Fall of Civilizations

21. Majapahit - Empire of the Islands

583K views · 1mo ago · 4:32:24

Beneath the shade of an Indonesian teak forest, a great brick gateway stands in ruins... In this episode, I want to tell the story of the Majapahit Empire of medieval Indonesia. I want to show how this empire of the islands grew up on the volcanic island of Java, and how it beat the odds to survive in a world of medieval superpowers. I want to show how Majapahit expanded its influence and dominion to other lands, and undertook voyages that have few precedents in history.

Topics: Part I – Nusantara · The Pacific Ring of Fire · A World of Islands · The Island of Java · Java in the Ancient World · Climate and Geography of Java

21. Majapahit - Empire of the Islands

623K views · 3mo ago · 4:31:10

Beneath the shade of an Indonesian teak forest, a great brick gateway stands in ruins... In this episode, I want to tell the story of the Majapahit Empire of medieval Indonesia. I want to show how this empire of the islands grew up on the volcanic island of Java, and how it beat the odds to survive in a world of medieval superpowers. I want to show how Majapahit expanded its influence and dominion to other lands, and undertook voyages that have few precedents in history.

Topics: Part I – Nusantara · The Pacific Ring of Fire · A World of Islands · The Island of Java · Java in the Ancient World · Climate and Geography of Java

20. Persia - An Empire in Ashes

1.2M views · 10mo ago · 5:29:21

In the highlands of the Iranian Plateau, a collection of enormous pillars reach up to the sky... In this episode, we tell the story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Find out how this remarkable ancient power sprung up from the rubble of a ruined world to become the most powerful human society on earth.

Topics: Part I - From the Ashes · The Medes, Proto-Iranians and Early Peoples · Part II - Cyrus · Herodotus · Legends of Cyrus and the Feast of Astyages · The Upbringing of Cyrus the Great

20. Persia - An Empire in Ashes

568K views · 11mo ago · 5:28:39

In the highlands of the Iranian Plateau, a collection of enormous pillars reach up to the sky... In this episode, we tell the story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Find out how this remarkable ancient power sprung up from the rubble of a ruined world to become the most powerful human society on earth.

Topics: Part I - From the Ashes · The Medes, Proto-Iranians and Early Peoples · Part II - Cyrus · Herodotus · Legends of Cyrus and the Feast of Astyages · The Upbringing of Cyrus the Great

19. The Mongols - Terror of the Steppe

2M views · 1y ago · 6:48:01

In the far east of the Eurasian steppe, the sound of hoofbeats is growing... On this episode we are joined by the virtuoso of Mongolian throat singing, Batzorig Vaanchig. You can find more of his music on his channel Books on the Mongol Empire

Topics: Chapter 1: Introduction · Chapter 2: The Steppe · Horses and the Proto-Indo-Europeans · Scythians, Huns and the Xiongnu · Life on the Mongolian Steppe · Mongol Origin Myths

19. The Mongols - Terror of the Steppe

1.1M views · 1y ago · 6:45:42

In the far east of the Eurasian steppe, the sound of hoofbeats is growing... On this episode we are joined by the virtuoso of Mongolian throat singing, Batzorig Vaanchig. You can find more of his music on his channel VIDEO

Topics: Chapter 1: Introduction · Chapter 2: The Steppe · Horses and the Proto-Indo-Europeans · Scythians, Huns and the Xiongnu · Life on the Mongolian Steppe · Mongol Origin Myths

18. Egypt - Fall of the Pharaohs

15M views · 2y ago · 3:58:13

Far in the distance, three colossal shapes tower over the desert horizon... Fall of Civilizations is now available in book form! BUY HERE Books on Ancient Egypt Credits Michael Hajiantonis Nick Denton Paul Casselle Alexandra Boulton Tom Marshall-Lee Rhy Brignell Peter Walters Lachlan Lucas

Topics: The Nile · Unification by Narmer · Djoser and the Step Pyramid · The Age of Pyramids · Khufu and Pyramid Construction · Decline of the Old Kingdom Tomb

18. Egypt - Fall of the Pharaohs

8.1M views · 2y ago · 3:58:24

Far in the distance, three colossal shapes tower over the desert horizon... Credits Michael Hajiantonis Nick Denton Paul Casselle Alexandra Boulton Tom Marshall-Lee Rhy Brignell Peter Walters Lachlan Lucas Sound engineering by Alexey Sibikin Readings in Arabic by Nassim El-Boujjoufi Readings in reconstructed ancient Egyptian by Seqnenra (Mohammad Habib) and Doha Abd Allah Amin

Topics: The Nile · Unification by Narmer · Djoser and the Step Pyramid · The Age of Pyramids · Khufu and Pyramid Construction · Decline of the Old Kingdom Tomb

17. Carthage - Empire of the Phoenicians

12M views · 3y ago · 3:39:04

Buried beneath the city streets of the Tunisian capital of Tunis, an ancient city lies forgotten... In this episode, we look at one of the most dramatic stories to come down to us from the ancient world: the rise and fall of the empire of Carthage. Find out how this city rose out of the Phoenician states of the Eastern Mediterranean, and set out on voyages of discovery and settlement that put them at the centre of the ancient world.

Topics: The Phoenicians · Voyages of discovery · The founding of Carthage · Life in Carthage · The City · Wars in Sicily

17. Carthage - Empire of the Phoenicians

6.1M views · 3y ago · 3:38:13

Buried beneath the city streets of the Tunisian capital of Tunis, an ancient city lies forgotten... In this episode, we look at one of the most dramatic stories to come down to us from the ancient world: the rise and fall of the empire of Carthage. Find out how this city rose out of the Phoenician states of the Eastern Mediterranean, and set out on voyages of discovery and settlement that put them at the centre of the ancient world.

Topics: The Phoenicians · Voyages of discovery · The founding of Carthage · Life in Carthage · The city · Wars in Sicily

16. Bagan - City of Temples

2.4M views · 3y ago · 2:07:06

In the lowlands of Burma lie the remains of thousands of crumbling temples... In this episode, we tell one of the most colourful stories of civilizational survival: the story of the Bagan Empire of Myanmar. Find out how this kingdom rose up in the Irrawaddy river valley of central Myanmar, and built one of the most remarkable series of monuments to have survived from the medieval world.

Topics: Origins of the Bagan Empire · Anawrahta · The fall of King Anawrahta a · The reign of King Kyansittha · The Rise and Fall of King Narathu · The Role of the Church

16. Bagan - City of Temples

699K views · 4y ago · 2:07:06

In the lowlands of Burma lie the remains of thousands of crumbling temples... In this episode, we tell one of the most colourful stories of civilizational survival: the story of the Bagan Empire of Myanmar. Find out how this kingdom rose up in the Irrawaddy river valley of central Myanmar, and built one of the most remarkable series of monuments to have survived from the medieval world.

Topics: Origins of the Bagan Empire · Anawrahta · The fall of King Anawrahta a · The reign of King Kyansittha · The Rise and Fall of King Narathu · The Role of the Church

15. The Nabataeans - The Last Days Of Petra

6.1M views · 4y ago · 2:01:35

In the deserts of Jordan, a city lies hidden for centuries in a valley of rose-red stone... In this episode, we look at one of the most peculiar stories of civilizational survival to come down to us from the ancient world, the story of the Nabataeans. Find out how these once humble traders rose to become masters of the desert sands, and to defy empires. And discover what happened to finally bring down the empire of Nabataea.

Topics: Sandstone · Early Evidence of the Nabateans · The Nomadic Life · Frankincense and Myrrh · The City of Petra and Water · Petra as a Hub of Trade

15. The Nabataeans - The Final Days Of Petra

966K views · 4y ago · 2:01:18

In the deserts of Jordan, a city lies hidden for centuries in a valley of rose-red stone... In this episode, we look at one of the most peculiar stories of civilizational survival to come down to us from the ancient world, the story of the Nabataeans. Find out how these once humble traders rose to become masters of the desert sands, and to defy empires. And discover what happened to finally bring down the empire of Nabataea.

Topics: Sandstone · Early Evidence of the Nabateans · The Nomadic Life · Frankincense and Myrrh · The City of Petra and Water · Petra as a Hub of Trade

14. Vijayanagara - The Last Emperors of South India

5.4M views · 4y ago · 3:13:59

On the rocky banks of South India's Tungabhadra River, an enormous ruined city lies crumbling... In this episode, we look at the Vijayanagara Empire of Southern India, a civilization that has all but faded from memory in many parts of the world.

Topics: Colin Mackenzie and the ruins of Hampi · Fall of Civilizations · Geology of the Deccan · Indus Valley Civilization · Vedic tradition in the North · Hindu religious diversity

14. Vijayanagara - The Last Emperors of South India

1.8M views · 4y ago · 3:13:55

On the rocky banks of South India's Tungabhadra River, an enormous ruined city lies crumbling... In this episode, we look at the Vijayanagara Empire of Southern India, a civilization that has all but faded from memory in many parts of the world.

Topics: Colin Mackenzie and the ruins of Hampi · Fall of Civilizations · Geology of the Deccan · Indus Valley Civilization · Vedic tradition in the North · Hindu religious diversity

13. The Assyrians - Empire of Iron

22M views · 5y ago · 3:05:25

In the lowlands of Northern Iraq, a series of enormous cities lie crumbling in ruins... In this episode, find out about one of the most remarkable ancient civilizations: the society known today as the neo-Assyrian Empire. Discover how the Assyrians built their empire out of the ashes of the Bronze Age, and built an empire of iron that lasted for centuries. Explore the extraordinary flourishing of art and technology that they fostered.

Topics: The Fertile Crescent · Ashur · The Bronze Age Collapse · Tiglath-Pileser I · Dating and Year Names · The Assyrian Army

12. The Inca - Cities in the Cloud (Part 2 of 2)

1.6M views · 5y ago · 1:35:25

High up on the craggy peaks of the Urubamba Canyon, a lost city lies wreathed in cloud... In this episode, we explore the mountains of the Andes, and tell the story of the Inca Empire. Find out how these mountain people built the largest empire in the Western Hemipshere, in one of the toughest terrains on earth. With Inca poetry, Quechuan hymns and authentic Andean instruments, discover the unique culture of the Inca.

Topics: Francisco Pizarro · Ojeda, Balboa and the Legend of El Dorado · Pizarro/Cortés Comparison · Pizarro Sails South: Line in the Sand and Tumbes · How Did the Inca See the Spanish? · Pizarro's Royal Charter to Conquer Peru

12. The Inca - Cities in the Cloud (Part 1 of 2)

7M views · 5y ago · 1:47:42

High up on the craggy peaks of the Urubamba Canyon, a lost city lies wreathed in cloud... In this episode, we explore the mountains of the Andes, and tell the story of the Inca Empire. Find out how these mountain people built the largest empire in the Western Hemipshere, in one of the toughest terrains on earth. With Inca poetry, Quechuan hymns and authentic Andean instruments, discover the unique culture of the Inca.

13. The Assyrians - Empire of Iron

4M views · 5y ago · 3:04:34

In the lowlands of Northern Iraq, a series of enormous cities lies crumbling in ruins... In this episode, find out about one of the most remarkable ancient civilizations: the society known today as the neo-Assyrian Empire. Discover how the Assyrians built their empire out of the ashes of the Bronze Age, and built an empire of iron that lasted for centuries. Explore the extraordinary flourishing of art and technology that they fostered.

Topics: The Fertile Crescent · Ashur · Tiglath-Pileser I · The Bronze Age Collapse · Dating and Year Names · The Assyrian Army

11. Byzantium - Last of the Romans (Part 2 of 2)

2.3M views · 5y ago · 1:46:35

On the outskirts of modern Istanbul, a line of ancient walls lies crumbling into the earth... In this episode, we look at one of history’s most incredible stories of survival - the thousand-year epic of the Byzantine Empire. Find out how this civilization suffered the loss of its Western half, and continued the unbroken legacy of Rome right through the middle ages.

Topics: Constantinople's Defences · Life in the Byzantine Empire · East-West Schism · Soft Power and the Byzantine Army · Seljuk Turks and the Battle of Manzikert · Urban II and the First Crusade

11. Byzantium - Last of the Romans (Part 1 of 2)

4.8M views · 5y ago · 1:39:36

On the outskirts of modern Istanbul, a line of ancient walls lies crumbling into the earth... In this episode, we look at one of history’s most incredible stories of survival - the thousand-year epic of the Byzantine Empire. Find out how this civilization suffered the loss of its Western half, and continued the unbroken legacy of Rome right through the middle ages.

Topics: The Visit of Gautier · Exploring Constantinople · Ruined Walls of Constantinople · Formation of the Mediterranean · Early Humans and Neanderthals · Rise of Rome

12. The Inca - Cities in the Cloud

4.8M views · 5y ago · 3:20:55

High up on the craggy peaks of the Urubamba Canyon, a lost city lies wreathed in cloud... In this episode, we explore the mountains of the Andes, and tell the story of the Inca Empire. Find out how these mountain people built the largest empire in the Western Hemipshere, in one of the toughest terrains on earth. With Inca poetry, Quechuan hymns and authentic Andean instruments, discover the unique culture of the Inca.

Topics: The discovery of ruins · Geography of the Andes · Ancient precursors · Survival in the highlands · Tiwanaku legacy · The Wari expansion

10. The Han Dynasty - The First Empire in Flames

7.4M views · 5y ago · 2:51:58

A city in ruins. A dynasty in tatters. An empire in ashes... Fall of Civilizations the book is now available to pre-order: linktr.ee/fallofcivilizations Books on the Han Dynasty Credits Sound engineering by Thomas Ntinas

Topics: Cao Zhi Returns to the Ruins of Luoyang · Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau · Yangtze, Yellow River and China's First Farmers · Huaxia: How Did Ancient China See the World? · Spring and Autumn Period to the Warring States · Qin Shi Huang: China's First Emperor

9. The Aztecs - A Clash of Worlds (Part 2 of 2)

3.3M views · 6y ago · 2:28:20

THIS IS PART 2 OF 2. FIND PART 1 HERE Beneath the busy streets of Mexico City, a buried god lies waiting to be discovered... This episode, we look back at the age of the Aztecs. Learn how this society grew from nothing to create one of the world's largest cities in the middle of a lake. Discover Aztec riddles, poetry and songs, as well as the bloody ritual of the flower wars. And hear the remarkable story of how this thriving empire collapsed all at once, in a matter of days.

Topics: Moctezuma II and Young Hernán Cortés in 1502 · Hernán Cortés Chooses the Indies: Hispaniola and Columbus · Cuba and the Córdoba and Grijalva Expeditions to Mexico · Hernán Cortés and the Spanish Invasion of Mexico · Sources for the Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire · Did the Aztecs Think Hernán Cortés Was a God?

9. The Aztecs - A Clash of Worlds (Part 1 of 2)

4M views · 6y ago · 1:44:28

Beneath the busy streets of Mexico City, a buried god lies waiting to be discovered... This episode, we look back at the age of the Aztecs. Learn how this society grew from nothing to create one of the world's largest cities in the middle of a lake. Discover Aztec riddles, poetry and songs, as well as the bloody ritual of the flower wars. And hear the remarkable story of how this thriving empire collapsed all at once, in a matter of days.

Topics: Quetzalcoatlus · Chicxulub Asteroid · The Valley of Mexico · Human Settlement in the Americas · Teotihuacan, Tula & the Toltecs · Sources on the Mexica/Aztecs

8. The Sumerians - Fall of the First Cities

41M views · 6y ago · 2:27:49

In the dusts of Iraq, the ruins of the world's first civilization lie buried. This episode, we travel into the extremely distant past to look at the Sumerians. These ancient people invented writing and mathematics, and built some of the largest cities that the world had ever seen. Find out about the mystery of their origins, and learn how they rose from humble beginnings to form the foundation of all our modern societies.

Topics: Pietro della Valle Finds the Ancient City of Ur · Tigris, Euphrates and the First Farmers of Mesopotamia · Where Did the Sumerians Come From? · Sumerian Culture and Ancient Mesopotamia · Eridu: The World's First City? · Sumerians and the Invention of Writing

7. The Songhai Empire - Africa's Age of Gold

11M views · 6y ago · 2:16:09

Today, the Songhai Empire is all but forgotten by history. But this medieval kingdom was once the most powerful force in Africa. Find out how this civilization grew up on the fringes of the Sahara Desert, among some of the most extreme conditions that nature can throw at us. Discover how it grew and flourished, passing through a process known as the imperial cycle, and learn about what ultimately caused its sudden and dramatic collapse.

Topics: Planetary Cycles and African Climate · The Niger River and West Africa · What Is an Empire? · Trans-Saharan Caravans and Trade · Slavery in Medieval West Africa · Gold and the Mali Empire

11. Byzantium - Last of the Romans

7.4M views · 6y ago · 3:27:31

On the outskirts of modern Istanbul, a line of ancient walls lies crumbling into the earth... In this episode, we look at one of history’s most incredible stories of survival - the thousand-year epic of the Byzantine Empire. Find out how this civilization suffered the loss of its Western half, and continued the unbroken legacy of Rome right through the middle ages.

Topics: The Visit of Gautier · Exploring Constantinople · Ruined Walls of Constantinople · Formation of the Mediterranean · Early Humans and Neanderthals · Rise of Rome

6. Easter Island - Where Giants Walked

4.3M views · 6y ago · 1:43:13

On one of the world’s most isolated islands, hundreds of vast stone statues lie mouldering in the grass. In this episode, we take a look at one of archaeology’s most enduring puzzles: the mystery of Easter Island. Find out how this unique community grew up in complete isolation, severed from the rest of the world by a vast expanse of ocean.

Topics: Jacob Roggeveen Discovers Easter Island · Where Is Easter Island (Rapa Nui)? · Polynesian Settlement of Rapa Nui · Hotu Matu'a: Legendary Founder of Rapa Nui · What Do the Historical Sources Say? · Anakena Beach and the First Polynesian Settlers