Watch Living History: Experiencing Great Events of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds

Name: Living History: Experiencing Great Events of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds
Released: May 29, 2015

2015
1 Season

Living History: Experiencing Great Events of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds is a compelling and informative course produced by The Great Courses that offers a unique perspective on some of the world's most significant historical events. The course employs a creative approach to learning that seeks to immerse viewers in the environments, cultures, and social conditions that defined key moments in human history.

The course is presented by Professor Robert Garland, a highly-regarded scholar and professor of ancient Greek and Roman history at Colgate University. Prof. Garland is a dynamic and engaging presenter who skillfully brings history to life with his fascinating lectures and vivid descriptions of the historical events and characters that shaped our world.

The course is divided into 24 highly informative and engaging lectures that span the ancient and medieval worlds. The lectures explore a range of events, from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Black Death, that transformed the course of history and left a lasting impact on human civilization.

The lectures are organized around the idea of experiential learning, and aim to give viewers a sense of what it was like to live through these transformative events. To achieve this, Prof. Garland employs a range of teaching methods that include colorful descriptions of historical figures and their environments, readings of first-hand accounts, and detailed analyses of historical artifacts.

Some of the topics explored in Living History include the Demise of the Roman Republic, the birth and spread of Christianity, and the Viking invasions of Northern Europe. Each lecture is carefully crafted to deliver a captivating and informative view of the time and place in which the events took place. The result is an engaging and highly educational course that is sure to captivate viewers of all ages.

In addition to the lectures themselves, Living History also features a range of supporting materials designed to help learners deepen their understanding of the topics covered in the course. These materials include detailed reading lists, discussion questions, and glossaries of key terms and concepts.

Overall, Living History is an outstanding course that offers a unique and engaging way to learn about some of the most significant events in human history. Whether you are a history buff looking to expand your knowledge or simply curious about the world around you, this course is sure to leave you with a new appreciation for the cultural and historical forces that have shaped our world. So if you have a passion for history and a desire to learn, be sure to check out Living History: Experiencing Great Events of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds from The Great Courses today!

Living History: Experiencing Great Events of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between May 29, 2015 and on The Great Courses

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Seasons

24. Urban II Unleashes the First Crusade

May 29, 2015

Again and again, we see how history turns on a dime. Your journey ends in Avignon in 1095, when Pope Urban II gives a speech that shapes the next thousand years of European history. After calling the people to action, thousands take up arms and begin the long trek to fight the Muslims and retake Jerusalem.

23. Charlemagne Saves Leo III, Rogue Pope

May 29, 2015

Pope Leo III is something of a rascal, possibly a philanderer, and involved in shady business deals. See how his relationship with Charlemagne, king of the Franks, keeps him out of trouble with the Vatican Council and how he alters the course of history when he crowns Charlemagne during a nativity mass, thus giving birth to the notion of "Europe."

22. Vladimir Smashes the Idols of the Rus

May 29, 2015

Observe the marriage of Vladimir, the Grand Duke of Kiev, to Princess Anna, the sister to Byzantine Emperor Basil II, a deal brokered so Vladimir will send mercenary troops to Constantinople. Following the wedding, Vladimir makes it his mission to convert his land to Christianity by fiat and suppress paganism, thus founding the Russian Orthodox Church.

21. Culture Shock! Travels of Ibn Fadlan

May 29, 2015

Follow the Abbasid Caliphate's administrator, Ibn Fadlan, as he travels from cosmopolitan Baghdad to the rustic wilds of central Asia. He brings money and instructions to King Almis of the Volga Bulgars, who has recently converted to Islam. Then he visits the Slavic Rus tribe for a bizarre and fascinating encounter.

20. Charles Martel Defeats the Muslims

May 29, 2015

Take the battlefield in one of the most decisive battles ever fought between Muslims and Europeans. In the century after Muhammad, Islam's spread seemed unstoppable until the disastrous Battle of Toulouse followed by the Battle of Tours, in which Charles Martel, leader of the Franks, defeats the Muslim invaders.

19. Muhammad's Awakening and Escape

May 29, 2015

Witness the founding of Islam by entering the world of Mecca in 622, where a prosperous businessman named Muhammad has a revelation that changes the course of history. Learn about his conversion and his journey to Medina. There he builds a community that will soon spread around the globe.

18. The Concubine Empress: Wu Zetian

May 29, 2015

Wu Zetian's story is one of the most remarkable in all of history. She entered adulthood as a classically educated concubine during China's Tang Dynasty, and then worked her way up the social ladder to marry an emperor. Professor Garland charts her rise and shows how her success hinges on the mystery surrounding a child's death.

17. Nika Riots at the Racetrack: Theodora

May 29, 2015

Head east to Constantinople, seat of the Byzantine Empire and the eastern counterpart to Rome. During a day of chariot races at the hippodrome, riots break out and threaten the Emperor Justinian and his politically savvy wife, Theodora. Learn about this unorthodox marriage and how Theodora's counsel ultimately saves the empire.

16. Visigoth King Alaric Descends on Rome

May 29, 2015

On occasion, individual personalities shape large contours of history. Such is the case with King Alaric, the charismatic leader of the Visigoths, who conquers many Roman outposts before laying siege to the city itself. His victories don't conclude with the end of Rome, but it's clear the city's power is in decline.

15. Roman Colosseum: Blood in the Arena

May 29, 2015

Visit the newly finished Roman amphitheater circa 80 C.E., where the emperor Titus will celebrate the consolidation of his family's dynasty by hosting 100 days of gladiatorial games. Bloodthirsty and vicious, the spectacle is nonetheless captivating. After learning about the Colosseum's engineering, you'll experience what it was like to be there for the games.

14. Jerusalem Tinderbox: Temple in Flames

May 29, 2015

Continue your exploration of Jerusalem, this time around 66 C.E., when the city's political turmoil reaches it peak. An insurgency rises up over taxes, and the ensuing Roman siege sparks a civil war. At the end of the Great Jewish Revolt, the city is in ruins, the Temple has been burned, and the Romans crucify thousands of Jewish prisoners.

13. Jesus under Surveillance and Arrest

May 29, 2015

Travel to the Roman province of Judea, where a humble carpenter has entered Jerusalem during the Passover. The city is seething with political and religious discontent, and Jesus is seen as a troublemaker. Witness his arrest and interrogation by the priests and Pontius Pilate, and consider Pilate's decision to put Jesus to death.

12. Antony and Cleopatra's Death Pact

May 29, 2015

In the wake of Caesar's assassination, power hangs in the balance as Mark Antony squares off against Octavian for sole control of Rome's empire. When the tide of the Battle of Actium turns against Mark Antony, his lover Cleopatra flees--and he decides to follow her, leaving the future of Rome to Octavian. Examine this decision and the tragedy that ensues for both Antony and Cleopatra.

11. The Final Days of Julius Caesar

May 29, 2015

Continue your study of some of history's most enigmatic characters with a look at Julius Caesar, whose infamous murder on the Ides of March ranks as one of the most consequential assassinations. Professor Garland introduces you to Caesar's character before walking you through the conspiracy of that fateful day.

10. Hannibal: Rome Holds Its Breath

May 29, 2015

Hannibal, the great Carthaginian general, is one of the most remarkable military leaders of all time. During the Punic Wars he led his army to an astounding tactical victory against the Romans, and then held the defeated soldiers captive for ransom. Destiny hung in the balance as Rome awaited Hannibal's expected advance against the city.

9. India's Ashoka the Great Repents

May 29, 2015

Meet Ashoka the Great, whose story was all but forgotten until his carved edicts were unearthed in the 19th century. As leader of India, he leads a bloody charge into the neighboring province of Kalinga--but guilt from the battle drives him toward a transformative conversion. For the rest of his reign, he serves as a paragon of Buddhist morality.

8. Pyrrhus: Deadly Dreams of Empire

May 29, 2015

The Greeks had a tremendous run on the world stage, but their dominion arguably comes to an end the moment Pyrrhus sets sail for Italy. Although he is "victorious" in his conquest against the Romans, his withdrawals pave the way for Rome to come to the fore as the next great world power. See what drives Pyrrhus forward, and what holds him back.

7. Alexander the Great: Punjab Revolt

May 29, 2015

Alexander is one of history's most interesting characters--a brilliant, flawed, complex leader. A restless megalomaniac tutored by Aristotle, he drives his army across the ancient world to conquer one land after another until they reach northeast India. There, his army revolts and forces him to retreat. Get inside the head of this fascinating leader.

6. Conspiracy! Murder of Philip II

May 29, 2015

Murder has always intrigued us, especially when the fate of a state hangs in the balance. Explore the mystery of Philip II of Macedonia, who is murdered amid a wedding celebration in 336 B.C.E. Is he killed by a jilted lover? A jealous wife? An ambitious son? This lecture takes you into Macedonian court life and considers the possible motives and social intrigue.

5. Socrates on Trial: For the Defense

May 29, 2015

You might think you know Socrates, but in this lecture you'll encounter a whole new context for understanding one of the Greeks' most famous citizens. In the wake of the Peloponnesian War, tension lingers following the overthrow of an oligarchy in Athens, and the democratic population is in search of a fall guy. See how Socrates fits the bill.

4. Attack on Attica: Pericles's Gamble

May 29, 2015

Delve into the time of Pericles and the Peloponnesian War, where political action has required rural citizens to head into the city. There, the cramped urban conditions and pestilence breeds disaffection among the citizenry. Hear what Pericles had to say to inspire Athenians for the continued glory of the city.

3. Oresteia: Judgment at the Dionysia

May 29, 2015

Take a break from battle and head to the Theater of Dionysis on a warm March day to view one of the most astounding theatrical performances in history. Not only is Aeschylus's Oresteia an innovative dramatic trilogy, the trial of Orestes is a deeply relevant consideration of Athenian democracy at a time of great unease.

2. Marathon: The Persians Have Landed!

May 29, 2015

Professor Garland takes you into the Battle of Marathon to show how the outnumbered Athenians scramble for help before heading to the coast for an impressive fight against the invading Persians. The Athenian debates, their surprise running charge into battle, and the strenuous marches come to life in visceral detail.

1. Ramesses II: Heartbeat of History

What do we mean by "living history"? Take an imaginative leap into the ancient world and discover the moment-by-moment heartbeat of history. Your first stop is the Battle of Kadesh, the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II's all-but-disastrous campaign against the Hittites. See how the king spins a tactical retreat into a glorious victory.

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Where to Watch Living History: Experiencing Great Events of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds

Living History: Experiencing Great Events of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds is available for streaming on the The Great Courses website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Living History: Experiencing Great Events of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds on demand at Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime, Amazon and Hoopla.