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

Just what I was looking for

Would you listen to The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World again? Why?

Yes, It's a great chronological history and would be great to reference again and again.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved that it gives the human aspect of history. It puts a face to history that is not usually done and enable's you to swim through it. You can imagine what it must have really been like to be a housewife in ancient Egypt or a soldier in the roman army.

Which character – as performed by Professor Robert Garland – was your favorite?

He didn't do any character voices. He's definitely a professor. His tone is quite matter of fact but not boring. He does interject some humor and make it relatable. I felt like I was in a very relaxed lecture hall.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It's too lengthy and you wouldn't be able to absorb it all in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I love that audible is offering these courses. I can't wait to try another one when I am finished with this one.

Expected more

The lectures start off well, explaining aspects of life to you and explaining how life would be like for you to have been an ancient Egyptian, a Persian, a Greek, a Roman and a Celt, and explains in detail how you'd live your life and what you're likely to believe if you were poor, rich, male, female, a soldier or an outlaw.

I took a star from Overall and Story because it spends the final 30% of the book covering England and turns the book into a history lesson. It wasn't what I paid for.

Finally, a History of The Average Joe (and Jane)!

Biographies of famous historical figures, while interesting, are a dime (or Audible credit) a dozen. What I really wanted to learn about were the daily routines and slice-of-life narratives about regular people who inhabited the world during ancient times. That is precisely what this book delivers.

It's honest, raw, humorous, and somehow still sensitive in its delivery. There's a huge scope of material being covered here, and it works with the presentation. Each chapter is a sort of snapshot in time, a day in the life of someone with whom I can identify, because Professor Garland makes each accessible and understandable to the layperson. You don't have to be a student of history, art, or science to find this book interesting and understandable.

I purchased this book as one of two audiobooks to take with me on a trip to Europe. I'm so glad I did! I was able to connect some locations I visited and artifacts in a museum to the faces of individuals conjured in my mind by his vivid descriptions and the humanity he brought to his subjects.

I'm pleased with this purchase and consider it one of my favorite Audible books.

Greatly narrated and very interesting

Exceptionally interesting, captivating and very absorbing. The narrations is impeccable, the pace just right, and the approach marvellous. Great course! Thanks, professor!

Fascinating Listening

I am a history buff, and I have always longed for a view of life outside the kings and queens. However, with an ancient history like this, finding that type of information is hard to find, so I was really excited to listen to Professor Garland. He is a good speaker and kept me entertained as well as informed on the lives of everyday people in the ancient world. I strongly recommend this course!

Lovely

I really enjoyed this course. I think it was lovely. Too bad they only could focus on Europe, I would love to hear the history of ancient America with the same Narrator

excellent

Full of info you just don't get anywhere else! I thought I knew a decent bit about these civilizations, but this course gave me a new appreciation and understanding of what it was like to live at that time.

View from the Other Side

Absolutely captivating view or ordinary people throughout the history of mankind. Eye opening insight into their lives revealing as many similarities as differences, with the similarities most fascinating. Our deepest motivations have changed in 13,000+ years.

Exactly what I'd come for.

A great ground-level examination of history. The professor is engaging. Only downside is that it ends.

History for and about the masses

Wide ranging and informative discussion of our ancestors and their daily lives. Stretching from prehistory to the dark ages, the course sheds light on daily life.