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Egypt, Greece and Rome
- Civilizations of the Ancient Mediterranean
- Narrated by: Jim Meskimen
- Length: 32 hrs and 2 mins
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Egypt, Greece and Rome
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Summary
Long sources of mystery, imagination, and inspiration, the myths and history of the ancient Mediterranean have given rise to artistic, religious, cultural, and intellectual traditions that span the centuries. In this unique and comprehensive introduction to the region's three major civilizations, Egypt, Greece, and Rome draws a fascinating picture of the deep links between the cultures across the Mediterranean and explores the ways in which these civilizations continue to be influential to this day.
Beginning with the emergence of the earliest Egyptian civilization around 3500 BC, Charles Freeman follows the history of the Mediterranean over a span of four millennia to AD 600, beyond the fall of the Roman empire in the west to the emergence of the Byzantine empire in the east. In addition to the three great civilizations, the peoples of the Ancient Near East and other lesser-known cultures such as the Etruscans, Celts, Persians, and Phoenicians are explored. The author examines the art, architecture, philosophy, literature, and religious practices of each culture, set against its social, political, and economic background. More than an overview of the primary political or military events, Egypt, Greece, and Rome pays particular attention to the actual lives of both the everyday person and the aristocracy: here is history brought to life. Especially striking are the readable and stimulating profiles of key individuals throughout the ancient world, covering persons from Homer to Horace, the Pharaoh Akhenaten to the emperor Augustus, Alexander the Great to Julius Caesar, Jesus to Justinian, and Aristotle to Augustine.
Generously illustrated in both color and black-and-white, and drawing on the most up-to-date scholarship, Egypt, Greece and Rome is a superb introduction for anyone seeking a better understanding of the civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean and their legacy to the West.
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What listeners say about Egypt, Greece and Rome
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Ryan Wheeler
- 10-02-24
Detailed and well written
The amount of detail was amazing, saves soo much time digging into the records yourself. I'd say this is only really suited to those with a deep interest in the ancient worlds as it is very long and there's a lot of information.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- M N R
- 03-01-19
Great content poor choice of narrator
A British author gets an American reader who sounds like a 12 year old. I have no problem with US accents but this is an odd choice. Still very good narrative covering huge span of history in a lively and clear telling
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22 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- mr j p vinden
- 25-04-19
A fascinating and balanced account
Well paced and researched, the author gives great insight and analysis of the spread of great events and the spread of cultural ideas across the ancient Mediterranean world. I was a student of modern history and was previously never that interested in the “classics” but I’m regretting that now. I was most struck by the theme of constant cultural cross-pollination between different peoples down the millennia as I really had no clue the extent to which this was the case.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Steven Hall
- 12-03-22
Interesting Beyond Expectation
This is a superb listen. I've learned so much about the history of the Mediterranean and beyond. For anyone who has an interest in Egyptian, Greek or Roman civilisations this is for you. Even if you don't, it's so informative, you'd probably enjoy it.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Andrew
- 01-12-21
Decently written and presentation, but covers well known path .
A broad scope book covering ancient/classic era history in the three civilisations. It doesn’t particularly present anything too in depth, nor anything new, but it is approachable for those new to the subjects.
The narration is clear and decently read, without becoming dry or robotic; while theres a moderate number of incorrect pronunciations they don’t overwhelm the listener.
It is difficult to judge the intended audience ; its too light for serious students but rather large for someone with just a passing interest. May suit someone who already has an interest in history in general, but is less familiar with classic era history.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Elias Black
- 25-11-22
Compelling overview of classical civilization
Compelling, thoughtful, and highly informative overview of classical civilization in the Mediterranean world and the Middle East.
Wonderfully narrated by Jim Meskimen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- C. J. Taylor
- 18-12-21
Outstanding History
I tend to listen to fiction and non fiction alternately and having long been interested in pre Greek and Roman civilisation, decided to try this book.
It’s long but very well written and narrated and I found it fascinating.
The fact that it also included a full history of the Roman and Holy Roman Empire was a bonus.
Can’t recommend it highly enough.
If you like history, you’ll certainly enjoy this.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dennis Sommers
- 21-09-22
The perfect introduction.
This is a really useful and ell organised introduction to ancient history in the west.
The three individual countries are given good broad brush and accurate accounts and the intermediary material deals with the international contexts: it is all clearly laid out in easily understandable language and even the philosophy and drama are lucidly handled.
One or two questionable facts around New Testament history don’t interfere unduly with the book’s over-all credibility: Acts couldn’t possibly have been written in the 60’s c e; Luke’s Gospel follows Mark which was written after the destruction of Jerusalem in a70, and Acts follows on.
To have taken the story into early Middle Ages is helpful and wise.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Mgsblade
- 03-01-23
superb but ends abruptly.
really enjoyed learning and relearning the vast history of it's a Mediterranean. but for some reason the book ends at the advance of Islam and not the fall of Byzantium.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- PJ
- 19-02-24
like drinking from a fire hose of information
Not what I expected. Felt a bit dry but I continued and was rewarded by so much information. Truly worth listening to. Wish it had continued through the timeline tbh.
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