Examine the profound impact of the Crusades with acclaimed Church historian and bestselling author Christopher Bellitto.Few events have affected the course of civilization as profoundly as the Crusades, a centuries-long period of violent conflict and competition between Islam and Christianity. The Crusades brought destruction and violence to the third monotheistic faith of Judaism as well. Resurfacing frequently in present-day political conversations about clashes ...

No civilization is so intertwined with the history of Christianity, and the greater Western world, as Rome. Now, you are invited to explore ancient Rome’s legacy with award-winning professor and prolific author Christopher M. Bellitto.In this fascinating audio course on the Roman monarchy, republic, and empire, you will explore the essentials of Roman civilization: the creation of a city at the center of world history, its political legacy, its architectural and cu...

Take an unforgettable journey through the entire span of the Catholic Church’s existence. In this essential course, The History of the Catholic Church: Tradition and Innovation, acclaimed historian and award-winning professor Dr. Christopher Bellitto (Ph.D., Fordham University) breathes new life into two millennia of history.The chronicle of Catholicism can seem daunting: full of names, dates, places, and phrases. Getting ahold of such a rich and diverse history requires g...

Ignite your sense of wonder by exploring medieval history with world-renowned historian Professor Christopher M. Bellitto.Throughout history, humans have created images to understand their relationships with other Christians, the wider world, and God. For medieval men and women, those images came from Christendom. Christianity was the air they breathed: Christian ideas, devotions, and beliefs shaped their perspectives and mindsets.With this course, Prof. Be...

Who was Alexander the Great? Was he a brilliant, ambitious conqueror or a self-obsessed leader who put his men in harm’s way? A divine figure or a god in his own mind? In this audio course, join acclaimed historian Christopher Bellitto to explore this famously complex figure.Alexander the Great (ca. 356-323 BCE) was a Macedonian general who brought Greekcivilization to the edge of modern-day India. After studying the Iliad, he believed himself to be Achille...

This cultural history of humility reveals this lost virtue as a secret defense against arrogance and incivilityHistory demonstrates that when the virtue of humility is cast aside, excessive individualism follows. A person who lacks humility is at risk of developing a deceptive sense of certitude and at worst denies basic human rights, respect, and dignity to anyone they identify as the enemy.Humility, a cultural history and biography of the idea of...

The election of a pope doesn''t happen often, but when it does, the whole world—believers and non-believers—stops to watch. The first question is: what happens now? The answer is surprisingly straightforward: there is a system in place that is followed step by step.But then the questions tumble one after the other: Why do the cardinals have the exclusive right to pick the popes? How did the "bad" Renaissance Medicis get chosen? What were the longest and shortest conclaves? If every...

The year 2017 marks the five-hundredth anniversary of the Reformation, if that event is dated from the posting of Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses. Admittedly, 2017 is an arbitrary and somewhat artificial milestone. Nevertheless, anniversaries can be special occasions that allow for an appreciation and evaluation of memorable persons and events. As a number of Reformation anniversaries approach, the historical significance of the Reformation merits increased attention. Employing a variet...

Take a fascinating journey through the history of Church renewal and reform with celebrated historian Christopher M. Bellitto.From the age of the apostles to Vatican II, the Catholic Church has evolved and invigorated itself. At first glance, the words “reform” and “renewal” in this context might bring to mind Vatican II and the idea of aggiornamento—“updating.” But the history of reform is nearly as old as the Church itself. In this riveting, 18-lecture audio cour...

Heralded as one the world’s most compelling Church historians, Chris Bellitto transports you into the heart of a strange and wonderful world—the world of medieval Europe.Explore some of the most powerful theological ideas, economic tensions, and political struggles that shaped Western civilization.This series traces western European civilization—with detours to the East—from the transformation of the Roman Empire to a thousand-year medieval period that star...

Join award-winning historian Christopher Bellitto on this gripping journey through centuries of Greek history.Ancient Greece was one of the most fertile civilizations in history, and its influence on Western philosophy, theology, and civilization is undeniable. Now, you can discover the fascinating legacy of ancient Greece through entertaining and enlightening lectures.With Prof. Bellitto, you will gain a deeper understanding of what made ancient Greece so ...

Why are we so fascinated by the reformations?The very word "reformation" is shrouded in conflict, bringing to mind new beginnings, partisan church politics, and the dawn of a modern world vision. Indeed, when you hear it, you probably think of a single event—Martin Luther posting The Ninety-Five Theses on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg in 1517.The truth, however, is much more nuanced—and interesting—than that. Join award-winning historian, Prof. Christophe...