTHOR: Martyn Whittock 100 WORD SUMMARY: The site of L'Anse aux Meadows in northern Newfoundland provides definitive archaeological proof of Norse presence in North America, with dendrochronological research confirming wood was cut in 1021. This site, however, was a short-lived, primarily male base camp for logistical support and exploration, not Vinland. Artifacts like butternut suggest the Norse sailed further south than Newfoundland, searching for elusive Vinland. Interactions with indigenous peoples (Skraelings) were complex, involving trade (evidenced by Norse items on proto-Inuit sites) and escalating conflict, often started by the Norse themselves. Freydís, Erik the Red's daughter, is portrayed in the sagas as a homicidal figure who killed women with an axe. 1906 ONLY HORSE UN GREENLAND

HEADLINE: Erikson, Sagas, and Vinland Location BOOK TITLE: American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America AUTHOR: Martyn Whittock 100 WORD SUMMARY: The source focuses on the westward journey from Greenland, established by Erik the Red, to lands sighted by storm-driven sailors. His son, Leif Erikson, led expeditions around 1000 AD to Helluland (Baffin Island) and Markland (Labrador). This history is recorded in the Saga of Erik the Red (13th century) and the Saga of the Greenlanders (14th century). They reached a land they called Vinland, described as having wild grapes and wheat, suggesting a mild climate and abundant timber. The small population in Greenland ultimately hindered sustained settlement. Based on where wild grapes (like the fox grape) and wheat grow, Vinland must have been located significantly further south than Newfoundland, possibly reaching New Brunswick or New England.

HEADLINE: Defining Vikings and Early Expansion BOOK TITLE: American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America AUTHOR: Martyn Whittock 100 WORD SUMMARY: The book discusses the Norse expansion ("Viking" being an activity, not a societal label) that began sweeping across Europe and the British Isles in the late 8th century. Key drivers of this extraordinary diaspora included population growth, pushback against the Christian Frankish Empire, and, most notably, the disruption of the Islamic silver trade from Baghdad, which funded Scandinavia's gift-giving economy. This silver shortage forced the Norse to raid monasteries and coastal settlements for precious metals. The westward movement extended to the British Isles, Iceland (settled 870s), and eventually Greenland (10th century) as the Norse continued their exploration.

The final ending discussed is the slow demise of the Norsesettlement in Greenland, settled by Erik the Red around 985 AD. Herjolfsnes, one of the last settled places, provides poignant evidence from its graveyard. Due to permafrost, the coarse, mended woolen clothes (vaðmál) of the last generations, dating up to the early 15th century, were preserved. These garments reveal the increasing isolation and poverty of the inhabitants as climate conditions worsened. The ultimate mystery remains what happened to the very last people after the final burials. The final surviving reports from Greenland via Iceland are a 1407 witch burning (of a man seduced by witchcraft) and a 1408 wedding.

The segment explores different endpoints of the Viking Age. 1066 AD is often cited, but this is Anglocentric. That year saw Harald Hardrada, King of Norway (whose claim descended from Cnut's North Sea Empire), killed by Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Normans (Northmen) like William were culturally assimilated Vikings, meaning Vikings were effectively fighting Vikings. A later ending point is the 1263 AD Battle of Largs, a series of skirmishes between King Hákon of Norway and King Alexander III of Scotland over control of the Norse-inflected Western Isles. Hákon's subsequent death in Orkney led to Norwayrelinquishing the Isles to Scotland. 1893

Barraclough describes the lava cave Surtshellir in Iceland, named after the fire giant Surtr, where new archaeological evidence has been found. Deep within the cave, a man-made wall and a stone outline shaped like a boat were discovered. Inside the boat, offerings associated with fire and burning (ornaments, jasper, burnt bones) were left, suggesting efforts to placate the fire being dwelling further inside the lava field, possibly after the major volcanic eruption around 900 AD. After Iceland officially converted to Christianity around 1000 AD, a final offering—a metal cross—was left in the cave, marking the transition away from this pagan ritual.

The discussion focuses on Norse mythology, noting that main written sources, such as Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, were recorded in 13th-century Iceland, post-conversion to Christianity, necessitating caution in interpretation. The creation story involves the eternal void (Ginnungagap) meeting the fire world (Muspelheim) and the ice world (Niflheim), from which the primordial ice giant Ymir formed. The end of the world is Ragnarök, where the fire giant Surtr destroys the world and Loki sails the ship Naglfar, made from the nails of dead people. Snorri Sturluson, a major figure in this era, was murdered in his own basement around the 13th century on the orders of the Norwegian king during a time of civil war in Iceland.

Barraclough interprets objects like reliquaries, initially used in Christian contexts to house relics. Norse raiders took these back to Norway, valuing the metal and jewels while often discarding the relics inside. These reliquaries were given as presents to women and passed down female generations, suggesting early raids were motivated by young men seeking wealth and status to attract wives and set up farmsteads. The conversation also covers pre-Christian belief systems, specifically a piece of human skull found in Denmark (Ribe, early 8th century) with runes carved on it. This object may have been an amulet intended to protect against malevolent supernatural beings like dwarves or elves, which were believed to cause sickness. 1904 VIKING AGE

The conversation continues on the eastern Viking diaspora, noting that the power base of the Rus shifted from Novgorod to Kyiv, forming Kievan Rus. Although early rulers had Norsedescent, they assimilated culturally, blending Scandinavian and Slavic elements; Norse names like Ingvar and Helgabecame Igor and Olga. History is flexible, and competing groups interpret this mixed heritage. A major mystery discussed is the Salme ship burials in Estonia (Saaremaa island), dating around 750 AD, prior to Lindisfarne. The high-status dead, likely Swedish men on a diplomatic mission, died violently but were buried carefully with rich goods, including falcons and a king gaming piece in the mouth of a leader. VIKING AGE SILVER

This segment focuses on Vikings as conquerors, noting successful raids like the one on Paris, which yielded 7,000 pounds of gold. Around 865 AD, the Great Heathen Army arrived in England, conquering East Anglia, Northumbria, and Mercia. The resulting stalemate with King Alfred led to the establishment of the Danelaw around 878–880 AD, giving Norse people political and legal control over a vast area of England. Norse settlement is evidenced by Old Norse influences in place names within the Danelaw. Barraclough also discusses the eastern expansion of the Vikings—the Rus (rowers), originating from modern Sweden, who moved down the Volga and Dnieper rivers, establishing settlements like Novgorod in 862 AD.

CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor AUTHOR NAME: Eleanor Barraclough BOOK TITLE: Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age GUEST NAME: Eleanor Barraclough 100 WORD SUMMARY: The segment introduces Eleanor Barraclough'Es book, Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age, which draws history from everyday objects. The title's source, "embers of the hands," is an Old Norse kenning for gold, repurposed here to refer to precious, personal artifacts. Barraclough shares a favorite piece of evidence: a runic message from Gyða telling her inebriated husband in a Bergen tavern around 1200 AD to "go home." The discussion then addresses the traditional starting point of the Viking Age, 750 to 1100 AD. The symbolic start is the shocking 793 AD raid on Lindisfarne (Holy Island), a very rich monastery in northeast England, which generated fear across Europe.

Preview: The origins of the UK involve many cultural incomers, including the earlier Anglo-Saxons and Romans. The Viking "great heathen army" (c. 865), referred to in Old Englishas micel here, should be understood as smaller, mobile war bands with various leaders. This structure allowed the Norseinvaders to utilize waterways, split their forces, and maintain the element of surprise, complicating defensive predictions. Retry

Preview: Historian Eleanor Barraclough discusses a story preserved in a later saga (13th/14th century) about two men sheltering in an Icelandic cave after conversion. They encounter a mountain giant whose two glowing eyes resemble full moons. The giant recites a poem of 12 verses containing volcanic imagery ("dark flames drive the spit," "roaring of the spark storm"), describing the driving underground of the giants ("clay folk") as their world ends.

Preview: The Viking Age (750-1100 AD) saw Norse raiders transform into farmers. The Great Heathen Army arrived around 865 as mobile war bands. King Alfred the Great eventually achieved a stalemate with the Norse leader Guthrum. This led to an astonishing agreement (c. 878-880) establishing the Danelaw, giving the Norse legal control over vast areas like East Anglia and Yorkshire, confirmed by a linguistic imprint.

PREVIEW:: America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War Hardcover – September 24, 2024 by H. W. Brands (Author) This source focuses on Charles Lindbergh's perspective on Germany and his strong critiques of Great Britain's foreign policy leading up to the war during the critical years of 1939, 1940, and 1941. 1927 LINDBERGH Context and Key Figures: JapaneseLindberghFranklin D. Roosevelt Lindbergh's Perspective on Germany: LindberghGermanGermansGermanyAdolf HitlerNaziGermanGerman Lindbergh's Critique of Britain: LindberghBritainBritainBritainBritainFranceParis Peace ConferenceGermanyBritishLindberghBritishGermanyCzechoslovakiaPolandHitlerEuropeLindberghBritishUnited StatesWorld War I

PREVIEW:: This source details President Franklin D. Roosevelt's covert strategy to maneuver the United States into supporting Great Britain despite strong domestic anti-war resistance, and the ideological clash this caused with Charles Lindbergh. America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War Hardcover – September 24, 2024 by H. W. Brands (Author) 1941 Roosevelt's Covert Strategy: RooseveltChurchillU.S.BritishLindberghCongressRooseveltAmericanRooseveltChurchillAmericanRooseveltChurchillRooseveltBritishChurchillAmericanGreat BritainBritishWilliam StephensonAmericaStephensonAmericanBritainStephensonRooseveltWilliam DonovanGermans Ideological Conflict: Imperialism vs. Democracy: RooseveltBritainUnited StatesRooseveltBritainU.S.LindberghBritainLindberghAmericansBritish EmpireAmericanBritishIndiaChurchillBritishBritish EmpireRoosevelt