2. The Bronze Age Collapse - Mediterranean Apocalypse

After watching/listening to 14 episodes I have developed a much broader understanding of the evolution of human social structures. Nothing else in my 67 years - no other books, films, documentaries, courses, or lectures - NONE have come close to igniting the passionate interest in history for which I credit this series. I cannot thank you enough and hope to soon be bn a position to put a bit of money where my mouth is.

When I was a kid, I was fascinated with the History Channel, as it satiated my ravenous hunger of years past. Since they went the route of MTV, I've been looking for a content creator of quality. I'll stop looking now.

This channel/podcast is what happens when highly intelligent, passionate, talented, and creative people get to do what they want to do.. without anyone telling them how or what to actually do. I've watched episodes many times and each time the creator invites you into an emotional and thought-provoking journey- not only into the fascinating past but, a deep and piercing introspective look into us as humans living the human condition. Outstanding. I will donate when I find work again! Thank you for these gifts of wonder.

I listen to this particular episode once a week, usually before bed when I have the next day off from work. Such a relaxing story to fall asleep and dream to. I sincerely love your work. Godspeed. ❤

In his novel "The Sun Also Rises" Hemingway describes how the end comes about when you lose everything. One character asks "How did it happen". The other responds "Gradually then Suddenly". It never fails to surprise me how most people think the most complex civilisation ever in history is immune to collapse. In reality we're in the 'Gradual' phase. The late great Albert Bartlett famously said "One of the greatest shortcomings of the human race is our inability to truly understand the exponential function".

7:30 ... "Its a second century version of the history channel's ancient aliens conspiracy theories today" Me: Is there such a thing as a Mic-Drop-Slow-Clap? That was great. Your channel is what the History Channel should be.

You teach history in the deepest tradition of our kind: As a master storyteller... As a traveling bard come to bring far worlds home, in tales told to the people gathered close 'round the fire at night. Thank you! Every one of these has been a hit with me. You've brought history alive again.

I watched,the fall of Assyrria five times over five months . I've just realised it's part of a magnificent series of outstanding quality. Oh the joy, the joy

A beginning, a middle and an end. A first class example of documentary film making allied with the gift of a master storyteller. Hooked and enthralled by this gem of a channel. Thank you Paul.

imagine how it must feel to pass from a golden age of civilization to one of rubble and ruin, *looks out window

I can’t help but rewatch my favorite episodes. Mostly because I feel I was robbed in college because obviously, no one ever created such a interesting, thoughtful and magnificent presentation as this channels creator. Knowledge is power. And this creator is brilliant!

You are the man! I don’t know how you do this but these are epic. I lived in Turkey for 5 years when I was a boy into young teen. In the 70’s the ruins were not a tourist attraction. My brother and I spent hours in Ephesus and many other ruin sites in Turkey. We spent a lot of time snorkeling the Aegean. Going back this fall after 46 years. Love this content and the way you make it come alive!

Where were you when as a young boy of the early 40s I was studying history in school, what a joy it would have been to have had this medium in those days and people such as yourself as teachers.

When he said the classical Greeks couldn't believe that the bronze age Greeks built the megalithic sites that they did and so they attributed it to mythological figures and then he compares that to modern-day people who can't believe the ancients built the pyramids and so they attributed to aliens. This literally maybe just became my favorite channel on YouTube. It was already one of my favorites for putting an actual history documentaries instead of conspiracy theory junk but that was positively delicious

I keep watching these over and over Partly because they're so interesting and partly because I fall asleep within 10 to 30 minutes every time Only ever finished the Sumerian one, but it's so relaxing to just chuck them on and lie there with my eyes closed I can't wait to see what comes in the future

Time Stamps Please feel free to add other important moments below if I've missed anything! Thank you Paul for such beautiful work! 0:00 Ruins of Hattusa 2:30 The Mysterious Wave of Destruction 3:37 Introduction and Welcome 5:53 The Iliad, Odyssey, and The City of Troy/Mycenea 11:38 Mediterranean Civilizations 13:05 Trade between City States 15:00 Bronze 18:16 The two main sources of information from this era 20:02 First Theory of Decline: The Sea Peoples 21:50 Ugarit 30:51 Egypt and Ramses III 42:00 The Decline of Mycenae, Hattusa, Elam, Babylon 44:35 Babylon 48:08 Second Theory: The Growth of Iron Use 50:30 Final Theory: Climate Change 53:15 Eruption of Hekla 3 56:35 An Alternative View of the Sea Peoples 1:00:21 Closing Thoughts

I was on a dig at Tel Aphek just outside Tel Aviv where we were at the Bronze Age level. There was a very distinct black layer. This was in 1974.

Thanks for this. Several years ago, I read "1177 BC The Year Civilization Collapsed" by Eric Cline. It's along the same lines as this podcast, but the addition of audio and video in this telling made it more real. Even now, we are only one natural disaster away from something similar. Our lives are so short that, unless we remember our history, we forget how vulnerable we are.

This is probably my 5th time listening to this episode. I love the work you guys do, absolutely top notch content

Thank you Paul. As a History teacher, I'm impressed with your analysis of this issue. A job well done. Thank you.