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The Ancient World

The Ancient World

Written by: Scott C.
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 From the first human civilizations to the Hellenistic and Roman eras World
Episodes
  • Episode A9 - Seventy Kings

    Episode A9 - Seventy Kings
    Jan 18 2026
    Synopsis: With the fall of the Old Kingdom, power devolves to the various nomes. The Herakleopolitan House of Khety extends control over most of Egypt before eventually being defeated and deposed by the rival House of Thebes. “I took care of the towns of Hefat and Hormer in every situation of crisis, when the sky was clouded and the earth was parched and everybody died of hunger. The south came with its people and the north with its children; they brought the finest oil in exchange for the barley that was given to them. The whole of Upper Egypt died of hunger and each individual had reached such a state of hunger that he ate his own children. But I refused to see anyone die of hunger and gave to the north the grain of Upper Egypt. I brought life to the provinces of Nekhen and Edfu, Elephantine and Ombos.” – Tomb Inscription of the Nomarch Ankhtifi Episode Image: Painted osiride sandstone seated Ka statue of king Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II, on display at the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. By Prof. Mortel, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=118201367. Map of Egypt in the First Intermediate Period: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A9_Egypt.png Episode Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720331395977 References and Further Reading: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A9_References.pdf Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • Episode A8 - Who Was King

    Episode A8 - Who Was King
    Jan 7 2026
    [NOTE: This new version features improved audio] Synopsis: The impacts of the Aridification Event lead to Akkadian collapse. Gudea of Lagash asserts independence and shepherds the south through the aftermath. The brief period of Guti domination is terminated by the Elamite invasion of Kutik-Inshushinak and the Sumerian revolt of Utu-Hegal of Uruk. “They placed fetters on (Tirigan’s) hands and put a cloth over his eyes. Utu-Hegal made him lie at Utu’s feet and on his neck he set his foot. Gutium, the fanged snake of the mountain ranges, he made drink from the cracks in the earth.” – Victory Stele of Utu-Hegal of Uruk Episode Image: Statue of Gudea, Ensi of Lagash, on display at the British Museum, 2025. My photo. Map of the Near East c. 2200 BC: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2200BC.jpg Map of the Near East c. 2112 BC: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2112BC.jpg Episode Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720331179161/ References and Further Reading: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A8_References.pdf Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Episode A7 - The Abode of Clouds

    Episode A7 - The Abode of Clouds
    Dec 21 2025
    Synopsis: The science behind the 4.2 kiloyear BPE Aridification Event. “The great farming tracts brought forth no grain, The irrigated farming tracts brought forth no fish, The well-watered orchard brought forth neither syrup nor wine. The gathering clouds brought no rain, not even weeds would grow.” – The Curse of Agade Map of the Near East c. 2200 BC: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2200BC.jpg Episode Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720330980851 References and Further Reading: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A7_References.pdf Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins
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