From Kenneth Scott Latourette's A History of Christianity (101-102)

Patrick was a native of Roman Britain, but of what part we are not sure. He was at least a third generation Christian, for he speaks of his father as having been a deacon and his paternal grandfather a presbyter. We cannot be certain of the date of his birth, but the year most frequently given is 389. Presumably rared as a Christian in fairly comfortable circumstances, perhaps with a smattering of Latin, when about sixteen years old Patrick was carried away captive to Ireland by one of those raids which, breaking throug the weakening defenses of the Roman borders, were harassing Britain. For at least six years he was a a slave in Ireland and was set to tending flocks. There, perhaps through the solitude and hardships of his lot, his inherited faith deepened and he filled his days and nights with prayer. Dreams came which aroused in him hopes of seeing his homeland and which nerved him to seek and obtain passage on a ship. We are not certain of his life for the next few years. He may have wandered in Italy and perhaps spent some time in a monastery on an island off the souther coast of Gaul. It is clear that he eventually made his way back to Britain and was greeted with joy by his family as one risen from the dead. 

Again there came dreams, now with what seemed to him a letter, "the voice of the Irish," with the appeal: "We beseech thee, holy youth, to come and walk with us once more." Heeding the call, Patrick returned to Ireland, but how soon and when we do not know. He was consecrated bishop, but again we cannot tell by whom or when. He seems to have had many years in Ireland for he speaks of baptizing thousands and of ordaining clergy. Although he himself was not a monk, under his influence sons and daughters of chieftains adopted that way of life. His was both and arduous and perilous missionary career, for he had to face opposition from fellow clergy and from armed foes. He seems to have reached a ripe old age. Other missionaries shared in the conversion of Ireland. That island became a centre from which...Christian influence was to radiate not only to Britain but also to much of Western Europe. 

Socrates (from what I hear and in fact read and forgot in Greek class in his Apology) said that the unexamined life is not worth living. If I get a chance to meet Peter Adamson in person, I'm pretty sure I could get him say, "The unruminated philosophical grass of history is not worth digesting." (Peter's favorite example is a giraffe.) This is more or less saying the same thing as, "The History of Philosophy is worth spending some time on because it allows you to learn philosophy from the ancients with their questions, on their terms, and with their categories." This is a great starting point for anyone who is curious about the relevancy of ancient philosophy to today, not to mention anyone interested in Classics, history, Western philosophy, etc.

I came across this podcast at a critical time when I was writing a paper and needed to learn more about Plato and Aristotle. Thanks to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy I found Peter's podcast. It was really helpful. For those of you who don't just want the "cliff notes" Peter's podcast will help prepare you for a productive reading. 

Interestingly I've read a fair amount of Plato's dialogues in Greek. I never made much sense of them perhaps because after all the translating I didn't have the energy for the next step. (I must have made poor translations.) Peter's podcasts have really helped me take the next step. Any Classicists who have to translate Plato, consider listening to the podcast first to help you know what you are getting into. It might spare you some confusion!

I'm now an Master of Divinity Student and so much of what Peter offers is relevant to those who want to understand approaches to Theology or also Apologetics. I just got around to listening to Aristotle on God, and, according to Aristotle, God thinks about God. (This sounds like something a Theology Prof said about the Trinity, but used the word "love".) Apologists and Philosophers, like William Craig, still consider the first cause argument or cosmological argument to be sound and helpful. 

Ever wonder where Paul's Acts 17 quote comes from? It's the one where he talks to the Athenians on Mars Hill.  Then you will want to check out this episode: http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/stoics-physics. (And if you are like me, listening to one will compel you to listen to the rest.)

Maybe you despise theology and consider yourself a thoroughgoing skeptic. Peter's discussion of the Academics traces the development of the Skeptics stance against the Stoics and their claims about knowledge and truth. Also you begin to learn about debates among the skeptics themselves. 

Maybe your an Epicurean and just think everything is composed of atoms and you should just do what makes you happy. You will want to check out his podcasts on the Epicureans.

I can't say enough good things about the podcast. I just want more, faster. Peter Adamson makes you want to sit around the garden or the agora and do philosophy every day. So check it out: http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/