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

Publisher's summary

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.

The past truly comes alive as you take a series of imaginative leaps into the world of history's anonymous citizens, people such as a Greek soldier marching into battle in the front row of a phalanx; an Egyptian woman putting on makeup before attending an evening party with her husband; a Greek citizen relaxing at a drinking party with the likes of Socrates; a Roman slave captured in war and sent to work in the mines; and a Celtic monk scurrying away with the Book of Kells during a Viking invasion.

Put yourself in the sandals of ordinary people and discover what it was like to be among history's 99%. What did these everyday people do for a living? What was their home like? What did they eat? What did they wear? What did they do to relax? What were their beliefs about marriage? Religion? The afterlife?

This extraordinary journey takes you across space and time in an effort to be another person - someone with whom you might not think you have anything at all in common - and come away with an incredible sense of interconnectedness. You'll see the range of possibilities of what it means to be human, making this a journey very much worth taking.

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

©2012 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2012 The Great Courses

So easy to listen to!

I could have listened straight through if I didn’t have to sleep. So fascinating!! The author makes history come alive and I was immersed from the first lecture.

A great course for sure

I never liked my history class at school, but this course was amazing. I enjoyed every moment of it, and I'd suggest it to everyone.
Thank you

Wonderful!!

I've listened to other courses from The Great Courses, but this is by far my favorite! I love the way the author narrates it as to put ourselves as he says "in the sandals" of ancient people.

fabulous book

I really enjoy the author and the narrator for this book. Lots of fantastic information told in a very easy to understand way and with considerable humor. it's long and I do look forward to listening to it again.

Empathy in History

This was a truly marvelous series of lectures, obviously put together with great care and a love for the historical craft. In weaving his historical narrative, Garland does more than present you with new and interesting information, he reminds you that history is made up of humans, who were in many ways just like you. At its root, history is an exercise in empathy and Garland brings this exercise to life. Few lecturers can create the feeling of warmth with the limited, flawed, and imperfect historical record we are left with, yet he succeeds. I recommend this course wholeheartedly for anyone who has an interest in our everyday past and especially for those who don't. By putting yourself in another's sandals, as he says, you not only will find the ways in which humans differ through time and space but more importantly, you'll see how very similar and relatable we all truly are.

A big commitment, but very well done

A really great treatment on the regular people of the ancient world and middle ages. I learned a great deal, even though I have been an avid student of history all my life. An absolutely fantastic lecturer with a great voice, timing, and pacing. Really well done. Vivid, engaging, and a pleasure to listen to.

Unbelievably good

I’ve listened to many great courses about history and this has been my favorite. You will feel yourselves there, not as a king but as an everyday man, woman or child. I learned a lot and I think I’ll remember it all much longer because Dr. Garland was able to evoke so much emotion within his listeners. It describing a place and time, he usually used the pronoun “you”. For example, “I’m sorry to say that your home is rat infested and a fire trap”. The course suffers from western bias but he also addresses the origin of today’s east-west divide, which I greatly appreciated.

Such a beautiful listen

This entire series is wonderful. It’s clear that Mr. Garland, the lecturer, is brimming with excitement about his subject.

The definitive history lecture collection

Robert Garland delivers factual yet profound lectures on daily human life during ancient times. These are exceptionally high quality lectures that will captivate you as you learn. Highly recommended.

Passionate entertaining alive

The difficulty of making such a broad expanse of history clear and entertaining was easily overcome by this professor