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Ancient Mesopotamia

By: The Great Courses
Narrated by: Professor Amanda H. Podany PhD
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Summary

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
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What listeners say about Ancient Mesopotamia

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really enjoyed

really enjoyed it made history interesting and opens up a window into the past that opens up a vista to the present.

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5 people found this helpful

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Great course

So interesting! Really enjoyed this course. The presenter is engaging and made it come alive.

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Great introduction, not to academic

Great introduction, interesting lectures and but not overly academic and heavy to listen to(this will be good for some, and poor for others)

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Utterly engaging

Fantastic content read well and with the enthusiasm of the author. A topic covering thousands of years but there are many highlights that even I retain. If you have an interest in this subject the lecture structure makes this easy to read and of course, revisit at any time.

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Ancient history

Loved being immersed in this once great culture. These courses are are great way to access history.

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Excellent, a fascinating look at ancient history

The author narrated very well. She provided information about Mesopotamia, and gave an insight into the lives of the people. I've learned loads, fully recommended to anyone who is interested in history.

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Excellent look into ancient Mesopotamia.

Really enjoyed this audio book. The author knows her stuff. However, she was very slow, so I recommend you listen to it at 1.2 speed . enjoy

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Great course

This was a good one! She speaks with such clarity and enthusiasm, and does a beautiful job of combining detail and the everyday, with the grand sweep of history and major historical developments.

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Enthralling

Great introduction to an exciting and underrepresented age. Plenty of depth with an engaging and well considered narration

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Excellent it

Excellent in all respects, a bright light has been focused on a neglected forgotten history
L

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