The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World

By: Robert Garland, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Robert Garland

Length: 24 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Look beyond the abstract dates and figures, kings and queens, and battles and wars that make up so many historical accounts. Over the course of 48 richly detailed lectures, Professor Garland covers the breadth and depth of human history from the perspective of the so-called ordinary people, from its earliest beginnings through the Middle Ages.

The past truly comes alive as you take a series of imaginative leaps into the world of history's anonymous citizens, people such as a Greek soldier marching into battle in the front row of a phalanx; an Egyptian woman putting on makeup before attending an evening party with her husband; a Greek citizen relaxing at a drinking party with the likes of Socrates; a Roman slave captured in war and sent to work in the mines; and a Celtic monk scurrying away with the Book of Kells during a Viking invasion.

Put yourself in the sandals of ordinary people and discover what it was like to be among history's 99%. What did these everyday people do for a living? What was their home like? What did they eat? What did they wear? What did they do to relax? What were their beliefs about marriage? Religion? The afterlife?

This extraordinary journey takes you across space and time in an effort to be another person - someone with whom you might not think you have anything at all in common - and come away with an incredible sense of interconnectedness. You'll see the range of possibilities of what it means to be human, making this a journey very much worth taking.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2012 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2012 The Great Courses

Wonderful

I learned so much and enjoyed these lectures immensely. What a treat for any history buff.

informative and engaging

loved it. easy to listen to and very uninformative. if you like history, you'll love this

Well worth it!

One of the best purchases I’ve made on audible. A entertaining and informative look on the ancient world.

An insightful stroll through history

It took me a while to finish even at 1.75x speed (couldn’t do a full 2x because of the English accent) but I enjoyed it thoroughly. So many times are we taught history through the point of view of its victors and their aristocracy, it’s captivating to focus for once on the forgotten.

One of the most amazing experiences

Take this course! Professor Garland is amazing. You will learn so much from this course.

I listened again and again

This course is well paced and organized. The professor takes you through history, providing details around how 'real people' lived their daily lives. I especially appreciated understanding HOW we know this information.. from archaeological digs to ancient texts, it's all there. If you like to imagine how life was in times past, this is for you.

excellent! recaptures life in the ancient world

the professor captures life in the ancient world and a very authentic way.. he tells the story of those lives in a very detailed way and really helps you understand what the ancients were going through at that time, and how their lives are we related to history today. I highly recommend this course I couldn't stop listening, the facts about ancient life are just fascinating.

Excellent course. Worth repeat listens.

Excellent course. Worth repeat listens. I'm looking for other lectures from Garland as a result.

Professor Robert Garland is a Genius!!

Where does The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love The Great Courses audio books but, this one is on a whole different level for me. Professor Garland puts so much into really making the whole experience better than watching a movie, he is a brilliant narrator and quite an endearing,

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the "the being greek part" I listen to it at work while cleaning hotel rooms it made the job a whole lot more pleasant and entertaining.

What about Professor Robert Garland’s performance did you like?

I can't say enough about Professor Robert Garlands performance he really is superb. He really has a way of transforming the material so listeners can experience history alongside the characters, and I appreciate him for it.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Somehow historical information that I must have been over and over in the past along with new information was exciting to listen to, I was just sad when it was coming to the end.

Any additional comments?

Professor Robert Garland makes history fascinating for listeners and I look forward to anything else available that he may narrate in the future.

What a fantastic journey

Robert Garland made this an interesting book. He also made an interesting teacher. He knew how to hold your attention. Thank you Robert Garland.