Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed

By: Edwin Barnhart, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Edwin Barnhart

Centuries ago, Spanish conquistadors searching for gold and new lands encountered a group of independent city-states in Mesoamerica. Sophisticated beyond the Spaniards' wildest imaginings, these people were the Aztecs, the Maya, and related cultures that shared common traditions of religion, government, the arts, engineering, and trade. In many ways more advanced than European nations, these societies equaled the world's greatest civilizations of their time.

Immerse yourself in this epic story with 48 exhilarating half-hour lectures that cover the scope of Mesoamerican history and culture. You'll focus mainly on the Maya, who have been in Mesoamerica for thousands of years, and the Aztecs, who mysteriously appeared late and rose swiftly to power. The Aztecs fell from power just as precipitously; their empire controlled the region for less than a century, until the arrival of the Spanish in the early 1500s. Why were the Aztecs so quickly defeated by the conquistadors, while the Maya resisted the invaders for generations?

Although the Spanish eventually conquered all of Mesoamerica, much remains of the original cultures. Beautiful artifacts fill museums. Impressive ruins dot the landscape. And millions of descendants of ancient Mesoamericans still live in their ancestral homes, speaking native languages and practicing time-honored traditions. The countries from Mexico to Costa Rica include more than a dozen UNESCO World Heritage Sites related to the pre-Columbian period, plus scores of other ancient sites that are equally worth a visit. This course is the ideal way to plan an itinerary, prepare for a tour, or simply sit back and enjoy a thrilling virtual voyage. You will be surprised at the number of sites to explore - many more than you could possibly see in months of travel. Your guide is Professor Barnhart, a noted archaeologist whose exploits include the discovery of a lost Maya city.

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

©2015 The Great Courses (P)2015 The Teaching Company, LLC

rabbit says to the merchant god...

Would you listen to Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed again? Why?

I found professor Bernhardt's work to be both innovative and accurate. Yet most importantly delivered by someone who is still enthusiastic about their work.

What did you like best about this story?

the pottery piece of the rabbit speaking to the merchant God painstakingly decoded teaches us that humanity since the very inception of writing has found it funny to tell a God to smell his own butt.

A riveting tale

Really extraordinary. I thought I knew a lot about this time period but I had no idea the complexities involved.

Maya and Aztec history

Fabulous professor explaining history of where people from my ancestry lived for thousands of years. I have learned so much and understand more of my own habits, beliefs and preferences as a daughter of Huichol woman.
After so many hours, the professor kept the learning interesting and relevant.

Great content, lackluster delivery

The content was hugely interesting. The presentation left a little to be desired. I felt myself struggling to pay attention due to the professors seeming lack of enthusiasm. This made it difficult to get through some lectures. The cadence and pitch of his voice almost never changes which lends the whole series a sort of boring drone. There is an almost entirely absent joie de vivre or enthusiastic nature of any kind. That said, amazingly interesting topic and we'll chosen subjects.

Interesting look into early mesoamerica

If you could sum up Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, thought-provoking

What other book might you compare Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed to and why?

I have only started listening to lectures 1-3 and is enjoying it immensely. It is preparation for my second visit to Mexico and Chichen Itza, but this time round we will also visit Coba and Tulum - so overall Maya sites close to Cancun/Playa del Carmen. As much ruins as my husband can take - unfortunately.

What does Professor Edwin Barnhart bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Personal passion for the subject.

Any additional comments?

Note to user looking for companion notes. If you purchase via Audible and look at your library via the Internet Browser , Under Title you will see the option to download a PDF. It only says PDF, but it is course notes relating to the lectures- this one is 353 pages.
I do not see this in the apple or android apps, only via the internet browser.
There are quite a few of the PDF's available for the Great Courses, just go and look there.
These PDF's are a great help to focus your listening and there are some pictures as well.

I can't believe I enjoyed this lectured series A+

I would have never thought that I would have been able to stay with the entire lecture series but I did and I absolutely loved it. I can't believe how much I've learned about the Mesoamerican peoples and all the history that has been discovered in just a small amount of time. if you have any real interest in learning about South American and Central American Mesoamerican cultures check this out it's awesome and completely attention-grabbing and so so interesting! but listen for yourself, definitely worth it.

Very interesting, and detailed.

The book goes really fast in the beginning and in the end. Super interesting and I would recommend the book if you are interested in the subject. The middle parts could’ve been less redundant or gone faster. Nevertheless I really enjoyed it and would recommend it

Really enjoyable and revealing read

Loved it! Very educational and interesting to learn this history and I found the professor enjoyable and interesting to listen to.

"Like drinking from a firehose"

Lived this course. i will need to go back and review course notes and maybe even listen again

Excellent

Great series of lectures. Entertaining and informative. Excellent narration. If you like history, you will love these lectures.