This episode explores the story of the Greeks from the Greek Dark Ages to the Golden Age of Greece, with particular focus on Athens, Sparta, Thebes, and Macedon.

Although disunited, the Greeks resisted conquest by an outside giant. Realizing their strength, they turned on each other in cycle after cycle of violence, even as their arts and culture reached new heights of beauty. But the destruction and bloodshed took their toll, and their strength was sapped. Still, their envy and hubris kept peace and unity from taking hold. Only when the peripheral Macedonians brought them to heel could they unite and channel their strength. Then in a historical instant the Hellenic world expanded in an explosion across much of the known world. 

Ever since then, the western world has been captivated by the art, history, culture, and philosophy of the Hellenes.

This is the third prologue episode, intended to set the stage for the main decades narrative, beginning in 1 AD.

*Note that these first few episodes are a little rough around the edges in terms of dictation and sound quality. As the series has progressed, the quality has improved. So if you like the idea, but not the execution, try skipping ahead a few episodes.*

This episode dives into the ancient world, focusing on the Near East, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Bronze Age Collapse, and what Homer got right.

You'll meet the Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Hittites, Minoans, Mycenaeans, Phoenicians, Israelites, Babylonians, and Persians.

This is the second prologue episode, intended to set the stage before the decades narrative begins in 1 AD.

*Note that these first few episodes are a little rough around the edges in terms of dictation and sound quality. As the series has progressed, the quality has improved. So if you like the idea, but not the execution, try skipping ahead a few episodes.*

From the first Homo sapiens to the Sumerians, this episode sprints through 200,000 years of prehistory. 

It covers Neanderthals, Denisovans, drowned land masses, Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, the first farmers, Indo-europeans, the Green Sahara, the unification of Egypt, and the first writing.

These prologue episodes help set the stage for what comes next. The main focus of this series, though, starts with 1 AD. We are covering one decade per episode from 1 AD, to today.

*Note that these first few episodes are a little rough around the edges in terms of dictation and sound quality. As the series has progressed, the quality has improved. So if you like the idea, but not the execution, try skipping ahead a few episodes.*