Fantastic overview course of Ancient Greece
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“This is a podcast which will remain relevant forever, due to its subject matter and the authority of its presenter, Donald Kagan, who is probably one of the most authoritative authors on the Peloponnesian War since Thucydides.
I take minor issue to his lack of willingness to discuss more probable explanations of the early Greeks; for instance, he doesn’t discuss the idea that the Spartans were not Dorians and invaded Achaean Greece from Asia Minor, Asia he is only going to discuss facts. He admits that there are other prevailing theories but makes no mention of this, instead saying very assertively that they *eventually* were Dorians. Not helpful if someone is learning this for the first time. Most of the information on the Dark Ages of Greece isn’t a sure thing, so it is necessary to explain the hypotheses more broadly.
Also hardly any mention of Tiryns or Heracles. This is important information that allows a better understanding of Bronze Age Greece and the Mycenaean period more broadly. Who were these people and where did they go? Who were the later Greeks? All of these deliberations are important to understanding how Greece progressed from its initial settlement to the classical period and the eventual Hellenistic world.
He also doesn’t do an incredibly good job of explaining the rise of Macedonia. Due to his own scholarly pursuits, he clearly places an emphasis on the classical period and the Peloponnesian War and relates less specific historical information regarding Alexander and Philip. Instead he moralizes about their actions in a 20th century context when covering these topics, which is unhelpful for someone attempting to simply learn the history.
Despite these specific shortcomings, the overall information he does present in this series is excellent, and he truly has a vast and enviable understanding of the ancient Greek world. We are lucky to have these lectures, as the institution of classical education is dying off. Independently inquisitive people will continue to return to the classics for inspiration and understanding about ourselves, which makes Kagan’s lectures that much more valuable and treasured.”
JimmyTwoTomes via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/15/19
More reviews of Ancient Greek History - Audio
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“What I like best about the podcast is learning how reason works. Say I take a class called Cake Baking. It’s unreasonable to criticize the professor for teaching about sugar, which is bad for you. Also for not teaching about broccoli, which is good for you. If one does not wish to study sugar and...”Read full review »
Stourleyk via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/29/20
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“I listened to these with a group of my students. We really enjoyed them! The information is clear, his speaking style is engaging, and the information is accessible to even a novice in Greek history. He also discusses ties between events/culture in this time and creates opportunities to more...”Read full review »
jillybeankc6 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/30/20
“Kagan is without peer in Greek studies, but his constant need to bring up Western Christian exceptionalism is distracting and unnecessary. I want to hear about ancient Greece, but Kagan constantly needs to assert modern political thought which really brings down the course.”
Ivan T.W. via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/05/16
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