Great Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt

By: Bob Brier, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Bob Brier

What is it about ancient Egypt that still captures our imaginations? How did it grow from a few villages along the Nile into the greatest power the world had ever seen? Explore these questions and more in these 12 entertaining lectures that tell the stories of the great pharaohs and the daily realities of Egyptian life.

By recounting the lives and accomplishments of the men and women who made Egypt such a captivating civilization, Professor Brier presents a history of ancient Egypt that spans more than 30 centuries and introduces you to the personalities who made Egypt the greatest nation of the ancient world. Among other things, you'll study: The "Narmer Palette," the first historical document, whose images of Narmer's traditions would endure for 3,000 years; Sneferu, who taught Egypt how to perfect the pyramid, a structure whose origins lay in the need to protect desert graves from exposure by the wind; the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb, which is the most scrutinized episode in the history of Egyptology; and Cleopatra, the enigmatic Grecian ruler who learned Egypt's language and tried to resurrect both the nation's religion and greatness.

Cleopatra's valiant efforts to save Egypt, with the aid of Julius Caesar and, afterward, with Marc Antony, were doomed. Egypt, no longer a nation, would become a Roman province. But the civilization's fascinating story would live on for thousands of years.

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

©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great Courses

A Great Presenter

Professor Brier presents the information in a way that is informative, explanatory, and interesting; a great combination. His students must love going to his class!

Too short!

I wish this lecture would keep going, it was incredibly captivating and informative. Bob Brier is passionate about what he’s teaching and that just makes it a fantastic listen.

Egypt

I increase my understanding of the history of Egypt andi its. contribution to further countries.

A marvelous, marvelous course!

Instead of teaching dates ("which everybody forgets anyway") prof. Briar shows lives of rulers who made Egypt great.

Although it's impossible to tell 3000+ years of Egypt in 12 lectures he fills the gaps between the kings so you get an overall picture of the whole history, not just disjointed figures.

His knowledge is obviously vast but so is his skill as a storyteller. He makes dry history an emotional journey into lives of kings, what kind of people they were, not just what they'd done and it left me with a feeling of intimacy with Ancient Egypt, much more than I expected when I started the course.

It's a great primer into Ancient Egypt and now I think I'm ready for the full 48-lectures course by the same professor.

Listen to it. You won't regret.

Bob Brier all day every day...

If you could sum up Great Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt in three words, what would they be?

Bob Brier's got an affable manner and he really knows his stuff, he's a great tale teller, lecturer this is basic introductory material, and should be pretty much de rigueur for anyone who's interested in the Pharaonic timeline. This is a great place to start.

Great narration, one small complaint, the awful trumpeting fanfare they play at the beginning of every 35 minute lecture. Too loud and too raucous, overwrought. I'm laying in bed, not attending a Jousting match.

Otherwise this series is fine.