The Greek and Persian Wars
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The Greek and Persian Wars
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Narrated by:
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John R. Hale
About this listen
Spanning more than two centuries, the Greek and Persian wars forged a new world order, sparking developments in battle strategy, naval technology, world exploration, and art and culture that impact the world even today.
These 24 lectures are your opportunity to survey this globe-spanning conflict and see the human experience behind some of the most remarkable episodes in ancient history.
Look beyond the infamous story of King Leonidas and his famed "300" and uncover the people and the world of the ancient Greeks and Persians. The clash of these two great cultures helped spark some of the most important cultural events in the history of the world: the chronicles of Herodotus, Thucydides, and Xenophon; the dramas of Aeschylus; and Greece's remarkable invention of democracy.
An expert on methods of ancient warfare, Professor Hale offers rare insights into how each skirmish was lost and won. You'll meet the great Greek and Persian leaders, and compare the war technologies they pioneered.
But Professor Hale offers more than just textbook descriptions. An accomplished archaeologist, he provides rare and valuable insights gleaned from years of fieldwork, including an analysis of the landscape of the battlefield of Marathon and modern archaeological surveys of the ground where Xerxes and his engineers dug an 80-foot-wide canal across an Aegean cape.
It's a perspective on history you'll find virtually nowhere else. Bringing together both sides of the story - Greek and Persian - Professor Hale creates a complex and informative account of this world-changing era.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.
©2008 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2008 The Great CoursesListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Greek and Persian Wars
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Stephen
- 23-09-15
You'll not want to put this down
Where does The Greek and Persian Wars rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
One of the very best
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes! - But it pays to take your time and absorb the information, it is delivered in such a thought-provoking manor.
Any additional comments?
One of the better Great Courses books.Professor John R. Hale does a great job of giving us the history in a balanced way, he has an unbiased view of both parties. (This, to me, is the most critical aspect of any book on history) He shows the strengths and weaknesses of both sides in a way that is informative rather than critical (Unlike some books I've read)One part of the book I find most interesting is Xerxes invasion of mainland Greece. This covers the well-known heroic tragedy at Thermopylae and the outright bizarre event on the Bosporus...
He describes "Xerxes Canal" - An earth-work that should be classed among the wonders of the ancient world. - In fact up to the 1990's experts didn't believe the ancients were capable of such a feat.
I had to smile at a Greek diplomat's solution to the problem of Persian court etiquette ;-)
Prof John R. Hale has that special way of delivering information that makes you think about things in a new light. When all is said and done This is one of the best books about the ancient world I've read.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David Adams
- 13-02-22
Awesome Story Telling
This is a fantastic series, well worth your time.
You wont be disappointed in this audiobook.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nikolaos Kavakiotis
- 26-06-23
Amazing storyline and storytelling
Amazing book; very concise written (or read) by people who know the subject in a really digestible way. Strongly recommended as to understand the history of this world
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- john
- 04-12-17
Greek history at it's best
Would you consider the audio edition of The Greek and Persian Wars to be better than the print version?
Thoroughly enjoyed these lectures,informative and entertaining,I would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in Greek history.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Andrew UK
- 27-01-15
history at its best: riveting and informative
What made the experience of listening to The Greek and Persian Wars the most enjoyable?
The brilliant reading style of the narrator makes you feel you are there at the battles, on the marches, with the politicians and intriguers- rather than a distant observer. I've enjoyed a lot of the Great Courses history series and this is one of my favourites. The narrator takes you along, in a fascinating and exciting journey. The story of the march of the 10,000 Greeks is mind boggling: the flow of events, intrigue, trials and determination of those involved, with links to Socrates and to Alexander the Great (if ever a story cries out for an epic film it's this!).
What did you like best about this story?
The reading style and material that transports you back in time.
What does Professor John R. Hale bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
Humour, excitement & enthusiasm; with paced reading that draws you in.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
One of the few books where I've found myself recounting some of the events to other people.
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9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David Morgan
- 21-08-23
Very Interesting and well narrated.
Okay…narrated is the wrong word as it’s a lecture but the professor’s style is engaging and the topic fascinating. I learned a great deal lisyto this audiobook.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Cal
- 12-12-15
Wonderful. Very easy to listen to.
Would you consider the audio edition of The Greek and Persian Wars to be better than the print version?
Yes.
What did you like best about this story?
Battles are described wonderfully. There is much passion in those parts of the lectures in particular.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
The battle of Thermopylae
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The death of King Leonidas
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jennifer G.
- 14-08-19
Riveting Historical insight
Loved this audiobook of not just Greek & Persian events but of the personalities, perspectives, and ingenuity. John Hale delivers clearly, with enthusiasm it’s engaging. Recommended for new and old, to inspire and ignite your bones.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 12-03-22
Cyrus the Great to Alexander the Great
Professor Hale covers more than 200 years of rivalry between Greece and Persia in which the Peloponnesian War is almost a sideshow. His archaeological expertise brings the material record to bear on the more familiar literary/historical sources.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ms. T. L. Robinson
- 09-02-17
wonderful
A great period in history wonderfully narrated.
highly recommend for history buffs and those wanting to start learning history.
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