The ’’Greats’’ of History

We finally meet Ashoka and find out that far from great, he was, at first, pretty awful. So why is he considered by many to be India's greatest ruler? Also, pay not attention to a verbal flub; I was sick when I recorded this!

In which we review the outlines of Indian history, including rediscovering one of the great lost civilizations in human history (only about a century ago). 

The final chapter in our story about Alexander of Macedon. Spoiler alert: he dies in the course of this episode. Let's look back and judge if he really was the GOAT of GOATS. 

Alexander is closing in on conquering the once-mighty Persian Empire. And you'll never believe the last words of Darius III...

Time to get Alexander out of the Hellenic world and have him square off with his Persian counterpart, Darius III. 

Let's get Alexander on the throne, and track his early years as king. Also, I make a killer dad joke about a psychic. 

Let's set the stage for the most famous "Great" of them all. 

You'd think that by now, I would be able to spell Nebuchadnezzar on the first try. Here's a quick look back at an old friend, and a few new things I've learned since his episodes aired a little while back.  

So Darius managed to become King of Kings. Now what? Let's find out, and while we are at it, we'll take a look back at the meaning and importance of the Persian Empire. (P.S. Get over yourself, Greece.)

Confession time: I didn't want to do this one. Have a listen to find out why. (Oh, and I am glad I did.)

I have a few new things about Ramesses II to share since his episode aired a little while back. Have a listen, and let's keep learning together. After all, Ramesses would expect, or even demand, that we keep paying attention to him. 

Let's find out what Cyrus is up to. Spoiler alert: it's a lot, and much more than simple conquest and martial glory. 

A brief announcement about the show and a way we can help each other out. 

The successors of Nebuchadnezzar weren't quite up to the task; Neo-Babylonians might be in trouble. But there is about to be a new, new sheriff in town. Time to say hello to the Persians. 

Because learning a few new things about Sargon of Akkad was so much fun, I thought I would explore whether or not there were any fun new facts about Thutmose III that we could uncover together. Turns out, there are! 

Let's spend some time with a ruler who preferred hanging out at home to marching on campaign, and who built what might be the greatest city in human history. 

Let's meet and, hopefully, say goodbye to one of the most terrifying civilizations in human history. While we're at it, let's track the rise of someone who might just be the greatest builder in the ancient world. 

Just because we have already published an episode about Sargon, does not mean we've stopped learning about him. In fact, I wanted to share three new things that I have learned since his episode aired. These serve as an extension of the episode about our first "Great" in this series. He lived more than four millennia ago, but his story is still being written. 

You know who thought that Ramesses II was Egypt's greatest pharaoh? Ramesses II. You get to decide for yourself!

Let's catch up on our friends the Egyptians, in between the death Thutmose III and the rise of our next great, Ramesses II.

Part two of our episode of Thutmose III. I'm not going to lie; I am really starting to like this guy.

Let's meet Thutmose III, either the first, or something like the hundredth pharaoh of the mighty Egyptian civilization.  

We meet our first "great" of the series, Sargon of Akkad, whom history records as the first person to rule an Empire. In a related note, "Lugalzaggisi," is not an easy name to pronounce. 

Alexander the Great. Pompey the Great. Catharine the Great.

For nearly all of recorded human history, people have been called “great.” But what does it mean to be great? To be called “great?” 

In this introduction, we set up the series and frame out its exploration of these people, and what they did - or didn't do - to be called "great."