Listen free for 30 days
-
The Pagan World
- Ancient Religions Before Christianity
- Narrated by: Hans-Friedrich Mueller
- Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins
- Lecture
- Categories: Religion & Spirituality, Religious Studies
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Audible Membership
$14.95 a month
Buy Now for $43.80
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Celtic World
- Written by: The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Jennifer Paxton PhD
- Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Following the surge of interest and pride in Celtic identity since the 19th century, much of what we thought we knew about the Celts has been radically transformed. In The Celtic World, discover the incredible story of the Celtic-speaking peoples, whose art, language, and culture once spread from Ireland to Austria. This series of 24 enlightening lectures explains the traditional historical view of who the Celts were, then contrasts it with brand-new evidence from DNA analysis and archeology that totally changes our perspective on where the Celts came from.
-
-
good presenter not enough lectors
- By Anonymous User on 2019-12-19
Written by: The Great Courses
-
Understanding the Old Testament
- Written by: Professor Robert D. Miller II, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Robert D. Miller II
- Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Old Testament is one of the foundational texts of Western civilization, and is among the most impactful and widely read books in world history. In 24 enthralling lectures, Professor Miller guides you through a core selection of the major books of the Old Testament, inviting you to probe their meaning and relevance in incisive and thought-provoking commentary. In Understanding the Old Testament, you’ll take a revelatory look at this epically impactful document, finding its deeper historical and religious meanings, as well as its sublime literary treasures.
-
-
revolutionary
- By Anonymous User on 2021-01-02
Written by: Professor Robert D. Miller II, and others
-
The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World
- Written by: Robert Garland, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Robert Garland
- Length: 24 hrs and 28 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Look beyond the abstract dates and figures, kings and queens, and battles and wars that make up so many historical accounts. Over the course of 48 richly detailed lectures, Professor Garland covers the breadth and depth of human history from the perspective of the so-called ordinary people, from its earliest beginnings through the Middle Ages.
-
-
Loved it!
- By Trent T on 2018-10-29
Written by: Robert Garland, and others
-
Exploring the Roots of Religion
- Written by: John R. Hale, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: John R. Hale
- Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What impulse drove ancient cultures to create sites like Stonehenge, Machu Picchu, and the pyramids at Giza? Why are we so transfixed by their presence today? And what do they reveal about our ancestors-and humanity? The dynamic force of religious belief is responsible for some of the world's most popular and ancient locales.
-
-
Essential knowledge for the Religious
- By Randwulfen on 2021-07-07
Written by: John R. Hale, and others
-
Cultural Literacy for Religion: Everything the Well-Educated Person Should Know
- Written by: Mark Berkson, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Mark Berkson
- Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
According to polls conducted by Gallup and the Pew Research Forum on Religion & Public Life, the majority of Americans fail basic tests about religion, including tests on their own faith. This is troublesome because religious literacy is about so much more than naming deities or knowing the stories of ancient history. For many of us, religion is a way to examine and understand ourselves. These 24 enlightening lectures offer you the chance to experience the world's religions from all angles – historical, theological, and cultural.
-
-
Great exposure to the world of religions
- By Rene F. on 2019-09-11
Written by: Mark Berkson, and others
-
The Ottoman Empire
- Written by: Kenneth W. Harl, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kenneth W. Harl
- Length: 18 hrs and 44 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
By understanding the dramatic story of the Ottoman Empire - from its early years as a collection of raiders and conquerors to its undeniable power in the 15th and 16th centuries to its catastrophic collapse in the wreckage of the First World War - one can better grasp the current complexities of the Middle East. Befitting a story of such epic scope and grandeur, every lecture is a treasure trove of historical insights into the people, events, themes, and locales responsible for shaping the story of this often-overlooked empire.
-
-
Great material but terrible speaker.
- By Leslie on 2018-10-26
Written by: Kenneth W. Harl, and others
-
The Celtic World
- Written by: The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Jennifer Paxton PhD
- Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Following the surge of interest and pride in Celtic identity since the 19th century, much of what we thought we knew about the Celts has been radically transformed. In The Celtic World, discover the incredible story of the Celtic-speaking peoples, whose art, language, and culture once spread from Ireland to Austria. This series of 24 enlightening lectures explains the traditional historical view of who the Celts were, then contrasts it with brand-new evidence from DNA analysis and archeology that totally changes our perspective on where the Celts came from.
-
-
good presenter not enough lectors
- By Anonymous User on 2019-12-19
Written by: The Great Courses
-
Understanding the Old Testament
- Written by: Professor Robert D. Miller II, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Robert D. Miller II
- Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Old Testament is one of the foundational texts of Western civilization, and is among the most impactful and widely read books in world history. In 24 enthralling lectures, Professor Miller guides you through a core selection of the major books of the Old Testament, inviting you to probe their meaning and relevance in incisive and thought-provoking commentary. In Understanding the Old Testament, you’ll take a revelatory look at this epically impactful document, finding its deeper historical and religious meanings, as well as its sublime literary treasures.
-
-
revolutionary
- By Anonymous User on 2021-01-02
Written by: Professor Robert D. Miller II, and others
-
The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World
- Written by: Robert Garland, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Robert Garland
- Length: 24 hrs and 28 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Look beyond the abstract dates and figures, kings and queens, and battles and wars that make up so many historical accounts. Over the course of 48 richly detailed lectures, Professor Garland covers the breadth and depth of human history from the perspective of the so-called ordinary people, from its earliest beginnings through the Middle Ages.
-
-
Loved it!
- By Trent T on 2018-10-29
Written by: Robert Garland, and others
-
Exploring the Roots of Religion
- Written by: John R. Hale, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: John R. Hale
- Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What impulse drove ancient cultures to create sites like Stonehenge, Machu Picchu, and the pyramids at Giza? Why are we so transfixed by their presence today? And what do they reveal about our ancestors-and humanity? The dynamic force of religious belief is responsible for some of the world's most popular and ancient locales.
-
-
Essential knowledge for the Religious
- By Randwulfen on 2021-07-07
Written by: John R. Hale, and others
-
Cultural Literacy for Religion: Everything the Well-Educated Person Should Know
- Written by: Mark Berkson, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Mark Berkson
- Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
According to polls conducted by Gallup and the Pew Research Forum on Religion & Public Life, the majority of Americans fail basic tests about religion, including tests on their own faith. This is troublesome because religious literacy is about so much more than naming deities or knowing the stories of ancient history. For many of us, religion is a way to examine and understand ourselves. These 24 enlightening lectures offer you the chance to experience the world's religions from all angles – historical, theological, and cultural.
-
-
Great exposure to the world of religions
- By Rene F. on 2019-09-11
Written by: Mark Berkson, and others
-
The Ottoman Empire
- Written by: Kenneth W. Harl, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kenneth W. Harl
- Length: 18 hrs and 44 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
By understanding the dramatic story of the Ottoman Empire - from its early years as a collection of raiders and conquerors to its undeniable power in the 15th and 16th centuries to its catastrophic collapse in the wreckage of the First World War - one can better grasp the current complexities of the Middle East. Befitting a story of such epic scope and grandeur, every lecture is a treasure trove of historical insights into the people, events, themes, and locales responsible for shaping the story of this often-overlooked empire.
-
-
Great material but terrible speaker.
- By Leslie on 2018-10-26
Written by: Kenneth W. Harl, and others
-
The Real History of Secret Societies
- Written by: Professor Richard B. Spence, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Richard B. Spence
- Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to The Real History of Secret Societies, a historical look at the true-life groups which, if you believe the myths, are the unspoken power behind some of the world’s major turning points, from controlling the British crown to holding back the electric car and keeping Martians and Atlantis under wraps. Prepare yourself. In this course brought to you in partnership with HISTORY®, you will be visiting some of history’s deepest rabbit-holes, across centuries and continents, in search of secret societies in all their varieties.
-
-
Surprising Secret Societies
- By Rick B on 2021-09-21
Written by: Professor Richard B. Spence, and others
-
The Big History of Civilizations
- Written by: Craig G. Benjamin, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Craig G. Benjamin
- Length: 17 hrs and 49 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The history of human civilization is an astonishing story of migration, innovation, and social development. Now, the exciting new field of "big history" allows us to explore human civilizations in ways unavailable to historians of previous generations. Big history scholars take a multidisciplinary approach to study great spans of time, unlocking important themes, trends, and developments across time and space.
-
-
A wonderful survey course
- By JohnS on 2020-01-22
Written by: Craig G. Benjamin, and others
-
The Vikings
- Written by: Kenneth W. Harl, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kenneth W. Harl
- Length: 17 hrs and 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As raiders and explorers, the Vikings played a decisive role in the formation of Latin Christendom, and particularly of western Europe. Now, in a series of 36 vivid lectures by an honored teacher and classical scholar, you have the opportunity to understand this remarkable race as never before, studying the Vikings not only as warriors, but in all of the other roles in which they were equally extraordinary - merchants, artists, kings, raiders, seafarers, shipbuilders, and creators of a remarkable literature of myths and sagas.
-
-
A lot of Fun
- By Trevor Holmlund on 2020-11-19
Written by: Kenneth W. Harl, and others
-
The Fall of the Pagans and the Origins of Medieval Christianity
- Written by: Kenneth W. Harl, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kenneth W. Harl
- Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Explore the dramatic interaction between Judaism, Christianity, and paganism in Rome from the 1st to the 6th centuries. Why did pagan Rome clash with the early Christians? What was it like to be a Jew or a Christian under Roman law? And how did Christianity ultimately achieve dominance in the Roman Empire?Over the course or 24 lectures, Professor Harl enables you to grasp the full historical sweep of this critically important era and its key figures.
-
-
A heartbreaking tale!
- By Anonymous User on 2021-06-30
Written by: Kenneth W. Harl, and others
-
The Roman Empire: From Augustus to the Fall of Rome
- Written by: Gregory S. Aldrete, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Gregory S. Aldrete
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Roman Empire: From Augustus to the Fall of Rome traces the breathtaking history from the empire’s foundation by Augustus to its Golden Age in the 2nd century CE through a series of ever-worsening crises until its ultimate disintegration. Taught by acclaimed Professor Gregory S. Aldrete of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, these 24 captivating lectures offer you the chance to experience this story like never before, incorporating the latest historical insights that challenge our previous notions of Rome’s decline.
-
-
Really enjoyed this one
- By Slim Spliffington on 2022-05-20
Written by: Gregory S. Aldrete, and others
-
Ancient Mesopotamia
- Life in the Cradle of Civilization
- Written by: The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Amanda H. Podany PhD
- Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mesopotamia is the ancient name for the region that is now Iraq, a remarkably advanced civilization that flourished for two-thirds of the time that civilization has existed on Earth. Mesopotamians mastered irrigation agriculture; built the first complex urban societies; developed writing, literature, and law; and united vast regions through warfare and diplomacy. While civilizations like Greece and Rome have an unbroken tradition of written histories, the rich history of Mesopotamia has only been recently rediscovered, thanks to the decipherment of Mesopotamia's cuneiform writing less than 200 years ago.
-
-
Excellent
- By C. Chaffin on 2020-12-20
Written by: The Great Courses
-
The Black Death: The World's Most Devastating Plague
- Written by: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Many of us know the Black Death as a catastrophic event of the medieval world. But the Black Death was arguably the most significant event in Western history, profoundly affecting every aspect of human life, from the economic and social to the political, religious, and cultural. In its wake the plague left a world that was utterly changed, forever altering the traditional structure of European societies and forcing a rethinking of every single system of Western civilization: food production and trade, the church, political institutions, law, art, and more.
-
-
wonderful knowledge
- By Quinn musgrave on 2018-09-21
Written by: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
Lost Worlds of South America
- Written by: Edwin Barnhart, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Edwin Barnhart
- Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Buried by the centuries on soaring mountain slopes and beneath arid deserts and lush jungles of South America, the remains of extraordinary, majestic civilizations-many unknown until recent decades-are now coming to light and raising tantalizing questions about what else may be awaiting discovery.Take an adventurous trek to these wilds of South America and the great civilizations of the ancients. In 24 eye-opening lectures, you'll take an in-depth look at the emerging finds and archaeological knowledge of more than 12 seminal civilizations.
-
-
Misleading
- By Amazon Customer on 2021-04-14
Written by: Edwin Barnhart, and others
-
The Barbarian Empires of the Steppes
- Written by: Kenneth W. Harl, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kenneth W. Harl
- Length: 18 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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 pushed ever westward, coming into contact with the Roman Empire, Han China, and distant cultures from Iraq to India.
Written by: Kenneth W. Harl, and others
-
The Story of Human Language
- Written by: John McWhorter, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: John McWhorter
- Length: 18 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Language defines us as a species, placing humans head and shoulders above even the most proficient animal communicators. But it also beguiles us with its endless mysteries, allowing us to ponder why different languages emerged, why there isn't simply a single language, how languages change over time and whether that's good or bad, and how languages die out and become extinct.
-
-
Pretentious, Inaccurate, and Self-Absorbed.
- By Anonymous User on 2021-03-03
Written by: John McWhorter, and others
-
The Catholic Church: A History
- Written by: William R. Cook, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: William R. Cook
- Length: 19 hrs and 13 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How did the Catholic Church become one of the most influential institutions in the world-a force capable of moving armies, inspiring saints, and shaping the lives of a billion members? Explore these and other questions as you follow the development of this important institution in 36 informative, fascinating lectures. With Professor Cook by your side, you'll step into the world of the early church, witness the spread of Christendom, and learn about the origins of fundamental church institutions.
-
-
beyond an eye opener
- By Tatay JP on 2019-04-22
Written by: William R. Cook, and others
-
Death, Dying, and the Afterlife: Lessons from World Cultures
- Written by: Mark Berkson, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Mark Berkson
- Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After thousands of years of pondering it, we still find death one of life's most perplexing mysteries. Many cultures view death as a window into the true meaning of life. These 24 lectures looking at this often feared subject are an uplifting, meaningful, and multidisciplinary exploration of life's only certainty.
-
-
An interesting and meaningful experience
- By Devin on 2019-05-29
Written by: Mark Berkson, and others
Publisher's Summary
In The Pagan World: Ancient Religions Before Christianity, you will meet the fascinating, ancient polytheistic peoples of the Mediterranean and beyond, their many gods and goddesses, and their public and private worship practices, as you come to appreciate the foundational role religion played in their lives. Professor Hans-Friedrich Mueller, of Union College in Schenectady, New York, makes this ancient world come alive in 24 lectures with captivating stories of intrigue, artifacts, illustrations, and detailed descriptions from primary sources of intriguing personalities.
In the ancient Mediterranean area, religion was not separate from daily life. To the contrary, religion was daily life. The many dozen gods of this ancient world were everywhere, with spirits inhabiting every crack and crevice of life. These polytheists believed they had a strict contract with their deities: If they took care of their gods, their gods would take care of them (or at least not harm them). Consequently, they built extraordinary temples to honor their deities, brought food and wine to them, sacrificed animals for them, and held sacred meals with their gods. In fact, they followed numerous rules and regulations that circumscribed almost all aspects of life both inside and outside the home - anything and everything to keep the gods happy. Consequently, the religious practices of the ancient Mediterranean make a wonderful lens through which to develop a deeper understanding of their world.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
What listeners say about The Pagan World
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mark F Sperring
- 2020-06-30
armchair historian
A little on the feminist studies side of the aisle but still lots of interesting stuff in it. also not a big fan of his presentation style. To be fair I'm not his usual demographic but I found him a little condescending. It could well be my issue alone but I thought it was worth mentioning.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Pronoiac
- 2020-06-26
great narrator
Interesting material was animated by vivacious and lively speaker. Perspective was broad, refreshing lack of religious bias and condescension. Excellent program.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- arnold e andersen md Dr Andersen
- 2020-03-28
The Pagan World
Outstanding in content and delivery. Highly recommend. No bias for or against any religion would like longer treatment of Zooriastrian religion and Cristian heresies. Suggest review of Buddhism Shinto and Confucianism. Where does paganism exist today. What about pagan religions of early Great Britain and the Gauls.
74 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- SS
- 2020-09-08
85% Greece/Rome - Title is Misleading
Professor Mueller is, as he says, a classicist. So these lectures remain rooted in the spiritual practices of Rome and Greece. There are cursory visits to the Middle East and Asia, but I was hoping for something else— more of prehistory, ancient global religions, myth?
Well done, for what it is. Just wish I knew before I bought it.
64 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anna Noehre
- 2020-04-19
great historical tour, great voice
Skillful, digestible coverage of ancient Mediterranean religions. It starts in early Egyptian worship and ends with Christianity becoming the official religion of the Roman Empire. It's not too fine-detailed, and not too superficial. Mueller strikes just the right balance for an educated listener. The professor's voice is pleasantly Midwestern but not twangy, and the vocabulary is academic but not technical. Much attention is paid to the fascinating relationship between religion and statecraft. Listening to this 12.5 hour presentation feels like going on an exhilarating world tour through ancient Egypt, India, Parthya, Sumeria, Greece and the vast territories of Imperial Rome. Delightful, insightful, and recommended!
64 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2020-04-07
Love the concept but.....
Admittedly I only got up to the Ancient Egyptian chapter.
I like the concept but the execution not so much.
This audiobook takes the form of lectures. Which I thought wouldn't be a problem to me. However, I found it a bit hard to follow (even with the PDF that's included).
I just feel that (for me, others can be different), that this form of "lecture" NEEDS visuals to keep the audience engaged.
Each part was very brief and I didn't exactly feel that much more knowledge was being bestowed on me than I could get reading a Wikipedia article and a history vid on youtube.
52 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Megan
- 2020-07-10
Recommend
I don’t mean to give an enthusiastic 5 star review. Every star really is earned here. I don’t understand other comments about how this shouldn’t be on audio. It’s one of the more excellent and interesting books or courses here. Recommend.
47 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Emily Brandt
- 2020-05-28
Auspicious
I really like the great courses but was underwhelmed with what could have been an amazing topic. I found the input of the lecturer’s personal jokes, anecdotes and frequent “we’re out of time” distracting. It started off strong but I grew annoyed near the end.
39 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bonnie M.M.
- 2020-08-11
Perfect In-Between Binge Filler
Overall, I’m happy with the material and the performance. I started to tune-out after about an hour of listening. I highly suggest this Audiobook for when you just can’t decide on anything, and just need to pick SOMETHING. Took me a while to get through, but I always enjoyed it when I listened and found it easy to pick back up wherever I’d left off.
23 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lee Ann Waltz
- 2020-05-04
Well paced and well told.
I appreciated the depth and breath of this course. It stuck to the task with few tangents. It covered what seemed like the most important areas of pagan religion. I was more interested in the overall course than the deep dive into Roman life but I understand it’s importance. The story telling was excellent and I would love to have a glossary of the hundreds of words that form the roots of their English counterparts. Great lectures from a great lecturer. Thank you
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sally
- 2020-05-03
Good topic, lackluster performance
Great and interesting topic, just not so thrilled with the instructor. He very much read his lectures and it was very apparent, almost like he was seeing it for the first time. And his mispronouncations? Don't get me started! If someone who teaches pagan religion can't properly pronounce "apostate," they should probably find a new profession.
However, the topic is quite interesting and I did learn a few things, altho much of it was kind of basic.. Worth a listen if you are scrambling for something or not really familiar with the subject, but not sure I'd go out of my way.
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- LorrieAnne
- 2020-10-18
Heavy on Rome
While interesting, please note that this is very Roman centric. It is of less interest if you are not interested in religion in Rome pre-Christianity.
9 people found this helpful