After 1177 B.C.

The Survival of Civilizations

By: Eric H. Cline

Narrated by: John Chancer, Eric H. Cline

This audiobook narrated by John Chancer tells the gripping story of what happened after the Bronze Age collapsed—why some civilizations endured, why some gave way to new ones, and why some disappeared forever

Features Eric Cline’s FAQs as bonus content

At the end of Eric Cline's bestselling history 1177 B.C., many of the Late Bronze Age civilizations of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean lay in ruins, undone by invasion, revolt, natural disasters, famine, and the demise of international trade. An interconnected world that had boasted major empires and societies, relative peace, robust commerce, and monumental architecture was lost and the so-called First Dark Age had begun. Now, in After 1177 B.C., Cline tells the compelling story of what happened next, over four centuries, across the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean world. It is a story of resilience, transformation, and success, as well as failures, in an age of chaos and reconfiguration.

After 1177 B.C. tells how the collapse of powerful Late Bronze Age civilizations created new circumstances to which people and societies had to adapt. Those that failed to adjust disappeared from the world stage, while others transformed themselves, resulting in a new world order that included Phoenicians, Philistines, Israelites, Neo-Hittites, Neo-Assyrians, and Neo-Babylonians. Taking the story up to the resurgence of Greece marked by the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C., the book also describes how world-changing innovations such as the use of iron and the alphabet emerged amid the chaos.

Filled with lessons for today about why some societies survive massive shocks while others do not, After 1177 B.C. reveals why this period, far from being the First Dark Age, was a new age with new inventions and new opportunities.

©2024 Eric H. Cline (P)2024 Princeton University Press

fills in the blanks well

thoroughly researched and presented well. fifteen word minimum. one two three four five six seven

Great Intro to A Little Known Subject

I'd read the authors prrvious book on the collapse of civilization, and this book discussed how civilization pieced itself back together. Fascinating stuff, though it is a bit wonkish. It would help the general reader to have some knowledge of the kingdoms before the fall, because the author just summarizes the status quo ante before getting into the nitt-griity of the subject. Probably helpful to have read his book on the fall of civilization. I found the book engrossing and like all interesting things I have a few questions. if you've listened to the Great Courses Ancient Western Civilizations you'd be all set for the authors book on the fall of civilization and its aftermath. And then you're ready for GC on Greek Civilization and the Rise of Persia. I find it all very interesting and these books are perfect bridge between ancient and classical civilizations. The narration was great, even impressive. The author's intro and epilogue not so much.

Fantastic narrative

Great investigative work has been put into a very consumable form for all audiences. Well put together and not too heavy on details

not as good as first one

too much trying to sway opinion and subjective themes. I like history from a factual and logical analysis standpoint. I'm not interested in how it makes the author feel unless from firsthand experience of the subject.

Amazing perspective

I highly appreciate the thorough review of a complex and impactful time in our cultural history.

Excellent summary

I like the regional approach. I would have become lost in a chronological exposition that jumped from one society to the next.

Very detailed

Good book, I think it’s in the weeds quite a bit, and could use a little more narrative to tie the different pieces together. Excellent book if you have a direct education on the topic, whereas for a layman, it spends a lot of time around specific archaeological digs that were relevant to specific people while not connecting it to the ‘30,000 foot view’.

Great follow up

This is a great follow up to 1177. I recommend it to history fans.

Excellent Listen

It's very informative and interesting. Cline has done a fantastic job narrating this book.

His personality and thoughts destroy his scholarship

As you listen to the prologue and the first chapters, you get the distinct feeling that the author here has sets of personal animus that drive his view of scholarship and his view of ancient civilizations, our personal politics, our personal philosophy should in no way color how we see the past. this author has failed and failed greatly.