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The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World

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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
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About this listen

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
Ancient Marriage Royalty Thought-Provoking War Greece Mesopotamia Rome Ancient History Middle East Ancient Greece China Africa Ancient Egypt Classics

Editor reviews

Captivating and informative, The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World is narrated by Professor Robert Garland in association with The Great Courses. This book gives an entirely original perspective on history, told through the eyes of the ordinary citizen living in the vast and influential ancient empires that once ruled. Professor Garland narrates these historical audiobook lectures vividly. He brings to life the finer and fascinating details of ordinary life for the ordinary person during this time. In order to understand cultures and behaviours in today’s societies, knowledge of those from the past is essential. Available now from Audible.
All stars
Most relevant
A great listen, just a couple of slips in the Middle Ages, for example the Prophet Muhammad is buried in Madinah not Mecca but he says he's not as familiar with the MA. highly recommended.

very enjoyable

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I could listen to this lecturer read the telephone directory aloud. A genuinely entertaining, informative listen. I learnt a lot & thoroughly enjoyed the process. More please!

Fantastic!

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Anyone with even a passing interest in human history and in who we are and how we got where we are today (in the Western world) will love this series of beautifully presented and superbly insightful lectures. Robert Garland is skilful at crafting a concise yet rich vision of what it was like to be an ordinary citizen in a range of important historical cultures, from ancient times up to relatively recently.

Superb!

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Professor Garland brought the past to life in a way that you almost felt like you were present. Beautifully spoken and meticulously researched. I will be looking out for more of his lectures on Audible.

Outstanding!

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extremely informative
well researched
learned so much new things
highly recommendable
excellent tutor
very well presented

excellent

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