What do you think?
Rate this book
Great Battles of the Ancient World
Volume 1 and 2 in individual case. Each clamshell case 12 lectures/30 minutes per lecture. 6 cassette tapes. Course Guidebook.
12 pages, Audio Cassette
Published April 5, 2005
4 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 22, 2018
The lecture series could also be labeled why Keagan and Hansen are wrong. It's a lecture series on some the major battles of ancient Mediterranean/middle eastern history and Professor Fagan does a real good job giving an overview of the battles, there historical context as well as how good or in more cases how bad our sources are on them. He also argues against the concept of the Western way of war through out. A good series that end up giving a decent history of man from Uma/Lagesh in to Adrianople.
September 27, 2009
While the first few lectures were a bit slower (interesting, but not as narratively compelling), the middle lectures, including Marathon, Thermopylae, the March of the 10,000 (my favorite) and Alexander the Great's arc were amazing. I really look at this audioseries as a resource, well worth revisiting when thinking about the nuts and bolts of ancient battle tactics and strategy. Lots of wonderful information. Also, the lecturer had a lovely, dry sense of humor and offered and analyzed multiple theories about how certain engagements happened. (his analysis of the Standard Model of Hoplite battle lines most immediately comes to mind). This is a great introduction to the nuts and bolts of ancient warfare.
February 5, 2014
Prof. Fagan is an engaging and witty lecturer, who keeps the reader transfixed by the skein of history. I was first introduced to him by his history of Ancient Rome, and his Great Battles is equally as enjoyable.
January 28, 2023
It's definitely introductory, but I really enjoyed the material. Mostly this was because of my own ignorance of the ancient Roman world. Fagan obviously loved his subject and many of the figures he spoke on, especially Augustus. In our deconstructionist world, this is now a rarity to look up to anyone but yourself. I would recommend, although I would say without the videos it is it limited value.
December 14, 2018
This is an audio history lecture produced by The Teaching Company. It is the first one I listened to from them and because of the positive experience with this product I plan to listen to more lectures that The Teaching Company have made available. This particular product feature lectures on history by Garrett G. Fagan a historian and professor that is well known for his research in Roman history. Fagan here gives us twenty four lectures concerning great battles in the ancient world and largely focuses on the classical period and the ancient near east.
These are fascinating teachings for those who love history. The beginning of the series looked at the Ancient Near East and the Egyptians. The discussion about Homer and Troy was an early memorable lecture in this set. I really appreciated the lecture on Jerusalem and Lachish as it touched on some aspect of Biblical history. I learned a lot from these lectures. The professor really knows his materials. For instance I thought Fagan did a good job discussing about the Assyrian method of warfare which was very cruel; yet he also pointed out that there was a method to their cruelty and it was meant to discourage resistance and spare further bloodshed later on. While we don’t necessarily have to accept their violence as morally acceptable nevertheless this historical study explains history with a little more nuance. I thought it really picked up the pace when we arrive at the Classical period. Yet I appreciated that this look at the Greco-Roman military methods was not in a vacuum but in consideration of the interaction with the Persians. I learned a lot about the Greek hoplites, the Roman legion and also the phalanx in contrast to the Roman legion method of warfare.
Much more could be said but these lectures were fascinating and informative.
These are fascinating teachings for those who love history. The beginning of the series looked at the Ancient Near East and the Egyptians. The discussion about Homer and Troy was an early memorable lecture in this set. I really appreciated the lecture on Jerusalem and Lachish as it touched on some aspect of Biblical history. I learned a lot from these lectures. The professor really knows his materials. For instance I thought Fagan did a good job discussing about the Assyrian method of warfare which was very cruel; yet he also pointed out that there was a method to their cruelty and it was meant to discourage resistance and spare further bloodshed later on. While we don’t necessarily have to accept their violence as morally acceptable nevertheless this historical study explains history with a little more nuance. I thought it really picked up the pace when we arrive at the Classical period. Yet I appreciated that this look at the Greco-Roman military methods was not in a vacuum but in consideration of the interaction with the Persians. I learned a lot about the Greek hoplites, the Roman legion and also the phalanx in contrast to the Roman legion method of warfare.
Much more could be said but these lectures were fascinating and informative.
January 29, 2025
Fagan is awesome, and Great Battles of the Ancient World is a great outing from him. I would say it was a bit of a tall order to do a quick survey of all of antique warfare, running from its origins right up until adrianople. Lots of material was left by the wayside, because its much too much to cover when there's only so much material to go around. He gets a longer course just for the Empire of Rome, and a course twice as long fora survey of Roman history. Those are, as far as I'm concerned, gold standard. This one comes across a little worse by comparison. It is not Fagan's fault, but the medium. Even so, he does an admirable job with the material he's given. I would almost have rather he started with the Phalanx and ended with the destruction of the Legions, as that constituted the core of the course and could have readily been expanded upon. Furthermore, I get the distinct impression that there's something about Victor Davis Hanson that inspired a strong reaction from Fagan, as he often invokes the man - usually to disagree with him. Overall though, I'm glad to have encountered this course. I only wish Fagan was given the opportunity to do more before he passed.
September 8, 2018
A more appropriate title would be "General Military History of the Ancient World (with some battles)". Prof. Fagan discusses more of military tactics and culture from the Sumerians through the Romans. He hits on battles, but there isn't (for example) a lecture to feature a single battle. Like all the courses in this series, I thought it was informative, just not my cup of tea compared to the others.
September 26, 2024
A good, though not gripping, Great Courses audio series. I didn't find Fagan's treatment of Victor Davis Hansen compelling, and refuting Hansen seemed to be a subtext through the material. But I still learned, and did find the anthropological discussion of what actually constitutes warfare a fascinating conversation.
July 22, 2018
One will surely learn something from any Great Course. This was however my least favorite yet. It is a great review after having listened to courses on Greece, Rome, and Egypt. This course covers all of those, even if briefly for each.
November 13, 2023
I enjoy being able to understand the basic differences in historical battles, troops, gear, and formations. The lecturer has done a great job distilling this information down. He does a good if not somewhat comical job of displaying other views of historical battles. It is a good listen so far.
October 12, 2019
Excellent read! Learned a lot about ancient technologies and drivers for thought. Love the way Prof Fagan also brings in the scientific uncertainties and competing theories into the discussion.
June 30, 2020
Wonderful narration, scholarly, full of insight and history
May 13, 2021
Fine, interesting theories on war. Worth tracking down if interested in the classical era.
December 2, 2022
A course about some more or less famous and important ancient wars and it gives a lot of information about strategies, equipment and so on.
September 15, 2023
One of the best. Interesting without being sensationalist or too dry, balanced, full disclosure.
October 1, 2023
I very much appreciate the way in which professor Fagan throws cold water on archaeologists who let their commitment to nationalist ideology commandeer their scientific scruples, e.g. Hansen et al.
December 15, 2023
I found Fagan's lecture style engaging.
June 5, 2024
Great. I wish it covered more than the Mediterranean region, but that would make for a much longer course.
August 24, 2024
Fantastic overview of ancient/classical battles
October 3, 2025
not only a informative but also eloquent
December 6, 2021
An excellent overview of battle tactics and how ancient warriors evolved. Covers pre-written history and ends with the Roman's. Fagan does an top notch job of discussing source material and reliability of those sources. Great lessons from the great courses series!
November 8, 2021
Very good review of ancient battles and their impacts. Maybe too many discussion on what Dr Fagan didn’t like of other historians but good historical review of the battles
July 20, 2013
Has the social and political fabric of the western world been significantly influenced by the outcome of singular occurrences in the ancient/classical world? Could we today be experiencing similar world-changing episodes that will forever shape the course of (western) human history...and could we recognize it? These are but two of the questions that occurred to me on completing this 24-lecture series (30 minute audio lectures), presented by Prof Garrett Fagan. The singular occurrences in these lectures are the famous (or not so famous) battles in antiquity...from the sieges of Troy and Masada to the battles of Marathon and Adrianople...each, if the outcome had been different, hugely influencing subsequent history (possibly controlling the language we speak today). I particularly enjoyed the account of the March of the 10,000 and the leadership of Xenophon (a name that, unfortunately, is hardly used in this day and age). Would we see democracy the same way had those people not succeeded?
While not a highly polished lecturer, Dr Fagan is highly organized and easy to follow (I do like his Irish brogue), making his points clearly (some points more biased than others...but don't we all have historical biases, that make conversations much more interesting). Maybe there could have been different battles that might have had just as much of an effect on the future...but it is his course. I enjoyed the lectures, though I would have liked to see more illustrations, particularly battle maps, in the guidebook...perhaps they were presented in the video version. I'll probably revisit this course from time to time.
While not a highly polished lecturer, Dr Fagan is highly organized and easy to follow (I do like his Irish brogue), making his points clearly (some points more biased than others...but don't we all have historical biases, that make conversations much more interesting). Maybe there could have been different battles that might have had just as much of an effect on the future...but it is his course. I enjoyed the lectures, though I would have liked to see more illustrations, particularly battle maps, in the guidebook...perhaps they were presented in the video version. I'll probably revisit this course from time to time.
May 10, 2013
Great Battles of the Ancient World by Garrett G. Fagan is a series of 24 lectures on battles that occurred before the 5th Century AD/CE. It is part of The Teaching Company series.
I found Dr Fagan's series interesting and quite enlightening. He also has a wonderful talent for making history into an interesting story. He is open regarding what modern historians know and when they are guessing. He also discusses the disputes that occur between historians over the material, and his position on them.
I would highly recommend this series to anyone interested in History, Military History, The Classics, or who would just like to hear a great story teller talk about the human's past.
I found Dr Fagan's series interesting and quite enlightening. He also has a wonderful talent for making history into an interesting story. He is open regarding what modern historians know and when they are guessing. He also discusses the disputes that occur between historians over the material, and his position on them.
I would highly recommend this series to anyone interested in History, Military History, The Classics, or who would just like to hear a great story teller talk about the human's past.
May 8, 2015
Very well done. Engaging and entertaining throughout.
I learned quite a bit, more than I expected. Which in itself a surprise, as this is a subject I already knew quite a bit about. Though for all the wealth of information, we never get bogged down in the details. You get just what you need, and are invited to dig deeper if you'd like.
I'll probably be using this as a reference for some time to come.
I learned quite a bit, more than I expected. Which in itself a surprise, as this is a subject I already knew quite a bit about. Though for all the wealth of information, we never get bogged down in the details. You get just what you need, and are invited to dig deeper if you'd like.
I'll probably be using this as a reference for some time to come.
December 20, 2013
I enjoy being able to understand the basic differences in historical battles, troops, gear, and formations. The lecturer has done a great job distilling this information down. He does a good if not somewhat comical job of displaying other views of historical battles. It is a good listen so far.
January 24, 2011
An excellent series of lectures from the Teaching Company. Highly interesting both from a military and historical perspective.
January 23, 2014
Lively and interesting. Before I listened to these I didn't know anything about the Battle of the Teutonburg Forest.
September 24, 2016
You are going want the visuals/video. Good. Not my favorite topic, but interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews