Excellent content with some caveats

Any additional comments?

Prof. Garland makes clear from several perspectives why we cannot understand or appreciate ancient Rome apart from its relationship to ancient Greece. I now appreciate more than ever the concept "Greco-Roman." This course is excellent, but there are some shortcomings the listener should be aware of.

1. Garland occasionally argues from etymologies to support some of his interpretations. This method of argumentation has been discredited for over 50 years. His conclusions may be correct, but when he etymologizes his methodology is suspect.

2. Garland, in spite of his protestations against it, seems unable to resist playing the role of a long-distance armchair psychologist analyzing the interior motives of long-dead ancient persons about whom we know very little.

3. Garland's presentation of the relationship between Christianity and Greco-Roman culture is superficial at best and just plain wrong at worst. He fails to present (or understand?) the essentially Jewish nature of primitive (including Pauline) Christianity. Further, while he argues that Christianity is essentially an amalgamation of elements derived from contemporaneous Mediterranean religions, he also argues that Christianity thoroughly overhauled the ideology and worldview of the Greco-Roman world. How what was essentially a patchwork of existing religious beliefs could have had such a thoroughgoing transformational effect he does not even address or question. He does not appear to be aware of this apparent contradiction.

That being said, the course is well worth it and I will listen to some of Prof. Garland's other presentations.

92 people found this helpful

Phenomenal listen!!! A superior audiobook!

I have enjoyed most of the Great Courses I've bought. This lecture is one of the best, with a great depth of information and excellent analysis and synthesis of ancient societies of Greece and Rome. It has been my experience to read and study Greek and Roman civilizations quite separately, making it seem that they are many centuries apart. But in truth, the "classic" age of Greece takes place during the early life of Rome. The Hellenistic period is during Rome's rise to power. Professor Garland provides excellent synthesis of the material in the proper context, demonstrating the interplay of the two cultures. He explores both cultures and governments, with an emphasis on the differences, similarities, and strengths of each society, and how each influenced the other. I have recently finished listening to a half dozen books about ancient civilizations, including the histories of Rome and Greece. This lecture is an excellent find for me- bringing it all together for a better understanding. The approach taken by Professor Garland reshapes the study of these two great societies, giving the listener a new perspective and a fuller and more complex world view.

But the biggest reason I recommend this lecture series is that it's just a really interesting and fun listen!! The teacher is excellent the material is fascinating, and it's just a truly enjoyable experience! Each lecture is engaging and compelling. I kept thinking- ok just one more lecture before bed... That kept happening well into the night, so that I was up early into the next morning, fighting sleep just to hear a little bit more.

This audiobook/lecture is a complete success, and I'm forever grateful that the Great Courses series is available through Audible!! If you are interested in the time period or in the history of either Rome or Greece, you will enjoy this audiobook!! It is one of the best, and the professor is a joy. Don't pass it up! If you are interested enough to read this review, then you should get this audiobook now!! :)

19 people found this helpful

Totally Fascinating

Any additional comments?

Apart from Professor Garland's jerky manner of speech, which grew on me, this audiobook series is absolutely fascinating. I appreciated the integrated history of Greece and Rome from all angles, including other groups like the Etruscans and some mention of other tribes and the Egyptians. I had a fuzzy picture of what these cultures were like and how they fit together, but did not understand the big picture until I listened to these excellent and well researched lectures. The biggest aspect I appreciate by Professor Garland is his storytelling ability and charm. I love how he organizes the courses. Highly recommended for history fans!

16 people found this helpful

Interesting Comparative History

This is fundamentally a comparative history of Ancient Greece and Rome. I think the title is a little misleading because the course does not tell a comprehensive history of either civilization. Instead, the course compares the differences between the two groups and discusses how they interacted. The course assumes a basic understanding of Greek and Roman history, though you do not have to be an expert to enjoy this course. Overall, this course was enjoyable and educational. The professor raised numerous thought-provoking ideas.

9 people found this helpful

Robert Garland Rocks!

I'm a big fan of Robert Garland. He's very passionate about his interests and conveys that with joy when he shares it. Greece and Rome: An Ingegrated History is unlike all the other lecture series' i've listened to from Teaching Company/Great Courses. It plumbs the depths of the well-known Greco-Roman story from a higher altitude than most, offering true glimpses of fresh perspective. And that is quite an accomplishment.

8 people found this helpful

Okay, I Guess

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I thought it was confusing. I listened while on the treadmill and I found that my mind was wondering. Perhaps there is a sound reason why the integrated approach to these subjects is rare. If you already knew a lot about each culture and the history of the ancient world, and you weren't on a treadmill, then perhaps you would enjoy it more.

Would you ever listen to anything by The Great Courses and Robert Garland again?

Sure, but honestly, even though I listened to all of the lectures (almost 19 hours), I don't feel that I retained a lot from this particular series. I would listen to another lecture by this professor if it were chronological in nature.

How could the performance have been better?

The performance was charming. He reminded me of Alec Guinness in Bridge On The River Kwai. In fact, I found myself whistling the tune from that movie whenever he said things like "ReNAYsance," and "Damned clever chappies, those Greeks."

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Greece and Rome: An Integrated History of the Ancient Mediterranean?

Well, I guess I would have absorbed more if the first half of the lectures dealt with Greece and the second half dealt with Rome. You could still compare and contrast, but later on, after you got your facts straight.

Any additional comments?

I have a biased opinion here, because I am a Christian. I felt that his interpretation of Bible verses showed a lack of basic understanding of Christianity. Not the main point of the lectures at all, but it sort of stuck out to me.

6 people found this helpful

I didn't want it to end

But alas it has. ☹️ They always do... ugh. I need to learn greek. I need to learn more about Epicureans....more more more!

6 people found this helpful

Most intelligent

I was almost sad when it ended..it reiterated many points of history that I already knew.. And introduced me to so many other factors that I will have to study now. I most definitely will listen to this entire lecture again because I couldn't possibly gather all the information in one listen. I have a new found respect for Greek and Roman history and for the professor Robert Garland. I will actually search for more of his lectures, it was brilliantly put together and very intellectually and passionately presented..A definite and must listen if you are in anyway interested in Roman and Greek history best listen so far

4 people found this helpful

Enjoyed about 50% that is it.

Great chapters with nice overview and knowledge that one can actually attain and find enriching. But, there is another half with details so deep that it's hard to listen. But, I still recommend. Just don't worry about listening to every chapter if you get bored. Skip and go back to what you like most.

3 people found this helpful

Useful, Infomative, scholarly--It Needed a Map

Despite its length, this is one of the best lecture series I have bought. As a university professor I was not knowledgeable about the relationship between Greece and Rome. I am now. Only two criticisms: 1) Audible should provide a download with maps and timeline, and 2) Mr. Garland has a habit of dropping the last word in his concluding sentences. Obviously this lecture is not for everyday readers. It's for those wanting specialized knowledge, somewhat in depth, delivered with energy. With that in mind I recommend it.

2 people found this helpful