❚ All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This article contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.

Public vs private: history behind closed doors

Tiffany Jenkins traces the surprising history of private life – from ancient Athens to the digital age

Published: May 2, 2025 at 7:30 AM

Save

What's the difference between private and public life – and where should we draw the line between the two? Over the centuries, these boundaries have often been blurred, as Tiffany Jenkins explores in her book Strangers and Intimates. In this episode, she speaks to Lauren Good about everything from the rigid separation of public and personal spheres in ancient Athens, to the privacy-busting spectacle of Big Brother.

Ad

Tiffany Jenkins is the author of Strangers and Intimates: The Rise and Fall of Private Life (Pan Macmillan, 2025)

Ad

Authors

Lauren GoodSenior content producer

Lauren Good is a senior content producer at HistoryExtra

Ad

Ad

Loading...

Ad

Loading...