Origins of Great Ancient Civilizations

by Kenneth W. Harl

12 lectures, 30 minutes/lecture, 6 Audio CDs in vinyl case.

Course Lecture Titles
Disc 1. lecture 1. Cradles of civilization ; lecture 2. First cities of Sumer --
disc 2. lecture 3. Mesopotamian kings and scribes ; lecture 4. Hammurabi's Babylon --
disc 3. lecture 5. Egypt in the pyramid age ; lecture 6. The Middle Kingdom --
disc 4. lecture 7. Imperial Egypt ; lecture 8. New peoples of the Bronze Age --
disc 5. lecture 9. The collapse of the Bronze Age ; lecture 10. From Hebrews to Jews --
disc 6. lecture 11. Imperial Assyria ; lecture 12. The Persian Empire.

Genres: History, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Ancient History, Historical, Middle East, Ancient

Audio CD

First published July 8, 2013

About the author

Dr. Kenneth W. Harl is Professor of Classical and Byzantine History at Tulane University in New Orleans, where he teaches courses in Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader history. He earned his B.A. from Trinity College and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Yale University.

Recognized as an outstanding lecturer, Professor Harl has received numerous teaching awards at Tulane, including the coveted Sheldon H. Hackney Award two times. He has earned Tulane's annual Student Body Award for Excellence in Teaching nine times and is the recipient of Baylor University's nationwide Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teachers.

In 2007, he was the Lewis P. Jones Visiting Professor in History at Wofford College. An expert on classical Anatolia, he has taken students with him into the field on excursions and to assist in excavations of Hellenistic and Roman sites in Turkey.

Professor Harl has also published a wide variety of articles and books, including his current work on coins unearthed in an excavation of Gordion, Turkey, and a new book on Rome and her Iranian foes. A fellow and trustee of the American Numismatic Society, Professor Harl is well known for his studies of ancient coinage. He is the author of Civic Coins and Civic Politics in the Roman East, A.D. 180–275 and Coinage in the Roman Economy, 300 B.C. to A.D. 700.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concise trip into the past.



This isn't an in-depth look at any particular culture, but it is a good overview of the ancient civilizations that we have been able to study. As I'm sure someone will point out, there are probably ancient civilizations that could have been bigger/stronger/faster/cooler, but we just don't know about them yet, and/or they haven't been as unearthed and studied as the ones Harl mentions here.



This isn't my first lecture with Harl, and it's also not my favorite. That one is still Fall of the Pagans and the Origins of Medieval Christianity. And I feel it's fair to mention that, for whatever reason, my mind wandered off a lot during this lecture. I don't know why, but I just couldn't really engage with this material, which is weird because I was really looking forward to listening to it.
Point is, I'm not sure if this was a me thing, or if this lecture was boring.



Anyway. This does what it sets out to do and gives the listener a broad look at some of the major ancient civilizations' religions, politics, and way of life, showing how they influenced each other and the civilizations that came after them.

Recommended

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting topic and Harl covers a lot of interesting material, but his lecturing style could have been more engaging. Despite my interest in the subject I repeatedly found my attention wandering.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.bookwormblues.net/2020/05/...

I don’t know a whole lot about ancient civilizations. In fact, I’d say I mostly just know the highlights and like, pyramids and stuff. It isn’t that this isn’t an interesting topic, but I’ve never really found it that accessible and so I’ve always avoided it. I think I tend to gravitate toward more modern era things because they are easier for me to understand and I can see the direct impacts playing out on the world stage even now.

So, yeah. Ancient civilizations have never been my bag. However, I recently jumped on a Great Courses Plus sale, and I saw this lecture series and thought, “why not.”

I’ve heard a lot about Kenneth W. Harl, and his courses seem to have good ratings, so I figured this might be a good place for me to start. Now, this really is just an overview. There are twelve lectures, and a whole lot is covered in those twelve lectures. It worked for me, because it broke down important civilizations and developments and got my feet wet so I knew what I wanted to read as further research later. It also put me on a complete and absolute ancient history bing-fest with my books, so that’s a mark in its favour.

I don’t typically enjoy overviews, but for something like this, I actually really appreciated it. Adding the video to these lectures was a really great thing to do, as it helped me to see the maps of trade routes in Sumer, for example, and movements in Egypt and the rise and fall of other dynasties and peoples who didn’t really make sense to me unless I saw their rough locations on a map. It also helped to see some of the artwork and examples of writing and what have you as he was talking. Learning about cuneiform is one thing, but seeing cuneiform while you learn about it is quite another.

This lecture series is available on Audible, but unless you’re terribly familiar with terms and locations and etc, then you will probably want to google maps and etc as you listen. I also think the Audible lectures come with PDFs, so that might be a good option as well.

Your mileage may vary as you listen to this lecture series. People who are more familiar with this topic and time period will likely find a lot of information they already know, and not much that is new. Also, he doesn’t really have enough time to deep dive into any of the civilizations and dynasties he covers, so if you aren’t one who enjoys summaries of important facts and events, then this might frustrate you more than enlighten you.

That being said, this was basically exactly what I needed: an overview of important events, and a ton of new information delivered in a succinct way, by a professor who is intensely familiar with the topic in which he is teaching. Were their parts I wished he’d spent more time on? Yes. However, he gave me the foundation I needed to know what books I wanted to read to learn even more, and he taught me a whole lot that I didn’t know, or had forgotten since my art history days in college.

I think my favorite parts of this were the parts touching on ancient Sumerians and their early cities, specifically the hows and whys of how writing came to be, and the first social stratification and the rise of kinds and the like. Talk about something I literally knew less than nothing about, the lectures on that area and that period of time blew me away and now I’ve got a whole bunch of books loaded up on my kindle that cover ancient Mesopotamian civilizations. I found the parts on Egypt to be where my mind wandered the most, and I really currently want to know a lot more about the Bronze Age and the Persian Empire.

So while I do think that your mileage may vary depending on how interested you are in this topic and how much you already know, for me, this was exactly what I was looking for. I appreciated the professor’s knowledgeable delivery of information, and his ability to present succinct overviews without making me feel like I was just getting the highlights. Perhaps the highest mark of favor I could give this lecture series, is the fact that it’s made me want to learn more.

The only real thing that keeps me from giving this a full five stars is the fact that this series is kind of dated, and I almost wish he’d made an updated series of lectures. I do wonder what new information has been found, if any.

If you’re a fan of ancient history, and the Great Courses, you should really check this one out.

[Elentarri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

These 12 lectures provide a breezy overview of the great ancient civilizations that Prof. Harl claims act as the cultural basis for modern civilizations in Europe and Asia. Harl begins in the Bronze Age and the emergence of urban-based literate civilizations, and continues through the demise of Persia's great empire at the hands of the Greeks. He covers Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley, the Hitties, Assyrians, ancient Persians, the Hebrews/Jews; ancient Greeks; and ancient Egyptians. Harl also covers advances and development in technology (writing, weaponry), politics (empire building), and civilization (laws, administration, trade). An interesting overview of the subject matter.

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well done introductory course of several civilizations.

[Evan Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent concise history of the ancient civilization of the near east and the regions near that. I will keep returning to this when I need a refresher on Ancient History to help my AP World History students.

Kenneth Harl is really just excellent. This is now the third lecture series by him that I have listened to/read, and his style is very conducive to learning a a lot and being interested all at the same time. He has a unique background to do this because he has been a teacher for very long, is continuously researching primary sources, and he is an archaeologist. He has the tools you need to teach ancient through medieval history, which is truly impressive. If I were to go on history-jeopardy sort of show, he would be my lifeline.

I highly recommend these to anyone.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introductory course on the foundational ancient civilizations.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a group of "window lectures" . It lets you peak into a wide range of topics so that you can research more on one or more of the wide ranging empires in this lecture series. For me, it left me realizing that I know little about the Persian and Assyrian empires so I will start correcting this.

As always Harl is a very good lecturer he states his biases and explains them and also at least mentions other POVs and always in an engaging manner. I almost always enjoy his lectures and this one is no exception.

[Jessica McKendry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing set of lectures from Great Courses! One of the coolest things I learned was that the discovery of pottery in civilizations often immediately preceded smelting, and creating metals like bronze and gold. This is because the ovens used to bake pottery are able to get to decently high temperatures, and once you have that, extracting metals from ore using immense heat is never far behind.

Of course there were so many other cool things in these lectures, which discussed the rise and fall of Egypt, the Assyrians, the Sumerians, and more. So cool!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done ramble - I learned a lot about several early civilizations and some themes I had never thought about such as the waves of written language. I would listen to more by this prof. Free on Audible.

[Abdulla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fairly short 12-lecture course on civilizations of the Near-East up until about 500 BC. It covers the Sumerian, Akkadian, Egyptian, Babylonian, Hittite, Israelite, Assyrian, Neo-Babylonians, and concludes with the Achaemenid Persian empire.

The course is definitely introductory, and is simply an overview of each of these civilizations. I would've liked to have seen this be a longer, more detailed course, and I wish it had included some discussion of China. However the professor mentions a few times that the goal is to provide an overview which will allow people to dig deeper at their leisure.

I think the best thing I got out of the course was a better sense of the chronology of Near-Eastern civilizations; I was able to make the above list from memory, entirely thanks to this course. I hope to research more into each of these civilizations. Of particular interest are the Egyptians, Hittites, Assyrians, and Neo-Babylonians.

[Alejandro Heracles al-Mu'minin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid history of some of the wide human migration, geographical, and political changes of the ancient time. Events are viewed based on mostly archaeological findings while there is still some narrative relied on by ancient text- for the most part mythology and mysticism is not explored.

The video lecture is very well presented and should be consumed this way. The realtime graphs are helpful to show the changes in the region and of historical relics are displayed.

Coursebook is 100pages.

[Spencer Reads Everything · Rating 5 out of 5]

This course is a fantastic example of what The Great Courses does best: a tightly constructed, deeply engaging, and argumentatively rich survey of a complex subject. The Origins of Great Ancient Civilizations by Kenneth W. Harl isn’t just a surface-level overview of Mesopotamia and Egypt. It’s a confident, well-articulated case for rethinking how we conceptualize "Western Civilization."

Most of us grew up with the idea that Western Civilization begins with Greece and Rome, and that everything before that is either prelude or something foreign. Harl pushes back hard on that model. His first major point is this: the civilizations of the Ancient Near East like Sumer, Akkad, Babylonia, Assyria, the Hittites, Egypt aren’t just influences. They are the foundation. Not precursors, but origins. The basic elements of Western political, legal, religious, and literary thought began in the Bronze Age cities of Mesopotamia and on the banks of the Nile. When we talk about the rise of the West, we are really talking about the continuation of these early patterns, not a break from them.

The second big argument that makes this course stand out is Harl’s insistence that the Persian Empire was not some exotic “other,” but a pinnacle of the Ancient Near Eastern world and a major contributor to Western Civilization. Too often, we see Persia presented only as the great rival to Greece, the villain in the story of democracy. But Harl reframes the Achaemenid Empire as a civilizational powerhouse administratively advanced, religiously tolerant, and deeply influential. Greece didn’t invent civilization in a vacuum. It inherited and responded to an existing imperial model, and Persia was central to that story.

Beyond the arguments, I’ll say I really loved this course. I usually do. Harl is one of the best lecturers in the catalog. He has a clear voice, a sharp sense of historical synthesis, and a talent for making big claims without oversimplifying. This course is also a great reminder of how effective a short series can be. At only 12 lectures, it covers a vast amount of ground without ever feeling rushed or shallow. While I love a 48-lecture deep dive as much as the next academic nerd, I also appreciate a shorter series that gives me a usable framework and fires me up to keep learning.

This course is perfect for anyone looking to rethink and expand the standard narrative of Western history. It offers a more expansive and honest version of where our cultural and political foundations came from. Whether you're a teacher, a student, or a lifelong learner, there's something here for you. And if you think you already know this material, Harl’s framing might just surprise you.

Highly recommended.

For more details check out my video:
https://youtu.be/kVKUF3zrqtQ
For more reviews check out my channel:
http://www.youtube.com/@SpencerReadsE...

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The whole life of men, Athenians, whether they dwell in a large state or a small one, is governed by nature (physis] and by the laws [nomoi]. Of these, nature is something irregular and incalculable, and peculiar to each individual; but the laws are something universal, definite, and the same for all. Now nature, if it be evil, often chooses wrong, and that is why you will find men of an evil nature committing errors. But the laws desire what is just and honourable and salutary; they seek for it, and when they find it, they set it forth as a general commandment, equal and identical for all. The law is that which all men ought to obey for many reasons, but above all because every law is an invention and gift of the gods, a tenet of wise men, a corrective of errors voluntary and involuntary, and a general covenant of the whole State, in accordance with which all men in that State ought to regulate their lives. If once they [the laws] were done away with and every man were given license to do as he liked, not only does the constitution vanish, but our life would not differ from that of the beasts of the field. (Demosthenes, Orations 25.15-16. 20) 574"

[Rana (This City That Book) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not Finish almost at 70%!

I was really excited for this one but it was extremely disappointing. The speaker lacks the thought chronology, was very monotonous fumbling through the sentences and presented inaccurate historical facts.

I am really surprised how this could be an accomplished professor. If you can’t get the name of a region / country historically right to serve your own political agenda, I’m sorry but you’re not a historian nor a credible source I would like to get information from.

Not recommended unless you plan on wasting 6 hours of your life and come out with no memorable information retained.

[Rick Zinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first The Great Courses that I have finished. I think this has me hooked on TGC. This really returned me to the classroom only I don’t have to sweat out a test at the end. I found the booklet to be essential in names and timelines and such.

This is a great survey course of the near East through about 500 BC. I definitely will seek out courses/books/videos that go into greater detail about the early civilizations covered in the courses.

This is easy to understand history, good job at linking old civilizations to today and highly entertaining.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love nearly all of the Great Courses audio series. Although this one had some great info like all the others, it was one of the least satisfying overall. I think the lack of a good overview in the first lecture (unlike what is typical) made the arch seem a little more haphazard than normal, that and the fact that it's among the shorter series. Thankfully though, there are plenty of more longer lectures on this topic for continuing and maybe even revisiting.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great, but not perfect. He speaks quickly, and the content is dense; it can be difficult to keep up and process. He is so knowledgeable that it must be impossible for him to add so many little asides and by-the-ways, and when he does so I want to raise my hand and ask, "Wait, what did you just say? That sounded important, I want to make sure I understand." Fortunately I can pause, rewind, and listen again.

[John Geddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting and there was a lot I didn't know. The focus is on Egypt, Greece and a bunch of the early Middle Eastern cultures (Sumer, Mesopatamia, Assyria, etc), and any of them could have been their own course. I'd have loved to hear a contrast to India, Western Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the American peoples, but it was sort of outside the 'civilizations building on each other' thesis.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a high level review of the development of ancient civilizations from about 2000 BC to 500 BC. Unfortunately, it was presented at too high a level for me. Too many unknown rulers, location and events. The lecturer covered far too much information in the 12 - 30 minute lectures for the casual person. The course needs perhaps 2 to 3 times longer or Iimited in scope.

[G. Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid listen for an intriguing guide into the pre Greco Roman world and the near east, where one exolores the histories and culture that helped spawn that region. It's a wonderful listen and nice skim over that topic, with my only critique being how much I wish we could have lingered in some of these places and times for longer, and really gotten more of a feel for what their worlds were like.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I get whar people are saying but i think it's the format thats tge issue. Professor Harl is the best and shines in his detail, so a 6 hour course that is very broad is not ideal for him to shine. But i still love it and will continue listening to all of his classes bc he is the BEST 💪💪💪

[Jim Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of ancient civilizations of the Fertile Crescent and Egypt, with some wider discussions.

The comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of the evolving states was quite interesting.

[Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first ancient survey course I ever had, and I liked it.

[Magen - Inquiring Professional Dog Trainer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine. Not much new to add

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great overview, and packed with information. Dr. Harl is very knowledgeable, but at times I still found my mind wandering off, which probably says more about me than this lecture series.

[Brian Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid and enjoyable intro to some interesting history! Looking forward to more of the “Great Courses.” Well-deserving 3.25/5

[Erin Corry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting exploratory information. After learning so much about ancient Egypt in a different great course, I enjoyed learning about Babylon and Persia as bookmarks.

[Bruce Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise informative overview.

[Jeff J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content-rich, but impossible to summarize at all comprehensively.