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

enjoyed the stories. but not the narration

I really enjoyed the vivid description especially towards the end. buy the narration or performance was hard to listen to because he often pause, speak, pause, speak that the flow is often lost and seems like as of every statement is a punctuation. and yet he doesn't seem so during the roman times and medieval England where I can hear his passion for the era. the content is great but the performance is so-so. Still, a must buy because it has a wealth of contents.

Brilliant and we'll executed series

fantastic performance. passionate and captivating. enjoyed every part of it. I wish every educator shared his passion

An Amazing Walk Through History

I've just experienced an amazing walk through history, and learned what impact our ancestors make on our daily lives. you don't have to be a history but to thoroughly enjoy the material or the presentation. Highly recommended.

Comprehensive

A great companion lecture series to other topics that cover this area of ancient and early history.

Love every aspect of these lectures

If you love history and are interested in easy going narration packed with facts this is for you.

speech impediment

they found a little guy with a lisp to reas read this? why. dont buy this

The best!

Beautifully done and so well presented I wanted it to go on and on. Thank you Robert Garland, I will be back for more.

great listen

This book was so informative and the author delivered it perfectly in my opinion is very well worth the read or listen

Absolutely loved this.

Every lecture brought me insights I’d never have found on my own. Robert Garland makes a great guide. A witty and entertaining speaker, he is also a sharp and concise writer. And his expert facts aside, he makes a strong case for compassion and respect for our ancestors, who faced a far tougher world than we do. I’d actually enjoy hearing these lectures again.

The energy of the presentation

He took a subject that could be arcane and remote and made it alive. His passion for history and interest in the common man was fantastic to hear. Thank you for that.