Meta Description: Join Dr. David Noe and Dr. Jeff Winkle on the inaugural episode of the Ad Navseam Podcast. Explore why Latin is more than just a tattoo translation, how Cicero defines the “good life,” and why the Classics allow you to read modern culture rather than letting it read you.
Introduction: From Tattoos to Nausea
In a world dominated by fleeting digital trends, why does the ancient Latin language still hold such a grip on our imagination? It seems not a week goes by without someone asking for a Latin translation to place on a family seal, a motto, or even a tattoo. Latin immediately carries an aura of importance; it is “grave” and serious.
This intersection of the serious and the absurd is the launchpad for the Ad Navseam Podcast, hosted by Dr. David Noe and Dr. Jeff Winkle. As Dr. Winkle explains, the title itself is a play on words. It is “Latinate,” signaling the broad, serious scope of Greco-Roman civilization the show covers. Yet, it is also self-deprecating: Ad Navseam literally means “to the point of vomiting.” It suggests a mix of high-minded inquiry and the reality that sometimes, you have just taken in all you can handle.
In this inaugural episode, the hosts strip away the dusty academic reputation of Latin to reveal something far more vital: Classics as a way of life.
Meet the Hosts: A Life Spent in the Ancient World
Who are the guides on this 4,000-year journey from the Minoans to the modern day?
- Dr. Jeff Winkle: A humanities professor at Grand Rapids Community College, Dr. Winkle’s interest in the Classics began in childhood through books handed down by his parents. He holds a PhD in Classics from Northwestern University and specializes in mythology, ancient religion, and Cicero.
- Dr. David Noe: With 20 years of professional teaching experience, Dr. Noe discovered Latin in late high school and early college. He completed his graduate work at the University of Iowa, specializing in the later Roman author Apuleius.
Both hosts share a connection to Calvin University and a belief that you never truly master a subject until you teach it—or as the Latin phrase goes, discitur docendo (one learns by teaching).
Cicero’s Argument: Why Study Latin Today?
One of the most common questions students ask is, “Is this practical?” Students in nursing, engineering, or computer science often view the humanities as a mere diversion. However, Dr. Noe and Dr. Winkle argue that the Classics are essential for a fulfilling life.
They turn to the Roman orator Cicero for the definitive answer. In his speech Pro Archia (62 BC), Cicero defends the poet Archias and, by extension, the value of literature and the arts.
Cicero argues that “philosophy is the art of life” (philosophia est ars vitae). But he goes further, stating that even if we sought only pleasure (delectatio sola) from these studies, it would still be the most humane and generous diversion for the soul.
The Universal Appeal of the Classics
According to Cicero, unlike other pursuits, the study of literature and humanity belongs to all times, ages, and places.
- In Youth: These studies nourish us.
- In Old Age: They delight us and make life bearable.
- In Adversity: They provide refuge and comfort.
- At Home: They delight us without hindering us in public.
As Dr. Winkle points out, investing in the Classics means “never being bored.” When you are not working or sleeping, what drives you? What do you consider beautiful? The Classics provide the framework to answer these questions.
Reading the Culture: Mythology and Movies
One of the most compelling reasons to study Latin and Greek culture is that it puts you in the driver’s seat of modern media. We live in a hyper-visual culture, and understanding ancient narratives allows you to “read the culture rather than the culture read you.”
Example 1: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
The Coen Brothers’ film is a retelling of Homer’s Odyssey set in the Depression-era American South. While you can enjoy the movie on its own, knowing the Latin and Greek source material turns the experience “up to 11.”
- The Cyclops Connection: In the film, John Goodman plays “Big Dan,” a Bible salesman in a white suit who exudes Southern charm. However, he is the parallel to Polyphemus, the savage Cyclops from the Odyssey. Just as the mythic monster dwells away from civilization, Big Dan reveals his true, monstrous nature only when he takes the characters out into the wilderness.
Example 2: The Marvel Cinematic Universe
Dr. Noe suggests that modern superheroes are simply repackaged Greek myths.
- Iron Man as Hephaestus: Tony Stark (Iron Man) parallels the Roman god Vulcan (Hephaestus). Both are figures of craftsmanship and metallurgy. Just as Hephaestus was a smith, Stark’s origin story involves fashioning his suit from scraps in a cave, embodying the archetype of the “self-made man” through technology.
Into the Mystery: A Look at Mithras
The podcast also promises to delve into archaeology and ancient religion. One specific highlight mentioned is the cult of Mithras, a mystery religion popular among Roman soldiers in the first three centuries.
Dr. Noe and Dr. Winkle describe visiting a Mithraeum (a place of worship) in Ostia Antica, the ancient port of Rome.
The hosts describe the space as an arched underground chamber, similar to a crypt.
- Layout: An aisle with benches on either side.
- Focal Point: A statue of Mithras slaying a bull at the far end.
- Lighting: An oculus (opening) from above shines light directly onto the statue.
This religion was exclusive to men and functioned as a secret society, yet its popularity was so immense that scholars have hyperbolically suggested the Roman Empire might have become Mithraic if not for Christianity.
Why You Should Subscribe
Whether you are interested in the scandalous humor of Aristophanes (who mixes lowbrow bathroom jokes with arch-conservative politics) or the hidden details in Bruegel’s painting The Fall of Icarus, Ad Navseam covers the full spectrum of the ancient world.
The podcast aims to cover 4,000 years of history, from the Minoans to the Renaissance and beyond. It is a “smorgasbord” of the humanities designed to nourish the mind.
How to Listen:
- Website: Visit adnavseam.com (Note: That is “V” for the Roman spelling, or perhaps because the other domain was too expensive!).
- Show Notes: Find Latin passages, translations, and images of the art discussed.
- Submit Topics: Have a question about the ancient world? Email the hosts at topics@adnavseam.com.
As Julius Caesar (might have) said: Bon Appétit.
