Watch History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective
- 2011
- 1 Season
History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective is a comprehensive course offered by The Great Courses that provides a detailed examination of humankind's ancient past. The course spans over 36 lectures, with each lecture being around half-hour long. The course is presented by Professor Gregory S. Aldrete, a renowned historian who has specialized in ancient history.
The course provides a deep insight into the world of ancient civilizations, with Professor Aldrete taking the learners on a journey across time and space. Throughout the course, he explores the ancient world's political, social, religious, scientific, and cultural developments. Professor Aldrete weaves together many historical anecdotes, fun facts, and fascinating stories to create a comprehensive picture of ancient civilizations.
The course covers the prehistoric times, starting from the earliest human civilizations in Africa and the Middle East, into the early civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China. The course covers the civilizations that emerged in the Mediterranean region, including the Greeks and the Romans. Additionally, other civilizations such as the Persians, the Mesoamericans, and the Andeans are included in the history of the ancient world.
The course's structure is organized around various themes, such as technology, religion, war, trade, and daily life. Professor Aldrete uses an interdisciplinary approach to provide a detailed understanding of the ancient world, drawing on archaeology, anthropology, linguistics, geography, and art history.
The course covers some of the most famous ancient figures, including Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, the Buddha, Confucius, and many others. Professor Aldrete provides detailed biographies of these figures, highlighting their significant contributions to the ancient world's political, social, or cultural developments.
One aspect that sets this course apart is the way in which it examines the global interconnectedness of ancient civilizations. Professor Aldrete highlights how trade, warfare, and cultural exchange influenced the ancient world, connecting societies across vast distances. The course focuses on how trade and exchanges brought ideas, inventions, and people from one civilization to another, leading to cultural cross-pollination and transformation.
The course uses a variety of visual aids, including photographs, maps, and illustrations, to help learners grasp the magnitude of the ancient world. Professor Aldrete also provides many examples of primary source materials, giving learners access to original writings, artworks, and archaeological finds.
The course offers a fresh perspective on the ancient world, providing a nuanced understanding of the diverse cultures and civilizations that inhabited it. Professor Aldrete provides an engaging and thought-provoking analysis of the ancient world, using a variety of methods to help learners learn about and understand the ancient world's many complexities.
Overall, the History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective provides a deep and thought-provoking exploration of the ancient world. It offers an accessible introduction for anyone interested in learning more about the ancient world and serves as a foundation for further learning in the field of ancient history.
History of the Ancient World: A Global Perspective is a series that ran for 1 seasons (48 episodes) between December 16, 2011 and on The Great Courses