What does a fourth-century Roman emperor have to do with March Madness? In this episode, historian Dr. Liam follows an unlikely but revealing thread from Emperor Constantine, through the Renaissance humanist Lorenzo Valla, to James Naismith’s original rules of basketball, exploring how authority is claimed, how documents earn trust, and how careful reading can quietly upend entire traditions. Blending history, philology, partisanship, and college basketball lore, the episode reflects on forgery, evidence, and why even our most cherished relics—sacred or athletic—deserve a second look.
Version: 20241125
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