The Ancient World

Episode S8 - Decumbo Jun 27, 2024

Synopsis: Part 2 of a two-part Spotlight series on the rise and fall of the Roman Emperor Galerius: refugee, herdsman, soldier, Caesar, Augustus, Tetrarch, conqueror, schemer, would-be ruler of the (Dacian?) Empire, and persecutor of the Christians. A rollicking Third Century romp inspired by my current residence in his former tetrarchal capital of Thessaloniki, Greece.

“Galerius…was born to wipe out the disgrace incurred by Valerian’s capture.” – The Historia Augusta

“Had I a hundred mouths, a hundred tongues, A voice of brass, and adamantine lungs, Not half the dreadful scene could I disclose.” – Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/S8_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/S8_References.pdf

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Episode S7 - Ascendo Jun 13, 2024

Synopsis: Part 1 of a two-part Spotlight series on the rise and fall of the Roman Emperor Galerius: refugee, herdsman, soldier, Caesar, Augustus, Tetrarch, conqueror, schemer, would-be ruler of the (Dacian?) Empire, and persecutor of the Christians. A rollicking Third Century romp inspired by my current residence in his former tetrarchal capital of Thessaloniki, Greece.

“Galerius…(was) trained to arms in the severe school of Aurelian and Probus.” – Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

“In this wild beast there dwelt a native barbarity and a savageness foreign to Roman blood; and no wonder, for his mother was born beyond the Danube.” – Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/S7_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/S7_References.pdf

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Episode C30 - The Death of Kings Dec 31, 2023

Synopsis: Faced with a series of disloyal vassals, Sargon conquers the remaining Neo-Hittite kingdoms and absorbs them into his empire. The Cimmerian invasion of Anatolia leads to the deaths of two powerful kings. In their absence, the preservation of peace and stability falls to local rulers such as Azatiwadas of Quwe.

“I am Azatiwadas, the Sun God’s man, servant of Tarhunzas, whom Awariku, king of Adanawa, made great. Tarhunzas made me mother and father to Adanawa, and I caused Adanawa to prosper. I extended the plain of Adanawa on the one hand towards the west and on the other hand toward the east, and in my days Adanawa had all good things, plentiness, and luxury. I filled the Paharean granaries, and I made horse upon horse, and I made army upon army, and I made shield upon shield, all with the help of Tarhunzas and the gods.” – Bilingual (Luwian/Phoenician) inscription of Azatiwadas, late 8th/early 7th century BC, recovered from the stone gates of his fortress at Azatiwadaya (Karatape-Aslantas, Turkiye).

Information on the Neo-Hittite fortress of Azatiwadaya (Karatepe-Aslantas, Turkiye):

https://www.hittitemonuments.com/karatepe/

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Anatolia:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Anatolia.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

List of Regional Kings:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C30_Kings_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C30_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C30_References.pdf

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Episode C29 - City of the Raven Dec 17, 2023

Synopsis: Rusa of Urartu wins early victories against Assyrian armies, but his intrigues in the Zagros kingdom of Mannea earn him Sargon’s wrath. After a crushing defeat by Cimmerian invaders, Rusa’s unable to prevent Sargon’s destruction of his kingdom.

“I caused there to be lamentation in the wide land Urartu and in all the mountains, and I made Rusa, their king, use flint blades, razors (and) scalpels to slash himself in mourning for as long as he lived. I made Musasir part of the territory of Assyria and assigned it to the authority of a eunuch of mine, the palace herald. The awesome splendor of the god Assur, my lord, overwhelmed Rusa, the Urartian, and so with his own iron dagger he stabbed himself in the heart like a pig and put an end to his life.” – The Annals of Sargon II

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of the Iron Age Zagros Mountains:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Zagros_Enhanced.jpg

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C29_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C29_References.pdf

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Episode C28 - The Fall of Carchemish Dec 03, 2023

Synopsis: After defeating Syrian rebels at Qarqar and extending his dominion to the borders of Egypt, Sargon II labors to defend Tabal from the advances of Midas of Phrygia. Letters to Midas from Pisiri of Carchemish give Sargon a pretext to depose the Country Lord and annex his kingdom to Assyria.

“In my fifth regnal year, Pisiri of the city Carchemish sinned against the treaty sworn by the great gods and repeatedly sent messages hostile to Assyria to Midas, king of the land Musku; he held me in contempt. I threw (Pisiri), together with his family, in iron fetters. I opened his palace, his treasure house. I carried off as booty 10 talents of refined gold, (and) 2,100 talents of silver, (along with) arhu-copper, tin, iron, elephant hides, elephant ivory, battle-gear, and the guilty people among the city Carchemish who had sided with (Pisiri), along with their possessions, and brought them to Assyria. I conscripted 50 chariots, 200 cavalry and 3,000 foot soldiers from among them and added them to my royal military contingent. I settled Assyrians in the city Carchemish and imposed the yoke of the god Assur, my lord, upon them.” – The Annals of Sargon II

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Anatolia:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Anatolia.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Regional Kings List:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C27_Kings_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C28_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C28_References.pdf

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Episode C27 - True King Nov 19, 2023

Synopsis: Shalmaneser V succeeds his father to the thrones of Assyria and Babylonia, then deals with rebellions in Samaria and Tyre. But his reign is cut short by the violent coup of Sargon II. After losing his hold on Babylonia, Sargon marches west to confront a Syrian alliance under Yaubidi of Hamath.

“With regard to the city Assur…Shalmaneser V, who did not revere the king of all the world, raised his hand against that city with evil intent…He oppressively imposed state service and corvee-duty upon its people and treated them as if they were of the lower class. At that time, the Enlil of the gods angrily overthrew his reign. As for me, Sargon…he exalted me and had me take hold of scepter, throne, and crown.” – The Assur Charter of Sargon II

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Anatolia:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Anatolia.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Regional Kings List:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C27_Kings_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C27_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C27_References.pdf

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Episode C26 - Damascus Nov 05, 2023

Synopsis: Tiglath-pileser crushes rebellions in Patin and Luash and annexes their territories to Assyria. King Rasyan of Aram-Damascus forms a coalition of southern kingdoms - including Israel, Edom, Phoenicia and Philistia - to challenge Assyrian dominance, but betrayal by allies and the brutal tenacity of Tiglath-pileser lead to his kingdom’s downfall.

“I am Bar-Rakib the son of Panamuwa, king of Sam’al, servant of Tiglath-pileser the lord of the four quarters of the earth. Because of the righteousness of my father and my own righteousness, I was seated by my Lord Tiglath-pileser upon the throne of my father. The house of my father has profited more than anybody else, and I have been running at the wheel of my Lord, the king of Assyria, in the midst of mighty kings, possessors of silver and possessors of gold.” – Stele of King Bar-Rakib of Sam’al

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Regional Kings List:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C25_Kings_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C26_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C26_References.pdf

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Episode C25 - Arpad Oct 22, 2023

Synopsis: Matti’el of Arpad turns his back on the Treaty of Katikka and allies with Sarduri II of Urartu. The usurpation of Tiglath-pileser III heralds an Assyrian resurgence and the kingdom of Arpad’s destruction.

“Matti’el the son of Attar-shumki (II) fomented a rebellion against Assyria and violated his loyalty oath. To the kings of Hatti and Urartu he sent hostile messages against Assyria and made the lands hostile. Sarduri of Urartu, Sulumal of Malatya and Tarhulara of Gurgum came to his aid.” – The Annals of Tiglath-pileser III

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Regional Kings List:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C25_Kings_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C25_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C25_References.pdf

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Update and Patreon Offer Sep 10, 2023

First off I wanted to let everyone know that I am deep into researching and writing the upcoming season of “The Ancient World – Carchemish.” It’s got lots of fun stuff: Tiglath-pileser III, Sargon II and - most importantly - the final demise of the Neo-Hittite and Aramean kingdoms. Just a really interesting period and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you. So keep an eye out for new Episodes starting around mid-October.

I also wanted to update you all that there is a whole extra season of “The Ancient World – Carchemish” already available on the Patreon site. Over the past year I’ve produced 12 mini-Episodes – which basically equate to a full 6-episode season - running alongside the current series. They flesh out events in Babylonia, Phoenicia, Syria and the Zagros Mountains – and also include a fun 2-parter on the Libyan pharaohs of Egypt. The best part is you can have access to all of them at this very moment – along with new monthly mini-Episodes going forward – by signing up at the “Lugal” tier at www.patreon.com/TheAncientWorld.

To sweeten the deal I’m doing a special Limited Time Offer: Sign up for a year at any level and I will shoot you a signed PDF script of your favorite episode from any season of the series. The offer’s only good through September 30, 2023 so please join up now to take advantage.

That’s it for now. I’ll see you all again in October and thanks again for listening!

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Episode C24 - A Kingdom of Sand Jul 23, 2023

Synopsis: Sarduri II rules at the pinnacle of Urartian power, conquering lands from the Black Sea coast to the Zagros Mountains to the kingdoms of northern Syria. Matti’el of Arpad unifies Aramean lands north of Damascus then allies with Urartu against the Assyrians. His defeat by the mysterious ruler of KTK only results in a temporary setback, and an Assyrian Empire pressed on all fronts seems destined for imminent collapse.

“I am the ruler Yariri - the prince beloved by the Storm God, Kubaba, Karhuha and the Sun. The gods have made me strong and exalted over Carchemish. I strengthened Carchemish and I exalted my lord’s house in Carchemish. I caused the river to pass (here)…I built the temple of the god of Harmana and I made my own statue...I brought up Kamani as a successor, wherefore I showed virtue above all kings. And I brought up his younger brothers, I let them in as brothers and I extended protection to them, the children of my lord Astiruwa.” – Yariri’s inscription on the Royal Buttress at Carchemish

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Regional Kings List:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C24_Kings_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C24_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C24_References.pdf

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Episode C23 - Eclipse Jul 09, 2023

Synopsis: A siege by Adad-nirari’s subordinate, Nergal-Eresh, finally breaks the Damascene hold over southern Syria and Canaan. The Urartian kings Menua and Argishti press Assyria’s frontiers, even as they conquer and secure new territories in the Araxes River valley. In the reigns of Adad-nirari’s sons, the Empire is beset by plague, rebellions, and disturbing omens.

“Through the god Haldi’s power, Argishti, son of Menua, speaks: a city for my power I erected, and gave it the name of Argishtihinli. The land around was never inhabited, nothing was established here, therefore I have led four canals from the Manu river, I had vineyards and orchards established, I have done good things here. I am Argishti, son of Menua, powerful king, the great king, the king of the Land Biai, the Lord of the city of Tushpa.” – Inscription of Argishti of Urartu

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C23_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C23_References.pdf

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Episode C22 - Shammuramat Jun 25, 2023

Synopsis: Emerging triumphant from civil war, Shamshi-Adad V devotes his energies to humbling Babylonia. Upon his death, his wife Shammuramat acts as regent for their son, Adad-nirari III, and both campaign across the Euphrates to confront a resurgent Arpad. Under its vigorous king Menua, Urartu begins the military conquests that would end with its regional dominance.

“When Suppiluliuma, king of Kummuh, caused Adad-nirari, king of Assyria and Shammuramat, queen, to cross the Euphrates river; I smashed Attar-shumki, son of Hadram, of the city Arpad, together with eight kings, who were with him at the city Paqarhubunu, their boundary and land…In that year they put up this boundary stone between Suppiluliuma, king of Kummuh, and Halpartuntiya, son of Larama, king of Gurgum.’” – the Pazarcik Stele

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Regional Kings List:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C22_Kings_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C22_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C22_References.pdf

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Episode C21 - Son of a Nobody Jun 11, 2023

Synopsis: During Neo-Assyria’s absence from the region, King Hazael of Aram-Damascus forges an Aramean Empire that extends to the borders of Egypt.

“And Hazael said, ‘Why does my lord weep?’ He answered, ‘Because I know the evil that you will do to the people of Israel. You will set on fire their fortresses, and you will kill their young men with the sword and dash in pieces their little ones and rip open their pregnant women.’” – 2 Kings 8:12, English Standard Bible

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C21_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C21_References.pdf

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Episode C20 - Like a Fire May 28, 2023

Synopsis: In Shalmaneser’s final years, his eldest son – the crown prince Assur-danin-pal – enters into rebellion, while his younger son, Shamshi-Adad, struggles to defend his father’s legacy.

“Where my brother Assur-danin-pal, in the time of Shalmaneser, his father, acted wickedly, bringing about sedition, rebellion, and wicked plotting, caused the land to rise in revolt, prepared for war, brought the people of Assyria, north and south, to his side, and made bold speeches, brought the cities into the rebellion and set his face to begin strife and battle… 27 cities, along with their fortifications… revolted against Shalmaneser, king of the four regions of the world, my father, and… had gone to the side of Assur-danin-pal.” – Annals of King Shamshi-Adad V

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C20_Images.pdf

Regional Kings List:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C19_C20_Kings_List.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C20_References.pdf

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Episode C19 - The Anointed May 14, 2023

Synopsis: Hazael of Aram-Damascus and Jehu of Israel bring desolation to the house of Omri. After decades of leading Assyrian campaigns, Shalmaneser III dispatches his turtanu, Dayan-Assur, to fight the newly-formed kingdom of Urartu.

“And the Lord said unto (Elijah), Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus:

And then thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel:…

And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay.” – 1 Kings 19: 15-17

Map of the Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Map of Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C19_Images.pdf

Regional Kings List:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C19_C20_Kings_List.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C19_References.pdf

Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on this podcast.

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Episode C18 – Qarqar Dec 25, 2022

Synopsis: A coalition marshalled by Hadad-ezer of Aram-Damascus and Urahilina of Hamath successfully defends southern Syria from further Assyrian encroachment. But a decade of campaigning by Shalmaneser begins to take its toll.

“I destroyed, devastated, and set fire to Qarqar, his royal city. Urahilina brought twelve kings to his support; they came against me to offer battle and fight: 1,200 chariots, 1,200 cavalry, and 20,000 soldiers belonging to Hadad-ezer of Damascus; 700 chariots, 700 cavalry, and 10,000 soldiers belonging to Urahilina of Hamath; 2,000 chariots, and 10,000 soldiers belonging to Ahab, the Israelite; 500 soldiers belonging to the Gueans; 1,000 soldiers belonging to the Musreans; 10 chariots and 10,000 soldiers belonging to the Irkanateans; 200 soldiers belonging to Matinuba’il the Arwadite; 200 soldiers belonging to the Usanateans; 30 chariots and 1,000 soldiers belonging to Adunu-ba’il the Shianean; 1,000 camels belonging to Gindibu’ the Arabian; and 1,000 soldiers [belonging to] Baasha, son of Ruhubi, the Ammonite. Trusting in the exalted might which the lord Assur had given me, in the mighty weapons, which Nergal, who goes before me, had presented to me, I battled with them.” – The Kurkh Stele of Shalmaneser III

Map of the Early Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Early Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

The Kings of Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Season_3_King_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C18_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C18_References.pdf

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Episode C17 – The House of Omri Dec 11, 2022

Synopsis: Political intrigues in Iron Age Israel end with the rise of King Omri. The kingdoms of Hamath and Aram-Damascus leverage military power and regional diplomacy to prepare for the coming of Shalmaneser.

“I am Urahilina, son of Paritas, king of Hamath…I made my own seat for every single god. But this seat I built for Ba’alat, and I put my name and Ba’alat’s on it…During the time of my father and grandfather, the temple of Ba’alat lacked income. They did not burn the burnt offering, a sacrificial ox, up and down to the god. But myself, in my times, it shall not lack income.” – Building inscription of King Urahilina of Hamath, recording the construction and endowment of a temple to the goddess Ba’alat

Map of the Early Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Early Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

The Kings of Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Season_3_King_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C17_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C17_References.pdf

Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on this podcast.

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Episode C16 – Kar Shalmaneser Nov 27, 2022

Synopsis: Shalmaneser’s Syrian invasions were countered by a coalition forged by King Ahuni of Bit-Adini. But repeated campaigns wore down his rivals and ended in Assyrian dominance.

“Ahuni, terrified by my terrible, awe-inspiring weapons and my grim warfare, crossed over the Euphrates to save his life, and made his way to other lands. At the command of my lord Assur, the great lord, I annexed Til-barsip, Aligu, Nappigi and Rugulit as royal cities. I settled Assyrians there and built palaces in them for my royal residence. I renamed Til-barsip as Kar-Shalmaneser.” – Inscription of Shalmaneser III on the Kurkh Monolith

Map of the Early Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Early Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

The Kings of Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Season_3_King_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C16_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C16_References.pdf

Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on this podcast.

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Episode C15 - The Merciless Weapon Nov 13, 2022

Synopsis: The Syrian campaigns of Ashurnasirpal II cemented Assyrian dominance. Tribute from the western kingdoms fueled construction of the king’s magnificent new showpiece of Kalhu.

“Ashurnasirpal, strong king, king of Assyria, designate of the god Sin, favorite of the god Anu, loved one of the god Adad who is almighty among the gods, I, the merciless weapon which lays low lands hostile to him, I, the king, capable in battle, vanquisher of cities and highlands, foremost in battle, king of the four quarters.” – Inscription of King Ashurnasirpal II at Kalhu

Map of the Early Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Early Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

The Kings of Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Season_3_King_List.pdf

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C15_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C15_References.pdf

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Episode C14 - The House of Suhi Oct 30, 2022

Synopsis: The Country Lords of Carchemish adorned their city with temples and monuments. But Assyrian conquests in the Khabur River valley heralded a growing eastern threat.

“I am the ruler Katuwa, Country Lord of Carchemish, son of the Country Lord Suhi (II), grandson of the Country-Lord Astuwatamanza. The gods raised me by the hand and they gave to me my paternal succession. And because of my justice the gods raised me in strength….I myself then constructed the temple for the Storm God of Carchemish with that abundance, and I established for him seasonal offerings.” – Inscription of Katuwa on the King’s Gate at Carchemish, late 10th/early 9th century BC

Map of the Early Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Early Iron Age Northern Syria:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Syria.jpg

Rulers of Carchemish:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C14_Rulers_of_Carchemish.jpg

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C14_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C14_References.pdf

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Episode C13 - The Hand of Shishak Oct 16, 2022

Synopsis: The Canaanite cities of Tel-Rehov and Beth-Shean were re-founded by the Pharaoh Thutmose III in the wake of the Battle of Megiddo. By the early Iron Age, their size, location and wealth drew the attention of the Pharaoh Shoshenq I.

“(Thutmose) was in their center, Amun being the protection of his person in the melee, and the strength of Set pervading his members…Then (the enemy) saw his majesty prevailing over them, and they fled headlong to Megiddo with faces of fear.” – The Battle of Megiddo Inscription

Map of the Early Iron Age Near East:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpg

Map of Early Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpg

Episode Images:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C13_Images.pdf

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C13_References.pdf

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The Method to My Madness Sep 21, 2022

A brief history of The Ancient World. Plus: a new season, a new partnership and a new Patreon page!

www.patreon.com/TheAncientWorld

www.airwavemedia.com

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Episode S6 – Castle of the Slave Jul 01, 2022

Synopsis: Joseph and Hyrcanus of the Tobiad clan served as tax farmers in Coele Syria for nearly half a century, weathering the transition from Ptolemaic and Seleucid control along with the constant maelstrom of Jerusalem politics.
“Hyrcanus determined not to return to Jerusalem any more, but seated himself beyond Jordan, and was at perpetual war with the Arabians, and slew many of them, and took many of them captives. He also erected a strong castle, and built it entirely of white stone to the very roof, and had animals of a prodigious magnitude engraven upon it…And he ruled over those parts for seven years, even all the time that Seleucus was king of Syria. But when he was dead, his brother Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes, took the kingdom.” – Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book XII, Chapter 4
Map of the Decapolis region:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map04.png

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A Quick Note Mar 10, 2022

So, first the bad news: Episode C12 wraps the second “season” of “The Ancient World – Carchemish.” The show’ll be on hiatus for the next few months as I turn my attention to a few other projects. Then I’ll be back with another new season this summer. The good news is that next season will not only cover the emergence of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, but – as a consequence – will also have the benefit of the detailed records the Assyrians made of all their “interactions” with the kingdoms and peoples of early Iron Age Syria. So stay tuned for that, stay subscribed, and I’ll see you all in a few months!

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Episode C12 – The Two Temples Feb 27, 2022

Synopsis: The growing power of the Israelites and Arameans is reflected in the construction of new temples to Yahweh in Jerusalem and Hadad-Rammon in Damascus. A resurgent Egypt – under increasing influence of the Libyan Meshwesh – begins to eye its former Levantine holdings.
“And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah. And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah; and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus. And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did; and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.” – 1 Kings 11:23-24
Map of the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Map.jpg

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Episode C11 – The House of David Feb 13, 2022

Synopsis: In the latter half of the 11th century BC, southern Syria witnessed the increasing prominence of semi-nomadic Semitic peoples – including the Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites and Israelites.
“Kings came, they fought,
the kings of Canaan fought.
At Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo,
they took no plunder of silver.
From the heavens the stars fought,
from their courses they fought against Sisera.
The river Kishon swept them away,
the age-old river, the river Kishon.” – The Song of Deborah
Map of the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Map.jpg

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Episode C10 – These Are Not Foolish Travels Jan 30, 2022

Synopsis: The fracturing and diminishment of Egyptian power in the early Iron Age is captured in “The Report of Wenamun.”
I found (King Zakar-baal of Byblos) seated in his upper chamber with his back against a window, and the waves of the great sea of Phoenicia broke behind his head. I said to him: “Blessings of Amun!” He said to me: “How long is it to this day since you came from the place where Amun is?” I said to him: “Five whole months till now.” He said to me: “If you are right, where is the dispatch of Amun that was in your hand? Where is the letter of the High Priest of Amun that was in your hand?” I said to him: “I gave them to Smendes and Tentamun.” Then he became very angry and said to me: “Now then, dispatches, letters you have none. Where is the ship of pinewood that Smendes gave you? Where is its Phoenician crew? Did he not entrust you to this foreign ship’s captain in order to have him kill you and have them throw you into the sea? From whom would one then seek the god? And you, from whom would one seek you? – The Report of Wenamun
Map of the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Map.jpg

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Episode C9 – Horse to Horse, Army to Army Jan 16, 2022

Synopsis: In the mid-11th century BC, the Hittite kingdoms of northern Syria are joined by others– in the Philistine pentapolis, the Amuq plain and the region of Classical Cilicia – with ties to the former Mycenaean Greeks. The Phoenician cities of the Levantine coast begin to step from the shadow of post-Collapse Egypt.
“I am really Azatiwada,
Man of my Sun, the servant of Thunder God,
Rendered superior by Awariku, and the ruler of Adanawa,
Thunder God rendered me Mother and Father of Adanawa city, and
I am the one, who developed Adanawa city,
And I expanded Adanawa country, both westward and eastward,
And during my reign, I made Adanawa city taste prosperity, satiety and comfort, and I filled the grain warehouses,
I added horse to horse, shield to shield, army to army, everything for Thunder God and the deities…”
The Karatepe Bilingual
Map of the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Map.jpg

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Episode C8 – The Heirs of Hatti Jan 02, 2022

Synopsis: The Great Kings of Carchemish continue ruling over a Hittite rump state in northern Syria as they support the region’s recovery. After an attack by the Assyrian king Ashur-bel-kala, the Carchemish dynasty is supplanted by the house of Suhi.
“In that year, in the month Kislev,…from the River Khabur of the land Kharku to the city of Carchemish of the land Hatti he plundered. He crossed the Euphrates after them in rafts made of inflated goatskins.” – The Broken Obelisk (of Ashur-bel-kala)
Map of the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Map.jpg

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Episode C7 – The Heirs of Babylon Dec 19, 2021

Synopsis: Even as Anatolia, Syria and Egypt confronted the Bronze Age Collapse, the eastern kingdoms of Assyria, Babylonia and Elam continued their ancient cycle of dynastic conflict.
“Why I – who am a king, son of a king, seed of a king, scion of a king, who am king for the lands, for the land of Babylonia and the land of Elam, descendant of the eldest daughter of the mighty King Kurigalzu – why do I not sit on the throne of the land of Babylonia? I sent you a sincere proposal; you, however, have granted me no reply. You may climb up to heaven, but I’ll pull you down by your hem; you may go down to hell, but I’ll pull you up by your hair! I shall destroy your cities, demolish your fortresses, stop up your irrigation ditches, cut down your orchards, pull out the rings of the sluices at the mouths of your irrigation canals.” – Letter to the Kassite court by the Elamite king Kutir-Nahhunte.
Map of the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Map.jpg

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New Episodes Coming Soon Dec 12, 2021

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Episode C6 – The Splendid Flame Jun 25, 2021

Synopsis: In the wake of the Sea Peoples, the Hittite Great King Kuzi-Teshub focuses on rebuilding and strengthening his kingdom. A powerful new threat soon emerges in the form of King Tiglath-Pileser I of Assyria.
“In the service of my Lord Ashur, my chariots and warriors I assembled; I set out on my march. In front of my strong men I went to the country of the Aramaeans, the enemies of my Lord Ashur. From before Tsukha, as far as the city of (Carchemish) belonging to the country of (Hatti), I smote with one blow. Their fighting men I slew; their movables, their wealth, and their valuables in countless numbers I carried off.” – Inscription of Tiglath-Pileser I
Map of the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Map.jpg
The Hittite Royal Family:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Family_Tree.jpg

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From Bronze to Iron Jun 06, 2021

First off I really hope you’ve been enjoying “The Ancient World – Carchemish.” From the beginning I’ve touted this as a series on the Neo-Hittite kingdoms. But since the first Neo-Hittite kingdom was centered on Carchemish, I thought it’d be fun to start the series with the original Hittite conquest of the city under Suppiluliuma I. Which gave me an excuse to do a deep dive into Late Bronze Age Hittite history. And to say Suppiluliuma a lot. Suppiluliuma. Try it, it’s just really fun to say.
The first arc of this series will be 6 episodes, taking us all the way from the conquest of Carchemish through the immediate aftermath of the Bronze Age Collapse. Episode C5 just posted, and the last episode of this arc (Episode C6) will be posting a week late – so look for it on Friday June 25. After that the real series starts: the story of the life and death of the Iron Age Neo-Hittite Kingdoms. Though they’re typically relegated to an occasional punching bag of the Neo-Assyrians, the Neo-Hittites have their own very interesting history – one I’m looking forward to digging into.
When will the next arc of the series start up? That’s the part I’m not too sure about. I’m hoping to get at least 6 more episodes out sometime later this year. But I’m balancing that with working on the book (yes, that’s still happening, slowly, in the background) – as well as my day-job and lots of other stuff. So please stay subscribed and hopefully I’ll have an update for you soon.
In the meantime – and I swear this is my last big push – I do happen to have a new 15 to 20-episode series launching on June 27 – which is right after I post episode C6. It’s my “The Bronze Age” course on avid.fm. It’ll be two half-hour episodes per week for around 8 to 10 weeks total. Tons of brand-new material, discount pricing, 100% satisfaction guarantee, all that good stuff. Along with the Near Eastern regions you’re used to hear me talking about, I’m also going to be making broader linkages to other civilizations outside the Near East – including the northern steppe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia – then see how those influences feed into Near Eastern civilization. You get a deeper dive on the Hurrians, an introduction to the Oxus Civilization – again just lots of new content.
So if you’ve ever wanted to help out the show, or just want to hear an updated and expanded version of my early podcast episodes, please go sign up right now at avid.fm/ancient. I hate promoting myself, but I’m also really proud of the course and I really think you’ll enjoy it.
That’s it for now. Take care and thanks again for listening!

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Episode C5 – The Sea Peoples Jun 04, 2021

Synopsis: The Sea Peoples cut a swath of devastation across the Levant before their final confrontation with the pharaoh Ramesses III of Egypt. The Hittite Great King Suppiluliuma II abandons the capital of Hattusas before its final destruction.
“Regarding what you wrote me before: ‘Enemy ships were observed at sea!’ If it is true that ships were observed, reinforce yourself. Where are your troops and chariots? Are they not with you? If not, who will deliver you from the enemy? Surround your cities with walls and bring your troops and chariots into them. Watch out for the enemy and reinforce yourself well!” – Letter from the King of Alashiya to King Ammurapi of Ugarit
Map of the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Map.jpg
The Hittite Royal Family:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Family_Tree.jpg

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Episode C4 – The Great Kings May 21, 2021

Synopsis: The Great King Tudhaliya’s sons, Arnuwanda and Suppiluliuma, take power in a time of growing famine. The collapse of Mycenaean Greece intensifies the predations of Aegean and Mediterranean pirates, who threaten Hittite grain shipments and ally with the Libyans to launch an invasion of Egypt. Among the earliest victims of the seaborne invaders is the storied city of Troy.
“But when the whole host reached the walls of Troy, into the city of Priam, breathing rage of fight, with reckless battle-lust they poured; and all that fortress found they full of war and slaughter, palaces, temples, horribly blazing on all sides; glowed their hearts with joy. In deadly mood then charged they on the foe. Ares and fell Enyo maddened there: blood ran in torrents, drenched was all the earth, as Trojans and their alien helpers died.” – Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy, Book 13 (translated by A. S. Way)
Map of the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Map.jpg
The Hittite Royal Family:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Family_Tree.jpg

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Episode C3 – The Eternal Treaty May 07, 2021

Synopsis: Hattusili III’s diplomacy with the pharaoh Ramesses II culminates in the world’s first peace treaty. After his death, his son Tudhaliya IV drives out the Ahhiyawans, then defends northern Syria against Assyrian aggression.
“The Kings who are my equals in rank are the King of Egypt, the King of Babylonia, the King of Assyria, [and the King of Ahhiyawa]…Since the King of Assyria is the enemy of My Majesty, he shall likewise be your enemy. Your merchant shall not go to Assyria, and you shall not allow his merchant into your land…You shall not allow any ship of Ahhiyawa to go to the King of Assyria.” – Treaty Between Tudhaliya IV of Hatti and Shaushga-Muwa, King of Amurru
Map of the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Map.jpg
The Hittite Royal Family:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Family_Tree.jpg

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The Bronze Age – Update Apr 28, 2021

I just wanted to give you a quick update about my “The Bronze Age” course on avid.fm. First off, I’m happy to report that we’ve exceeded the threshold for launching the course – so it is officially happening. Thank you so much to everyone who’s already signed up; trust me, it’s going to be lots of fun. Second, if you haven’t had the chance to sign up yet, I wanted to mention that the discount pricing is only in effect for a few more days. Starting May 1, the price goes up. So please sign up as soon as possible at avid.fm/ancient. Still 100% satisfaction guarantee, all that good stuff. Thanks for supporting The Ancient World, and thanks again for listening.

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Episode C2 – Tarhuntassa Apr 22, 2021

Synopsis: King Muwatalli II relocates the Hittite capital to the new royal city of Tarhuntassa near the Mediterranean coast, then faces off against the young pharaoh Ramesses II in the Battle of Qadesh. After Muwatalli’s death, his son and brother – Urhi-Teshub and Hattusili – contend for the Hittite throne.
“For seven years I submitted to the king. But at a divine command and with human urging, Urhi-Teshub sought to destroy me. He took Hakpissa and Nerik from me. Now I submitted to him no longer. I made war against him.” – The Apology of Hattusili III
Map of the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Map.jpg
The Hittite Royal Family:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Family_Tree.jpg

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The Bronze Age Apr 16, 2021

Hi everyone! As you likely know, I really enjoyed making the original “Ancient World” podcast series – especially the parts covering the Bronze Age Near East and eastern Mediterranean. I’ve always hoped for the opportunity to update and expand those episodes with the latest and greatest information and also introduce new topics that I never had the chance to cover. And I think I’ve finally found a great way to do it.
I’m teaming up with avid.fm to put together an audio course called “The Bronze Age.” It’s a mix of remastered segments of the original episodes combined with significant new content. So you’ll get a refresher on the Sumerians, the Egyptians and Sargon of Akkad along with new discussion of the Uruk Expansion and the birth of the Hurrian kingdoms. You’ll get the classic content on Ur III, Babylonia and Elam while also learning about the Oxus Civilization of Central Asia and the Jiroft Culture of Iran. And you’ll hear how the arrival of the horse and invention of the spoke-wheeled chariot came to define the nature of Bronze Age warfare.
I’m very excited to put this together and I think you’ll really enjoy it. Even better, the course has zero risk and a 100% satisfaction guarantee – which means that if you don’t like it you can get your money back for up to 30 days after the start of the course. We need to confirm that there’s enough interest before I start production. So if you’re a fan of The Ancient World and want to do something to help out the show please sign up right now for “The Bronze Age” at avid.fm/ancient. That’s avid.fm/ancient. Register by April 30, 2021 – and if we get enough interest this will definitely happen.
If you have any trouble with the link above, please use this one instead:
https://learner.avid.fm/course/s/the-ancient-world-presents-the-bronze-age
As always, thanks again for listening!

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Episode C1 – Carchemish Apr 09, 2021

Synopsis: In the late 14th century BC, the Hittite Great King Suppiluliuma wrested Syria from the grip of the Hurrian kingdom of Mitanni. Two of his sons would succeed him to the throne, while two others founded new dynasties in the cities of Aleppo and Carchemish.
“The Euphrates is my frontier. In my rear, I established Mount Lebanon as my frontier. And all of the cities of the land of Carchemish – these fortified cities – I gave to Piyassili, my son… Since Prince Piyassili crossed the Euphrates with Prince Shattiwaza and penetrated to the city of Irrite, all the cities on the west bank which Piyassili my son holds, these belong to Piyassili.” – The Suppiluliuma-Shattiwaza Treaty
“The gods ran before my father, namely the Sun Goddess of Arinna, the Storm God of Hatti, the Storm God of the Army Camp, and Ishtar of the Field. He conquered the enemy.” – Mursili, The Deeds of Suppiluliuma I
Map of the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Map.jpg
The Hittite Royal Family:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Family_Tree.jpg

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A Young Man’s Fancy Mar 22, 2021

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Episode S5 – Ordeal by Fire Oct 23, 2020

Synopsis: In the 4th century AD, the Ethiopian kingdom of Axum converted to Christianity even as the neighboring Himyarites of Yemen converted to Judaism. Centuries later, Axum’s invasion of Yemen to stop the persecution of Christians triggered a conflict with Persia.
Map of the kingdoms of Axum and Himyar:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/AxumHimyar.jpg

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Episode S4 – Children of the Moon Oct 09, 2020

Synopsis: The Sabaeans and Himyarites leveraged their control over south Arabian aromatics into a lucrative trade that spanned the ancient world. The region’s remoteness, wealth and active diplomacy afforded some protection from the powerful empires who frequently dominated the north.
Map of the Arabian Peninsula:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Yemen.jpg

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Episode S3 – Queen Mavia Jul 10, 2020

Synopsis: A century after Queen Zenobia, another Syrian Arab warrior queen rises to challenge the power or Rome – and succeeds. The story of Queen Mavia of the Tanukh.
“Mavia, queen of the Saracens, had begun to convulse the villages and towns on the border of Palestine and Arabia with a violent war, and to ravage the neighboring provinces.” – Rufinas

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Episode T18 – Tigranes Apr 10, 2020

Synopsis: The death of King Philip I marks the official end of the Seleucid line. Invited by the Antiochenes to rule them, King Tigranes II of Armenia proceeds to conquer all of Syria – including Cleopatra Selene’s stronghold of Ptolemais-Akko. But Tigranes’ refusal to abandon his ally, King Mithridates VI of Pontus, leads to his empire’s destruction.
“Tigranes…marched forth with an army of such huge proportions that he actually laughed heartily at the appearance of the Romans present there. He is said to have remarked that, in cases where they came to make war, only a few presented themselves, but when it was an embassy, many came.” – Cassius Dio, Rome, Book 36
“Pompey…expelled Antiochus (XIII), from the government of Syria, although he had done the Romans no wrong…The pretense was that it was unseemly for the Seleucidae, whom Tigranes had dethroned, to govern Syria, rather than the Romans, who had conquered Tigranes.” – Appian, The Syrian Wars, Book 10
(Absolutely awesome and super-useful) map of Syria and surrounding territories c. 87 BC
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/87BC.png
Map of the Greater Armenian Empire of King Tigranes II
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Armenia1.png

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Episode T17 – The Sons of Grypus Mar 27, 2020

Synopsis: With Rome encroaching from the north and south, the sons of Grypus battle Parthians, usurpers and local powers to keep their hold on Syria.
“As he lingered on the banks of the Euphrates, (Sulla) received a visit from Orobazus, a Parthian, who came as an ambassador from King Arsaces, although up to this time the two nations had held no intercourse with one another. This also is thought to have been part of Sulla’s great good fortune, that he should be the first Roman with whom the Parthians held conference when they wanted alliance and friendship.” – Plutarch, Parallel Lives, Sulla
“Straton, the tyrant of Berroea…called in Zizon, the ruler of the Arabian tribes, and Mithridates Sinax, the ruler of the Parthians, who coming with a great number of forces, and besieging Demetrius (III) in his encampment, into which they had driven them with their arrows, compelled those that were with him by thirst to deliver up themselves. So they took a great many spoils out of that country, and Demetrius himself, whom they sent to Mithridates (II).” – Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book XIII, Chapter 12
(Absolutely awesome and super-useful) map of Syria and surrounding territories c. 95 BC
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/95BC.png

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Episode T16 – The Sons of Thea Mar 13, 2020

Synopsis: While the Ptolemies intrigue in Coele Syria, Antiochus VIII Grypus and his half-brother Antiochus IX Cyzicenus struggle for seventeen years to win control of the north. After the rivals die in quick succession, the kingdom comes under control of Seleucus VI and Demetrius III, the allied sons of Grypus.
“Then Grypus proceeded to besiege Antioch, the city where Cyzicenus’ wife Cleopatra (IV) was to be found, and when it was captured Tryphaena, the wife of Grypus, ordered that the highest priority be given to hunting down her sister…to ensure that she escape one of the miseries of captivity. For Tryphaena believed that it was from feelings of jealousy towards herself that Cleopatra had entered this kingdom rather than any other, and that she had declared herself her sister’s enemy by marrying her sister’s foe.” – Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus, Book 39

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Episode T15 – Grypus Feb 28, 2020

Synopsis: Cleopatra Thea convinces her son Antiochus VIII Grypus to return to Syria and share the throne. But once Zabinas is defeated and the kingdom secure, Grypus decides to avenge his brother’s murder.
“Ptolemy (Physcon)…proceeded to devote his entire strength to the destruction of Alexander (Zabinas’) kingdom, which the latter had acquired by Ptolemy’s resources solely because of his hatred for Demetrius (II). He therefore sent assistance to Grypus on a massive scale and also gave him the hand of his daughter, Tryphaena, in marriage.” – Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus, Book 39
“After recovering his father’s throne and being freed from threats from abroad, Grypus became the target of his mother’s treachery. Through her lust for power she had already betrayed her husband, Demetrius, and killed her other son; now she took it ill that her prestige was diminished by Grypus’ victory, and so she set before him a cup of poison.” – Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus, Book 39

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Episode T14 – Zabinas Feb 15, 2020

Synopsis: Demetrius II returns to Syria, but his unpopularity – and support for the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra II – results in a usurper named Alexander Zabinas taking most of his kingdom. Fleeing a military defeat, Demetrius is denied entry to Ptolemais-Akko by Cleopatra Thea, an act that leads to his death. The elevation of their son Seleucus V results in a darker tragedy.
“Released from confinement among the Parthians and restored to his throne, Antiochus’ brother Demetrius (II) decided to make war on Egypt…For his mother-in-law, Cleopatra (II), promised him the throne of Egypt as the reward for his assistance against her brother.” – Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus, Book 39.
“Demetrius (II), for his part, was defeated by Alexander (Zabinas) and, with misfortune besetting him on all sides, he was finally abandoned even by his wife and children. Left with a few slaves, he made for Tyre, intending to use the sanctity of the temple to protect himself; but as he disembarked from this ship he was killed on the orders of the governor.” – Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus, Book 39.

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Episode T13 – Eunus Dec 13, 2019

Synopsis: A Syrian man from Apamea, enslaved on the island of Sicily, renames himself King Antiochus and launches the first large-scale slave rebellion against the Roman Republic.
“The Sicilians, through the enjoyment of a long peace, grew very rich, and brought up an abundance of slaves; who being driven in droves like so many herds of cattle from the different places where they were bred and brought up, were branded with certain marks burned on their bodies….their masters were very strict and severe with them, and took no care to provide either necessary food or clothing for them, so that most of them were forced to rob and steal to get these necessities; so that all places were full of slaughters and murders.” – Diodorus Siculus, The Historical Library, Book 34
“Then they made Eunus king, not for his valor or skill in warfare, but on account of his extraordinary tricks, and because he was made the leader and author of the defection…At length, putting a diadem upon his head and graced with all the emblems of royalty, he caused his wife, who was also a Syrian from the same city, to be called queen, and chose such as he judged to be the most prudent to be his councillors.” – Diodorus Siculus, The Historical Library, Book 34

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Episode T12 – Sar Matati Nov 30, 2019

Synopsis: After Mithridates is struck down by an illness, his son Phraates II defends Parthian gains against the army of Antiochus VII. Forced to retreat to Hyrcania, Phraates sets events in motion that result in the deaths of both kings.
“On Antiochus (VII)’s approach, many eastern princes came to meet him, surrendering their persons and their thrones, with curses of the arrogance of the Parthians. The first encounter took place forthwith. Victorious in three battles, Antiochus seized Babylon and began to be dubbed ‘the Great.’ Thus, as all the peoples were defecting to him, the Parthians were left with nothing but the lands of their fathers.” – Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus, Book 38
“When word of (a revolt) came to Antiochus (VII), he advanced with the contingent which was wintering with him in order to assist those who were closest at hand, only to meet while on the march the king of the Parthians, against whom he put up a braver fight than did his forces. Finally, however, the enemy’s valor prevailed and Antiochus, deserted by his craven troops, was killed.” – Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus, Book 38
“Let’s sit on the ground and tell sad stories of the death of kings, how some were overthrown and others killed in war. Some were haunted by the ghosts of the kings they had overthrown.” – Shakespeare, Richard II: Act 3 Scene 2
Map of the Parthian Empire c. 96 BC, which is fairly similar to what they held under Mithridates I c. 138 BC:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Parthia96BC.jpeg

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Episode T11 – Euergetes Nov 16, 2019

Synopsis: Ongoing strife in Anatolia and Egypt allows Antiochus VII to campaign east against the Parthians. His early successes inspire hopes of a resurgent Seleucid Empire, hopes shattered by his unexpected death.
“In Asia, Attalos III as soon as he came to the throne began to manage affairs in a way quite different from all the former kings; for they, by their clemency and kindness to their subjects, reigned prosperously and happily themselves and were a blessing to the kingdom; but this prince being of a cruel and bloody disposition oppressed his subjects with many slaughters and grievous calamities.” – Diodorus Siculus, The Historical Library, Book 35
“Ptolemy Physcon, when he saw that his sister Cleopatra (II) was so great an enemy to him, and could not revenge himself otherwise upon her, contrived a most abominable piece of villainy for that purpose. For, imitating the cruelty of Medeia, he murdered her son, begotten by himself, in Cyprus; the son was called Memphites, and was still a young boy.” – Diodorus Siculus, The Historical Library, Book 35
“(Queen) Laodice (of Cappadocia) had had six children of the male sex by King Ariarathes (V); she feared that she would not long remain in control of the kingdom once any of them grew up, so she resorted to murder, killing five of them by poison.” – Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus, Book 37
Map of Anatolia after the Treaty of Apamea (c. 188 BC):
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Anatolia.jpg

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Episode S2 – The Bactrian Kingdom Oct 11, 2019

“In this battle, Antiochus’ horse was wounded and killed, and the king himself was struck through the mouth and lost some of his teeth. On the whole, he acquired on that occasion the greatest reputation for valor. Because of this battle, Euthydemus was caught off guard and retreated with his forces into the Bactrian city of Zariaspa.” – Polybius, The Histories, 10.49
Synopsis: After the death of Alexander the Great, Bactria came under Seleucid rule before gaining its independence under the Diodotid and Euthydemid kings. In the second part of my interview with historian and author Tristan Hughes, we discuss how the Bactrian Kingdom was born, preserved itself against multiple attempts at Seleucid reconquest, and finally met its end.
Tristan Hughes @BattlesAncients on Twitter
Battles of the Ancients website www.turningpointsoftheancientworld.com

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Episode S1 – Alexander in Bactria Sep 13, 2019

“I am engaged in a land of a leonine and brave people, where every foot of the ground is like a wall of steel confronting my soldiers. You have brought only one Alexander into the world, but every mother in this land has brought an Alexander into the world.” – Alexander the Great, in a letter written to his mother Olympias from Bactria
Synopsis: Five years of campaigning brought Alexander the Great to the doorstep of Bactria, but he’d spend much of the next three years – arguably the most difficult of his life – trying to control the region. In this first episode of an occasional series called “The Ancient World – Spotlight” I’m joined by historian and author Tristan Hughes to discuss the uprising of the Sogdian warlord Spitamenes, quite possibly Alexander’s greatest foe, and the later revolts of Hellenic troops upon news of Alexander’s death.
Tristan Hughes @BattlesAncients on Twitter
Battles of the Ancients website www.turningpointsoftheancientworld.com

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Episode T10 – Sidetes Aug 24, 2019

Synopsis: Cleopatra Thea marries Demetrius II’s brother, Antiochus VII, becoming the simultaneous queen of two Seleucid kings. While Antiochus crushes Tryphon’s revolt and recovers former Seleucid territories, Demetrius is defeated by Mithridates and imprisoned in distant Hyrcania.
“But as Antiochus, the brother of Demetrius (II) who was called Soter, was not admitted by any of the cities on account of Tryphon, Cleopatra sent to him, and invited him to marry her, and to take the kingdom. The reasons why she made this invitation were these: That her friends persuaded her to it, and that she was afraid for herself, in case some of the people of Seleucia (Pieria) should deliver up the city to Tryphon. As Antiochus was now come to Seleucia, and his forces increased every day, he marched to fight Tryphon; and having beaten him in battle, he ejected him out of Upper Syria into Phoenicia, and pursued him thither, and besieged him in Dora which was a fortress hard to be taken, whither he had fled.” – Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, Book XIII, Chapter 7
“Antiochus well remembered that his father had been hated for his arrogance and his brother despised for his idleness. To avoid falling into the same vices himself, he married Cleopatra, his brother’s widow, and took vigorous action against the cities which had defected at the start of his brother’s reign. He subdued them and added them once more to the territory of his kingdom.” – Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus, 36.1.9

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Episode T9 – Tryphon Aug 09, 2019

Synopsis: The Seleucid rebel Diodotus Tryphon uses Thea and Alexander Balas’ young son, Antiochus VI, to capture most of Syria. Though paralyzed at home, Demetrius II embarks on a bold plan to challenge the conquests of Mithridates.
“Now there was a certain commander…whose name was Diodotus, who was also called Tryphon, who took notice of the ill-will the soldiers bore toward Demetrius, and went to (Iamblichus) the Arabian, who brought up Antiochus, the son of Alexander…and persuaded him to give him Antiochus, because he would make him king.” – Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, Book XIII, Chapter 5
“And so cities in all districts rebelled against (Demetrius’) rule; and to remove the stigma of indolence he decided to attack the Parthians.” – Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus, 36.1.7
Map of Syria c. 200 BC (courtesy of www.timemaps.com)
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Syria-200bc.png

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Episode T8 – The City Jul 26, 2019

Synopsis: The rediscovery of Ai Khanoum testified to the wealth and power of the Bactrian Kingdom. Mithridates’ conquest of Babylonia is countered by an unlikely coalition.
“The cities of Bactria were Bactra, which they also call Zariaspa and through which flows a river of the same name that empties into the Oxus, plus the city of Darapsa, and others more. Among these was a city called Eucratideia, named after its ruler… (The Greeks) also controlled Sogdiana, which lies above and to the east of Bactria between the Oxus River – demarcating Bactrians from Sogdians – and the Jaxartes River, likewise separating the Sogdians from the nomads.” – Strabo, Geography, 11.11.2
“These wise sayings of earlier men, the words of well-known men, are enshrined in the holy Pytho. There Clearchus copied them faithfully, and set them up here in the sanctuary of Kineas, blazing from afar.
As a child, be well-behaved.
As a youth, be self-controlled.
As an adult, be just.
As an elder, be wise.
As one dying, be without pain.”
– Inscription at the Heroon (hero’s tomb) of Kineas, oikistes (founder) of the city of Ai Khanoum, Afghanistan, dated 300 – 250 BC
Map of Ai Khanoum and Ashoka Rock Edicts
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Ai_Khanoum.jpg
Map of the Eastern Satrapies
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Eastern_Satrapies.jpg

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Episode T7 – Blazing From Afar Jul 13, 2019

Synopsis: On the eastern frontiers of the Seleucid Empire, Parthia, Bactria and the Indo-Greeks struggle for regional supremacy. The stalemate in Syria and murder of Eucratides advance the fortunes of Mithridates.
“At about the same time that Mithridates was beginning his rule in Parthia, Eucratides was beginning his in Bactria, both of them great men. But the fortunes of the Parthians prevailed, carrying them to the zenith of their power under this king.” – Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus, 41.6
“The Yavanas (Greeks) will command, the Kings will disappear. But ultimately the Yavanas, intoxicated with fighting, will not stay in Madhadesa (the Middle Country); there will be undoubtedly a civil war among them, arising in their own country (Bactria), there will be a terrible and ferocious war.” – Gargi-Samhita, Yuga Purana, Chapter 7

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Episode T6 – Philometor Feb 28, 2019

Synopsis: With Syria beset by regional enemies, three kings face off at the Battle of the Oenoparos River. The lone survivor, King Demetrius II, inaugurates his reign with the violent destruction of Antioch.
“And the king of Egypt gathered together a great host, like the sand that lieth upon the sea shore, and many ships, and went about through deceit to get Alexander’s kingdom, and join it to his own…Wherefore he took his daughter from him, and gave her to Demetrius, and forsook Alexander, so that their hatred was openly known. Then Ptolemy entered into Antioch, where he set two crowns upon his head, the crown of Asia, and of Egypt.” – 1 Maccabees, Chapter 11

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Episode T5 – Balas Feb 16, 2019

Synopsis: Demetrius struggles to preserve his throne but ends up falling in battle. Alexander Balas begins his reign by marrying Ptolemy’s daughter, Cleopatra Thea. While the sons of Demetrius remain a threat, the couple are also forced to confront the growing menace of Parthia.
“Then gathered king Alexander great forces, and camped over against Demetrius. And after the two kings had joined battle, Demetrius’ host fled: but Alexander followed after him, and prevailed against them. And he continued the battle very sore until the sun went down: and that day was Demetrius slain.” – 1 Maccabees

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Episode T4 – Soter Feb 02, 2019

Synopsis: Demetrius seizes the Syrian throne and stems immediate threats from Media and Judaea. But deposed officials and regional rulers conspire to engineer his downfall.
“When it became known that the Romans were ill disposed towards Demetrius, not only the other kings but even some of the satraps subject to him regarded his kingship with scant respect. Of these satraps the most outstanding was a certain Timarchus…By launching many accusations against Demetrius (he) persuaded the senate to enact (a decree making him king). Emboldened by this decree he raised an army of considerable size in Media; he also entered into alliance against Demetrius with Artaxias, the king of Armenia.” – Diodorus Siculus, The Library of History, Book XXXI

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Episode T3 – Thea Jan 18, 2019

Synopsis: Lysias attempts to exercise control through the young King Antiochus V, but a deadly incident with a Roman delegation gives hope to the captive Demetrius. Ptolemy Physcon challenges his brother Ptolemy VI for control of Egypt and Cyprus.
“They then went on board, and the pilot weighed anchor and started just as the day was breaking, having absolutely no idea of the real state of the case, but believing that he was conveying some soldiers from Menyllus to Ptolemy…It was not until the fourth day after his start that, Demetrius being looked for in vain, the truth was suspected. On the fifth the Senate was hastily summoned to consider the matter, when Demetrius had already cleared the Straits of Messina. The Senate gave up all idea of pursuit.” – Polybius, The Histories, Book XXXI

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Episode T2 – Megas Jan 05, 2019

Synopsis: Antiochus the Great restores Seleucid fortunes, but his son Antiochus IV sews the seeds of the Empire’s destruction.
“On (Antiochus IV), after reading the dispatch, saying that he desired to consult with his friends on the situation, Popilius did a thing which was looked upon as exceedingly overbearing and insolent. Happening to have a vine stick in his hand, he drew a circle round Antiochus with it, and ordered him to give his answer to the letter before he stepped out of that circumference.” – Polybius, the Histories, Book XXIX

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Episode T1 – Nicator Dec 22, 2018

Synopsis: Seleucus I Nicator forges the Seleucid Empire, and his descendants spend the next century struggling to preserve his legacy.
“In Asia, after the defeat of Demetrius at Gaza in Syria, Seleucus, receiving from Ptolemy no more than eight hundred foot soldiers and about two hundred horse, set out for Babylon.” – Diodorus Siculus, The Library of History, Book XIX

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The Rest of My Interview Jul 11, 2018

with Drew from the Wonders of the World Podcast, where we talk about Palmyra, Odaenathus, and (of course) Queen Zenobia. Enjoy!

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Just Did My First Interview Jun 26, 2018

with the lovely and talented Drew from the Wonders of the World podcast, where we talk about the exotic Roman Emperor Elagabalus, the amazing temple complex at Baalbek, and lots of other fun stuff. Enjoy! And please also check out his other episodes (it helps if you bring a healthy love of Demetrius Poliorcetes 😉

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Episode B54 – Efqa Mar 23, 2018

Synopsis: Monotheism, modern Syria, the world’s first romance story, and the end of the Bloodline.
“The oasis and town of Palmyra owe their existence to the plentiful spring that runs from Jebel Muntar. This spring dominates a narrow passage in the principal route between the Homs pass and the Euphrates River and is in the heart of the Syrian desert. The oasis furnishes a resting place between Iraq and Central Syria, and it was a primary stop for caravans plying between the Gulf, Iran, and the Mediterranean.” – Khaled Al-Asaad and Adnan Bounni, Palmyra: History, Monuments & Museum

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Episode B53 – Memento Mori Mar 09, 2018

Synopsis: Aurelian returns East to crush Palmyrene revolts in Syria and Egypt. The sources relate differing accounts of Zenobia’s ultimate fate.
“To the tumultuous throng which crowded under these porticoes the solitude of death has succeeded. The silence of the tomb is substituted for the hum of polite places.” – Count C.F.C deVolney, The Ruins, or Meditations on the Revolutions of Empires
“The elevation of Odaenathus and Zenobia appeared to reflect new splendor on their country, and Palmyra, for a while, stood forth the rival of Rome; but the competition was fatal, and ages of prosperity were sacrificed to a moment of glory.” – Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
“When the sand seems to disappear, not beneath the verdure of an oasis but beneath an accumulation of marble and worked stones, silence falls among the travelers…it is then that a man, even the least civilized, feels himself to be small and, despite himself, meditates on the presence of that mighty ruin as upon a mighty sorrow.” – L. Double, 1877

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Episode B52 – Palmyra Feb 24, 2018

Synopsis: Boxed in by Aurelian’s siege, Zenobia makes a desperate attempt to enlist the support of the Persians.
“Palmyra was the last resource of the widow of Odaenathus. She retired within the walls of her capital, made every preparation for a vigorous resistance, and declared, with the intrepidity of a heroine, that the last moment of her reign and of her life should be the same.” – Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
“You have the prospect of such Magnicient Ruines, that if it be Lawful to frame a Conjecture of the Original Beauty of the place, by what is still remaining, I question somewhat whether any City in the World could have challenged Precedence over this in all its Glory.” – W. Halifax, A Relation of a Voyage from Aleppo to Palmyra in Syria, 1695

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Episode B51 – Emesa Feb 09, 2018

Synopsis: After a crushing defeat at the Battle of Emesa, Zenobia retreats to Palmyra. Aurelian has a divine encounter at the Temple of Elah Gabal.
“After this, the whole issue of the war was decided near Emesa in a mighty battle fought against Zenobia and Zabdas, her ally. When Aurelian’s horsemen, now exhausted, were on the point of breaking their ranks and turning their backs, suddenly by the power of a supernatural agency, as was afterwards made known, a divine form spread encouragement throughout the foot-soldiers and even rallied the horsemen. Zenobia and Zabdas were put to flight, and a victory was won in full.” – The Historia Augusta

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Episode B50 – Augusta Jan 27, 2018

Synopsis: Aurelian’s vision compels him to spare the defiant citizens of Tyana. As the Romans advance through Anatolia, Zenobia concentrates her forces in Syria, and the two sides finally clash at the Battle of Immae.
“As soon as the Emperor was on his march thither, Ancyra submitted to the Romans, and afterwards Tyana, and all the cities between that and Antioch. There finding Zenobia with a large army ready to engage, as he himself also was, he met and engaged her as honor obliged him.” – Zosimus, the History
“Zenobia would have ill deserved her reputation, had she indolently permitted the Emperor of the West to approach within a hundred miles of her capital…The Queen of Palmyra animated the armies by her presence, and devolved the execution of her orders on Zabdas, who had already signaled his military talents by the conquest of Egypt. The numerous forces of Zenobia consisted for the most part of light archers, and of heavy cavalry clothed in complete steel.” – Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

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Episode B49 – Nemesis Jan 13, 2018

Synopsis: Zenobia orders her general Zabdas to capture Anatolia. After subduing the Marcomanni and the Goths, Aurelian makes preparations to reclaim the East.
“(Aurelian) was naturally of a severe disposition. A peasant and a soldier, his nerves yielded not easily to the impressions of sympathy, and he could sustain without emotion the sight of tortures and death. Trained from his earliest youth in the exercise of arms, he set too small a value on the life of a citizen, chastised by military execution the slightest offences, and transferred the stern discipline of the camp into the civil administration of the laws.” – Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
“Since there were in the army two tribunes, both named Aurelian…the soldiers game him the nickname of ‘Sword-in-hand,’ so that, if anyone chanced to ask which Aurelian had done anything or performed any exploit, the reply would be made ‘Aurelian Sword-in-hand,’ and so he would be identified.” – The Historia Augusta

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Episode B48 – 270 Nov 24, 2017

Synopsis: Zenobia’s armies successfully capture Arabia Petraea and Egypt. The death of Claudius and his brother Quintillus pave the way for the Emperor Aurelian.
“Zenobia began to think of extending her dominion, and therefore sent Zabdas into Egypt.” – Zosimus, The History
“Nor was the plague confined to the Barbarians alone, but began to infest the Romans, many of whom died, and amongst the rest Claudius, a person adorned with every virtue…Quintillus, the brother of Claudius, was then declared emperor. He had reigned but a few months, and had performed nothing worthy of notice, before Aurelian was raised to the imperial throne.” – Zosimus, The History

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Episode B47 – Zenobia Nov 10, 2017

Synopsis: Following the murder of the Emperor Gallienus, Zenobia successfully defends Palmyra against both Roman and Persian aggression.
“Zenobia then took upon her the administration of affairs. She was the wife of Odaenathus, but had the courage of a man, and with the assistance of her husband’s friends, acted in every respect as well as he had done.” – Zosimus, The History
“This Heraclianus, however, on setting out against the Persians, was defeated by the Palmyrenes, and lost all the troops he had gathered, for Zenobia was ruling Palmyra and most of the East with the vigour of a man.” – The Historia Augusta

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Episode B46 – Melek Melek Oct 27, 2017

Synopsis: Odaenathus declares himself King of Kings, twice besieges the Sasanid capital, and combats Gothic pirates on the Black Sea coast. At the height of his power he’s betrayed and murdered, and Palmyrene power passes to Queen Zenobia.
“While Valerian was growing old in Persia, Odaenathus the Palmyrene gathered together an army and restored the Roman power almost to its pristine condition.” – The Historia Augusta
“Him will glory attend. He himself, unblemished and great, will rule over the Romans, and the Persians will be powerless.” – The Thirteenth Sibylline Oracle

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Episode B45 – Odaenathus Oct 14, 2017

Synopsis: Odaenathus helps drive the Persians from Syria and preserve Gallienus’ throne. After his peace offering is spurned by Shapur, Odaenathus prepares to invade the Sasanid Empire.
“Had not Odaenathus, prince of the Palmyrenes, seized the imperial power after the capture of Valerian, when the strength of the Roman state was exhausted, all would have been lost in the East.” – The Historia Augusta

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Episode B44 – Edessa Sep 29, 2017

Synopsis: After his humiliating defeat at the hands of Shapur, Valerian joins tens of thousands of Roman captives deported to the heartland of Persia.
“Going without consideration to Shapur with a small retinue, to treat for a peace, (Valerian) was presently laid hold off by the enemy, and so ended his days in the capacity of a slave among the Persians, to the disgrace of the Roman name in all future times.” – Zosimus, The History
“Whatever treatment the unfortunate Valerian might experience in Persia, it is at least certain that the only emperor of Rome who had ever fallen into the hands of the enemy, languished away his life in hopeless captivity.” – Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Chapter X, Part IV

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Episode B43 – Sibylline Jun 16, 2017

Synopsis: Samsigeramus saves Emesa from Sasanid destruction, then proclaims himself Augustus. The arrival of Valerian marks the end of his reign and the elevation of Odaenathus to provincial governor.
“And then there shall be a flight of Romans; and thereafter there shall come the priest heard of all round, sent by the sun, from Syria appearing, and by guile shall he accomplish all things. And then too the city of the sun shall offer prayer; and round about her shall the Persians dare the fearful threatenings of the Phoenicians.” – The Sibylline Oracles, Book XIII

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Episode B42 – Iotapian May 27, 2017

Synopsis: The revolt of Iotapian shows Eastern nobles the possibilities among the chaos. Shapur’s invasion of Syria drives Samsigeramus to make a bold stand.
“As there were at that time many disturbances in the empire, the eastern provinces – which were uneasy, partly owing to the exactions of exorbitant tributes, and partly to their dislike of Priscus, their governor, who was a man of an intolerably evil disposition – wished for innovation, and set up (Iotapian) for emperor.” – Zosimus,The History, Book 1
“So rapid were the motions of the Persian cavalry, that, if we may credit a very judicious historian, the city of Antioch was surprised when the idle multitude were fondly gazing on the amusements of the theatre. The splendid buildings of Antioch, private as well as public, were either pillaged or destroyed; and the numerous inhabitants were put to the sword, or led away into captivity.” – Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Chapter X, Part IV

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Episode B41 – Samsigeramus May 12, 2017

Synopsis: Shortly after Hatra’s destruction, Shapur inherits the Persian Empire. Gordian’s invasion the following year ends in defeat and humiliation for Rome.
“When at first we had become established in the Empire, Gordian Caesar raised in all of the Roman Empire a force from the Goth and German realms, and marched on Asoristan against the Empire of Iran and against us. On the border of Asoristan and Misik a great frontal battle occurred. Gordian Caesar was killed and the Roman force was destroyed.” – The Great Inscription of Shapur I, Naqsh-i-Rustam
The Roman Near East c. 240AD
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Near_East_240_Region.jpg

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Episode B40 – Uranius Apr 29, 2017

Synopsis: After the death of Elagabalus, Uranius Antoninus served as High Priest of Elah Gabal in Emesa. From this vantage, he witnessed the birth of Ardeshir’s Persia and the changing fortunes of the Palmyrenes.
“Even the name of Tadmor, or Palmyra, by its signification in the Syrian as well as in the Latin language, denoted the multitude of palm-trees which afforded shade and verdure to that temperate region…Palmyra, for a while, stood forth the rival of Rome; but the competition was fatal, and ages of prosperity were sacrificed to a moment of glory.” – Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Chapter XI, Part III
Dedicated with great respect to Khaled al-Asaad, Palmyra’s devoted protector

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Episode B39 – Excidium Dec 03, 2016

Synopsis: Alexander marches East to counter Ardeshir’s invasion, but the conflict ends in a stalemate. A short time later, a legionary rebellion along the Rhine brings the Severan regime to a bloody end.
“The lenity of the Emperor confirmed the insolence of the troops; the legions imitated the example of the Guards, and defended their prerogative of licentiousness with the same furious obstinacy. The administration of Alexander was unavailing struggle against the corruption of this age…Fresh mutinies perpetually broke out; his officers were murdered, his authority was insulted, and his life at last sacrificed to the fierce discontents of the army.” – Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Chapter VI, Part IV
The Roman War Plan for 233 AD
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/SASANID_ALEX.jpg
The Bloodline Family Tree (Part 1)
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/B33_Bloodline01.pdf
The Bloodline Family Tree (Part 2)
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/B39_Bloodline02.pdf

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Episode B38 – The Last Severan Nov 12, 2016

Synopsis: Overseen by his mother and grandmother, Severus Alexander’s early reign was marked by wisdom and temperance. A decade later, a Sasanid invasion would test both Rome and its emperor.
“When Alexander received the empire, the appearance and the title of Emperor were allowed him, but the management and control of imperial affairs were in the hands of his women, and they undertook a more moderate and more equitable administration.” – Herodian, History of the Roman Empire from the Death of Marcus Aurelius to the Accession of Gordian III, Book VI, Chapter I
“(Ardeshir) did not remain quiet, however, nor stay on his side of the Tigris River, but, after scaling its banks and crossing the borders of the Roman empire, he overran Mesopotamia and threatened Syria. The entire continent opposite Europe, separated from it by the Aegean Sea and the Propontic Gulf, and the region called Asia, he wished to recover for the Persian empire…When the Eastern governors revealed these developments in their dispatches, Alexander was greatly disturbed by these unanticipated tidings, particularly since, raised from childhood in an age of peace, he had spent his entire life in urban ease and comfort.” – Herodian, History of the Roman Empire from the Death of Marcus Aurelius to the Accession of Gordian III, Book VI, Chapter II

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Episode B37 – Shahanshah Oct 28, 2016

Synopsis: Ardeshir defeats Artabanus in battle and claims the Parthian Empire for the Sasanids. After a failed attempt to conquer Armenia, he sets his sights on the Roman East.
“Then (Ardeshir) came to battle with Artabanus, killed the entire army of the latter, seized their wealth, property, horses, and portable lodges, and settled himself in Istakhr. He collected soldiers in large numbers from Kerman, Mokristan, Isfahan, and different districts of Fars, and came to fight with Artabanus himself. So Artabanus sent for soldiers and provisions from different frontiers…But as the Glory of the Kayanians (Achaemenids) was with Ardeshir, the latter gained success. He killed Artabanus, whose entire wealth and property fell into the hands of Ardeshir, who married Artabanus’s daughter, and went back to Fars.” – The Book of Deeds of Ardeshir Son of Pabag, Chapter IV
“Artaxerxes, a Persian, having conquered the Parthians in three battles and killed their king, Artabanus, made a campaign against Hatra, which he endeavored to take as a base for attacking the Romans. He did make a breach in the wall but, as he lost a number of soldiers through an ambuscade, he transferred his position to Media. Of this district, as also of Parthia, he acquired no small portion, partly by force and partly by intimidation, and then marched against Armenia. Here he suffered a reverse at the hands of the natives, some Medes, and the children of Artabanus, and either fled (as some say) or (as others assert) retired to prepare a larger expedition. He accordingly became a source of fear for us.” – Cassius Dio, Rome, Book 80
Map of the Roman-Sasanid Frontier c. 232 AD:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/SASANID_FINAL.jpg

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Episode B36 – The Black Stone Sep 24, 2016

Synopsis: Elagabalus spearheads a religious revolution in Rome, but his unpopular rule drives Julia Maesa to enact a back-up plan.
“To this temple, as to the common center of religious worship, the Imperial fanatic attempted to remove the Ancilia, the Palladium, and all the sacred pledges of the faith of Numa. A crowd of inferior deities attended in various stations the majesty of the god of Emesa; but his court was still imperfect, till a female of distinguished rank was admitted to his bed. Pallas had been first chosen for his consort; but as it was dreaded lest her warlike terrors might affront the soft delicacy of a Syrian deity, the Moon, adorned by the Africans under the name of Astarte, was deemed a more suitable companion for the Sun.” – Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume 1, Chapter 6

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Episode B35 – Bassus Sep 09, 2016

Synopsis: Deception, good fortune, and Macrinus’ failings allow the Severans to retake the Roman throne. As Emperor, Elagabalus makes plans to install the black stone of Elah Gabal in the Capital.
“(Elagabalus and Severus Alexander) were priests of the sun god, whom their countrymen worship under the Phoenician name Elagabalus. A huge temple was erected to this god, lavishly decorated with gold, silver, and costly gems. Not only is this god worshipped by the natives, but all the neighboring rulers and kings send generous and expensive gifts to him each year. No statue made by man in the likeness of the god stands in the temple, as in Greek and Roman temples. The temple does, however, contain a huge black stone with a pointed end and round base in the shape of a cone. The Phoenicians solemnly maintain that this stone came down from Zeus; pointing out certain small figures in relief, they assert that it is an unwrought image of the sun, for naturally that is what they wish to see.” – Herodian, History of the Roman Empire from the Death of Marcus Aurelius to the Accession off Gordian III, Book V, Chapter III

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Episode B34 – Keepers of the Fire Aug 26, 2016

Synopsis: King Artabanus of Parthia gathers his forces to seek revenge on Rome. Usurpation and war gain the Sasanids control over the southern territory of Fars.
“Macrinus, seeing that Artabanus was exceedingly angry at the way he had been treated and had invaded Mesopotamia with a large force, at first of his own accord sent him captives and used friendly language, urging him to accept peace and laying the blame for the past on (Caracalla). But the other would not entertain his proposition, and furthermore bade him build up the forts and demolished cities, abandon Mesopotamia entirely and offer satisfaction in general, but particularly for the damage to the royal tombs. For, trusting in the large force that he had gathered, and despising Macrinus as an unworthy emperor, he gave reign to his wrath and expected that even without Roman consent he could accomplish whatever he wished.” – Cassius Dio, Rome, Book 78
Map of the Parthian Empire
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/PARTHIA_FINAL.jpg

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Episode B33 – Semiramis Aug 06, 2016

Synopsis: Caracalla cuts a murderous path through Rome, and provokes a dangerous war with Parthia. After his murder, Julia Domna is forced to contend with a would-be usurper.
“Julia Domna deserved all that the stars could promise her. She possessed, even in advanced age, the attractions of beauty, and united to a lively imagination a firmness of mind, and strength of judgement, seldom bestowed on her sex. Her amiable qualities never made any deep impression on the dark and jealous temper of her husband; but in her son’s reign, she administered the principal affairs of the empire, with a prudence that supported his authority, and with a moderation that sometimes corrected his wild extravagancies.” – Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume 1, Chapter 6
The Bloodline Family Tree – Part I
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/B33_Bloodline01.pdf
The Bloodline Family Tree – Part II
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/B33_Bloodline02.pdf

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Episode B32 – The Fourth Caesar Jul 22, 2016

Synopsis: Severus’ close friendship with Plautianus estranges him from his family. In his final years, a rebellion in Britannia provides one last opportunity to shape his legacy.
“The contemporaries of Severus, in this enjoyment of the peace and glory of his reign, forgave the cruelties by which it had been introduced. Posterity, who experienced the fatal effects of his maxims and example, justly considered him as the principal author of the decline of the Roman Empire.” – Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume 1, Chapter 5

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Episode B31 – Perish in Blood Apr 30, 2016

Synopsis: Severus confronts Albinus at Lugdunum, then launches a war against the Parthians. At the pinnacle of his power, the oracle of Zeus Belos reveals his family’s fate.
“The youth of Severus had been trained in the implicit obedience of the camps, and the riper years spent in the despotism of military command. His haughty and inflexible spirit could not discover, or would not acknowledge, the advantage of preserving an intermediate power, however imaginary, between the Emperor and the army.” – Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume 1, Chapter 5
“Here is one man who overthrew three Emperors after they were already ruling, and got the upper hand of the Praetorians by a trick…He prevailed over them all by his courage. It is not possible to name another like Severus.” – Herodian, History of the Roman Empire from the Death of Marcus Aurelius to the Accession of Gordian III, Book 3, Chapter 7
Map of the Near East c. 198AD (provinces):
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Near_East_198AD_1.jpg
Map of the Near East c. 198AD (cities):
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Near_East_198AD_2.jpg

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Episode B30 – Mater Castrorum Apr 15, 2016

Synopsis: Severus defeats Niger and wages a limited Eastern campaign. While Julia Domna is hailed as Mother of the Camps, Caracalla’s elevation to Caesar prompts a second civil war.
“There used to be an oracle about Hannibal’s death.
‘The soil of Libyssa would cover Hannibal’s body.’
The later emperor of the Romans, Severus,
Who was a descendant of the Libyans, he put upon this man’s
Tomb a white piece of marble to honor the commander Hannibal.”
– John Tzetzes, Chiliades (or Book of Histories), Book 1, 801 – 805

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Episode B29 – 193 Apr 01, 2016

Synopsis: After Pertinax and his successor are killed in the same year, Severus’s claim to the Empire is contested by two rivals.
“Pertinax was one of those men to whom no exception can be taken, but he ruled only for an exceedingly brief space of time and was then put out of the way by the soldiers.” – Cassius Dio, Rome, Book 73
“The Pannonian army was at that time commanded by Septimius Severus, a native of Africa, who, in the gradual ascent of private honors, had concealed his daring ambition.” – Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume 1, Chapter 5
Bloodline Family Tree (c. 193AD):
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/B29_Bloodline.pdf

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Episode B28 – Bestiarius Mar 19, 2016

Synopsis: Julia Domna marries Septimius Severus and gives birth to Caracalla and Geta. Left behind in Rome with her young children, Julia watches as Commodus re-founds the Empire in his own image.
“The effect of Commodus upon the Romans was worse than that of all pestilences and all villainies.” – Cassius Dio, Rome, Book 72
Detailed Map of the Roman Empire (brilliantmaps.com):
http://brilliantmaps.com/roman-empire-211/
Julia Domna Family Tree:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/B27_Bloodline.pdf

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Episode B27 – Lucifugus Mar 05, 2016

Synopsis: Julia Domna was daughter of the Emesene High Priest, destined to marry a king. Then she met Septimius Severus.
“Our history now descends from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust.” – Cassius Dio, Rome, Book 71
“The primitive Christians perpetually trod on mystic ground, and their minds were exercised by the habits of believing the most extraordinary events.” – Edward Gibbon, The Christians and the Fall of Rome
Bloodline Family Tree (c. 182AD):
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/B27_Bloodline.png

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Episode B26 – Emanes Feb 20, 2016

Synopsis: The revolt of Avidius Cassius.
“There is only one thing I fear, fellow-soldiers…and that is that (Avidius Cassius) may either kill himself because ashamed to come into our presence, or someone else upon learning that I shall come and am setting out against him may do it. Then should I be deprived of a great prize both of war and of victory, and of a magnitude such as no human being ever yet obtained. What is this? Why, to forgive a man that has done you an injury, to remain a friend to one who has transgressed friendship, to continue faithful to one who has broken faith.” – Marcus Aurelius, quoted by Cassius Dio, Rome, Book 71
Avidius Cassius Family Tree:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/B25_Avidius_Cassius.pdf

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Episode B25 – Discindo Feb 06, 2016

Synopsis: The overthrow of King Gaius Julius Sohaemus of Armenia leads to war between Parthia and Rome.
“For Vologases had begun war by assailing on all sides the Roman camp under Severianus, situated in Elegeia, a place in Armenia; and he had shot down and destroyed the whole force, leaders and all. He was now proceeding with numbers that inspired terror against the cities of Syria.” – Cassius Dio, Rome, Book 71
Avidius Cassius Family Tree:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/B25_Avidius_Cassius.pdf

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Episode B24 – The Yona Kings Nov 19, 2015

Synopsis: The Macedonian kingdoms of Central Asia endured for centuries before being absorbed into the Kushan Empire. Hadrian’s actions in Judea spark a third Jewish Revolt.
“Has it ever happened to you, O king, that rival kings rose up against you as enemies and opponents?
-Yes, certainly.
-Then you set to work, I suppose, to have moats dug, and ramparts thrown up, and watch towers erected, and strongholds built, and stores of food collected?
-Not at all. All that had been prepared beforehand.
-Or you had yourself trained in the management of war elephants, and in horsemanship, and in the use of the war chariot, and in archery and fencing?
-Not at all. I had learnt all that before.
-But why?
-With the object of warding off future danger.” – Milinda Panha (The Questions of King Menander), Book III, Chapter 7
Map of Central Asia:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/CA_Regions.jpg

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Episode B23 – Parthicus Nov 07, 2015

Synopsis: At the far point of his campaign, Trajan’s Eastern conquests begin to slip from his fingers.
“Thence he came to the (Persian Gulf) itself, and when he had learned its nature and seen a boat sailing to India, he said: ‘I should certainly have cross over to the Indi, if I were still young.’ He gave much thought to the Indi, and was curious about their affairs. Alexander he counted a happy man and at the same time declared that he himself had advanced farther. This was the tenor of the dispatch that he forwarded to the Senate, although he was unable to preserve even what territory had been subdued.” – Cassius Dio, Rome, Book 68
The Near East c. 116AD – Provinces and Kingdoms
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Near_East_116AD_1.jpg
The Near East c. 116AD – Major Cities
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Near_East_116AD_2.jpg

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Episode B22 – Optimus Oct 23, 2015

Synopsis: Silas guides Emesa in its transition to a pilgrimage site. The death of King Tiridates I of Armenia brings Rome and Parthia into conflict.
“(Parthomasiris) greeted him, took off his diadem from his head, and laid it at (Trajan’s) feet. Then he stood there in silence, expecting to receive it back. At this the soldiers shouted aloud, and hailed Trajan imperator as if on account of some victory (they termed it an uncrowned, bloodless victory to see the king, a descendant of Arsaces, a son of Pacorus, and a nephew of Osroes, standing beside Trajan without a diadem, like a captive). The shout terrified the prince, who though that it heralded insult and destruction for him.” – Cassius Dio, Rome, Book 68

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Episode B21 – Betrayal Oct 10, 2015

Synopsis: Gaius Julius Sohaemus is compelled to help the Romans conquer Commagene.
“Petus…fell upon Commagene before Antiochus and his people had the least expectation of his coming. He had with him the tenth legion, and also some cohorts and troops of horsemen. These kings also came to his assistance: Aristibulus, king of the country called Chalcidene, and Sohaemus, who was called King of Emesa. Nor was there any opposition made to his forces when they entered the kingdom, for no one of that country would so much as lift up his hand against them.” – Josephus, The Jewish War, Book VII, Chapter 7

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Episode B20 – The God of Dusk Sep 25, 2015

Synopsis: The destruction of Jerusalem.
Shalim (semetic): Caananite god of dusk and the evening star, paired with Shahar, god of dawn and the morning star. Root of Hebrew shalom and Arabic salam(peace), associated with sunset and the completion of the workday. Related to the Caananite sun goddess Shapash, a possible manifestation of Shamash. An element in the names of King David’s sons Solomon and Absalom. Original guardian, patron and protective deity of Jerusalem.
“Before the fifteenth of July all Syria had sworn the same allegiance. Vespasian’s cause was now joined also by Sohaemus with his entire kingdom, whose strength was not to be despised, and by Antiochus who had enormous ancestral wealth, and was in fact the richest of the subject princes. Presently Agrippa, summoned from Rome by private messages from his friends, while Vitellius was still unaware of his action, quickly crossed the sea and joined the cause.” – Tacitus, The Histories, Book II

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Episode B19 – The Prefect Sep 11, 2015

Synopsis: Tiberius Julius Alexander throws Egypt’s backing behind Vespasian’s bid for the throne.
“Accordingly, in order to overthrow John (of Gischala), they determined to admit Simon (bar Giora), and earnestly to desire the introduction of a second tyrant into the city…Accordingly he, in an arrogant manner, granted them his lordly protection, and came into the city, in order to deliver it from the zealots. The people also made joyful acclamations to him, as their savior and their preserver; but when he was come in, with his army, he took care to secure his own authority, and looked upon those that had invited him in to be no less his enemies than those against whom the invitation was intended. And thus did Simon get possession of Jerusalem.” – Josephus, The Jewish War, Book IV, Chapter 9

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Episode B18 – The Josephus Problem Aug 28, 2015

Synopsis: Joseph ben Matityahu fought the Romans as a Jewish General before becoming a trusted advisor to the Flavians.
The Josephus Problem (mathematics): Given a group of n men arranged in a circle under the edict that every mth man will be executed going around the circle until only one remains, find the position L (n, m) in which you should stand in order to be the last survivor.

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Episode B17 – The Valley Jun 26, 2015

Synopsis: Nero crowns Tiridates King of Armenia. A succession of brutal and corrupt procurators set Judea on the path to revolt.
“Go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom (Gehenna), which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee…
Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;
They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind.
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter.” – Jeremiah 19:2-6

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Episode B16 – Burn Jun 12, 2015

Synopsis: The birth of Drusilla and Sohaemus’ son Gaius Julius Alexio. The Empire confronts the revolt of Boudica, renewed warfare in Armenia, and the Great Fire of Rome.
“Rome shall perish – write that word
In the blood that she has spilt;
Perish, hopeless and abhorr’d,
Deep in ruin as in guilt.” – William Cowper, Boadicea: An Ode
Map of Near East c. 64AD:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Near_East_64AD.jpg

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Episode B15 – God of the Mountain May 29, 2015

Synopsis: Drusilla marries the Emesene Priest-King Gaius Julius Sohaemus. Rome and Parthia go to war over Armenia.
“Our ancestors worshipped the Sun, and they were not that foolish.
It makes sense to revere the Sun and the stars, for we are their children.” – Carl Sagan
Syria and adjacent regions:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Syria_55AD.jpg
Emesene family tree:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/10_Emesenes_55AD.pdf

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Episode B14 – The Just May 15, 2015

Synopsis: The divorce of Felix and Drusilla. James and Paul struggle for the soul of early Christianity.
“And then it was that the sicarii, as they were called, who were robbers, grew numerous. They made use of small swords, not much different in length from the Persian acinacae, but somewhat crooked, and like the Roman sicae, as they were called; and from these weapons these robbers got their denomination; and with these weapons they slew a great many; for they mingled themselves among the multitude at their festivals, when they were come up in crowds from all parts to the city to worship God, as we said before, and easily slew those that they had a mind to slay.” – Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, Chapter 8

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Episode B13 – Zealot May 03, 2015

Synopsis: The early life of Drusilla of Mauretania, and her marriage to Marcus Antonius Felix, Roman Procurator of Judea
“This Judas, having gotten together a multitude of men of a profligate character about Sepphoris in Galilee, made an assault upon the palace there, and seized upon all the weapons that were laid up in it, and with them armed every one of those that were with him, and carried away what money was left there; and he became terrible to all men, by tearing and rending those that came near him.” – Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, Book XVII, Chapter 10
Nero Family Tree:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/9_Nero_48AD.pdf
Regions of Judea:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Judea_53AD_1.jpg
Select Cities of Judea:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Judea_53AD_2.jpg

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Episode B12 – Antonii Mar 28, 2015

Synopsis: The death of Tiberius, elevation of Caligula, and final years of King Ptolemy I.
“Ptolemy, whom (Caligula) invited from his kingdom, and received with great honors, he suddenly put to death, for no other reason, but because he observed that upon entering the theatre, at a public exhibition, he attracted the eyes of all the spectators, by the splendor of his purple robe.” – Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, XXXV
“Meanwhile Gaius sent for Ptolemy, the son of Juba, and on ascertaining that he was wealthy put him to death.” – Cassius Dio, Roman History, Book 59
Heirs of Mark Antony:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/7_Antonii_36AD_1.pdf
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/8_Antonii_36AD_2.pdf

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Episode B11 – Caedis Mar 14, 2015

Synopsis: The end of Tacfarinas, and the bloody co-rule of Tiberius and Sejanus.
“Then, as the campaign had demonstrated Ptolemy’s good-will, an old-fashioned distinction was revived, and a member of the Senate was dispatched to present him with the traditional bounty of the Fathers, an ivory scepter with the embroidered robe, and to greet him by the style of king, ally and friend.” – Tacitus, The Annals, Book IV
“There followed from now onward a sheer and grinding despotism: for, with Augusta still alive, there had remained a refuge; since deference to his mother was ingrained in Tiberius, nor did Sejanus venture to claim precedence over the authority of a parent. But now, as though freed from the curb, they broke out unrestrained.” – Tacitus, The Annals, Book V
Updated Julio-Claudian Family Tree:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/6_Octavian_Clan_31AD.pdf

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Episode B10 – Insurgo Feb 28, 2015

Synopsis: The ongoing rebellion of Tacfarinas, and the death of Juba.
“For Tacfarinas, in spite of many repulses, having first recruited his forces in the heart of Africa, had reached such a pitch of insolence as to send an embassy to Tiberius, demanding nothing less than a territorial settlement for himself and his army, and threatening in the alternative a war from which there was no extrication.” – Tacitus, The Annals, Book III

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Episode B9 – Germanicus Feb 14, 2015

Synopsis: Germanicus travels to Syria to assume his Eastern Imperium.
“‘The prime duty of friends is not to follow their dead with passive laments, but to remember his wishes and carry out his commands. Strangers themselves will bewail Germanicus: youwill avenge him – if you loved me, and not my fortune. Show to the Roman people the granddaughter of their deified Augustus, who was also my wife; number her six children: pity will side with the accusers, and, if the murderers allege some infamous warrant, they will find no credence in men – or no forgiveness!’ His friends touched the dying hand, and swore to forgo life sooner than revenge.” – Tacitus, The Annals, Book II
Updated Near Eastern Family Tree:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/5_Near_East_19AD.pdf
Updated Map of the Near East:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Near_East_18AD.jpg

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Episode B8 – Scelus Jan 31, 2015

Synopsis: The death of Octavian, elevation of Tiberius, and early military careers of Germanicus and Ptolemy.
“Even during the years when he lived at Rhodes, in ostensible retirement and actual exile, (Tiberius) had studied nothing save anger, hypocrisy, and secret lasciviousness.” – Tacitus, The Annals, Book I
“Yet the temper of the soldiers remained savage, and a sudden desire came over them to advance against the enemy: it would be expiation of their madness; nor could the ghosts of their companions be appeased till their own impious breasts had been marked with honorable wounds. Falling in with the enthusiasm of his troops, (Germanicus) laid a bridge over the Rhine, and threw across twelve thousand legionaries.” – Tacitus, The Annals, Book I

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Episode B7 – Tropaion Jan 17, 2015

Synopsis: The death of Gaius Caesar, and Juba’s return to Mauretania.
Tropaion (Greek): A battlefield monument, erected at the “turning point” where the enemy’s phalanx broke.

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Episode B6 – Eurus Jan 03, 2015

Synopsis: Juba accompanies Gaius Caesar on his Eastern expedition.
“Tigranes…marched forth with an army of such huge proportions that he actually laughed heartily at the appearance of the Romans present there. He is said to have remarked that, in cases where they came to make war, only a few presented themselves, but when it was an embassy, many came.” – Cassius Dio, Rome, Book 36
“Pompey…announced to his soldiers that Mithridates was dead…Upon this the army filled with joy and, as was natural, gave itself up to sacrifices and entertainments, feeling that in the person of Mithridates ten thousand enemies had died.” – Plutarch, The Life of Pompey
Map of the Near East c. 1 BC:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Near_East_1BC.jpg
Near East Family Trees:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/3_Near_East_A.pdf
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/4_Near_East_B.pdf

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Episode B5 – Eclipsis Dec 20, 2014

Synopsis: The birth of Juba and Selene’s children, Ptolemy and Drusilla, and the death of Cleopatra Selene.
“The moon herself grew dark, rising at sunset,
Covering her suffering in the night,
Because she saw her beautiful namesake, Selene,
Breathless, descending to Hades,
With her she’d had the beauty of her light in common,
And mingled her own darkness with her death.” – Crinagoras of Myteline, Epigram for Cleopatra Selene
Updated Octavian Family Tree:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2_Octavian_Clan_1BC.pdf

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Episode B4 – Limitem Mundi Dec 06, 2014

Synopsis: Juba and Selene begin their rule of Mauretania.
“Cato said…they must make no prayer for him; prayer belonged to the conquered, and the craving of grace to those who had done wrong; but for his part he had not only been unvanquished all his life, but was actually a victor now as far as he chose to be, and a conqueror of Caesar in all that was honorable and just.” – Plutarch, The Life of Cato the Younger
“My husband has died and I have no son. They say about you that you have many sons. You might give me one of your sons to become my husband. I would not wish to take one of my subjects as a husband… I am afraid.” – Queen Ankhesenamun of Egypt, Letter to King Suppiluliuma I of Hatti
Map of Mauretania:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Mauretania.jpg

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Episode B3 – Ephebus Nov 24, 2014

Synopsis: Juba accompanies Octavian during the conquest of Egypt.
“Thus was Egypt enslaved.” – Cassius Dio, Rome, Book LI
Octavian Family Tree:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Octavian_Clan.pdf

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Episode B2 – Rex Socius Amicusque Nov 07, 2014

Synopsis: The early years of Juba II, fostered in the family of Octavian and Octavia.
“(Scipio) increased the honor by observing, that among the Romans there was nothing more magnificent than a Triumph; and that those who triumphed were not arrayed with more splendid ornaments than those with which the Roman people considered Massinissa alone, of all foreigners, worthy.” – Livy, The History of Rome, Book XXX

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Episode B1 – Triumph Oct 24, 2014

Synopsis: The early years of Cleopatra Selene, daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony.
“And herein particularly did he give offense to the Romans, since he bestowed the honorable and solemn rites of his native country upon the Egyptians for Cleopatra’s sake.” – Plutarch, The Life of Marcus Antonius
“Pity fixed the eyes of the Romans upon the infants; and many of them could not forbear tears, and all beheld the sight with a mixture of sorrow and pleasure, until the children were passed.” – Plutarch, The Life of Lucius Aemilius Paulus

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Episode R10 – The Bull and the Aten Sep 06, 2014

“I am a faithful servant of the king, and I have not rebelled and I have not sinned, and I do not withhold my tribute, and I do not refuse the requests of my commissioner. Now they wickedly slander me, but let the king, my lord, not impute rebellion to me!…If the king should write to me, ‘Plunge a bronze dagger into thy heart and die!,’ how could I refuse to carry out the command of the king?” – Labayu (Caananite warlord) writing to Amenhotep III
Discoveries at Tell El Amarna and the Valley of the Kings showed the wealth and influence of the Egyptian New Kingdom, while archives uncovered in central Anatolia shed light on Hittite civilization. Excavations and Knossos confirmed Mycenaean Greek dominance and revealed the majesty of Minoan Crete.

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Episode R9 – The Flood Aug 09, 2014

“Surpassing all kings, powerful and tall
beyond all others, violent, splendid,
a wild bull of a man, unvanquished leader,
hero in the front lines, beloved of his soldiers –
fortress they called him, protector of the people,
raging flood that destroys all defenses…” – the Epic of Gilgamesh
George Smith’s 1872 discovery of the Mesopotamian Flood tablet won him widespread acclaim. Four years later, his ill-timed expedition to Nineveh would end in tragedy.

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Episode R8 – The Thousand Year Gap Jul 26, 2014

“Whilst fully recognizing his enterprise, devotion, and energy in carrying out these excavations, I cannot but express the regret that Dr. Schliemann should have allowed the ‘enthusiasm,’ which, as he himself admits, ‘borders on fanaticism,’ to make it so paramount an object with him to discover the Troy described by Homer, as to induce him either to suppress or to pervert every fact brought to light that could not be reconciled with the Iliad.” – Frank Calvert, 1875
Despite numerous returns to Hisarlik, Heinrich Schliemann was unable to establish the layer holding Homer’s Troy. It was only near the end of his life, with the aid of Wilhelm Dorpfeld, that his quest was finally rewarded. In the meantime, Schliemann’s excavations at Mycenae and Tiryns had shed new light on the wealth and power of Late Bronze Age Greece.

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Episode R7 – The Man Who Sold Troy Jul 12, 2014

“Who will persuade me, when I reclined upon a mighty tomb, that it did not contain a hero? – its very magnitude proved this. Men do not labour over the ignoble and petty dead – and why should not the dead be Homer’s dead?” – George Gordon, Lord Byron, 1810
Three millennia after its fall, British archaeologist Frank Calvert used clues from Homer, and his own deep knowledge of the region, to establish the most likely site of ancient Troy. Unable to finance the excavation, he was compelled to partner with wealthy enthusiast Heinrich Schliemann.

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Episode R6 – The Heroic Age Jun 28, 2014

“I should weary the reader, were I to describe, step by step, the progress of the work, and the discoveries gradually made in various part of the great mound. The labours of one day resembled those of the preceding; but it would be difficult to convey to others an idea of the excitement which was produced by the constant discovery of objects of the highest interest.” – Austen Henry Layard, Nineveh and Its Remains
While Layard resumed his Assyrian excavations, and Rawlinson continued to decipher Akkadian, both efforts began to shed light on the even older civilization of ancient Sumer.

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Episode R5 – Behistun Hat-Trick May 24, 2014

“The Major constantly and indefatigably employed himself, from daylight to dark, revising, restoring and adding to his former materials. This was a work of great irksomeness and labour in the confined space he was compelled to stand in, with his body in close proximity to the heated rock and under a broiling September sun.” – Felix Jones, 1844
After the debacle of the First Anglo-Afghan War, Henry Creswicke Rawlinson made two more excursions to Behistun. His attempts to copy the remaining inscriptions nearly cost him his life.

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Episode R4 – Dwelling of the Lions May 17, 2014

“What can all this mean? Who built this structure? In what century did he live? To what nation did he belong? Are these walls telling me their tales of joy and woe? Is this beautiful cuneiformedcharacter a language? I know not. I can read their glory and their victories in their figures, but their story, their age, their blood, is to me a mystery. Their remains mark the fall of a glorious and a brilliant past, but of a past known not to a living man.” – Paul-Emile Botta
The excavations of Botta and Layard brought the majesty of ancient Assyria into the modern world.

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Episode R3 – The Place of God May 03, 2014

“My antiquarian studies go on quietly and smoothly, and despite the taunt which you may remember once expressing, of the presumption of an ignoramus like myself attempting to decipher inscriptions which had baffled for centuries the most learned men in Europe, I have made very considerable progress…I aspire to do for the cuneiform alphabet what Champollion has done for the hieroglyphics.” – Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, July 1836 (writing to his sister Maria)
In 1836, Henry Creswicke Rawlinson – British soldier, adventurer and Orientalist – first encountered the Behistun Inscription. He would devote the next few decades to deciphering its three cuneiform scripts.

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Episode R2 – Arabia Felix Apr 19, 2014

“His Majesty…has dispatched a few days ago by the vessel Greenland a group of scholars, who will travel by way of the Mediterranean to Constantinople, and thence through Egypt to Arabia Felix, and subsequently return by way of Syria to Europe; they will on all occasions seek to make new discoveries and observations for the benefit of scholarship…” – Copenhagen Post, 12th January, 1761
Carsten Niebuhr survived malaria, earthquakes, civil wars, bandits, plagues and the deaths of all his colleagues to successfully complete the first modern scientific expedition to the Near East.

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Episode R1 – The Broken Stone Apr 04, 2014

“To speak the name of the dead is to make them live again.” – Ancient Egyptian saying
Rediscovered two millennia after its creation, the Rosetta Stone provided two brilliant scholars with the key to unlocking the history of ancient Egypt.

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Episode 36 – And Then What Happened? Oct 19, 2013

A little time-travel, a quick world tour, and plenty of thanks all around!

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Episode 35 – On The Verge Sep 28, 2013

“Rome was not a monarchy, but a free City, and they had made up their minds to open their gates even to an enemy sooner than to a king. It was the universal wish that whatever put an end to liberty in the City should put an end to the City itself.” – Livy, The History of Rome, Book 2
Publius Valerius Poplicola overcame Roman distrust and Etruscan aggression to set the young Republic onto firm foundations. Aristagoras’ failed attempt to capture the island of Naxos led to open warfare between Greece and Persia.

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Episode 34 – Democracy and Republic, Part 2 Sep 15, 2013

“The Athenians, when ruled by tyrants, were no better in war than their neighbors, but freed from tyrants they were far superior. This shows that when they were constrained they let themselves be defeated, since they were working for an overlord, but when they were freed each one was keen to do the deed for himself.” – Herodotus
Delivered from Spartan destruction, the Athenians were forced to defend their new democracy against the Thebans and Chalsidians. Shocked by a horrific crime, the Romans followed the guidance of Brutus, exiled Tarquin the Proud and declared their first Republic.

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Episode 33 – Democracy and Republic, Part 1 Aug 10, 2013

“He added the Athenian people, who had formally not been in the center of things, to his own party, changed the names of the tribes and increased their number. He made ten tribal commanders instead of four and distributed demes into the tribes ten at a time. Once he had got the people on his side he had the upper hand over his rivals.” – Herodotus on Cleisthenes
Darius enlisted Greek tyrants in his Scythian campaign, then extended Persia’s dominion to the foot of Mount Olympus. Spartan intervention put an end to Hippias’ oppressive rule. Inspired by Cleisthenes’ bold ideas, the Athenians rejected both tyranny and foreign domination, and restructured their polis into the world’s first democracy.

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Episode 32 – Things Fixed, Things Moving Jul 19, 2013

“Black is your path, Agni, changeless, with glittering waves! When like a bull you rush eager to the trees.
With teeth of flame, wind-driven, through the wood he speeds, triumphant like a bull among the herd of cows,
With bright strength roaming to the everlasting air: things fixed, things moving quake before him as he flies.”- Rigvedas, Book 1, Hymn LVIII
Darius retraced Cyrus’s footsteps to expand Persian control of Vedic India. Hipparchus met a bloody end at the hands of a jealous rival. Tarquin kept Rome’s military and infrastructure sound while alienating both rich and poor.

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Episode 31 – Land of Imposters Jul 05, 2013

“After I became king, I fought nineteen battles in a single year and, by the grace of Ahura Mazda, I overthrew nine kings and I made them captive…As to these provinces which revolted, lies made them revolt, so that they deceived the people. Then Ahura Mazda delivered them into my hand; and I did unto them according to my will.” – Darius I, Behistun Inscription
Darius spent years reconquering the rebellious territories of the Persian Empire. Peisistratos was successful in passing his Athenian tyranny down to his sons, Hippias and Hipparchus. Cleomenes set his sights on Spartan domination of the Greek mainland.

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Episode 30 – The Lost Army Jun 21, 2013

“So Darius son of Hystaspes was made king, and the whole of Asia, which Cyrus first and Cambyses after him had conquered, was subject to him…and everything was full of his power. First he made and set up a carved stone, upon which was cut the figure of a horseman, with this inscription: ‘Darius son of Hystaspes, aided by the excellence of his horse, and of Oebares his groom, got possession of the kingdom of Persia.'” – Herodotus
Cambyses successfully conquered Egypt, but forays beyond its frontiers met with frustration and disaster. The promise of Lydian gold lured Polycrates to a gruesome death in Sardis. Bardiya briefly wrestled the Persian Empire from his brother, only to lose it to a conspiracy of nobles led by Darius.

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Episode 29 – A More Perfect Empire Jun 08, 2013

“Remember this lesson well: Whenever you can, act as a liberator. Freedom, dignity, and wealth—these three together constitute the great happiness of humanity. If you bequeath all three to your people, their love for you will never die.” – Cyrus the Great (quoted by Xenophon)
Servius Tullius laid the foundation for the Roman Republic, but his dubious claim to the throne led to his violent overthrow by Tarquin the Proud. Cyrus the Great governed his vast empire with wisdom and temperance before meeting his end along Persia’s volatile eastern frontier. Cambyses II’s Egyptian designs were aided by a high-level betrayal in the court of Ahmose II.

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Episode 28 – When the Mede Came May 24, 2013

“In winter, as you lie on a soft couch by the fire,
Full of good food, munching on nuts and drinking sweet wine,
Then you must ask questions such as these:
‘Where do you come from? Tell me, what is your age?
How old were you when the Mede came?’” – Xenophanes of Colophon
The return of Harpagus to Anatolia signaled the end of Ionian Greek freedom. After securing his third tyranny, Peisistratos brought stability and prosperity to Athens. Fresh from a series of Eastern conquests, Cyrus II used propaganda and military might to overthrow Nabonidus and claim his third Near Eastern empire.

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Episode 27 – Count No Man Happy May 11, 2013

“But in every matter it behooves us to mark well the end: for oftentimes God gives men a gleam of happiness, and then plunges them into ruin.” – Solon of Athens
Peisistratos’ first two attempts at tyranny were thwarted by the Athenian eupatridae. The Spartans cultivated a reputation as the most fearsome warriors in Greece. Prophesied to destroy a mighty empire, King Croesus of Lydia led Anatolian forces against the Persians and Medes, but the unconventional strategies of Cyrus brought him to a bitter end.

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Episode 26 – The Last Kings of Babylon Apr 18, 2013

“So it was that the Persians, who had once been the slaves of the Medes, became their masters.“ – Heroditus
Nebuchadnezzar II turned Babylon into the most magnificent city of the ancient world, but the Chaldean line dissipated in his wake. Nabonidus’ fervent devotion to the moon god, Sin, served to spark a war and drive the Babylonian king into self-imposed Arabian exile. The military and political skills of Cyrus, and a high-level Median betrayal, enabled the Persians to win the empire of Astyages.

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Episode 25 – The Voyage of Solon Apr 06, 2013

“Ahmose became a lover of the Hellenes; and besides other proofs of friendship which he gave to several among them, he also granted the city of Naucratis for those of them who came to Egypt to dwell in; and to those who did not desire to stay, but who made voyages thither, he granted portions of land to set up altars and make sacred enclosures for their gods. Their greatest enclosure and that one which has most name and is most frequented is called the Hellenion, and this was established by the following cities in common: –of the Ionians Chios, Teos, Phocaia, Clazomenai, of the Dorians Rhodes, Cnidos, Halicarnassos, Phaselis, and of the Aiolians Mytilene alone.“ – Heroditus
After his overthrow of Apries, the pharaoh Ahmose II increased Egyptian prosperity by centralizing and facilitating Greek trade at Naucratis. King Alyattes used Lydia’s vast mineral wealth to maintain a powerful army and mint the world’s first coins. Thales and the philosophers of the Milesian school introduced rationality and scientific inquiry into their studies of the cosmos.

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Episode 24 – A Wolf Among Hounds Mar 21, 2013

“I freed those here who suffered unseemly enslavement and feared the tempers of their masters. I did this by harnessing force and justice together with power, and I carried through my promises. I wrote statues alike for those of high and of low social status, fitting straight justice for each. If someone other than I had taken the goad, some ill-intentioned and greedy man, he would not have been able to control the people. For had I been willing to do what pleased the opposing party then, or what the others planned for them, this city would have lost many men. That is why I made a stout defense all round, turning like a wolf among many hounds.” – Solon of Athens
The leaders of Rome, Carthage and Greece relied on strength, wisdom and cunning to navigate the turbulent political waters of the early sixth century Mediterranean. The delicate balance struck by Solon allowed Athena to prosper, while also unleashing the popular forces that would define the city’s future.

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Episode 23 – Captives of Babylon Mar 09, 2013

“So they took the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he pronounced judgment on him. Then the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. And he killed all the princes of Judah in Riblah. He also put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in bronze fetters, took him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.” – Jeremiah 52
After eliminating the last Assyrian holdouts, King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon warred against Egypt over control of the Levant. Repeated Judean defiance resulted in the sacking of Jerusalem. Cyaxares of Medea found his Anatolian designs curtailed by the powerful kingdom of Lydia.

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Episode 22 – The Fifth Generation Feb 27, 2013

“But when earth had covered this generation also, Zeus the son of Cronos made yet another, the fourth, upon the fruitful earth, which was nobler and more righteous, a god-like race of hero-men who are called demi-gods, the race before our own, throughout the boundless earth. Grim war and dread battle destroyed a part of them, some in the land of Cadmus at seven- gated Thebe when they fought for the flocks of Oedipus, and some, when it had brought them in ships over the great sea gulf to Troy for rich-haired Helen’s sake: there death’s end enshrouded a part of them. But to the others father Zeus the son of Cronos gave a living and an abode apart from men, and made them dwell at the ends of earth. And they live untouched by sorrow in the islands of the blessed along the shore of deep swirling Ocean, happy heroes for whom the grain-giving earth bears honey-sweet fruit flourishing thrice a year, far from the deathless gods…” – Hesiod, Works and Days
During the eighth and seventh centuries BC, the Archaic Greeks struggled with tyranny, warfare and social division. But their creativity in matters of art, politics, warfare and religious practice foreshadowed the coming brilliance of the Classical Age.

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Episode 21 – For the Sake of Distant Days Feb 06, 2013

“Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? Whence shall I seek comforters for thee?” – Nahum 3:7
Ashurbanipal spent the end of his reign establishing a library of Mesopotamian knowledge and culture. Twenty years after his death, internal discord and powerful enemies combined to seal the fate of the Neo-Assyrian Empire.

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Episode 20 – The House of Succession Jan 21, 2013

In the mid-seventh century BC, Nubia and Assyria struggled for control over Egypt before the kingdom regained independence under the pharaoh Psamtik I. King Gyges of Lydia drove the Cimmerians from western Anatolia and sent Greek mercenaries to reinforce the pharaoh’s armies. Ashurbanipal spent decades warring against the Empire’s enemies, including his older brother in Babylon, but his total destruction of the ancient kingdom of Elam sowed the seeds of Assyria’s downfall.

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Episode 19 – The Destruction of Sennacherib Jan 07, 2013

“The city and its houses, from its foundations to its walls, I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire. The wall and outer wall, temple-tower of brick and earth, temples and gods, and many as there were, I razed and dumped into the Arahtu-Canal. Through the midst of the city I dug canals, flooded its site with water, and the very foundations thereof I destroyed. I made its destruction more complete than by a flood. That, in days to come, the site of the city, its temples and gods, might not be remembered, I completely blotted it out with floods of water, and made it like a meadow.” – Sennacherib of Assyria
In the early seventh century BC, Sennacherib wrestled with Judean defiance, Urartian resurgence and Elamite invasion, but his destruction of the ancient city of Babylon led to his demise. His son, Esarhaddon, warred against the Nubian pharaoh Taharqa to extend Assyrian domination into lower Egypt.

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Episode 18 – The Three Pillars Dec 22, 2012

In the west, Phoenician mastery of the Mediterranean was challenged by widespread Greek colonization. Rome’s first kings established the boundaries and institutions of the early state. In the Near East, Sennacherib was confronted with the return of a Chaldean usurper to the Babylonian throne.

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Episode 17 – The Fall of Israel Dec 03, 2012

“Then the King of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the King of Assyria took Samaria.” – II Kings 18:4
Toward the end of the eighth century BC, the Kushite priest-kings of Napata reunified Egypt under Nubian rule. Sargon II continued to extend Assyrian domination over the Near East, even as Elamite armies bolstered Chaldean resistance in Babylonia. And a desperate gambit by King Hoshea resulted in the destruction of the ancient state of Israel.

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Episode 16 – The Assyrian Nov 20, 2012

“And Pul, the King of Assyria, came against the land.” – II Kings, 15:19
In 745 BC, Tiglath-pileser III reformed the administrative and military structure of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and led the armies of Assur in a virtually-unbroken string of regional conquests.

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Episode 15 – Holding Action Oct 15, 2012

During the first half of the eighth century BC, Egypt, Babylonia and Assyria all struggled against the forces of entropy and decline. In the absence of the Aramean threat, Israel and Judah resumed their perpetual struggle. Urartu expanded its regional influence at the expense of a weakened Assyria.

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Episode 14 – In the Midst of the Seas Oct 01, 2012

“I received the tribute of the kings of the seacoast – namely, the lands of the peoples of Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, Mahallatu, Maizu, Kaizu, Amurru and the city of Arvad, which is in the midst of the seas – silver, gold, tin, bronze, a bronze vessel, multicolored linen garments, a large female monkey, a small female monkey, ebony, boxwood, and ivory of sea creatures. They submitted to me.” – Ashurnasirpal II of Assyria
Under constant pressure from Assyria, Phoenician merchant fleets aggressively expanded their influence into Sardinia, North Africa and the Tartessian coast of southern Spain. In the central Mediterranean, they bore witness to the cultural resurgence of Archaic Greece, and the growing power of the Etruscan kingdoms of Italy.

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Episode 13 – Civil War Sep 16, 2012

“My brother Ashur-danin-apli, in the time of Shalmaneser, his father, acted wickedly, bringing about sedition, rebellion, and wicked plotting, caused the land to rise in revolt, prepared for war, brought the people of Assyria, north and south, to his side, and made bold speeches, brought the cities into the rebellion and set his face to begin strife and battle.” – Shamshi-Adad V of Assyria
Shalmaneser III’s campaigns brought unrivalled wealth and power to Assyria, but internal discord tore the empire apart toward the end of his long reign. Warfare, religious strife, and bloody usurpation continued to roil the volatile states of Syria and Caanan. Meanwhile, the new kingdom of Urartu began to challenge Assyria’s role as sole regional superpower.

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Episode 12 – Legacies of East and West Sep 04, 2012

The Olmec of Mesoamerica and the Chavin of Peru laid strong cultural foundations that would influence regional civilizations down through the first European encounters with the New World. The longest-lasting Chinese Dynasty, the Zhou, bore witness to eras of unity and conquest, the devolution of power to feudal lords, and the chaos of the Warring States Period.

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Episode 11 – The Rise of Assyria Aug 21, 2012

“I slew 14,000 of their warriors with the sword. Like Adad, I rained destruction on them. I scattered their corpses far and wide, and covered the face of the desolate plain with their wide-spreading armies. With my weapons I made their blood to flow down the valleys of the land. The plain was too small for their bodies to fall; the wide countryside was used to bury them. With their corpses I spanned the Orontes as with a bridge.” – Shalmaneser III of Assyria
In the early centuries of the first millennium BC, Egypt, Babylonia and the Neo-Hittite states struggled to regain their footing, while Israel, Judah, Aram and Phoenicia continued jockeying for regional power. In 853 BC, the threat of Neo-Assyrian invasion compelled the disparate kingdoms to join forces at the Battle of Qarqar.

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Episode 10 – Picking Up The Pieces Jul 30, 2012

At the dawn of the first millennium BC, the collapse of the great Near Eastern powers allowed the cultures of Canaan to flourish. While the Phoenicians embarked on a bold new era of maritime expansion, the Hebrews and Arameans carved out new Iron Age kingdoms that would have a lasting impact on the region.

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Episode 9 – The Other 99 Percent Jun 12, 2012

“Regarding what you wrote me before: ‘Enemy ships were observed at sea!’ If it is true that ships were observed, reinforce yourself. Where are your troops and chariots? Are they not with you? If not, who will deliver you from the enemy? Surround your cities with walls and bring your troops and chariots into them. Watch out for the enemy and reinforce yourself well!” – The King of Alashiya, writing to King Hammurabi of Ugarit
The Sea Peoples cut a swath of destruction from Greece to Egypt, while wars, internal conflicts and hostile desert tribes ravaged the civilizations of Mesopotamia. It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel…like an extended break!

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Episode 8 – Look Upon My Works Jun 05, 2012

“…And on the pedestal these words appear:
‘My name is Ozymandius, King of Kings,
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!’
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.” – Shelley, Ozymandius
The Kassites restored and preserved the ancient culture of Babylon while defending its frontiers against the growing Assyrian threat. The conflict between Egypt and Hatti over control of Caanan culminated in the Battle of Kadesh.

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Episode 7 – Between Lions and Men May 29, 2012

“As there are no pacts of faith between lions and men,
nor do wolves and lambs have spirit in kind,…nor for us two
will there be oaths;…
Recollect your every skill. Now the need is very great
to be a spearman and brave warrior.” – Achilles, the Iliad
The Mycenaean Greeks melded their warrior ethos with Minoan artistry to rule over an Aegean empire extending to the shores of ancient Troy. The Aryans, distant relatives of the Mitanni, imported their Vedic culture into Northern India by chariot and sword. Meanwhile, China’s Shang Dynasty, after ousting the corrupt Xia to build a mighty Bronze Age kingdom, saw the Mandate of Heaven pass to the Zhou.

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Episode 6 – The New Kingdoms May 19, 2012

After expelling the Hyksos, the rulers of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty led their New Kingdom in an unprecedented drive for territorial expansion. In Syria and the Levant, they were forced to contend with powerful new states forged by the Hurrians and the Hittites.

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Episode 5 – Blind-sided May 07, 2012

“I was asleep upon my bed, having become weary…like a snake of the necropolis. As I came to, I awoke to fighting, and found that it was an attack of the bodyguard. If I had quickly taken weapons in my hand, I would have made the wretches retreat with a charge! But there is none mighty in the night, none who can fight alone.” – Amenemhet I
In the turbulent period between 2,000 and 1,500 BC, Egyptian rulers were not the only ones caught off guard. After rising to new heights, Minoan Crete, Hammurabi’s Babylon and Middle Kingdom Egypt all fell victim to disaster and foreign invasion.

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Episode 4 – The Pyramid Builders Apr 30, 2012

“From the heights of these pyramids, forty centuries look down on us.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
The power of Egypt’s Old Kingdom rulers was reflected in their awe-inspiring monuments. The Harappan civilization of the Indus River Valley traded across Central Asia, the Near East and beyond. In the Far East, Great Yu controlled the waters and founded the first Chinese dynasty, the Xia.

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Episode 3 – “Wherever I Went, Let Him Go!” Apr 24, 2012

“Now any king who wants to call himself my equal, wherever I went, let him go!” – Sargon the Great
In 2,334 BC, Sargon of Akkad forged the world’s first empire and created a legend that would inspire Near Eastern rulers for millennia. The Third Dynasty of Ur built its smaller but more centralized structure on Akkadian foundations.

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Episode 2 – Circles and Labyrinths Apr 16, 2012

Contemporary with early Sumer and Egypt, the Norte Chico thrived along the Peruvian coast, while the Neolithic Britons built their mysterious stone circles. The first European civilization, the Minoans of ancient Crete, exerted a strong cultural influence over the eastern Mediterranean.

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Episode 1 – “Climb the Stone Staircase” Apr 05, 2012

“Climb the stone staircase, more ancient than the mind can imagine” – The Epic of Gilgamesh
The Sumerians of Mesopotamia, the Elamites of the Persian plateau, and the Egyptians of the Nile River valley were among the first civilizations to emerge in the ancient world.

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