The Ancient World Podcast
1) Episode A12 - The Flood
SEASON 2 FINALE Synopsis: Shulgi and his successors face major challenges to Ur III rule, including Amorite attacks, Sumerian rivals, and a newly-emboldened Shimashki. “The god Enlil granted to Shu-...Show More
2) Episode A11 - Behind the Mountains
Synopsis: The Proto-Elamite horizon sparked innovation and trade throughout Iran and Central Asia, and its collapse saw the emergence of numerous “secondary states”. Toward the end of the Third Millen...Show More
3) Episode A10 - The Sword of Sumer
Synopsis: Ur-Namma unifies Sumer and ejects the Elamites. His son, King Shulgi, designs a new empire and begins a push for Zagros domination. “The trustworthy shepherd, king, the sword of Sumer, Ur-N...Show More
4) Episode A9 - Seventy Kings
Synopsis: With the fall of the Old Kingdom, power devolves to the various nomes. The Herakleopolitan House of Khety extends control over most of Egypt before eventually being defeated and deposed by t...Show More
5) Episode A8 - Who Was King
[NOTE: This new version features improved audio] Synopsis: The impacts of the Aridification Event lead to Akkadian collapse. Gudea of Lagash asserts independence and shepherds the south through the a...Show More
6) Episode A8 - Who Was King
Synopsis: The impacts of the Aridification Event lead to Akkadian collapse. Gudea of Lagash asserts independence and shepherds the south through the aftermath. The brief period of Guti domination is t...Show More
7) Episode A7 - The Abode of Clouds
Synopsis: The science behind the 4.2 kiloyear BPE Aridification Event. “The great farming tracts brought forth no grain, The irrigated farming tracts brought forth no fish, The well-watered orchard...Show More
8) Episode A6 - The Reign of Ishtar
Synopsis: The Akkadian Empire reaches its zenith under the rule of Naram-Sin. “Its king, the shepherd, Naram-Sin, Shone forth like sunrise on the holy throne of Agade, Its walls, like a mountain ra...Show More
9) Episode A5 - The Cupbearer
Synopsis: Sargon of Akkad forges the world’s first Empire. “After Enlil’s baleful glare Had slain Kish like the Bull of Heaven, Had slaughtered house and land of Uruk in the dust,     like that ...Show More
10) Episode A4 - The Pinnacle
Synopsis: This episode covers the rise and fall of the Egyptian Old Kingdom. “The Second Dynasty consists of nine kings of This. The first was Boethos, for 38 years. In his reign a chasm opened at Bu...Show More