Series 3: The Forbidden Experiment

Part 1

The Greek historian Herodotus describes how the Egyptian Pharaoh Psamtik I conducted a strange and cruel investigation into the origins of language.

Episode Page

Part 1

The Greek historian Herodotus describes how the Egyptian Pharaoh Psamtik I conducted a strange and cruel investigation into the origins of language.

Episode Page

Part 2

The Holy Roman Emperor and amateur ornithologist Frederick II was alleged to have conducted a linguistic experiment similar to that of Psamtik. I explore that rumour in the context of medieval ideas about the origin of language.