Fall of Civilizations Podcast

On the outskirts of modern Istanbul, a line of ancient walls lies crumbling into the earth... In this episode, we look at one of history’s most incredible stories of survival - the thousand-year epic of the Byzantine Empire. Find out how this civilization suffered the loss of its Western half, and continued the unbroken legacy of Rome right through the middle ages. Hear about how it formed a bridge between two continents, and two ages, and learn how the impregnable walls of Constantinople were finally brought crashing to the ground. This episode we're joined by members of the St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral Choir in London, and a number of musicians playing traditional Byzantine instruments. Support Fall of Civilizations on Patreon: http://patreon.com/fallofcivilizations_podcast Credits: Sound engineering by Thomas Ntinas Voice Actors: Nicolas Rixon Joey L Annie Kelly Cleo Madeleine Original Compositions and music supervision: Pavlos Kapralos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgAonk4-uVhXXjKSF-Nz1A Chanters of The St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral: Michael Georgiou Alexandros Gikas Matthew Tomko Stephanos Thomaides Pavlos Kapralos Traditional Musicians: Monooka (Monica Lucia Madas), vocals Alexandros Koustas, Lyra (other names: Byzantine Lyra/ Lyra of Istanbul/ Kemence) Konstantinos Glynos, Kanonaki (other names: qanun; in Byzantine Greek: psaleterion) Theofilos Lais, Cretan Lyra Dario Papavassiliou, Santouri (other name: Greek Santur) Pavlos Kapralos, Oud Other music by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: incompetech.com/ Title theme: Home At Last by John Bartmann. https://johnbartmann.com/

A city in ruins. A dynasty in tatters. An empire in ashes... This episode, we look at the remarkable story of the first empire of ancient China, the Han dynasty. With ancient Chinese poetry, songs and folk music, we look back at the first empire's rise, its remarkable technological advances, and its first, tentative attempts to make contact with the empires of the west. Finally, we look at all the reasons behind the first age of Imperial China's final, dramatic fall. Credits: Sound engineering by Thomas Ntinas Voice Actors: Claire Hynes Jake Barrett-Mills Shem Jacobs Alex Peattie Music by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: incompetech.com/

Beneath the busy streets of Mexico City, a buried god lies waiting to be discovered... This episode, we look back at the age of the Aztecs. Learn how this society grew from nothing to create one of the world's largest cities in the middle of a lake. Discover Aztec riddles, poetry and songs, as well as the bloody ritual of the flower wars. And hear the remarkable story of how this thriving empire collapsed all at once, in a matter of days. Credits: Sound engineering by Thomas Ntinas Voice Actors: Jake Barrett-Mills Rhy Brignell Shem Jacobs Annie Kelly Lou Millington Music by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-fre…isrc=USUAN1100209 Artist: incompetech.com/

Discover the ancient Sumerians, the world's first civilization, who innovated writing and mathematics. Explore their remarkable rise, from humble beginnings to powerful city-states. Uncover the myths and environmental factors that led to their decline, including challenges like soil salination. Dive into intriguing tales of the city of Ur and the cultural achievements that shaped history. The vibrant life, complex beliefs, and eventual pitfalls of Sumerian society reveal a profound legacy still felt today.

Today, the Songhai Empire is all but forgotten by history. But this medieval kingdom was once the most powerful force in Africa. Find out how this civilization grew up on the fringes of the Sahara Desert, among some of the most extreme conditions that nature can throw at us. Discover how it grew and flourished, passing through a process known as the imperial cycle, and learn about what ultimately caused its sudden and dramatic collapse. Credits: Sound engineering by Thomas Ntinas Voice Actors: Jake Barrett-Mills Rhy Brignell Bryan Tshiobi Pip Willett Music by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-fre…isrc=USUAN1100209 Artist: incompetech.com/

Discover the allure of Easter Island, where ancient stone giants stand as vestiges of a once-thriving civilization. Explore the advanced maritime skills and intricate craftsmanship behind the iconic moai statues. Delve into ecological lessons from the island's unique challenges and the surprisingly peaceful dynamics among its people. Learn about the Birdman Competition, a ritual steeped in spiritual significance, and unravel the misconceptions that led to societal decline amid external forces. This saga blends history, culture, and environmental intrigue.

Venture into the mystical ruins of Angkor, where the rise of the Khmer Empire is explored through its divine leaders and monumental achievements. Discover the thrilling stories of King Jayavarman and his transformative reign, blending architecture with spirituality. Yet, the tale turns ominous as climatic upheavals, internal strife, and external pressures lead to the empire's dramatic decline. Nature’s slow reclamation of the grand city symbolizes the haunting legacy of this once-mighty civilization amid the whisperings of history.

Discover the incredible saga of the Greenland Vikings, who thrived in one of the harshest landscapes on Earth. Hear about their interactions with indigenous peoples and legendary explorers like Erik the Red. The podcast delves into the archaeological evidence of their mysterious disappearance and the impact of climate change. Explore their struggles with food shortages and their ultimate retreat from a world they once conquered. Concluding with themes of creation and destruction, it sheds light on a civilization's resilience against the odds.

Dive into the mystery of the Classic Maya Civilization as vast stone pyramids crumble in Central America's jungles. Discover the environmental challenges that shaped their rise and the catastrophic flaws beneath their success. From the grandeur of Tikal to fierce rivalries and symbolic warfare, explore the complexities that led to their decline. Unpack the role of deforestation, drought, and societal unrest in their collapse, revealing a poignant legacy of a civilization that once flourished.

Explore the dramatic collapse of ancient civilizations around 1100 BC. Discover how the Hittites and Mycenaeans faced destruction at the hands of the enigmatic Sea Peoples. Uncover the impact of climate change and societal crises that triggered widespread famine and unrest. Delve into Ramses III's struggles to maintain ancient Egypt amidst these upheavals. Finally, reflect on the emotional weight of a civilization's downfall and the lessons it holds for our interconnected world.