Ancient Mesopotamia

Life in the Cradle of Civilization

De: The Great Courses

Narrado por: Professor Amanda H. Podany PhD

When we imagine what life might have been like thousands of years in the past, the images we often conjure are primitive ones: reed and mud huts or plain brick dwellings, cooking pits, villagers, and simple farms. That was indeed what life was like in the earliest settlements, but by 5,000 years ago, life in some places had become much more sophisticated than we might think. Impressive achievements - like stepped temples that towered like mountains, elaborate palaces (some with bathrooms and plumbing), and complex houses - were also a part of life for people who lived in cities that arose thousands of years ago, particularly in the fertile region that emerged along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

Welcome to Mesopotamia, the ancient name for the region that is now Iraq, a remarkably advanced civilization that flourished for two-thirds of the time that civilization has existed on Earth. Mesopotamians mastered irrigation agriculture; built the first complex urban societies; developed writing, literature, and law; and united vast regions through warfare and diplomacy. While civilizations like Greece and Rome have an unbroken tradition of written histories, the rich history of Mesopotamia has only been recently rediscovered, thanks to the decipherment of Mesopotamia's cuneiform writing less than 200 years ago. In this 24-lecture course taught by Professor Podany, you'll fill in the blanks of your historical understanding as you witness a whole new world opening before your eyes.

Riveting stories about kings and priestesses as well as ordinary people from all walks of life transport you back in time, giving you invaluable insights into the history of a landmark region that has long been known as the cradle of civilization.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2018 The Great Courses (P)2018 The Teaching Company, LLC

Fabulous!

I have listened to a lot of courses but this is by far the best. The professors voice is pleasing, the stories are fascinating, and through masterful storytelling people dead for thousands of years came alive again.

This was a learning experience!

I enjoyed Dr Podany's lectures very much. She is a marvelous teacher! I never knew very much about these civilization until now. I will continue to reenforce my existing knowledge base.

inventors of cities and taxes?

so these mesopotamians were the inventors of big cities and of taxes, even of tax season? in that case i'm glad they are all dead...

Informative and Interesting

very information-dense, and can be hard to stay focused at times. if you are at all interested in the ancient world, I would recommend this lecture series.

One of the best Great Courses!

I do many of the GCs and this was a stand out. Can't recommend enough!

good stuff

a good series of lectures which covers the entire span of pre-classical Mesopotamian, some 10,000 years. The period from 2500 until the reign of Cyrus the great is well done.

Podany is a good presenter even if her style sounds a bit like a TED Talk. Definitely one of the better presenters on Audible however. I'll be looking out for more from her.

Loved it

Great collection of lectures, ancient history is described in great detail. And the speaker had a an excellent way of bringing it all to life.

Great series of ;ectures

One of my facerate pastrimes is listening to lectures. Ths series is one of the best I hace ;istened to.

this is my favorite book on audible

for real. I listen to it ti fall asleep lol and have listened to it 3 times thru

Very interesting

Great information about a subject I never considered. Well presented with intriguing stories. Highly recommended.