Building the First Pyramid
The History of the Ancient Egyptian Religious Beliefs and Archaeology Behind Djoser’s Step Pyramid
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $5.42
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Daniel Houle
About this listen
Africa may have given rise to the first human beings, and Egypt probably gave rise to the first great civilizations, which continues to fascinate modern societies across the globe nearly 5,000 years later. From the Library and Lighthouse of Alexandria to the Great Pyramid at Giza, the ancient Egyptians produced several wonders of the world, revolutionized architecture and construction, created some of the world’s first systems of mathematics and medicine, and established language and art that spread across the known world. With world-famous leaders like King Tut and Cleopatra, it’s no wonder that today’s world has so many Egyptologists.
The pyramids of Egypt are such recognizable symbols of antiquity that for millennia, people have made assumptions about what they are and why they exist, without full consideration of the various meanings these ancient symbolic structures have had over the centuries. Generations have viewed them as symbols of a lost past, which in turn is often portrayed as a world full of romance and mystery. This verbal meaning has become associated with the structures through the tourism industry, where intrigue obviously boosts ticket sales. In fact, the Egyptian pyramids are so old that they were also drawing tourists even in ancient times. In antiquity, the Great Pyramid of Giza was listed as one of Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, and it is the only one still surviving today.
The age and structural integrity of the pyramids also make them symbols of longevity and power, which is only fitting because those are two purposes the ancient pharaohs who commissioned these works intended them to serve. For the pharaohs, the construction of these large monuments presented an opportunity for them to showcase their influence and become something to be remembered by, both in the society they ruled and in the annals of history that would follow. Even as new dynasties came and went, and even as Egypt was subjected to foreign domination and rulers from across the world, the pyramids have continued to stand as a prominent testament to ancient Egypt’s glorious past.
While the Great Pyramid of Giza is the most recognizable, the tradition of pyramid-building was a long one in ancient Egypt, occurring over hundreds of years, with techniques developing and improving, only to be forgotten and lost again. As a result, even as subsequent generations contributed new large-scale construction programs that changed the face of Egypt, they did so in quite different manners. The first of these was the Step Pyramid, located in the northwest of the city of Memphis in the Saqqara necropolis of Egypt. Today, it is known as the Step Pyramid due to its stepped appearance, but in Egyptian times, it was referred to as kbhw-ntrw.
Commissioned by and made for the burial of the pharaoh Djoser, its design and construction was overseen by his vizier Imhotep. The name Imhotep has since become infused with popular culture through the popular series of Mummy movies, where the mummified remains of Imhotep are reanimated through the power of an ancient curse, leading to the shambling, linen-wrapped, and decomposing undead monster haunting the hapless treasure seekers who dared disturb his resting place.
In reality, the ancient Imhotep was a talented architect and builder who succeeded in creating something that had never been seen before. It was a design that would often be repeated, even improved upon, and it gave birth to an ancient industry dedicated to the afterlife - one that would leave an indelible mark on Egyptian life as well as death.
©2021 Charles River Editors (P)2021 Charles River EditorsListeners also enjoyed...
-
The Sicarii
- The History of the Ancient Jewish Assassins Who Fought the Romans
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Daniel Houle
- Length: 1 hr and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The fighting between the Romans and Jews in the first century CE, brought about some of the most important events in Jewish history. The Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE, resulted in the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem, a disaster that would eventually prove both permanent and catastrophic since it was never rebuilt.
-
The Banana Wars
- A Captivating Guide to the Interventions of the United States in Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean (US Military History)
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: Jason Saffir
- Length: 3 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This audiobook is about the Banana Wars that lasted from the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898 until Franklin Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor Policy of 1934. When you listen to this story, you’ll learn how and why the US marines invaded Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. You’ll also learn how the US Marines occupied and ruled Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic for years.
-
-
New look on American history
- By MrWndrfl on 10-19-24
-
The Pleistocene Era
- The History of the Ice Age and the Dawn of Modern Humans
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Daniel Houle
- Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Pleistocene spans a period from around 2.5 million years ago (mya) to just over 12,000 years ago, and it was an epoch of enormous change on Earth, mainly characterized by climate changes involving fluctuations between periods of extreme heat and long periods of glaciation. This period is commonly known as the Ice Age, despite the fact there were actually a number of separate periods of cold. The Pleistocene Era: The History of the Ice Age and the Dawn of Modern Humans looks at the development of the era, what life on Earth was like, and the origins of archaic humans.
-
-
Meh
- By Sarah on 04-09-21
-
Wellington’s Scum
- The History and Legacy of the British Army During the Napoleonic Wars
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Colin Fluxman
- Length: 1 hr and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wellington’s Scum: The History and Legacy of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars examines the history of the British Army during one of history’s most pivotal eras. You will learn about the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars like never before.
-
The First Sino-Japanese War
- The History and Legacy of the Conflict That Doomed the Chinese Empire and Led to the Rise of Imperial Japan
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Colin Fluxman
- Length: 1 hr and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Completing the Meiji Restoration that heralded the dawn of a new era for both Japan and Asia, the island nation found itself thrust into the modern world, a world of industry and conquest. Flexing its new muscles, the burgeoning power soon came to blows with the regional power that for centuries dominated the area politically and culturally: China. Also seeking to modernize in the wake of Western exploitation, China struggled to adapt to the changing times, doing everything it could to maintain a balance between modernity and tradition. Japan found that balance.
-
-
Japan's rise before WW1 and WW2
- By Rosalyn Mendez on 03-26-24
-
Quetzalcoatl
- The History and Legacy of the Feathered Serpent God in Mesoamerican Mythology
- By: Charles River Editors, Ernesto Novato
- Narrated by: Bill Hare
- Length: 1 hr and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Worship of the Feathered Serpent can be traced back 2,000 years, and the Serpent’s cults appear all across Mesoamerica. The Olmec, the Aztec, and both the Yucatec and K’iche Mayans all had different names for this deity, including Kukulkan, Q’uq’umatz, and Tohil...Quetzalcoatl was and remains one of the most interesting and enlightening stories ever to have come out of any civilization, and his stories offer a better understanding of the Mesoamerican world.
-
-
great, clear, and comprehendible.
- By Leah Berry on 08-31-22
By: Charles River Editors, and others
-
The Sicarii
- The History of the Ancient Jewish Assassins Who Fought the Romans
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Daniel Houle
- Length: 1 hr and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The fighting between the Romans and Jews in the first century CE, brought about some of the most important events in Jewish history. The Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE, resulted in the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem, a disaster that would eventually prove both permanent and catastrophic since it was never rebuilt.
-
The Banana Wars
- A Captivating Guide to the Interventions of the United States in Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean (US Military History)
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: Jason Saffir
- Length: 3 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This audiobook is about the Banana Wars that lasted from the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898 until Franklin Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor Policy of 1934. When you listen to this story, you’ll learn how and why the US marines invaded Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. You’ll also learn how the US Marines occupied and ruled Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic for years.
-
-
New look on American history
- By MrWndrfl on 10-19-24
-
The Pleistocene Era
- The History of the Ice Age and the Dawn of Modern Humans
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Daniel Houle
- Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Pleistocene spans a period from around 2.5 million years ago (mya) to just over 12,000 years ago, and it was an epoch of enormous change on Earth, mainly characterized by climate changes involving fluctuations between periods of extreme heat and long periods of glaciation. This period is commonly known as the Ice Age, despite the fact there were actually a number of separate periods of cold. The Pleistocene Era: The History of the Ice Age and the Dawn of Modern Humans looks at the development of the era, what life on Earth was like, and the origins of archaic humans.
-
-
Meh
- By Sarah on 04-09-21
-
Wellington’s Scum
- The History and Legacy of the British Army During the Napoleonic Wars
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Colin Fluxman
- Length: 1 hr and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wellington’s Scum: The History and Legacy of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars examines the history of the British Army during one of history’s most pivotal eras. You will learn about the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars like never before.
-
The First Sino-Japanese War
- The History and Legacy of the Conflict That Doomed the Chinese Empire and Led to the Rise of Imperial Japan
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Colin Fluxman
- Length: 1 hr and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Completing the Meiji Restoration that heralded the dawn of a new era for both Japan and Asia, the island nation found itself thrust into the modern world, a world of industry and conquest. Flexing its new muscles, the burgeoning power soon came to blows with the regional power that for centuries dominated the area politically and culturally: China. Also seeking to modernize in the wake of Western exploitation, China struggled to adapt to the changing times, doing everything it could to maintain a balance between modernity and tradition. Japan found that balance.
-
-
Japan's rise before WW1 and WW2
- By Rosalyn Mendez on 03-26-24
-
Quetzalcoatl
- The History and Legacy of the Feathered Serpent God in Mesoamerican Mythology
- By: Charles River Editors, Ernesto Novato
- Narrated by: Bill Hare
- Length: 1 hr and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Worship of the Feathered Serpent can be traced back 2,000 years, and the Serpent’s cults appear all across Mesoamerica. The Olmec, the Aztec, and both the Yucatec and K’iche Mayans all had different names for this deity, including Kukulkan, Q’uq’umatz, and Tohil...Quetzalcoatl was and remains one of the most interesting and enlightening stories ever to have come out of any civilization, and his stories offer a better understanding of the Mesoamerican world.
-
-
great, clear, and comprehendible.
- By Leah Berry on 08-31-22
By: Charles River Editors, and others
-
Huitzilopochtli
- The History of the Aztec God of War and Human Sacrifice
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Bill Hare
- Length: 1 hr and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
To the Aztecs, Huitzilopochtli wore a blue-green hummingbird helmet and was draped in pure white heron feathers. He carried a smoking mirror, an obsidian mirror, a shield, darts, and the serpent Xiuhcoatl that carried with it the fury and might of the sun. Everything about him - from his clothes to his weapons - emanated and defined royalty.
-
-
The flow
- By sammy potashnick on 07-22-24
-
Odin: The Origins, History and Evolution of the Norse God
- By: Jesse Harasta, Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Anthony R. Schlotzhauer
- Length: 1 hr and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A one-eyed old man, with a gray cloak and a wide-brimmed hat leaning on a staff. A wanderer who appears when least expected, bringing triumph or doom. The god of prophecy, poetry and fate. A shape changer. A sorcerer. The god Odin cuts a dramatic figure in Norse mythology and is still a part of the popular imagination. He is the inspiration for figures like J.R.R. Tolkien's Gandalf the Grey, and he still appears in modern literature as varied as Marvel Comics and Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods.
-
-
Not what I expected but enjoyable nontheless
- By Goose on 07-13-15
By: Jesse Harasta, and others
-
The Book of the Dead
- The History and Legacy of Ancient Egypt’s Famous Funerary Texts
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
- Length: 1 hr and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Given the abundance of funerary artifacts that have been found within the sands of Egypt, it sometimes seems as though the Ancient Egyptians were more concerned with the matters of the afterlife than they were with matters of the life they experienced from day to day. This is underscored most prominently by the pyramids, which have captured the world’s imagination for centuries.
-
-
Love it!!! Learned a lot in such a short time.
- By gab g on 02-09-23
-
Spanish Empire
- A History from Beginning to End
- By: Hourly History
- Narrated by: Matthew J. Chandler-Smith
- Length: 1 hr and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Spanish Empire was the first truly global empire and the first to be described as one on which “the sun never sets.” It rapidly grew to become one of the largest and most powerful empires in the history of the world and brought us goods such as potatoes, chocolate, and chewing gum.
By: Hourly History
-
The 12th Planet
- The Earth Chronicles, Book 1
- By: Zecharia Sitchin
- Narrated by: Bill Jenkins
- Length: 2 hrs and 21 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
According to Sumerian scholar Zecharia Sitchin, a superior race of beings once inhabited our world. In The 12th Planet—the product of 30 years of intensive research—Sitchin persuasively argues that humanity sprang from extraterrestrial forebears. In this remarkable account, you'll hear the story of how these ancient visitors traveled to Earth from the stars and planted the genetic seed that would ultimately blossom into a remarkable species—the human being.
-
-
Very, VERY abridged!
- By Jill on 06-17-11
By: Zecharia Sitchin
-
African Origin of Civilization - The Myth or Reality
- By: Cheikh Anta Diop
- Narrated by: Frank Block
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This classic presents historical, archaeological, and anthropological evidence to support the theory that ancient Egypt was a black civilization.
-
-
History told from an honest point
- By Lee on 12-19-21
By: Cheikh Anta Diop
-
Egyptian Mythology
- Captivating Stories of the Gods, Goddesses, Monsters and Mortals
- By: Matt Clayton
- Narrated by: JD Kelly
- Length: 1 hr and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This book on Egyptian mythology is part of the best-selling series, Norse Mythology - Egyptian Mythology - Greek Mythology. In this ultimate guide on Egyptian mythology, you will discover captivating stories of the gods, goddesses, monsters, and mortals.
-
-
No lo vale
- By fer on 02-09-23
By: Matt Clayton
-
Maya Civilization: A Captivating Guide to Maya History and Maya Mythology
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: Duke Holm
- Length: 1 hr and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this captivating guide, you will discover why Maya have gained such worldwide admiration over the many other civilizations that existed in Mesoamerica at the time. You will learn how the Maya civilization developed, the major turning points in their 3,000-year-long history, the mysteries surrounding their demise, and some of the unique places where Maya exist to this day. In the first part of this audiobook, you will discover the origins of the Maya civilization and the Mesoamerican cultures that may have influenced them.
-
-
Too brief
- By William on 02-10-21
-
God
- A Human History
- By: Reza Aslan
- Narrated by: Reza Aslan
- Length: 5 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In layered prose and with thoughtful, accessible scholarship, Aslan narrates the history of religion as one long and remarkably cohesive attempt to understand the divine by giving it human traits and emotions. According to Aslan, this innate desire to humanize God is hardwired in our brains, making it a central feature of nearly every religious tradition. As Aslan writes, "Whether we are aware of it or not, and regardless if we are believers or not, what the vast majority of us think about when we think about God is a divine version of ourselves."
-
-
His best work yet
- By Jeff M on 11-15-17
By: Reza Aslan
-
Chinese Mythology: A Comprehensive Guide to the Myths from the Orient
- By: John Feisel
- Narrated by: Ric Chetter
- Length: 3 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Indulge in the crazy, mystical, mythical aspects of Chinese folklore. You will learn about the most basic background information, the setting, the time period in which these tales were created, and so much more. Among others, you will become familiar with things like the myth of the sun and the moon; cultural aspects of ancient oriental society; amazing facts about Confucius and Confucianism; Buddhism and its role in China and mythology; stories about gods, heroes, stars, and saints; and so many other things.
-
-
This deserves a positive review
- By Juan on 11-19-19
By: John Feisel
-
Chinese Mythology: Gods, Goddesses, Monkeys, Eternal Beings, and More
- By: Sally Stephens
- Narrated by: Kenneth Ellison
- Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The sociology and mythology of the Chinese culture has a long, extended history, and the creatures and superpowers in them have often been neglected by western culture. But not for long! As you listen to this gem of an audiobook, you will find all kinds of answers to questions related to Chinese mythology.
-
-
Awesome
- By Anonymous User on 12-04-19
By: Sally Stephens
-
The Sumerians: A History from Beginning to End
- By: Hourly History
- Narrated by: Stephen Paul Aulridge Jr.
- Length: 1 hr and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Sumerians settled in the area known as Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, around 5,000 years ago. They produced many fundamental changes to the way in which human societies developed - these were the first city-builders, the first people to use wheeled vehicles, the first methodical astronomers, and the first people to develop a sophisticated written language. The Sumerians also produced art, music, and literature as well as created some of the first professional soldiers the world had ever seen.
-
-
Simple and as best “to the point” as it can be
- By Lona on 08-24-24
By: Hourly History
Related to this topic
-
The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World
- By: Robert Garland, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Robert Garland
- Length: 24 hrs and 28 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Look beyond the abstract dates and figures, kings and queens, and battles and wars that make up so many historical accounts. Over the course of 48 richly detailed lectures, Professor Garland covers the breadth and depth of human history from the perspective of the so-called ordinary people, from its earliest beginnings through the Middle Ages.
-
-
Tantalizing time trip
- By Mark on 08-21-13
By: Robert Garland, and others
-
The Book of the Dead
- The History and Legacy of Ancient Egypt’s Famous Funerary Texts
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
- Length: 1 hr and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Given the abundance of funerary artifacts that have been found within the sands of Egypt, it sometimes seems as though the Ancient Egyptians were more concerned with the matters of the afterlife than they were with matters of the life they experienced from day to day. This is underscored most prominently by the pyramids, which have captured the world’s imagination for centuries.
-
-
Love it!!! Learned a lot in such a short time.
- By gab g on 02-09-23
-
Quetzalcoatl
- The History and Legacy of the Feathered Serpent God in Mesoamerican Mythology
- By: Charles River Editors, Ernesto Novato
- Narrated by: Bill Hare
- Length: 1 hr and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Worship of the Feathered Serpent can be traced back 2,000 years, and the Serpent’s cults appear all across Mesoamerica. The Olmec, the Aztec, and both the Yucatec and K’iche Mayans all had different names for this deity, including Kukulkan, Q’uq’umatz, and Tohil...Quetzalcoatl was and remains one of the most interesting and enlightening stories ever to have come out of any civilization, and his stories offer a better understanding of the Mesoamerican world.
-
-
great, clear, and comprehendible.
- By Leah Berry on 08-31-22
By: Charles River Editors, and others
-
Ur: A Captivating Guide to One of the Most Important Sumerian City-States in Ancient Mesopotamia
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: Duke Holm
- Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This audiobook is about the city which houses the mighty Ziggurat - the Biblical “Ur of the Chaldees” where Abraham was supposedly born. The site near which the earliest human cultures were found. The site which held the most glorious Sumerian Dynasty in ancient history. This is the story of the city that was destined to die and be reborn every millennium or so, a city full of intrigue, magnificence, tragedy, and glory.
-
-
Highly Recommended
- By Wsil Ali on 12-09-18
-
Ancient Egypt: History in an Hour
- By: Anthony Holmes
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 1 hr and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour. Learn about the Egyptian gods, mummification and how the Egyptians built the only wonder of the ancient world still standing - the Pyramids of Giza. Exploring the historic rise of Egyptian civilization and its continued influence on the world today, Ancient Egypt in an Hour is an excellent companion to a mysterious and enthralling period of history.
-
-
very interesting topic worth a listen
- By Doug W on 01-21-20
By: Anthony Holmes
-
Atlantis and Other Lost Worlds
- By: Frank Joseph
- Narrated by: Blake Kubena
- Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Atlantis and Other Lost Worlds is the most up-to-date and comprehensive investigation of history's infamous sunken city. Nowhere else will you find a more dramatic and convincing presentation of the evidence for its archaeological reality.
-
-
Good for a substitute for melatonin!
- By joshua on 02-12-19
By: Frank Joseph
-
The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World
- By: Robert Garland, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Robert Garland
- Length: 24 hrs and 28 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Look beyond the abstract dates and figures, kings and queens, and battles and wars that make up so many historical accounts. Over the course of 48 richly detailed lectures, Professor Garland covers the breadth and depth of human history from the perspective of the so-called ordinary people, from its earliest beginnings through the Middle Ages.
-
-
Tantalizing time trip
- By Mark on 08-21-13
By: Robert Garland, and others
-
The Book of the Dead
- The History and Legacy of Ancient Egypt’s Famous Funerary Texts
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
- Length: 1 hr and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Given the abundance of funerary artifacts that have been found within the sands of Egypt, it sometimes seems as though the Ancient Egyptians were more concerned with the matters of the afterlife than they were with matters of the life they experienced from day to day. This is underscored most prominently by the pyramids, which have captured the world’s imagination for centuries.
-
-
Love it!!! Learned a lot in such a short time.
- By gab g on 02-09-23
-
Quetzalcoatl
- The History and Legacy of the Feathered Serpent God in Mesoamerican Mythology
- By: Charles River Editors, Ernesto Novato
- Narrated by: Bill Hare
- Length: 1 hr and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Worship of the Feathered Serpent can be traced back 2,000 years, and the Serpent’s cults appear all across Mesoamerica. The Olmec, the Aztec, and both the Yucatec and K’iche Mayans all had different names for this deity, including Kukulkan, Q’uq’umatz, and Tohil...Quetzalcoatl was and remains one of the most interesting and enlightening stories ever to have come out of any civilization, and his stories offer a better understanding of the Mesoamerican world.
-
-
great, clear, and comprehendible.
- By Leah Berry on 08-31-22
By: Charles River Editors, and others
-
Ur: A Captivating Guide to One of the Most Important Sumerian City-States in Ancient Mesopotamia
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: Duke Holm
- Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This audiobook is about the city which houses the mighty Ziggurat - the Biblical “Ur of the Chaldees” where Abraham was supposedly born. The site near which the earliest human cultures were found. The site which held the most glorious Sumerian Dynasty in ancient history. This is the story of the city that was destined to die and be reborn every millennium or so, a city full of intrigue, magnificence, tragedy, and glory.
-
-
Highly Recommended
- By Wsil Ali on 12-09-18
-
Ancient Egypt: History in an Hour
- By: Anthony Holmes
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 1 hr and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour. Learn about the Egyptian gods, mummification and how the Egyptians built the only wonder of the ancient world still standing - the Pyramids of Giza. Exploring the historic rise of Egyptian civilization and its continued influence on the world today, Ancient Egypt in an Hour is an excellent companion to a mysterious and enthralling period of history.
-
-
very interesting topic worth a listen
- By Doug W on 01-21-20
By: Anthony Holmes
-
Atlantis and Other Lost Worlds
- By: Frank Joseph
- Narrated by: Blake Kubena
- Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Atlantis and Other Lost Worlds is the most up-to-date and comprehensive investigation of history's infamous sunken city. Nowhere else will you find a more dramatic and convincing presentation of the evidence for its archaeological reality.
-
-
Good for a substitute for melatonin!
- By joshua on 02-12-19
By: Frank Joseph
-
The 12th Planet
- The Earth Chronicles, Book 1
- By: Zecharia Sitchin
- Narrated by: Bill Jenkins
- Length: 2 hrs and 21 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
According to Sumerian scholar Zecharia Sitchin, a superior race of beings once inhabited our world. In The 12th Planet—the product of 30 years of intensive research—Sitchin persuasively argues that humanity sprang from extraterrestrial forebears. In this remarkable account, you'll hear the story of how these ancient visitors traveled to Earth from the stars and planted the genetic seed that would ultimately blossom into a remarkable species—the human being.
-
-
Very, VERY abridged!
- By Jill on 06-17-11
By: Zecharia Sitchin
-
Sumerians
- A Captivating Guide to Ancient Sumerian History, Sumerian Mythology and the Mesopotamian Empire of the Sumer Civilization
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: Duke Holm
- Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The sheer importance of Sumerian culture in regards to world culture as a whole is impossible to overstate. This civilization is single-handedly responsible for some of the most major innovations in nearly every field relevant to maintaining a civilized society - this includes religion, lawmaking, architecture, schooling, art, literature, and even entertainment. Naturally, most of what we see as negative aspects of society were established in ancient Sumer as well. There wasn’t an aspect of Sumerian life that wasn’t plagued with corruption or devastation of one form or another.
-
-
Lots of information in short book
- By Pamela on 01-04-19
-
Babylon
- Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization
- By: Paul Kriwaczek
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 12 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Civilization was born 8,000 years ago, between the floodplains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, when migrants from the surrounding mountains and deserts began to create increasingly sophisticated urban societies. In the cities that they built, half of human history took place. In Babylon, Paul Kriwaczek tells the story of Mesopotamia from the earliest settlements seven thousand years ago to the eclipse of Babylon in the sixth century BCE. Bringing the people of this land to life in vibrant detail, the author chronicles the rise and fall of power during this period.
-
-
Solid overview 3000 years of history
- By Alsor2000 on 07-19-20
By: Paul Kriwaczek
-
Red Land, Black Land
- Daily Life in Ancient Egypt
- By: Barbara Mertz
- Narrated by: Lorna Raver
- Length: 14 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Esteemed Egyptologist Barbara Mertz updates her widely praised social history of the people of ancient Egypt, which was originally published in 1968. Combining impeccable scholarship with a delightfully personal style, the author reconstructs the life of the Egyptians from birth to death, and beyond death, too.
-
-
Brilliant
- By Elizabeth on 04-03-10
By: Barbara Mertz
-
Uncovering Greek Mythology: A Beginner's Guide into the World of Greek Gods and Goddesses
- By: Lucas Russo
- Narrated by: Jared Zak
- Length: 3 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Get to know the Greek gods and goddesses, from the mighty Zeus, to the temperamental Poseidon, the beautiful Aphrodite, and every character from A to Z. Who wouldn’t want to hear about Zeus and his command of lightning, Hades and how he found his bride, the wisdom of Athena, and so many other stories that capture the imagination. These stories can do more than just entertain; they can also inspire and teach us lessons that were penned by the Greeks themselves.
-
-
Wonderful book!!
- By Laura Preston on 12-07-22
By: Lucas Russo
-
The Parthenon Enigma
- By: Joan Breton Connelly
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this revolutionary book, Joan Breton Connelly challenges our most basic assumptions about the Parthenon and the ancient Athenians. Beginning with the natural environment and its rich mythic associations, she re-creates the development of the Acropolis - the Sacred Rock at the heart of the city-state - from its prehistoric origins to its Periklean glory days as a constellation of temples among which the Parthenon stood supreme.
-
-
dope book, lacked depth but overall worthwhile
- By Nicholas on 06-29-15
-
African Origin of Civilization - The Myth or Reality
- By: Cheikh Anta Diop
- Narrated by: Frank Block
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This classic presents historical, archaeological, and anthropological evidence to support the theory that ancient Egypt was a black civilization.
-
-
History told from an honest point
- By Lee on 12-19-21
By: Cheikh Anta Diop
-
The Story of Egypt
- The Civilization That Shaped the World
- By: Joann Fletcher
- Narrated by: Kate Reading
- Length: 17 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The story of the world's greatest civilization - spanning thousands of years - is full of epic stories, spectacular places, and an evolving society rich in inventors, heroes, villains, and pioneers. The story of the world's greatest civilization spans 4,000 years of history that has shaped the world. It is full of spectacular cities and epic stories of a constantly evolving society peopled with inventors, heroes and heroines, villains, artisans, and pioneers.
-
-
Egyptian history is fascinating, this book is not.
- By Mary Elizabeth Reynolds on 08-24-16
By: Joann Fletcher
-
Scotland's Hidden Sacred Past
- By: Freddy Silva
- Narrated by: Freddy Silva
- Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Around 6000 BC, a revolution took place on Orkney and the Western Isles of Scotland. An outstanding collection of stone circles, standing stones, round towers, and passage mounds appeared seemingly out of nowhere. And yet many such monuments were not indigenous to Britain, but to regions of the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean. Their creators were equally mysterious. Traditions tell of the Papae and Peti, "strangers from afar" who were physically different, dressed in white tunics, and lived aside from the regular population.
-
-
Magical
- By Mori on 12-17-21
By: Freddy Silva
-
The Birth of Classical Europe
- A History from Troy to Augustine
- By: Simon Price, Peter Thonemann
- Narrated by: Don Hagen
- Length: 14 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
To an extraordinary extent we continue to live in the shadow of the classical world. At every level, from languages to calendars to political systems, we are the descendants of a “classical Europe,” using frames of reference created by ancient Mediterranean cultures. As this consistently fresh and surprising new audio book makes clear, however, this was no less true for the inhabitants of those classical civilizations themselves, whose myths, history, and buildings were an elaborate engagement with an already old and revered past - one filled with great leaders and writers....
-
-
Excellent overview of the Classical World
- By David I. Williams on 01-12-14
By: Simon Price, and others
-
How Do We Look
- The Body, the Divine, and the Question of Civilization
- By: Mary Beard
- Narrated by: Mary Beard
- Length: 2 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From prehistoric Mexico to modern Istanbul, Mary Beard looks beyond the familiar canon of Western imagery to explore the history of art, religion, and humanity. Conceived as an accompaniment to How Do We Look and The Eye of Faith, the famed Civilizations shows on PBS, renowned classicist Mary Beard has created this elegant volume on how we have looked at art.
-
-
Really needs a PDF
- By Britt Elin Gihleengen on 12-06-18
By: Mary Beard
-
God
- A Human History
- By: Reza Aslan
- Narrated by: Reza Aslan
- Length: 5 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In layered prose and with thoughtful, accessible scholarship, Aslan narrates the history of religion as one long and remarkably cohesive attempt to understand the divine by giving it human traits and emotions. According to Aslan, this innate desire to humanize God is hardwired in our brains, making it a central feature of nearly every religious tradition. As Aslan writes, "Whether we are aware of it or not, and regardless if we are believers or not, what the vast majority of us think about when we think about God is a divine version of ourselves."
-
-
His best work yet
- By Jeff M on 11-15-17
By: Reza Aslan