The Barbarian Empires of the Steppes

by Kenneth W. Harl

Listening Length: 18 hours and 15 minutes

The word "barbarian" quickly conjures images of Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan. Yet few people realize these men belong to a succession of nomadic warriors who emerged from the Eurasian steppes to conquer civilizations. It's a part of ancient and medieval history that's often overlooked, but for an accurate view of how the world evolved, it's essential.
Covering some 6,000 miles and 6,000 years, this eye-opening course illuminates how a series of groups - from the Sacae and Sarmatians to the infamous Huns and Mongols - pushed ever westward, coming into contact with the Roman Empire, Han China, and distant cultures from Iraq to India.
Along the way, you'll learn how these nomads caused a domino effect of displacement and cultural exchange; meet fascinating figures such as Tamerlane, the "Prince of Destruction"; witness struggles to control the legendary Silk Road; trace the spread of Buddhism and Islam, and more.
By looking past the barbarian stereotype, you'll understand who these people were, the significance of their innovations - which include stirrups, saddles, and gunpowder - and the magnitude of their impact. Of course, these warriors did wage campaigns of terror, and you'll hear many accounts of violence as well.
Led by an award-winning professor, these 36 lectures provide new insights on how the world was shaped and introduce you to cultures and empires you've likely never encountered.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Ancient History, Medieval, Asia, Archaeology

19 pages, Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Dr. Kenneth W. Harl is Professor of Classical and Byzantine History at Tulane University in New Orleans, where he teaches courses in Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader history. He earned his B.A. from Trinity College and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Yale University.

Recognized as an outstanding lecturer, Professor Harl has received numerous teaching awards at Tulane, including the coveted Sheldon H. Hackney Award two times. He has earned Tulane's annual Student Body Award for Excellence in Teaching nine times and is the recipient of Baylor University's nationwide Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teachers.

In 2007, he was the Lewis P. Jones Visiting Professor in History at Wofford College. An expert on classical Anatolia, he has taken students with him into the field on excursions and to assist in excavations of Hellenistic and Roman sites in Turkey.

Professor Harl has also published a wide variety of articles and books, including his current work on coins unearthed in an excavation of Gordion, Turkey, and a new book on Rome and her Iranian foes. A fellow and trustee of the American Numismatic Society, Professor Harl is well known for his studies of ancient coinage. He is the author of Civic Coins and Civic Politics in the Roman East, A.D. 180–275 and Coinage in the Roman Economy, 300 B.C. to A.D. 700.

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My absolute favorite, at least so far, of the Great Courses series of audio lectures. The lecturer Professor Harl, has an obvious love of the subject and such a complete grasp of the subject that it is a joy to listen to. This lecture tells the story of the horse archers of the steps from the initial invasion of the Xionnu against the Han Chinese and how this initial invasion causes a domino effect that basically changes the world. It fills in so many unanswered question I had about the history of the world, that is usually told from the perspective of the seditary empires, that is very seldom mentioned or only mentioned in passing. If you enjoy history at all you owe yourself a listen to this wonderful set of 35 lectures that run approx. 30 minutes long.

[Cookie M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe I listened to this whole thing. According to Professor Harl life on the Steppes has been nothing but one endless battle from prehistory to the end of the Middle Ages. Nothing, but fighting, looting and killing took place. Probably because there were no women. Even the Mongols had no women with them. Nor did the Scythians, who I thought were the basis for the stories about Amazons. And what about Genghis Khan's wives, daughters, daughter shingles and grand daughters, who fought when their men were too drunk to stand up, and who took care of the bookkeeping and cared for the herds? The Mongol leader appreciated them. Why doesn't Harl?
History isn't just men. We are beginning to realize that. Enough books and courses are starting to address this issue that I really notice when someone like Professor Harm ignores women as if history took place without them. If history records nothing about the women acknowledge it.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio download, augmented with a lot (A LOT) of internet researching.
For those considering purchasing...invest in the video versions; the maps & visuals mentioned by other reviewers seems to be worth it. However, if you have the time, and access to the internet while listening, you can stretch a 30 minute lecture into 2 hours of guilty pleasure.
Ken Harl is a very good lecturer. He is articulate, well organized and impressively knowledgeable...his lectures are conversational, albeit rapid-fire...you need to pay attention. But paying attention to this subject matter is not difficult. Dr Harl traces the history of a region about which I knew very little...and enlightened me about the complex relationship (through time) between the 'West' (Europe) and the 'East' (China, Mongolia, Central Asia). Starting in the Bronze Age with the domestication and mastery of the horse (apparently developing a superior variety) and the wheel (inventing the first mobile home?) the people of the far-eastern steppes seems to have arisen out of nowhere to terrorize first the western Chinese, then move methodically (and rapidly) westward, first with Huns (remember Attila?) who terrorized Rome, the Persians, and those folks in northern India. Then came the Turks and all their in-laws...all displaying the horse-mastery that characterized the steppe nomads, always showing increasing brutality. Then the Mongols...who knew. Well, I do now, thanks to Dr Harl.
Good lecture series. Buy it, listen/watch/learn new stuff/write a review...don't forget to use a coupon when the course is on sale.

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

As frustrating as it can be, I love when I find a book or lecture that adds a lifetime or two or further reading. I continue to study Eastern Europe and the Steppe, yet I never quite feel like I have done anything beyond scratch the surface.

Having said that, I think this is excellent, it flows well and gives a clear idea of what the Steppe was like in the Middle Ages. As a lecture on Islamic, Byzantine, Hindu and Buddhist histories, I wouldn’t rely on this as a great source because there is so much wonderful literature dedicated to each of these subjects individually.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

He is a Mediterranean historian and archaeologist. His discussions of Steppe people of the east, far from his realm of expertise, were garbage, though the ones more focused on the Mediterranean world and on archaeology were decent.

Read 25%

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew so little of this history - it was a joy to learn so many new things.

[Scott Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Audiobook) (4.5 stars) This series of lectures covers the history of the “Barbarians” of the Asian Steppes. Originating in what is now considered Central Asia, the various groups of peoples, primarily nomadic, worked their way East and West to make a significant impact on world history. From Ancient Greece, the rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, the various Chinese Imperial Dynasties, even to the powerful Indian regimes, the nomads of Central Asia did much to influence the course of humanity. These series of lectures covers them in detail, covering key people, places and events, but also bringing insight into the daily life of many of the various groups.

An In-depth series of lectures that I would highly recommend for a student or analyst trying to beef up their knowledge of parts of Central Asia. About the biggest drawback for the lecturer is the dreaded verbal pause count. The “ummms” really, really add up. Still, there is a degree of authenticity here. Worth the time to learn/listen.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great tribes of the steppes from the Huns to the Mongols and beyond, have had a huge impact on the civilizations that border them—some positive and some negative. This is the first book I’ve read that focuses on those empires and their impact. It’s a fascinating book, but unfortunately, the records to do not give us a good look at how these empires functioned without the government bureaucracies that Rome and China depended upon. The empires adopt the already existing institutions in territories they conquered, but how did they govern themselves and the other stepped tribes they conquered?

If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenneth Harl is my favorite history lecturer. I've enjoyed all his series so far.

This series was a bit of a slow burn. It started off kind of slow, but was solid in the middle and end. It was interesting to note just how much of a role the nomadic peoples of the steppes and plains had on civilized life and trade. Also, China had a huge impact on these peoples who had a large impact on everyone else, which was interesting. The nomadic cavalry seems to have been the most powerful military force in the world for a long time until the dawn of the age of firearms.

[Valeria Avramenko · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's not just ignorant and inaccurate, it's straight on harmful. Things you are not going to hear – "Scythian gold", "Kyivan Rus", "rusins", "Ukraine / Ukrainian territory", "queen Olga/Helga". Things you are going to hear – "russia, russia, russia..." x100500, "...and this led to establishment of russian cities – Kiev and Novgorod", "Dnepr river", "russian princes Vladimir and Sviatoslav" etc. The part that I know some things about is so blatantly corrupt and manipulated, that I cannot trust Kenneth Harl's word on any other topic, any other territory or its people.

He also mentions Hungarian people being descendants of Huns, but that theory was already dispelled in the end of XVIII century – just so you can feel the scale of authors "wide strokes".

A huge disappointment. Disappointment in the lecturer, who allows himself snarky remarks about other researches in his lectures, but clearly couldn't be bothered to get his information straight, disappointment in people, team who edited it, produced, printed, recorded and let it out in the world on their platforms. This is straight-forward russian propaganda, where they appropriate histories and cultures of lands they colonise and occupy to give themselves legitimacy. Russia and Moscow empire didn't exist for another 1000 years, but Kenneth W. Harl was already praising the "russian steps and people's".

I am scared that it's out there, that students listened to these lectures and probably took it as plain truth, this is not some crazy podcaster there, this is presented as legit "history".

[Elwin Kline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Great Course's greatest strength is found within the last 25%. An amazingly strong finish, spoken with great enthusiasm from the author.

This was my "entry point" into this subject, in regard to the Steppes and these Barbarian Empires, and being entirely honest... I wasn't ready. I felt a little bit overwhelmed how it jumped from numerous countries (China, Indonesia, Turkey, India, etc, etc.), so many different religions, too many languages I couldn't even keep track of, and then absolutely couldn't keep count on how many different barbarian societies were covered.

From my perspective, I would have much preferred a more focused and narrow scope, with more depth coverage on the big three:

1. Genghis Khan - aka "Universal Lord"
2. Attila the Hun - aka "Scourge of God"
3. Tamerlane - aka "Prince of Destruction."

I have heard from others that at times, The Great Courses will have a particular subject that the authors practices the idea of "assumed knowledge of the audience." For me, I felt like this was the case with this. I wish I would have read a precursor book to this to prepare me and lay the foundation / groundwork for me to be able to enjoy this more.

Despite all of that feedback above, I did enjoy hearing about the devastating force that which was horse back archery, the praise received to the functionality and durability of camels and how they changed the game, and of course skull cups and pillars / mounds of human skulls as welcome banners.

I was really torn between 3 and 4 stars for this. What regrettably pushed me towards the 3 was the authors excessive usage of speech disfluency, aka... all of the "um's" "uh's" and "ah's". No exaggeration at all when I say that there are numerous instances within this where the author is throwing out 3 of these in a single sentence.

Using this Harvard blog as a reference, these types of filler words do not belong in formal presentations or speeches. Considering that this course is written by a Ph.D holder, costs anywhere from $200-375 (https://www.thegreatcourses.com/cours...) and is considered a series of lectures... I would say that it certainly would be identified as a "formal presentation." Looking at some other reviews as well on here, I wasn't the only one that caught this as well.

In the end, I did overall enjoy this and I say that the last 25% was truly great, and I would recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about the subject.

[Alcibiades · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really an unique course. For years we studied the history through the view points of the Chinese(I am a Chinese) or the Europeans, and we judged and evaluated events and the courses of history based on these views. But after this book, now there's a brand new view point came out. We would never see the world as east vs west again, because there were and are so many different cultures and peoples filled in between and one could even argue their importance are greatly underestimated.

Again, for me, now the steppes became a whole new world waiting for more exploration and understanding.

[Aaron Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

DVD!!!

1. Steppes and Peoples

2. The Rise of the Steppe Nomads

Learn about the earliest known nomads of the Pontic-Caspian steppes, beginning with the origins of the Indo-European languages. See how innovations including the raising of livestock, the domestication of the horse, and the invention of the spoked wheel—and ultimately, the light chariot—transformed steppe life and led to migrations across Eurasia.

3. Early Nomads and China

4. The Han Emperors and Xiongnu at War

Han emperors found the tribute system granted Modu chanyu or “five baits”—by which the Xiongnu were promised Chinese brides, among other gifts—humiliating and unacceptable. Look closely at the relationship between the Han Empire of China and the nomadic confederacy of the Xiongnu, including Han attempts to eliminate the Xiongnu threat through war.

5. Scythians, Greeks, and Persians

6. The Parthians

Look closely at the rise to power and achievements of the nomadic steppe peoples known as the Parthians who, despite clashes with the Romans, successfully ruled Iran and the wider Middle East from horseback for 400 years, creating the first nomadic empire in the Near East.

7. Kushans, Sacae, and the Silk Road

Examine the Sacae and Kushans, two steppe peoples forced west into the Middle East and India by the Xiongnu confederacy. Learn the key role both groups played in developing trade along the Silk Road and how Kushan ruler Kujula Kadphises and his successors carved out an Indian empire while creating conditions for Buddhism to flourish.

8. Rome and the Sarmatians

9. Trade across the Tarim Basin

10. Buddhism, Manichaeism, and Christianity

Continue exploring the importance of the Silk Road, but progress to a discussion of religions spread and practiced along the route. Learn why Nestorian Christianity, Manichaeism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and above all, Buddhism, were appealing to nomadic populations, and the impact these faiths had on these people and their caravan cities.

11. Rome and the Huns

Turn to the Huns, who employed tactics similar to the Xiongnu and were viewed as both a major threat and militarily advantageous by the divided Roman Empire. Explore their conquests and the dual strategies eastern Rome used to manage the Hun threat—one of which faltered when Attila rose to power.

12. Attila the Hun—Scourge of God

Considered both a great leader and a merciless conqueror, Attila the Hun has captured the popular imagination for centuries. Conclude your examination of the Huns with the story of Attila, from his rise to power to his death, including the royal marriage proposal that ultimately led to the ravaging of western Europe.

13. Sassanid Shahs and the Hephthalites

To understand the history of the Hephthalites or "White Huns" and the Gök Turks in context, look at the Sassanid Empire—the contemporary rival to the late Roman world—from the monarchy’s aspirations to the way its Neo-Persian shahs came into conflict with Rome and these nomadic peoples.

14. The Turks—Transformation of the Steppes

Progress into the early Middle Ages, a period defined by the Turks. Start your exploration of this group by focusing on three major khaganates or confederations—the Avar Khaghans, the Gök Turks, and the Uighurs—which developed between the 5th and 9th centuries A.D., and would have major implications for the Islamic world.

15. Turkmen Khagans and Tang Emperors

16. Avars, Bulgars, and Constantinople

Think of the Middle Ages and you’ll likely conjure images of western Europe. But at the time of the Avars, Gök Turks, and Uighurs, Constantinople represented the great urban, Christian civilization bordering the Eurasian steppes. Begin the first of three lectures on the relationship between Byzantine civilization and the peoples of the steppes.

17. Khazar Khagans

18. Pechenegs, Magyars, and Cumans

19. Islam and the Caliphate

20. The Clash between Turks and the Caliphate

Examine the initial contact between Islamic civilization and the Turkish nomads in detail by looking at the wars waged between the early caliphs and Turkish tribes. Conclude with the Battle of Talas, fought between the armies of the Abbasid caliphate and the Tang emperor, which represents a turning point for the Karluk Turks and Islam.

21. Muslim Merchants and Mystics in Central Asia

After the Battle of Talas, Islamic expansion halted for 300 years. Explore Baghdad’s emergence as an intellectual and economic center of the Islamic world as well as the religion’s cultural achievements during this period, particularly in architecture. Then, learn why Turkish merchants converted to Sunni Islam—or their version of it—starting in the 8th century.

22. The Rise of the Seljuk Turks

23. Turks in Anatolia and India

After the Seljuk Turks emerged as a major factor in eastern Islam, they conquered two regions that were not previously part of Dar al-Islam: Asia Minor and northern India near Delhi. Here, take a comparative look at these conquests, including the Turks’ seesaw struggle with the crusaders.

24. The Sultans of Rum

25. The Sultans of Delhi

26. Manchurian Warlords and Song Emperors

Begin your understanding of why the Mongols emerged and had such a dramatic impact on the 13th century by studying the interaction of the restored Song Empire and three nomadic groups who entered northern China in the 10th and 11th centuries when the Great Wall collapsed—the Khitans, the Jurchens, and the Xi Xia.

27. The Mongols

Genghis Khan’s rivals saw him as the embodiment of the steppe barbarian. But who was this man who united the Mongol tribes and set his sights on world conquest? Discover Temujin—as Genghis Khan was originally known—and who the Mongols were at the time of his birth.

28. Conquests of Genghis Khan

Reorganization of the army—professional, imperial. Similar to a Roman Legion or Napoleon.

29. Western Mongol Expansion

30. Mongol Invasion of the Islamic World

31. Conquest of Song China

32. Pax Mongolica and Cultural Exchange

33. Conversion and Assimilation

34. Tamerlane, Prince of Destruction

35. Babur and Mughal India

36. Legacy of the Steppes

[M0rningstar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing; learnt tons. Great presenter. Would greatly recommend the video lectures over the audio due to the importance of maps in keeping track of population movements.

[Yasser Mohammad · Rating 4 out of 5]

That is how history should be presented for a layman. A great story with a mostly balanced view of different players.

[Irena Pasvinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been meaning to listen to this course for ages. To be precise instead of hyperbolic, I bought it on audible in 2014. Now, ten years later, I finally got to it. I listened to two other courses by Kenneth W. Harl before (Alexander the Great and the Macedonian Empire and The Peloponnesian War) and liked them. However, "The Barbarian Empires of the Steppes" turned out to be different, and my feelings about it kept changing from enthusiasm to bewilderment and back. It covers thousands of years, mentions hundreds of names of tribes and historical figures, alternates between hundreds of geographical locations, and discusses a heap of historical events. Inevitably, all these myriads of nomadic tribes, zooming all over Roman empire, Central Europe, Russia, China, Persia, Mongolia, India etc, mixed into a giant heap of colorful salad in my swollen head, and I could no longer remember who carved out what territory, where and for how long and who displaced/overrun/assimilated whom, where and how quickly.

Still, this was one fascinating salad, which gradually revealed a lot of interesting patterns and historical developments. Besides, it turned out that re-listening to a few lectures after finishing the course considerably improved my understanding of the events. Of course, I'm not going to re-listen everything all over again now (too impatient and careless for that), but due to the variety of topics discussed in this course, it's already threatening to drag me into the whole new series of black holes of my bottomless knowledge gaps (especially that all of these gaps happen to be featured in my oversized TBR: the history of India, the history of China, Scythians, Byzantine Empire, Crusades, Chinggis Khan, Confucius, Hinduism, Buddhism, Ottoman Empire...). So you've been warned -- unless you are already intimately familiar with their history, beware of the barbarians of the steppes.;)


Extent of the Scythian kingdom in Western Asia and Europe (Image credit: Antiquistik, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons.)


Map of Europe circa 451 CE, including the Roman Empire, Frankish and Gothic territories, and the Hunnic Empire of Attila. (Image credit: Ty's Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons.)


Eight of 15 Great Khagans of the Mongolian Empire.
Portrayed above, clockwise from top left...

Genghis Khan [top left] (reigned 1206–1227), Ögedei Khan [top middle-left] (reigned 1229–1241), Kublai Khan [top middle-right] (reigned 1260-1294), Temur Khan [top right] (reigned 1294-1307), Buyantu Khan [bottom left] (reigned 1311-1320), Külüg Khan [bottom middle-left] (reigned 1307-1311), Jayaatu Khan Tugh Temur [bottom middle-right] (reigned 1328-1332), Rinchinbal Khan [bottom right] (reigned 1332, under 3 months)

(Image credit: Giorgiomonteforti, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

[Koit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one -- there was a lot of in depth knowledge, and the steppes have not been my speciality in any way thus far. If there is anything for me to throw against this, then there were some lapses in coverage insofar as I am aware -- although perhaps because they don't qualify as either "barbarians", "empires", or "of the steppes".

In specific, I would have liked to hear about the Manchus in more detail as well as about the internal strife in the Commonwealth and the Russian lands caused by the Cossacks. However, the coverage granted was mostly concerned with first the Hunnic peoples, then the Turkish tribes and lastly the Mongols. It slightly looked as if the author had tried to fit everything into a neat story, but the generic premise of this series worked well. 

It is also clear that the author's fascination with China and the barbarian-civilised conflict led him to focus more on that topic. As it is a brilliant theme to ponder on, I cannot fault him that at all -- matter of fact, it's quite possibly the main take-away message. The strong become weak, and are replaced by people who were quite like them to begin with. 

Originally posted here.

[Carl Palmateer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scythians, Huns and Mongols (plus a whole lot more) oh my!

First the bad news, although the professor is lively and engaged with a good voice he uses far too many "fill" words. I dislike it, others it may not bother. I find it distracting.

Overall, however, it is another great survey course. Working from a variety of sources, not shy to admit when sources are lacking and speculation is rife we are taken all over the steppes in time and space. From the first taming of horses to the discovery of important technologies like the stirrup and compound bow. The impact of climate, terrain and geography on the development of the different groups; language, trade, it all plays apart.

The history really starts with the Scythians and ends with the Mongols, about 6,000 years (and it was a busy 6 millennia) when the moving of the steppe people had an outsized impact on the rest of Asia, parts of Africa, and Europe. The impact of both East and West on the tribes is also examined as well as how the steppes allowed the Chinese and Western empires to interact with and influence the other.

By the end you will have a far better understanding of both the past and the present.

[T. Laane · Rating 2 out of 5]

So… It’s a history class lecture, recorded. Not an actual book. Which could be just fine - but the author is not a professional reader, having his “Hmmm” and “Aaa” voices not just between sentences, but a lot during the sentences. I do acknowledge that the reader has VERY vast knowledge of all the details, BUT ……… well, not only is he not a good “reader”, but he also is not a good writer, throwing HUNDREDS, no THOUSANDS of names of not just leaders, but captains and what-ever, countries, provinces, that have nothing to do with the main story. It’s like talking about the story of Cinderella going to the Ball and in the book give the detailed descriptions and Latin names of all the trees and plants that are seen on the way to the ball. The story is not about the freaking plants, dude! Nobody cares about the names of 124152242 generals.
To sum it up, I did not even manage to get to the point of Mongols, because the introduction about China’s generals is 2 hours long. God damn it! And dude, I have read A LOT of history books. But, but. Maybe he managed to get all this feedback and will make hist next books a lot more interesting.

[Jeff Beardsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit first that I keep finding new lecture series which, in my mind, are even better than previous series I’ve gone through; which is why you’ll see me often state something like, “this is my favorite Great Courses lecture series so far!” Well, that is also the case with this one, “The Barbarian Empires of the Steppes” by Kenneth W. Harl. First of all, this is a topic which is near and dear to my heart, namely, the history of lives and movement of peoples across the Eurasian steppe-land”, and how they changed the course of world history. It cannot be understated how true this fact is! We all have heard of Attila and the Mongols, but few really understand how they impacted China, Europe and the Middle East. Fewer still have heard of the Scythian or the Gök Turks, and how a people moved from an area north of China to become the residents of Asia Minor…Turkey. The history is fantastic and gripping, and Harl has a wonderful way of keeping you engaged. I highly recommend this course!

[Haoyan Do · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the word "barbarian" in "Barbarians of The Steppes" is used to entice the audience rather than to be derogatory. Actually people use it so randomly and so carelessly that rarely anybody has faith in it anymore. Whenever somebody is called a barbarian, one begins to think that this person may just be exotic or unconventional.

I didn't think I would like this series of lectures, but it turns out exhilarating even though Professor Harl didn't make any attempt to make his lectures more entertaining. He didn't need to since the history supplies so much interesting material that I am hooked. For example, the Italian Princess Honoria pleaded with Attila the Hun to come to rescue her. That's so funny and so much against the common imagination of women fleeing from such a savage.

I myself is at least a quarter Mongolian and I have always been interested in my ancestors--it doesn't matter how they are labeled or stereotyped. If anything, this series smashed these labels and stereotypes.

[Mick Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting though often somewhat indigestable account of the procession of different tribes and peoples fighting and mobilising against sedentary civilisations over the course of 6000 or so years. Harl makes a compelling case that steppe nomads were a significant force in world history, and indeed often played a role in spreading ideas and culture, for the bulk of that time. As a way of thinking about the influence of geography on the process of historical development it was compelling. Lots of interesting details, the role that the partition of Genghis Khan's empire played in the division of religious influence in the west between buddhism and islam, the indirect influence of the mongolian empires on europe through the spread of gunpowder, the importance of sufism as a device for spreading islam along the silk road, and that is off the top of my head. Harl's presentation of the sometimes dry material is generally compelling, he usually finds a way to make the material come to life. Would love to follow some of this material up.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this lecturer. You can tell he loves the material, which for me makes it so much more fun to listen to, and he knows it well. I knew a decent amount about the Mongols already, but I didn't know much about any of the other groups from the steppes. The sections about the Shuang Nu (sp? Sorry guys, downside of lectures is not learning the spelling...) were really interesting and different. It also blew my mind that the barbarian empires had dealings with the Crusaders. I don't know why, but for some reason I never really placed those groups in the same time period before. And the fact that the barbarians are a large part of the eventual fall of the Roman Empire/ Byzantine Empire is really cool. All in all, great lecture, if you want something different I highly recommend this (and also his lecture on the Vikings).

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook. This fascinating series of lectures sweeps across thousands of years and multiple civilizations /cultures in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, providing a wide view of their history while also highlighting key details. Although Professor Harl isn’t the smoothest speaker around, he is extremely knowledgeable about his subject and presents an engrossing story of how nomadic tribes from the Eurasian steppes have influenced the history of China, India, the Middle East, and Europe. The audiobook comes with a PDF guide full of maps, glossaries, timelines, etc. which are essential (especially the maps) in understanding as each lecture is packed with names, dates and geography. This was one of my favorite “reads” this year.

[Anthony Meaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous course by Professor Harl. Complements his course on "The Vikings" quite nicely. It's hard to imagine today just how powerful and transformative the pastoral nomads of the Mongolian steppes were but their exploits echo throughout our world today.

From the Great Wall of China to the development of modern firearms and artillery the restless nomads of the steppes were like yeast being stirred into established civilizations to create dramatic and long lasting changes.

Oh and along the way they slaughtered millions and burned cities....

Want to learn the real stories behind such fascinating characters as "The Scourge of God" Ghengis Khan and "The Prince of Destruction"? This course is the best place to start.

[Katherine R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information, led to lots of solo research and image hunting. Wish the contributions of the Mongols to the modern world was more clearly discussed but the history is great too. They are responsible for so much of what we have today and yet this didn't touch on much of those contributions except at the end. Great survey course, but I want more. The use of misinformation today in creating havoc can be attributed to the Mongols in some ways because that was how Genghis Khan often subdued whole cities, by scaring them with stories of what the Mongols did to other cities. Sometimes it was true, sometimes it was pure fabrication. I want to see more of the connections between what they introduced to the world and what we have today. I hope to find out more.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the last lecture, the thirty-sixth, Professor Harl reminds his listeners that his material covered 6,000 miles and 6,000 years. He failed to mention the 6,000 leaders that he introduced. The Barbarian Empires of the Steppes is an eye opener to all the activity that was going on around the edges of central Europe, the area that I’m most familiar with. I don’t remember knowing the word Transoxiana before listening. I especially appreciated learning about the movement and activities of the many Turkish tribes and peoples. Harl’s presentation is not smooth, but he exudes so much knowledge and excitement about his subject that he draws in the listener. After a break, I plan to listen to another of his Great Courses.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had my eye on this one for a while, and it absolutely lived up to my high expectations. I learned a ton about steppe nomads and the silk road, which I barely knew anything about previously. The silk road in particular seemed like a myth or something fictitous, so it was interesting to learn about what it actually was. It was also fascinating to realize how big an impact steppe nomads had on the sedentary peoples around them, ranging from China to Rome and everything in between. This course worked great as a standalone series, to be clear, but along the way it made me want to learn more about the histories of China, India, Russia, Islam, Byzantium, Persia, and more. Really, really good.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rare that I'm sad to finish a book. This enlightening, broadly-scoped course provided one of the best nonfiction reading and listening experiences I've had in many years. Dr. Harl is a compelling, charismatic lecturer whose style remained engaging throughout the "Barbarian Empires" lectures. Plus, his coursebook's "supplemental material"--comprised of relevant maps, a detailed timeline, a glossary, extensive biographical notes, and a bibliography--is SUPREMELY helpful for further reading about peoples and empires from the ancient Eurasian and Central Asian steppes. Unquestionably recommended to anyone seeking a general introduction to the title's topic.

[Skuli Saeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Afskaplega fróðleg erindi um hirðingjaþjóðirnar á steppum Asíu og hvernig þær lögðu undir sig gríðarleg landssvæði með vel öguðum hestamönnum, bogum sem voru öflugri en aðrir sambærilegir bogar og skipulagningu og upplýsingaöflun sem sló flestum andstæðingum þeirra við. Sögu þessara þjóða er yfirleitt gerð lítil skil en Harl sýnir fram á hve öflugar þær voru og khanar þeirra færir stjórnendur. Vel þess virði að hlusta á.