Ancient Middle East History

Unter Kyros dem Großen entwickelt sich Persien zum ersten Großreich der Welt, es beherrschte drei Kontinente und auf seinem Höhepunkt über vierzig Prozent der Weltbevölkerung. Das Achämenidenreich erstreckte sich von Indien nach Griechenland und von der Südgrenze Russlands bis nach Ägypten und der Sahara. Es hinterließ einen unauslöschlichen Eindruck auf die Geschichte Asiens, Europas und Afrikas.

Individuals who decide to learn about the Old Testament of the Bible are immediately faced with the difficult proposition of identifying the various peoples that the Hebrews met and sometimes came into conflict with when they entered the territory that eventually became Israel. The Canaanites and Philistines: The History and Legacy of the Ancient Israelites' Enemies in the Land That Became Israel looks at the various groups and their impact on the region and subsequent cultures.

Immediate, visceral, and full of new analyses that defy decades of conventional wisdom, The First Clash is a superb interpretation of a conflict that indeed made the world safe for Aristotle, Plato, and our own modern democracy. But it was also a battle whose legacy and lessons have often been misunderstood—perhaps, now more than ever, at our own peril.

Egypt's geographical isolation and the unique geography of the Nile Valley are thought to have been responsible for its long existence. Because of military control, astronomical concepts in Egypt became so ingrained and inseparable from everyday concerns that they became an integral part of life. As your gaze rises to the horizons of Egypt, you can see the movement of the stars and planets: the climatic conditions never change. Besides this, Egypt also enjoys a cloudless sky almost all the time and a latitude that allows the most densely populated regions of the heavens to be viewed.

As the Eastern Roman Empire and Sasanian Empire began to expand in the region through a combination of warfare, trade, and diplomacy, a number of Arab tribes caught in the middle coalesced to form their own powerful dynasties and states, one of which was the Lakhmid Dynasty. The Lakhmid Dynasty lasted for more than 300 years, which is an incredible span of time, considering how few states at the time came close to that. The Lakhmid Dynasty was able to survive and thrive for so long by being an effective middleman and power broker in the ever-changing geopolitical landscape.

The first transportation wheel, the first writing, the first law codes, and the first empires—the innovative ancient Iraqis transformed our world! The “Cradle of Civilization” brought us the sixty-second minute, the sixty-minute hour, and the twelve-hour day and night. Their brilliant sages predicted solar and lunar eclipses and developed quadratic equations.

Under Cyrus the Great, ancient Persia exploded into the world’s first mega-empire, spanning three continents and over 40 percent of the global population at its zenith. The Achaemenid Empire stretched from India to Greece and from Russia’s southern border to Egypt and the Sahara. It left an indelible mark on the history of Asia, Europe, and Africa.

It’s amazing to see wonders that are natural and man-made. It’s thrilling to know that these wonders exist in our world. How would you feel if you were given the chance to explore the Great Pyramid of Giza? We created this experiential listen, so that you can experience the Great Pyramid without having to fly to Egypt. Enjoy!

Renowned Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson leads us through space as much as time: From the river's mystical sources (the Blue Nile which rises in Ethiopia, and the White Nile coursing from majestic Lake Victoria); to Thebes, with its Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and Luxor Temple; the fertile Delta; Giza, home of the Great Pyramid, the sole surviving Wonder of the Ancient World; and finally, to the pulsating capital city of Cairo, where the Arab Spring erupted on the bridges over the Nile.

Aleppo is one of the longest-surviving cities of the ancient and Islamic Middle East. Until recently it enjoyed a thriving urban life—in particular an active traditional suq, whose origins can be traced across many centuries. Its tangle of streets still follow the Hellenistic grid and above it looms the great Citadel, which contains recently-uncovered remains of a Bronze/Iron Age temple complex, suggesting an even earlier role as a ‘high place’ in the Canaanite tradition.

From the prehistoric ages to the modern Islamic Republic, Iran has always maintained its prevalent position in history as one of the most vibrant, distinct, and diverse countries in the world. Located in western Asia, sandwiched between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, the mountainous regions of the Zagros Mountains have long been home to a civilization whose marvelous development throughout history is like no other.

Today, Persia is known as the country of Iran, but long ago, Persia was once home to various nomadic tribes. It saw the rise of many empires and dynasties. The Assyrians fell to the Medians, who paved the way for the emergence of the Achaemenid Empire, one of the greatest empires in ancient history.

Have you ever wondered what circumstances led to The Awakening of Ancient Egypt's War Senses? Your child’s curiosity will be fed by the contents of this history audiobook. Breaking down history into related events will help children understand how decisions brought about actions that affected nations. Sometimes, historical listens are heartbreaking, but they bring timeless lessons.

To untangle the modern Middle East conflict and the 2,000 years behind it, this book is divided into 25 concise chapters. Each one is devoted to a major theme in Middle East history, such as the beginning of Islam, the Crusades, Genghis Khan, and the beginning of Israel in 1948. They can be read in a few minutes, giving you a fast overview of the issues and help you to understand Middle East current events.

The Copper Scroll Project tells the story of an Oklahoma arson investigator, Jim Barfield, who sets off on a decade-long quest to uncover Qumran’s secrets - the lost treasures of the Jerusalem temple - and show the world that the Dead Sea Scrolls were merely the tip of the archaeological iceberg. Could its secrets hold the keys to one of the greatest treasures in Israel’s history?

By listening to the contents of this audiobook, your child should be able to identify the location and culture of the ancient Nubian Kingdom. An understanding of its cities, conflicts, and major contributions is also expected, as the information in the book is devoured. Encourage your child to listen and to learn about the past, present, and future. Start listening today!

The Babylonian influence upon its successors and even modern society knows no bounds. One of the leading civilizations of Mesopotamia, the Babylonians provided the fundamentals of mathematics, agriculture, architecture, metallurgy, and other influential and necessary fields required to develop other great civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, and even contemporary nations like China and the US. Without them, no neoteric world could exist.

Dynasties, city empires, gods, and legends - all of these were first developed in the lush region of Mesopotamia thousands of years ago, but how did one strip of land become home to some of the most impactful empires in history? Discover a time when mankind was trying to make sense of the world around them but managed to create mighty empires that still maintain an influence on our lives today. Learn about the lives of the rulers, artisans, and warriors who introduced literacy, farming, and sophisticated warfare to the ancient world.

Ancient Yamhad: The History and Legacy of Syria’s First Great Kingdom chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of the Syrian dynasty and what life was like during Yamhad’s era. You will learn about Yamhad like never before.

Using the writings of Cosmas and a wealth of other historical and archaeological evidence from the period, eminent historian G. W. Bowersock carefully reconstructs this fascinating but overlooked chapter in pre-Islamic Arabian history. The flashpoint of the war, Bowersock tells us, occurred when Yusuf, the Jewish king of Himyar, massacred hundreds of Christians living in Najran. The Christian ruler of Ethiopia, Kaleb, urged on by the Byzantine emperor Justin, led a force of 120,000 men across the Red Sea to defeat Yusuf.