Ancient History Encyclopedia

In this episode, we explore the complex causes behind the outbreak of World War II. Listeners will learn how the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, economic turmoil during the Great Depression, and the rise of fascist leaders like Adolf Hitler set the stage for global conflict. We break down the policies and political decisions—including appeasement by Britain and France, the failure of the League of Nations, and alliances between Germany, Italy, Japan, and the USSR—that allowed aggression to go unchecked. The episode covers key moments such as Germany's rearmament, the Nazi-Soviet Pact, and the invasion of Poland that triggered the war. By the end, you'll understand why WWII became inevitable and how the world's major powers responded—often too late—to one of history's most devastating conflicts.Written by Mark Cartwright and narrated by Scarlett Hart.#history #wwii #worldwar #whe

Explore the pivotal role of agriculture in shaping human history in our latest episode. Journey back to the ancient Near East, where the Fertile Crescent is celebrated as the birthplace of agriculture. Discover how the domestication of plants and animals in regions like Mesopotamia and the Levant led to the first large-scale cities and empires. This cradle of civilization, enriched by fertile soil and rivers like the Euphrates and Tigris, witnessed innovations such as artificial irrigation, crop rotation, and the use of plows, which transformed semi-nomadic groups into permanent agricultural societies. Delve into how agriculture's surplus production was essential for the emergence of urban centers and complex societies. In Mesopotamia, cereal grains became a cornerstone for taxation, supporting centralized governments and enabling trade and urbanization. The podcast underscores how agriculture not only sustained growing populations but also laid the foundation for specialized trades and empires, ultimately fueling human progress and civilization's advancement across the globe. Written and read by Jan van der Crabben. Original article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/9/agriculture-in-the-fertile-crescent--mesopotamia/

The Hundred Years' War was fought intermittently between England and France from 1337 to 1453 CE and the conflict had many consequences, both immediate and long-lasting. Besides the obvious death and destruction that many of the battles visited upon soldiers and civilians alike, the war made England virtually bankrupt and left the victorious French Crown in total control of all of France except Calais.

Joan of Arc (Jeanne D'Arc, l. c. 1412-1431 CE) was a medieval peasant who, claiming to receive visions from God, turned the tide of the Hundred Years' Warin favor of a French victory. She was famously martyrd for standing by her claim of divine inspiration and later canonized as a saint.

The consequences of the British Industrial Revolution (1760-1840) were many, varied, and long-lasting. Working life in rural and urban settings was changed forever by the inventions of new machines, the spread of factories, and the decline of traditional occupations. Developments in transportation and communications meant life in the post-industrial world was more exciting and faster, with people more connected than ever before. Consumer goods became more affordable to more people, and there were more jobs for a booming population. The price to pay for progress was often a working life that was noisy, repetitive, and dangerous, while cities grew to become overcrowded, polluted, and crime-ridden.

The age of antibiotics began in September 1928, with the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming (1881-1955), then a professor of bacteriology at St. Mary's Hospital in London. Previously there were no effective treatments against a range of bacterial infections from pneumonia to sepsis.

The youth of George Washington (1732-1799), the first President of the United States, remains the least understood chapter of his life, shrouded in folklore and myths. Yet the experiences of his youth, and the bond he felt toward his older half-brother Lawrence, shaped the man he was to become and helped put him on the path toward revolution and the presidency.

Spartan women had more rights and enjoyed greater autonomy than women in any other Greek city-state of the Classical Period (5th-4th centuries BCE). Women could inherit property, own land, make business transactions, and were better educated than women in ancient Greece in general. Unlike Athens, where women were considered second-class citizens, Spartan women were said to rule their men.

The Normandy landings in France, which began on D-Day, 6 June 1944, involved the largest troop movement in history, but in this article, we focus on the view from civilians directly involved in that momentous day when the Allies sought to liberate Western Europe from occupation by Nazi Germany and end the Second World War (1939-45).

Catherine de' Medici (l. 1519-1589) was the queen of France, mother of three kings and two queens and, between 1559 and c. 1576, the most powerful woman in France and, possibly, all of Europe. She was the strength behind the French throne for almost 20 years, maintaining the monarchy through the chaos of the French Wars of Religion and political intrigue

The Scientific Revolution (1500-1700), which occurred first in Europe before spreading worldwide, witnessed a new approach to knowledge gathering – the scientific method – which utilised new technologies like the telescope to observe, measure, and test things never seen before. Thanks to the development of dedicated institutions, scientists conducted yet more experiments and shared their knowledge, making it ever more accurate. By the end of this 'revolution', science had replaced philosophy as the dominant method of acquiring new knowledge and improving the human condition.

Nathanael Greene (1742-1786) was a general of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). One of George Washington's most trusted subordinates, Greene served capably as Quartermaster General before leading the southern American army during the final years of the war. He is often considered the second-best American Revolutionary general, behind only Washington himself.

The origins of the Second World War (1939-45) may be traced back to the harsh peace settlement of the First World War (1914-18) and the economic crisis of the 1930s, while more immediate causes were the aggressive invasions of their neighbours by Germany, Italy, and Japan. A weak and divided Europe, an isolationist USA, and an opportunistic USSR were all intent on peace, but the policy of appeasement only delivered what everyone most feared: another long and terrible world war.

The Indus Valley Civilization was a cultural and political entity which flourished in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent between c. 7000 - c. 600 BCE. Its modern name derives from its location in the valley of the Indus River, but it is also commonly referred to as the Indus-SarasvatiCivilization and the Harrapan Civilization. These latter designations come from the Sarasvati River mentioned in Vedic sources, which flowed adjacent to the Indus River, and the ancient city of Harappa in the region, the first one found in the modern era. None of these names derive from any ancient texts because, although scholars generally believe the people of this civilization developed a writing system (known as Indus Script or Harappan Script) it has not yet been deciphered. Article written by JoshuaJ Mark and narrated by Lianne Walker

The Electrical Telegraph was invented in 1837 by William Fothergill Cook (1806-1879) and Charles Wheatstone (1802-1875) in England with parallel innovations being made by Samuel Morse (1791-1872) in the United States. The telegraph, once wires and undersea cables had connected countries and continents, transformed communications so that messages could be sent and received anywhere in just minutes. Article written by Mark Cartwright and read by Lianne Walker. Support us on Patreon: https://www.worldhistory.org/patreon/

It was all very well pocketing other people's valuables and roistering at rum parties, but life on a pirate ship involved a surprising amount of hard work. Pirates were first and foremost sailors and in the Golden Age of Piracy (1690-1730), a pirate ship required a great deal of skill to operate and constant maintenance to keep afloat. Indeed, pirates had to be remarkably good seamen if they were to ever catch fleeing merchant vessels and escape the unwanted attentions of heavily-armed naval vessels. From captain to rigger, each crew member played their part in the complex performance of tasks that kept a 17/18th-century sailing ship in trim. Article written by Mark Cartwright and read by Lianne Walker. Support us on Patreon: https://www.worldhistory.org/patreon/

The outbreak of plague in Europe between 1347-1352 – known as the Black Death – completely changed the world of medieval Europe. Severe depopulation upset the socio-economic feudal system of the time but the experience of the plague itself affected every aspect of people's lives. Disease on an epidemic scale was simply part of life in the Middle Ages but a pandemic of the severity of the Black Death had never been experienced before and, afterwards, there was no way for the people to resume life as they had previously known it. Article written by Mark Cartwright and read by Lianne Walker. Support our work on Patreon: https://www.worldhistory.org/patreon/

The widespread use of paper and printing were features of ancient China which distinguished it from other ancient cultures. Traditionally, paper was invented in the early 2nd century CE, but there is evidence it was much earlier. As a cheaper and more convenient material than bamboo, wood, or silk, paper helped spread literature and literacy but it was used for many other purposes from hats to packaging. The material was made finer over the centuries, was traded across Asia and was used in the first paper money from the early 12th century CE. Article written by Mark Cartwright and read by Lianne Walker. Support our work on Patreon: https://www.worldhistory.org/patreon/

India is a country in South Asia whose name comes from the Indus River. The name 'Bharata' is used as a designation for the country in their constitution referencing the ancient mythological emperor, Bharata, whose story is told, in part, in the Indian epic Mahabharata. If you want to support our non-profit organization, visit our Patreon page: https://www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ Article written by Joshua J. Mark and narrated by Lianne Walker.

Feudalism was the system in 10th-13th century European medieval societies where a social hierarchy was established based on local administrative control and the distribution of land into units (fiefs). A landowner (lord) gave a fief, along with a promise of military and legal protection, in return for a payment of some kind from the person who received it (vassal). If you want to support our non-profit organization, visit our Patreon page: https://www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ Article written by Mark Cartwright and narrated by Lianne Walker.

Written by Mark Cartwright and narrated by Lianne Walker. Support our work on Patreon: https://www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ Food and drink in the Elizabethan era was remarkably diverse with much more meat and many more varieties of it being eaten by those who could afford it than is the case today. Storage of food was still a problem and so fresh produce was grown at home or regularly acquired at local markets. Thick sauces with strong flavours were popular and made even more varied as ingredients became more readily available from Asia. Pastries, cakes, and other sweet goodies of all kinds were greatly appreciated and often eaten between the savoury courses. A healthy distrust of water meant that ale and beer were the most popular drinks, with wine a welcome addition for the better off. While some commoners struggled, as ever, to feed their families, especially in the long winters of the 16th century CE, foreign visitors did often remark on how well-fed the Elizabethan peasantry was and how overfed the rich were compared to their continental neighbours.

Written by Harrison W. Mark and read by Lianne Walker. Support our work on Patreon: https://www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ The trial and execution of Marie Antoinette (1755-1793), formerly the queen of France, was among the opening events of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution (1789-1799). Accused of a series of crimes that included conspiring with foreign powers against the security of France, Marie Antoinette was found guilty of high treason and executed on 16 October 1793.

Children were widely used as labour in factories, mines, and agriculture during the British Industrial Revolution (1760-1840). Very often working the same 12-hour shifts that adults did, children as young as five years old were paid a pittance to climb under dangerous weaving machines, move coal through narrow mine shafts, and work in agricultural gangs. Read by Lianne Walker and written by Mark Cartwright. Support our work on Patreon: https://www.worldhistory.org/patreon/

Anne reigned as Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1702 and then, following the 1707 Act of Union, over a united kingdom as Queen of Great Britain until her death in 1714. The last of the Stuart monarchs, Anne's reign witnessed the Spanish War of Succession which helped Britain establish itself as a major world power. Narrated by Lianne Walker, written by Mark Carwright.

The British Industrial Revolution transformed life at work and at home for practically everyone. Noise, pollution, social upheaval, and repetitive jobs were the price to pay for labour-saving machines, cheap and comfortable transportation, more affordable consumer goods, better lighting and heating, and faster ways of communication. Article written by Mark Cartwright and narrated be Lianne Walker.

Women in ancient Persia had more rights and greater freedom than any other ancient civilization including, according to some scholars, even ancient Egypt which is famous for its respect for the feminine principle in religion as well as daily life. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whencyclopedia Original Article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1493/twelve-great-women-of-ancient-persia/

Women in ancient Persia were not only highly respected but, in many cases, considered the equals of males. Women could own land, conduct business, received equal pay, could travel freely on their own, and in the case of royal women, hold their own council meetings on policy. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whencyclopedia Original Article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1492/women-in-ancient-persia/

The gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt were an integral part of the people's everyday lives for over 3,000 years. There were over 2,000 deities in the Egyptianpantheon, many whose names are well known - Isis, Osiris, Horus, Amun, Ra, Hathor, Bastet, Thoth, Anubis, and Ptah among others - but many more less so who were also important. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whencyclopedia Original Article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/885/egyptian-gods---the-complete-list/

Clothes in the Elizabethan era (1558-1603 CE) became much more colourful, elaborate, and flamboyant than in previous periods. With Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE) herself being a dedicated follower of fashion, so, too, her court and nobles followed suit. Clothing was an important indicator of status so that those who could afford it were careful to wear the correct colours, materials, and latest fashions from Continental Europe. Heavy brocade, stockings, tight-fitting doublets, long billowing dresses embellished with pearls and jewels, knee-length trousers, stiff linen collars or ruffs, and feathered hats were all staple elements of the wardrobes of the well off. The commoners, meanwhile, attempted to follow the new designs as best they could using cheaper materials, but those who tried to dress beyond their station had to beware the authorities did not fine them and confiscate the offending item. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whencyclopedia Original Article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1577/clothes-in-the-elizabethan-era/

The Black Death is the 19th-century CE term for the plague epidemic that ravaged Europe between 1347-1352 CE, killing an estimated 30 million people there and many more worldwide as it reached pandemic proportions. The name comes from the black buboes (infected lymph glands) which broke out over a plague victim's body. The cause of the plague was the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which was carried by fleas on rodents, usually rats, but this was not known to the people of the medieval period, as it was only identified in 1894 CE. Prior to that time, the plague was attributed primarily to supernatural causes – the wrath of God, the work of the devil, the alignment of the planets – and, stemming from these, “bad air” or an unbalance of the “humors” of the body which, when in line, kept a person healthy. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whencyclopedia Original Article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1540/medieval-cures-for-the-black-death/

The Black Death was a plague pandemic which devastated medieval Europe from 1347 to 1352 CE, killing an estimated 25-30 million people. The disease originated in central Asia and was taken to the Crimea by Mongol warriors and traders. The plague then entered Europe via Italy, carried by rats on Genoese trading ships sailing from the Black Sea. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whencyclopedia Original Article: https://www.worldhistory.org/Black_Death/

Elizabethan theatre, sometimes called English Renaissance theatre, refers to that style of performance plays which blossomed during the reign of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE) and which continued under her Stuart successors. Elizabethan theatre witnessed the first professional actors who belonged to touring troupes and who performed plays of blank verse with entertaining non-religious themes. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whencyclopedia Original article: https://www.worldhistory.org/Elizabethan_Theatre/

The Egyptian Book of the Dead is a collection of spells which enable the soul of the deceased to navigate the afterlife. The famous title was given the work by western scholars; the actual title would translate as The Book of Coming Forth by Day or Spells for Going Forth by Day. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whencyclopedia

The Song of Everlasting Sorrow is a narrative poem of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) inspired by the love affair between Xuanzong (r. 712-756 CE), the seventh emperor of the dynasty, and his consort Lady Yang. It was written by the Chinese poet Bai Juyi (l. 772-846 CE) and is his most popular work. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whencyclopedia

Foot-binding was a practice first carried out on young girls in Tang Dynasty China to restrict their normal growth and make their feet as small as possible. Considered an attractive quality, the effects of the process were painful and permanent. Widely used as a method to distinguish girls of the upper class from everyone else, and later as a way for the lower classes to improve their social prospects, the practice of foot-binding would continue right up to the early 20th century CE. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whencyclopedia

The world's oldest love poem is The Love Song for Shu-Sin (c. 2000 BCE) composed in ancient Mesopotamia for use in part of the sacred rites of fertility. Prior to its discovery in the 19th century, and its translation in the 20th, the biblical Song of Songs was thought to be the oldest love poem extant. Support our non-profit organization on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whencyclopedia Original article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/750/the-worlds-oldest-love-poem/

In ancient Greek medicine illness was initially regarded as a divine punishment and healing as, quite literally, a gift from the gods. However, by the 5th century BCE, there were attempts to identify the material causes for illnesses rather than spiritual ones and this led to a move away from superstition towards scientific enquiry, although, in reality, the two would never be wholly separated. Greek medical practitioners, then, began to take a greater interest in the body itself and to explore the connection between cause and effect, the relation of symptoms to the illness itself and the success or failure of various treatments. Original article by Mark Cartwright, read by Iona Lister.

Hadrian written by Joshua J. Mark and narrated by Grace MacLachlan: https://www.worldhistory.org/hadrian/ Hadrian (l. 78-138 CE) was emperor of Rome (r. 117-138 CE) and is recognized as the third of the Five Good Emperors (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius) who ruled justly. His reign marked the height of the Roman Empire, usually given as c. 117 CE, and provided a firm foundation for his successor. If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/ MUSIC USED Olympic Ideal

Egyptian Hieroglyphs written by Priscila Scoville and narrated by Jennifer Sabir: https://www.worldhistory.org/Egyptian_Hieroglyphs/ The Egyptian hieroglyphic script was one of the writing systems used by ancient Egyptians to represent their language. Because of their pictorial elegance, Herodotus and other important Greeks believed that Egyptian hieroglyphs were something sacred, so they referred to them as 'holy writing'. Thus, the word hieroglyph comes from the Greek hiero 'holy' and glypho 'writing'. In the ancient Egyptian language, hieroglyphs were called medu netjer, 'the gods' words' as it was believed that writing was an invention of the gods. If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/ MUSIC USED Invocation (Ancient Egyptian Melody) by ÆUR Listen: https://artist.landr.com/music/628810853472 Reviews: https://www.reverbnation.com/ÆUR/press

Mont-Saint-Michel written by James Blake Wiener and narrated by Jennifer Sabir: https://www.worldhistory.org/Mont-Saint-Michel/ Mont-Saint-Michel is the name of a tidal island located off the coasts of Normandy and Brittany, near the mouths of the Couesnon River and the town of Avranches in France. While the island of Mont-Saint-Michel has held cultural, religious, and strategic value since the Merovingians held power over the region, Mont-Saint-Michel is universally recognized today as the site of a beautiful Gothic-style Benedictine abbey, which was constructed from the 11-16th centuries CE and dedicated to the Archangel St. Michael. Aptly called the “Wonder of the West", Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 CE, and the island's abbey is one of France's most popular sites with over 3 millions visitors per year. If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/ MUSIC USED Journey's End

Gutians written by Joshua J. Mark and narrated by DW Draffin: https://ww.worldhistory.org/Gutians/ Watch it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnOoTTH8bco The Gutians were a West Asiatic people who are thought to have lived around the Zagros Mountains in a region referred to as Gutium. They had no written language and all that is known of them comes from their enemies, including the Akkadians, Sumerians, and Assyrians, who blame them for the destruction and desolation of the land. If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/

A Short History of the Buddhist Schools written by Joshua J. Mark and narrated by Jennifer Sabir: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/492/a-short-history-of-the-buddhist-schools/ The different Buddhist schools of thought, still operating in the present day, developed after the death of the Buddha (l. c. 563 - c. 483 BCE) in an effort to perpetuate his teachings and honor his example. Each of the schools claimed to represent Buddha's original vision and still do so in the modern era. Although Buddha himself is said to have requested that, following his death, no leader was to be chosen to lead anything like a school, this was ignored and his disciples seem to have fairly quickly institutionalized Buddhist thought with rules, regulations, and a hierarchy. If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/ MUSIC USED Shadow of the Temple

Shang Dynasty written by Emily Mark and narrated by Ethan Hu https://www.worldhistory.org/Shang_Dynasty/ The Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE) was the second dynasty of China, which succeeded the Xia Dynasty (c. 2700-1600 BCE) after the overthrow of the Xia tyrant Jie by the Shang leader, Tang. Since many historians question whether the Xia Dynasty really existed, the Shang Dynasty may have actually been the first in China and the origin of Chinese culture. If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/ MUSIC USED "Nomadic Sunset" and "Aquatic City Vanished" from www.FreePD.com

Ancient Chinese Philosophy written byJoshua J. Mark and narrated by Jennifer Sabir: https://www.worldhistory.org/Chinese_Philosophy/ The term Ancient Chinese Philosophy refers to the belief systems developed by various philosophers during the era known as the Hundred Schools of Thought when these thinkers formed their own schools during the Spring and Autumn Period (c. 772-476 BCE) and the Warring States Period (c. 481-221 BCE) after the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE) had begun to decline. If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/ MUSIC USED Lotus Blossom

Life in a Japanese Buddhist Monastery written by Mark Cartwright and narrated by Jennifer Sabir: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1423/life-in-a-japanese-buddhist-monastery/ Buddhist monasteries have been part of the Japanese cultural landscape ever since the 7th century CE, and they remained both powerful and socially important institutions right through the medieval period. Today, many of Japan's finest examples of ancient and medieval architecture are located at temple complexes, a good number of which are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The monks who lived, worked, and meditated in Buddhist monasteries not only served their local communities on their way to reaching enlightenment but also produced some of Japan's finest historical works of art in painting, sculpture, and calligraphy.  If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/ MUSIC USED Lotus Blossom

Druid written by Mark Cartwright and narrated by Jennifer Sabir: https://www.worldhistory.org/druid/ Druids were a class of individuals in ancient Celtic cultures known for their great wisdom and knowledge of traditions. Not only priests who managed all religious rituals such as sacrifices (including humans), druids were able to give practical help by interpreting events of nature, divining the future as soothsayers, and making medicinal potions, especially using sacred plants like mistletoe. If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/ MUSIC USED Vampires Hunt at Night

Ancient Egyptian Symbols written by Joshua J. Mark and narrated by Jennifer Sabir: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1011/ancient-egyptian-symbols/ Religion in ancient Egypt was fully integrated into the people's daily lives. The gods were present at one's birth, throughout one's life, in the transition from earthly life to the eternal, and continued their care for the soul in the afterlife of the Field of Reeds. The spiritual world was ever present in the physical world and this understanding was symbolized through images in art, architecture, in amulets, statuary, and the objects used by nobility and clergy in the performance of their duties. If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/ Music Used: Shadow of the Temple

Cleopatra VII written by Joshua J. Mark and narrated by Jonathan Bailey: https://www.worldhistory.org/Cleopatra_VII/ Cleopatra VII (l. c. 69-30 BCE, r. 51-30 BCE) was the last ruler of Egypt before it was annexed as a province of Rome. Although arguably the most famous Egyptian queen, Cleopatra was actually Greek and a member of the Ptolemaic Dynasty (323-30 BCE) which ruled Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great (l. 356-323 BCE). If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/ Music Used: Paragon  C. K. Martin https://download.audiohero.com/#!details?id=36315623

Medieval Knights: 12 of the Best written by Mark Cartwright and narrated by Jennifer Sabir: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1245/medieval-knights-12-of-the-best/ The knights of medieval Europe were meant to be the finest fighting men of their age, even more important, they were expected to be pure in thought and deed, as exemplified in the chivalrous code which they (usually) followed. Here are the stories of 12 such knights. The legendary figures are perhaps based on historical knights and the historical knights have all become legendary; such is the indistinct line of truth between fact and fiction and humanity's need to create larger-than-life figures of a by-gone age when valour and chivalry reached their apex. If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/ Music Used: Shadow of the Temple

Mitanni written by Joshua J. Mark and narrated by Kelly Macquire: www.worldhistory.org/Mitanni/ The Kingdom of Mitanni, known to the people of the land, and the Assyrians, as Hanigalbat and to the Egyptians as Naharin and Metani, once stretched from present-day northern Iraq, down through Syria and into Turkey and was among the greatest nations of its time, though today it is largely forgotten. If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/ The music used in this recording is the intellectual copyright of Michael Levy, a prolific composer for the recreated lyres of antiquity, and used with the creator's permission. Michael Levy's music is available to stream at all the major digital music platforms. Find out more on: www.ancientlyre.com open.spotify.com/artist/7Dx2vFEg8…IH9CRieFNGXRUyJ9 www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ1X6F7lGMEadnNETSzTv8A

How To Read A Maya Glyph written by Lily Ball and narrated by Jennifer Sabir: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/789/how-to-read-a-maya-glyph/ For over three centuries, the ancient Maya flourished in Mesoamerica. They built giant stone pyramids surrounded by dense jungle, used a calendrical system that made many believe that 2012 would be the end of the world, and created a writing system that is as beautiful as it is complex. Its decipherment is ongoing, even today. In fact, it is so aesthetically rich and difficult to master, one needed to be an accomplished artist in order to write it properly. Fittingly, ancient Maya scribes and artists were all known by the same title: t'zib. If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.worldhistory.org/membership/ - www.worldhistory.org/donate/ - www.worldhistory.org/patreon/ - www.worldhistory.store/ Music Used: Warmer Weather