Fall of Civilizations Podcast

In the highlands of the Iranian Plateau, a collection of enormous pillars reach up to the sky...In this episode, we tell the story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Find out how this remarkable ancient power sprung up from the rubble of a ruined world to become the most powerful human society on earth. Hear how they raised their grand palaces and monuments, and brought an unprecedented number of people together within their borders, as well as coming into conflict and cooperation with other ancient peoples. And finally find out what happened to bring the palaces of the Persian kings crashing down in fire and flame.CREDITSVoice actors: Michael HajiantonisLachlan LucasAlexandra BoultonSimon JacksonTom Marshall-LeeChris HarveyJack JacobsNick DentonAmrit SandhuMatt BidulphPaul CasselleTim StephensonAmeen TaherReadings in Old Persian were performed byIn Spanish by Scott FinsAnd readings in Greek were performed by Dimitris ChavresSinging of the Zoroastrian gathas was performed by ArdalanThe Theme music is Home at Last by John BartmannSound design was by Alexey SibikinHistorical advisor was Dr. Mateen.M. Arghandehpour at the University of OxfordFull list of sources available here:

Journey into the heart of the Mongol Empire, where nomadic warriors forged the world's largest land empire. Explore the cultural fusion at Karakorum and the fierce Mongol onslaught that left cities in ruins. Discover European misconceptions about the East and dive into the intriguing power struggles post-Genghis Khan. Experience the debates among diverse religious leaders at the Mongol court and the dramatic rise of the Ming dynasty, highlighting the complex legacies and transformations that followed the Mongol conquests.

Journey through the vast Eurasian steppe and discover the rise of the Mongol Empire, a tale of nomadic unity and conquest. Delve into the harsh realities that shaped Genghis Khan's early life, marked by betrayal and rivalry. Explore the shamanic influences in warfare that swayed battles, and witness the dramatic sieges of Bukhara and Samarkand, where fear was wielded as a weapon. Reflect on the chaotic aftermath of Mongol invasions and the legacy of a leader whose ambition transformed continents.

Journey through the captivating landscape of ancient Egypt, uncovering the secrets of the Nile and the monumental pyramids. Discover ingenious hunting techniques and the cultural significance of sacred animals. Explore the chaotic decline of central authority and the devastating Great Famine that gripped the Old Kingdom. Witness the rise of powerful rulers, the innovative military strategies of Taharqa, and the cultural transformations post-Cleopatra. This exploration underscores the ephemerality of power in the grand tapestry of history.

Buried beneath the city streets of the Tunisian capital of Tunis, an ancient city lies forgotten... In this episode, we look at one of the most dramatic stories to come down to us from the ancient world: the rise and fall of the empire of Carthage. Find out how this city rose out of the Phoenician states of the Eastern Mediterranean, and set out on voyages of discovery and settlement that put them at the centre of the ancient world. And hear how the city of Carthage was destroyed, and its memory nearly wiped from the earth. SOURCES: https://www.patreon.com/posts/sources-for-17-81369494?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Credits: Written and produced by Paul Cooper Sound engineering by Alexey Sibikin Voice actors: Michael Hajiantonis Lachlan Lucas Alexandra Boulton Simon Jackson Tom Marshall-Lee Chris Harvey, Nick Denton Paul Casselle

In the lowlands of Burma lie the remains of thousands of crumbling temples... In this episode, we tell one of the most colourful stories of civilizational survival: the story of the Bagan Empire of Myanmar. Find out how this kingdom rose up in the Irrawaddy river valley of central Myanmar, and built one of the most remarkable series of monuments to have survived from the medieval world. Discover what life was like for the people who lived there, and find out what happened to cause its sudden and complete collapse.

In the deserts of Jordan, a city lies hidden for centuries in a valley of rose-red stone... In this episode, we look at one of the most peculiar stories of civilizational survival to come down to us from the ancient world, the story of the Nabataeans. Find out how these once humble traders rose to become masters of the desert sands, and to defy empires. And discover what happened to finally bring down the empire of Nabataea.

On the rocky banks of South India's Tungabhadra River, an enormous ruined city lies crumbling... In this episode, we look at the Vijayanagara Empire of Southern India, a civilization that has all but faded from memory in many parts of the world. Find out how this remarkable society rose up out of an age of conflict and fragmentation, how it built one of the largest and most impressive medieval cities in the world, and developed an identity that was both South Indian in nature, and global in its outlook. With readings in Sanskrit, and the sounds of traditional Carnatic music, find out what happened to bring the great stone temples of Vijayanagara crashing down in fire and flame. ---------- Credits: Voice actors: Peter Walters Michael Hajiantonis Kim Heron Nick Denton Paul Casselle Sound engineering by Alexey Sibikin Original music performed and composed by Aruna Sairam.

In the lowlands of Northern Iraq, a series of enormous cities lies crumbling in ruins... In this episode, find out about one of the most remarkable ancient civilizations: the society known today as the neo-Assyrian Empire. Discover how the Assyrians built their empire out of the ashes of the Bronze Age, and built an empire of iron that lasted for centuries. Explore the extraordinary flourishing of art and technology that they fostered. And finally, discover what happened to cause their final, devastating collapse.

High up on the craggy peaks of the Urubamba Canyon, a lost city lies wreathed in cloud... In this episode, we explore the mountains of the Andes, and tell the story of the Inca Empire. Find out how these mountain people built the largest empire in the Western Hemipshere, in one of the toughest terrains on earth. With Inca poetry, Quechuan hymns and authentic Andean instruments, discover the unique culture of the Inca. And find out what happened to bring their society crashing down around them. Sound engineering: Thomas Ntinas & Alexey Sibikin Voice actors: Annie Kelly Jamie Tanner Gerald Condlin Lachlan Lucas Peter Walters Jimmy Lai Original music by Pavlos Kapralos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgAonk4-uVhXXjKSF-Nz1A Also heard: “Andean illusion” by Kanti Quena (Carlos Saldana) and "Ollantay" by Leandro Alviña. Kanti Quena (Carlos Saldana): Quena, Quenacho, Tarkas, Bombo, Charango Phaxsi Coca (Jeanettte Rojas): Siku Malta, Siku Zanka, Jach'a Siku, Bombo, Chajchas Ana Maria Ramirez Bautista: Quena Maya McCourt: Cello Pavlos Kapralos: Chajchas, Palo de Lluvia