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Unsung Heroes of the Ancient World
- Narrated by: Gregory S. Aldrete
- Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins
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Publisher's summary
Mainstream histories of the ancient world too often focus on its greatest men, like the Roman dictator Julius Caesar or the acclaimed Greek philosopher Aristotle. But what about antiquity’s more obscure heroes and antiheroes? The men and the women who defied expectations and fundamentally shaped ancient politics, culture, and society without achieving the same kind of fame and acclaim: the victors, villains, and vigilantes who operated outside of the limelight. What are we to make of their extraordinary lives—their triumphs, their failures, and everything in-between?
The 24 revealing lectures of Unsung Heroes of the Ancient World reconstruct over a dozen biographies from the classical world—most of them little-known, some of them quite unlikely heroes. With Professor Emeritus Gregory Aldrete as your expert guide, you will meet the ambitious travel writers, dedicated engineers, careful cartographers, diligent farmers, woman philosophers, devoted wives, skilled military generals, African rebels, Persian kings, and impressive athletes who stood out among their peers centuries ago. Become acquainted with Jugurtha, a prince who ascended to power in Numidia and agitated against Rome; with the Diagoras of Rhodes sports dynasty, a family of Olympic champions; and with Mousa, a slave-turned-queen. Survey the battles waged by military leaders like Cimon, Agrippa, and Sextus Pompey, as well as the intellectual exploits of naturalist Pliny the Elder and Alexandrian philosopher Hypatia. Unpack antiquity’s criminal underworld, from the false prophet Alexander Abonoteichus to maritime insurance fraudsters Zenothemis and Hegestratus. And study the contributions of working people both free and unfree, learning about the slaves and farmers who shaped ancient society from the bottom up.
Throughout these lectures, you will carefully parse private letters, statue inscriptions, travel manuals, lectures notes, oratory textbooks, and myths for narrative details. You’ll have the opportunity to piece together the social backgrounds, early lives, professional careers, motivations, and occasional hardships of some of the most consequential yet underrated figures of antiquity. In the end, you’ll emerge with a sharper and broader understanding of politics, culture, gender, social norms, sport, violence, and war in the ancient world.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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Story
Generally considered to be J. B. Bury's magnum opus, this kaleidoscopic and assiduously accurate reconstruction of the Western and Eastern Roman empire covers the crucial years from the death of Theodosius in 395 to the death of Justinian in 565. This 170 year period reveals the forces and cross-currents which engulfed Constantinople, Rome, Antioch, along with the Germanic and Persian peoples. Various tribes like the Huns, Lombards, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, and Vandals are carefully investigated.
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God Against the Gods
- The History of Monotheism and Polytheism
- By: Robert Garland, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Robert Garland
- Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins
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Religion is foundational to what it means to be human. Our quest for meaning is as ancient as our very existence, stretching back to a time when Neanderthal burials and Paleolithic figurines suggest our ancestors recognized a power that transcended visible reality. From ancient civilizations to the 21st century, belief in a higher power seems to be a universal human instinct. These 12 thought-provoking lectures introduce you to the world of comparative religion, giving you insights into a variety of religious expressions and human cultures.
By: Robert Garland, and others
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Understanding the World of Financial Markets
- By: Connel Fullenkamp, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Connel Fullenkamp
- Length: 5 hrs and 5 mins
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Whether you’re buying a home, saving for retirement, running a business, or just plain speculating, it’s important to understand financial markets. These are the engines of commerce in today’s world, powering economic activity and steering the flow of capital. Taught by Professor Connel Fullenkamp of Duke University, Understanding the World of Financial Markets is aimed at the ordinary investor and surveys the impressive range of financial markets—from stocks and bonds to futures, options, real estate, private equity, and virtual assets.
By: Connel Fullenkamp, and others
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The Evolution of American Federalism
- By: Joseph L. Hoffmann, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Joseph L. Hoffmann
- Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins
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The promise of America is that the country is based on an idea, one where everyone is created equal and equally free to chart their own course. From 13 newly independent states ratifying a national constitution to the heated debates in the halls of Congress today, American politics is about negotiation over what our country is—and where we are going.
By: Joseph L. Hoffmann, and others
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What America’s Founders Learned from Antiquity
- By: Caroline Winterer, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Caroline Winterer
- Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins
- Original Recording
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Many Americans know that our nation’s founders drew inspiration from the political systems of ancient Rome and Greece. But what exactly were these influences? And did they shape the United States in far-reaching ways? In these 24 compelling lectures, Professor Winterer takes you on a journey into the thought and actions of the American revolutionaries, showing how classical antiquity shaped every aspect of the revolutionary and founding era.
By: Caroline Winterer, and others
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How to Talk to Your Kids About Death
- By: Jessica Borelli, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Jessica Borelli
- Length: 2 hrs and 10 mins
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In the six lectures of How to Talk to Your Kids About Death, professor and practicing psychologist Dr. Jessica Borelli will help you navigate the complexities of discussing death with children in a way that offers them the support and attention they need at such a confusing time.
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Sensitive, Practical, and Effective
- By GiGi on 10-11-24
By: Jessica Borelli, and others
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Communism in Decline: From Sputnik to Gorbachev
- By: Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius
- Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
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In Communism in Decline: From Sputnik to Gorbachev, Professor Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius reveals the internal and external forces that ripped apart the grand communist experiment. What were the mistakes made by the Soviet leaders who believed too deeply in their own propaganda? And why were they not able to see the many ironies in their own poor decisions? In 12 fascinating lectures, you will learn how the Soviet Union went from winning the space race against the United States in 1957 to Gorbachev’s resignation and the dissolution of the great experiment in 1991.
By: Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius, and others
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Ancient Writing and the History of the Alphabet
- By: John McWhorter, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: John McWhorter
- Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
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Embark on a journey to the very beginning of writing as a tool of language and see how the many threads of history and linguistics came together to create the alphabet that forms the foundation of English writing. Your guide is Professor John McWhorter of Columbia University and in the 16 lectures of Ancient Writing and the History of the Alphabet, he will help you navigate the complex linguistic and cultural history behind one of our most crucial tools of communication.
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Fantastic narration & interesting content
- By Shelby on 06-06-23
By: John McWhorter, and others
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England: From the Fall of Rome to the Norman Conquest
- By: Jennifer Paxton, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Jennifer Paxton
- Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins
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England: From the Fall of Rome to the Norman Conquest takes you through the mists of time to the rugged landscape of the British Isles. Over the course of 24 sweeping lectures, Professor Jennifer Paxton of The Catholic University of America surveys the forging of a great nation from a series of warring kingdoms and migrating peoples. From Germanic tribes to Viking invasions to Irish missionaries, she brings to life an underexamined time and place.
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Wonderful
- By Anonymous User on 12-10-22
By: Jennifer Paxton, and others
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Continental Reckoning
- The American West in the Age of Expansion
- By: Elliott West
- Narrated by: Christopher Grove
- Length: 23 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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In Continental Reckoning renowned historian Elliott West presents a sweeping narrative of the American West and its vital role in the transformation of the nation. In the 1840s, by which time the United States had expanded to the Pacific, what would become the West was home to numerous vibrant Native cultures and vague claims by other nations.
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Very informative!
- By Eric allen on 10-29-24
By: Elliott West
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World Heritage Sites II: 12 More of the World’s Greatest Places
- By: Justin M. Jacobs, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Justin M. Jacobs
- Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins
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Our first foray into World Heritage sites, World Heritage Sites: Exploring the World’s Greatest Places, celebrated UNESCO’s remarkable initiative, exploring a rich sampling of these sites across the globe. In this exciting sequel of 12 thrilling lectures, World Heritage Sites II: 12 More of the World’s Greatest Places, expert historian Professor Jacobs introduces you to a dozen more extraordinary treasures of archaeology, architecture, art, engineering, and the natural world.
By: Justin M. Jacobs, and others
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10 Great What-Ifs of American History
- By: Adam Jortner, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Adam Jortner
- Length: 3 hrs and 54 mins
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Accompanied by a selection of guests, Professor Jortner takes you through a mind-bending exploration of the history that could have been. Captivating storytellers and imaginative thinkers, these experts show how history is contingent on split-second decisions, near misses, and sheer dumb luck. By reflecting on what didn’t happen, 10 Great What-Ifs of American History gives you new insights on what did happen—and the impact on our world today.
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Overacting and Multiple Narrators Distracting
- By homedaddy on 05-09-24
By: Adam Jortner, and others
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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
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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.
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Tantalizing time trip
- By Mark on 08-21-13
By: Robert Garland, and others
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How the Great Migration Changed America
- By: Davarian L. Baldwin, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Davarian L. Baldwin
- Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins
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During the Great Migration, Black Americans led a mass exodus out of the South. But not all that glittered in the imagination was gold in the real world across the Mason-Dixon line. They contended with dim economic prospects and sparred with white labor unions. They also struggled to assimilate into established Black communities. Nevertheless, these 6 million Black migrants left an indelible mark on life in the United States. How the Great Migration Changed America explores the causes and consequences of the Great Northward Migration in 12 eye-opening lectures.
By: Davarian L. Baldwin, and others
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Great Castles of Europe
- By: Victoria L. McAlister, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Victoria L. McAlister
- Length: 12 hrs and 36 mins
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Great castles are invaluable historical artifacts, that give us an incredible window into the medieval world. Castles were part of the very fabric of medieval society, and profoundly influenced the political, economic, demographic, and social evolution of Europe. In the 24 compelling lectures of Great Castles of Europe, Professor Victoria L. McAlister, of Towson University guides you through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, highlighting outstanding and historically significant castles of these extraordinary times.
By: Victoria L. McAlister, and others
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The Foundations of Western Civilization
- By: Thomas F. X. Noble, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Thomas F. X. Noble
- Length: 24 hrs and 51 mins
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What is Western Civilization? According to Professor Noble, it is "much more than human and political geography," encompassing myriad forms of political and institutional structures - from monarchies to participatory republics - and its own traditions of political discourse. It involves choices about who gets to participate in any given society and the ways in which societies have resolved the tension between individual self-interest and the common good.
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Not Engaging or Very Interesting
- By Tommy D'Angelo on 03-05-17
By: Thomas F. X. Noble, and others