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Ancient Greek Civilization
- Narrated by: Jeremy McInerney PhD University of California at Berkeley
- Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
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Ancient Greek Civilization
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Summary
Clearly, the Greeks are a source of much that we esteem in our own culture: democracy, philosophy, tragedy, epic and lyric poetry, history-writing, our aesthetic sensibilities, ideals of athletic competition, and more. But what is it about Hellenic culture that has made generations of influential scholars and writers view it as the essential starting point for understanding the art and reflection that define the West? This series of 24 lectures by an accomplished Greek scholar and teacher traces the complex web of links between the present and its Mediterranean origins, taking you from the Late Bronze Age up to the time of Philip II of Macedon and his son Alexander the Great. It's an intellectual journey that lets you see ancient Greek civilization in the light shed by the newest and best research and criticism, expanding your understanding of history, literature, art, philosophy, religion, and more.
With a special focus on the two crucial centuries from 600-400 B.C.-the era of the Persian and Peloponnesian wars and of classical Athens as described in the histories of Herodotus and Thucydides and the philosophic dialogues of Plato-you'll come to understand how the uniquely "Greek" identity was forged, and how it gave root to so much of what we consider vital about our own present day. Just as important, you'll learn how the differences between our own modern values and beliefs and those of the Hellenic world-including slavery and the exclusion of women from public life-do not imply a lack of relevance to our own times but can instead teach us as just much as our affinities.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Nik Jewell
- 09-05-18
Interesting Asides
Whilst this course is organised chronologically its thrust is not really to provide a comprehensive history of Archaic and Classical Greece; those expecting the same should look elsewhere.
Instead, there numerous reasonably detailed forays into topics of interest to the lecturer from which, whilst I am reasonably well read on Ancient Greece, I learnt genuinely new things.
It is briskly presented with lots of content; no need for the usual 1.25x or 1.5x speed that I listen to The Great Course at.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Jai K.
- 11-04-24
Wonderful
Just what I was looking for! Great insights. Erudite and engaging and intellectually stimulating. A wonderful lecturer. Love more.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- thedaffodilfish
- 30-10-22
Enjoyable overview of Greek history
Prof Mcinernay delivers a great set of lectures covering a massive scale but with ease that make for enjoyable listening.
I'd always been taught that Hipparchus had fallen in love with young Harmodius, not the older Aristogeiton as per lecture 10, and I found his condemnation of Sparta based on the fact they enslaved fellow Greeks to be a bit strange. Otherwise, he always presents his thoughts and conclusions supported by evidence, and is an excellent lecturer.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mimi
- 07-12-18
Colloquial history from a great teacher
Non fiction subjects can be brought to life by an engaging teacher and Dr McInerney has a great style. he gives us the facts, the understanding and a few of his own theories with a healthy slice of context. He tempers the romance of the Greeks with real evidence but doesn't allow them to lose their mystery. This is a good addition to these great value lecture series'.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- DLoovis
- 21-01-23
Fantastic overview of Ancient Greece
A fascinating and enthusiastically presented series of lectures starting from the Bronze Age through to the post-Alexander Hellenistic age, covering history, politics, art, tragedy, comedy, religion and much besides.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr. N. Harrison
- 15-09-22
Fantastic overview of the world of the Ancient Greeks
This is a wonderful series of short lectures from the great courses, expertly and engagingly delivered by Professor McInerney.
Highly recommended
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Radu Andrei Tentea
- 10-10-22
great story. great narrator. but...
there were a lot of technical issues with the sound. crackling, hissing. not that annoying, but noticeable
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymously
- 18-06-22
Excellent and Enjoyable
I’ve been listening to The Great Courses for about 20 years and really enjoyed this one. Informative, entertaining, and simultaneously achieving depth and succinctness. A fascinating insight into some of the most significant parts of Ancient Greek history. I found listening at 1.3 speed optimal for this one.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mark Antony Lisle
- 01-04-23
Amazing insight into Greek history
Was an eye opening exposure of a system that almost a copy of modern society showing us things don’t change
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- katie
- 07-06-18
super listen.
Great listen. couple of sound problems. but ok . Great starting point on Greek history
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1 person found this helpful