History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective

By: Gregory S. Aldrete, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Gregory S. Aldrete

The ancient world has cast a long shadow, influencing our customs and religious beliefs, our laws, and the form of our governments. It has taught us when and how we make war or pursue peace. It has shaped the buildings we live and work in and the art we hang on our walls. It has given us the calendar that organizes our year and has left its mark on the games we play.

Grasping the full scope of your bequest from the ancient world can't help but give you a more nuanced base from which to make decisions and choose pathways in your own life. These 48 lectures take you on a multidisciplinary journey that ranges across not only the traditional domains of politics and war that are normally the province of history courses, but also those of religion, philosophy, architecture and the visual arts, literature, and science, and more.

You'll examine the ancient world's greatest civilizations from the Mediterranean, Asia, and the Americas - including those of Rome, Greece, China, Persia, India, and the Maya - not in isolation but in the full context of where they came from, the cultures that flourished around them at the same time, and the civilizations that were to come from them. Taking a comparative approach, Professor Aldrete's course includes in-depth analyses of not only key individuals and historical moments, but also history's most important themes, from the nature of rulership and the evolution of religion and philosophy to the practice of warfare and the expression of power through art and architecture.

With its mix of nuanced interpretation, vivid description, and constant attention to exploring history as a coherent whole, this is sure to be one of the most informative and thought-provoking history courses you have ever taken.

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

©2011 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2011 The Great Courses

insight into culture, geography and circumstances

What did you love best about History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective?

The insights in how geography, circumstances of the time & place, and other factors have effected the cultures of ancient civilizations. Well presented, with enthusiasm and understanding, as well. I would love to listen to more by Dr. Aldrete.

What other book might you compare History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective to and why?

Perhaps Guns, Germs, and Steel, but this is much more credentialed.

What does Professor Gregory S. Aldrete bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His enthusiasm for the topic might not come out as well. He has a nice speaking voice.

A Lively and Thoughtful Introduction

No complaints with this one, of course it could go further, but it should offer you a window should any element intrigue for further study. I especially enjoyed the talks on South America and North America, but the whole lecture series is worth your time if you need
a refresher or are unaware of the subject matter.

Fantastic and engaging

This lecture provides a dynamic exciting picture of the ancient world through the 9th century. So many interesting threads and so many brilliant connections. I found myself driving around the block just to hear more.

This is how history should be taught.

Love this approach to history. I have never before had a feel for what happened at various sights at the same time.

this is how to make a history lesson enjoyable.

while I have enjoyed documentaries that talk to you and engage your attention, so many these days fall flat with uninviting monotony. This, on the other hand is an absorbing trip through the ancient world in first class splendour. not only are you invited, but you are drawn in as if sharing a moment that just happened rather than thousands of years ago. Most enjoyable and recomended.

Awesome!

Loved it. The narrator delivers the stories of our ancient world with passion and enthusiasm. I have learned many new things and revisited memories of what I knew about our past with fascination. I would greatly recommend this book.

Great overview of ancient world history

This is a great course to start off with for ancient world history. Dr Aldrete is very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and has precise pronunciations. I feel certain parts of world history are given more attention than others but I guess one has to draw boundaries some where. Overall, would definitely recommend this course.

Entertaining and easy to listen

The professor is a good story teller and outlines what he's going to include and not include. Most of the lectures were interesting. Does a good job of balancing stories and facts. Also does a great job of trying to take bias out and note where sources of information come from, what are opinions vs facts, and where we have conflicting information.

Reasons to go down one star: 1. organization is odd - a few lectures seem out of place as he jumps around cultures and locations interrupting a story line. 2. A few lectures are just listings of facts that aren't that interesting - easily could have made this fewer lectures.

Overall, if you like history, you'll enjoy this series.

I was always compelled to keep listening

a class in ancient history that helps you better put together the world we live in

Fascinating overview

Really fascinating but I would recommend getting the video version instead so you can see photos of the many places and artifacts mentioned.