The Ancient World

Synopsis: The impacts of the Aridification Event lead to Akkadian collapse. Gudea of Lagash asserts independence and shepherds the south through the aftermath. The brief period of Guti domination is terminated by the Elamite invasion of Kutik-Inshushinak and the Sumerian revolt of Utu-Hegal of Uruk. “They placed fetters on (Tirigan’s) hands and put a cloth over his eyes. Utu-Hegal made him lie at Utu’s feet and on his neck he set his foot. Gutium, the fanged snake of the mountain ranges, he made drink from the cracks in the earth.” – Victory Stele of Utu-Hegal of Uruk\ Episode Image: Statue of Gudea, Ensi of Lagash, on display at the British Museum, 2025. My photo. Map of the Near East c. 2200 BC: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2200BC.jpg Map of the Near East c. 2112 BC: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2112BC.jpg Episode Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720331179161/ References and Further Reading: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A8_References.pdf Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Synopsis: The science behind the 4.2 kiloyear BPE Aridification Event. “The great farming tracts brought forth no grain, The irrigated farming tracts brought forth no fish, The well-watered orchard brought forth neither syrup nor wine. The gathering clouds brought no rain, not even weeds would grow.” – The Curse of Agade Map of the Near East c. 2200 BC: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2200BC.jpg Episode Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720330980851 References and Further Reading: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A7_References.pdf Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Synopsis: The Akkadian Empire reaches its zenith under the rule of Naram-Sin. “Its king, the shepherd, Naram-Sin, Shone forth like sunrise on the holy throne of Agade, Its walls, like a mountain range, reached up to graze the sky. Holy Inanna opened in them spacious gates, Big enough to let the Tigris flow out through them to the sea.” - The Curse of Agade Original Episode Art by Mike Oeming: https://michaelavonoeming.com Bust of Naram-sin by Museum Art Replicas: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MuseumArtReplicas Map of SW Eurasia: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A6_Map.png Map of the Akkadian Empire (by Simeon Netchev, World History Encyclopedia): https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/15457.png?v=1748640186-0 Episode Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720327300092 References and Further Reading: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A6_References.pdf Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Synopsis: Sargon of Akkad forges the world’s first Empire. “After Enlil’s baleful glare Had slain Kish like the Bull of Heaven, Had slaughtered house and land of Uruk in the dust,      like that monster bull, And Enlil had then and there given Sargon, king of Agade, Lordship of Uruk, kingship of Kish, From the lowlands to the upper regions, Then did holy Inanna busy herself to build Agade, the temple city, as her sublime dwelling, In Ulmash let her throne be set.” – The curse of Agade Map of SW Eurasia: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A5_Map.png Map of the Akkadian Empire (by Simeon Netchev, World History Encyclopedia): https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/15457.png?v=1748640186-0 Episode Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720326959608/ References and Further Reading: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A5_References.pdf Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Synopsis: This episode covers the rise and fall of the Egyptian Old Kingdom. “The Second Dynasty consists of nine kings of This. The first was Boethos, for 38 years. In his reign a chasm opened at Bubastis, and many perished. Kaiechos, for 39 years. In his reign the bulls, Apis at Memphis and Mnevis at Heliopolis, and the Mendelsian goat were worshipped as gods. Binothris, for 47 years. In his reign it was decided that women might hold the kingly office. Tlas, for 17 years. Sethenes, for 41 years. Chaires, for 17 years. Nephercheres, for 25 years. In his reign (the story goes), the Nile flowed blended with honey for 11 days.”  – Manetho’s Aegyptiaca, as quoted by Syncellus Map of SW Eurasia: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A4_Map.png Map of Egypt: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A4_Egypt.png Map of the Pyramid Fields: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A4_Pyramids.jpg Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720326636138 References and Further Reading: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A4_References.pdf Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices