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We are a non-profit organization publishing the world's most-read history encyclopedia. Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide.
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In this episode, we explore the complex causes behind the outbreak of World War II. Listeners will learn how the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, economic turmoil during the Great Depression, and the rise of fascist leaders like Adolf Hitler set the stage for global conflict. We break down the policies and political decisions—including appeasement by Britain and France, the failure of the League of Nations, and alliances between Germany, Italy, Japan, and the USSR—that allowed aggression to go unchecked. The episode covers key moments such as Germany’s rearmament, the Nazi-Soviet Pact, and the invasion of Poland that triggered the war. By the end, you’ll understand why WWII became inevitable and how the world’s major powers responded—often too late—to one of history’s most devastating conflicts.
Written by Mark Cartwright and narrated by Scarlett Hart.
#history #wwii #worldwar #whe
Explore the pivotal role of agriculture in shaping human history in our latest episode. Journey back to the ancient Near East, where the Fertile Crescent is celebrated as the birthplace of agriculture. Discover how the domestication of plants and animals in regions like Mesopotamia and the Levant led to the first large-scale cities and empires. This cradle of civilization, enriched by fertile soil and rivers like the Euphrates and Tigris, witnessed innovations such as artificial irrigation, crop rotation, and the use of plows, which transformed semi-nomadic groups into permanent agricultural societies.
Delve into how agriculture's surplus production was essential for the emergence of urban centers and complex societies. In Mesopotamia, cereal grains became a cornerstone for taxation, supporting centralized governments and enabling trade and urbanization. The podcast underscores how agriculture not only sustained growing populations but also laid the foundation for specialized trades and empires, ultimately fueling human progress and civilization's advancement across the globe.
Written and read by Jan van der Crabben. Original article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/9/agriculture-in-the-fertile-crescent--mesopotamia/
In this episode, we explore the fascinating history of women in ancient Persia, revealing their significant roles and freedoms within society. Listeners will learn about notable Persian women like Cassandane Shahbanu, Atusa Shahbanu, and Artemisia I of Caria, who were queens, military leaders, businesswomen, and more. The episode highlights how Persian women held positions of power, managed businesses, and even led military campaigns, enjoying rights and autonomy unparalleled in many other ancient cultures. We also discuss the decline in women's status following the Arab Muslim conquest and how modern Iranian women continue to resist restrictions. This episode offers insights into the enduring legacy of Persian women's contributions to their society and culture.
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Original Article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1493/twelve-great-women-of-ancient-persia/
In this episode, we explore the fascinating role of women in ancient Persia, highlighting their high status and autonomy across various empires. Listeners will learn about the rights and responsibilities of women during the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanian periods. Discover the influential roles of royal women, their participation in business, and even their presence in military ranks. We'll also discuss the decline of women's rights following the fall of the Sassanian Empire and how Persian women resisted this oppression. Join us as we delve into the stories of remarkable women who shaped ancient Persian society and continue to inspire today.
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Original Article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1492/women-in-ancient-persia/
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of Ancient Egyptian mythology, exploring the pantheon of over 2,000 deities that shaped the daily lives and spiritual beliefs of the Egyptian people for more than 3,000 years. Listeners will learn about some of the most prominent gods and goddesses, such as Isis, Osiris, Horus, Amun, and Ra, as well as lesser-known but equally intriguing deities like Qebhet and Seshat. We'll discuss how these gods were worshiped and their roles in various aspects of life, from state deities to regional patrons and ritual figures.
The episode also covers the evolution of Egyptian religious beliefs from animism to a complex anthropomorphic system infused with magic, highlighting the significance of Heka, the god of magic and medicine. We'll explore how the Egyptians syncretized gods to reconcile differing beliefs and how worship practices evolved over time.
Additionally, we'll touch upon key cultural concepts like ma'at (harmony and balance) and explore mythological stories and transformations involving deities such as Set and Serket. Join us as we journey through the rich tapestry of Egyptian mythology and its lasting impact on culture and religion.
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Original Article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/885/egyptian-gods---the-complete-list/
Clothes in the Elizabethan era (1558-1603 CE) became much more colourful, elaborate, and flamboyant than in previous periods. With Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE) herself being a dedicated follower of fashion, so, too, her court and nobles followed suit. Clothing was an important indicator of status so that those who could afford it were careful to wear the correct colours, materials, and latest fashions from Continental Europe. Heavy brocade, stockings, tight-fitting doublets, long billowing dresses embellished with pearls and jewels, knee-length trousers, stiff linen collars or ruffs, and feathered hats were all staple elements of the wardrobes of the well off. The commoners, meanwhile, attempted to follow the new designs as best they could using cheaper materials, but those who tried to dress beyond their station had to beware the authorities did not fine them and confiscate the offending item.
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Original Article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1577/clothes-in-the-elizabethan-era/
The Black Death is the 19th-century CE term for the plague epidemic that ravaged Europe between 1347-1352 CE, killing an estimated 30 million people there and many more worldwide as it reached pandemic proportions. The name comes from the black buboes (infected lymph glands) which broke out over a plague victim's body. The cause of the plague was the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which was carried by fleas on rodents, usually rats, but this was not known to the people of the medieval period, as it was only identified in 1894 CE. Prior to that time, the plague was attributed primarily to supernatural causes – the wrath of God, the work of the devil, the alignment of the planets – and, stemming from these, “bad air” or an unbalance of the “humors” of the body which, when in line, kept a person healthy.
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Original Article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1540/medieval-cures-for-the-black-death/
The Black Death was a plague pandemic which devastated medieval Europe from 1347 to 1352 CE, killing an estimated 25-30 million people. The disease originated in central Asia and was taken to the Crimea by Mongol warriors and traders. The plague then entered Europe via Italy, carried by rats on Genoese trading ships sailing from the Black Sea.
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Original Article: https://www.worldhistory.org/Black_Death/
Elizabethan theatre, sometimes called English Renaissance theatre, refers to that style of performance plays which blossomed during the reign of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE) and which continued under her Stuart successors. Elizabethan theatre witnessed the first professional actors who belonged to touring troupes and who performed plays of blank verse with entertaining non-religious themes.
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Original article: https://www.worldhistory.org/Elizabethan_Theatre/
The Egyptian Book of the Dead is a collection of spells which enable the soul of the deceased to navigate the afterlife. The famous title was given the work by western scholars; the actual title would translate as The Book of Coming Forth by Day or Spells for Going Forth by Day.
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The Song of Everlasting Sorrow is a narrative poem of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) inspired by the love affair between Xuanzong (r. 712-756 CE), the seventh emperor of the dynasty, and his consort Lady Yang. It was written by the Chinese poet Bai Juyi (l. 772-846 CE) and is his most popular work.
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Foot-binding was a practice first carried out on young girls in Tang Dynasty China to restrict their normal growth and make their feet as small as possible. Considered an attractive quality, the effects of the process were painful and permanent. Widely used as a method to distinguish girls of the upper class from everyone else, and later as a way for the lower classes to improve their social prospects, the practice of foot-binding would continue right up to the early 20th century CE.
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The world's oldest love poem is The Love Song for Shu-Sin (c. 2000 BCE) composed in ancient Mesopotamia for use in part of the sacred rites of fertility. Prior to its discovery in the 19th century, and its translation in the 20th, the biblical Song of Songs was thought to be the oldest love poem extant.
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Original article: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/750/the-worlds-oldest-love-poem/
In ancient Greek medicine illness was initially regarded as a divine punishment and healing as, quite literally, a gift from the gods. However, by the 5th century BCE, there were attempts to identify the material causes for illnesses rather than spiritual ones and this led to a move away from superstition towards scientific enquiry, although, in reality, the two would never be wholly separated. Greek medical practitioners, then, began to take a greater interest in the body itself and to explore the connection between cause and effect, the relation of symptoms to the illness itself and the success or failure of various treatments.
Original article by Mark Cartwright, read by Iona Lister.
Hadrian written by Joshua J. Mark and narrated by Grace MacLachlan: https://www.worldhistory.org/hadrian/
Hadrian (l. 78-138 CE) was emperor of Rome (r. 117-138 CE) and is recognized as the third of the Five Good Emperors (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius) who ruled justly. His reign marked the height of the Roman Empire, usually given as c. 117 CE, and provided a firm foundation for his successor.
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MUSIC USED
Olympic Ideal
Egyptian Hieroglyphs written by Priscila Scoville and narrated by Jennifer Sabir: https://www.worldhistory.org/Egyptian_Hieroglyphs/
The Egyptian hieroglyphic script was one of the writing systems used by ancient Egyptians to represent their language. Because of their pictorial elegance, Herodotus and other important Greeks believed that Egyptian hieroglyphs were something sacred, so they referred to them as 'holy writing'. Thus, the word hieroglyph comes from the Greek hiero 'holy' and glypho 'writing'. In the ancient Egyptian language, hieroglyphs were called medu netjer, 'the gods' words' as it was believed that writing was an invention of the gods.
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MUSIC USED
Invocation (Ancient Egyptian Melody) by ÆUR
Mont-Saint-Michel written by James Blake Wiener and narrated by Jennifer Sabir: https://www.worldhistory.org/Mont-Saint-Michel/
Mont-Saint-Michel is the name of a tidal island located off the coasts of Normandy and Brittany, near the mouths of the Couesnon River and the town of Avranches in France. While the island of Mont-Saint-Michel has held cultural, religious, and strategic value since the Merovingians held power over the region, Mont-Saint-Michel is universally recognized today as the site of a beautiful Gothic-style Benedictine abbey, which was constructed from the 11-16th centuries CE and dedicated to the Archangel St. Michael. Aptly called the “Wonder of the West", Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 CE, and the island's abbey is one of France's most popular sites with over 3 millions visitors per year.
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Journey's End
Gutians written by Joshua J. Mark and narrated by DW Draffin: https://ww.worldhistory.org/Gutians/
Watch it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnOoTTH8bco
The Gutians were a West Asiatic people who are thought to have lived around the Zagros Mountains in a region referred to as Gutium. They had no written language and all that is known of them comes from their enemies, including the Akkadians, Sumerians, and Assyrians, who blame them for the destruction and desolation of the land.
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A Short History of the Buddhist Schools written by Joshua J. Mark and narrated by Jennifer Sabir: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/492/a-short-history-of-the-buddhist-schools/
The different Buddhist schools of thought, still operating in the present day, developed after the death of the Buddha (l. c. 563 - c. 483 BCE) in an effort to perpetuate his teachings and honor his example. Each of the schools claimed to represent Buddha's original vision and still do so in the modern era. Although Buddha himself is said to have requested that, following his death, no leader was to be chosen to lead anything like a school, this was ignored and his disciples seem to have fairly quickly institutionalized Buddhist thought with rules, regulations, and a hierarchy.
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Shadow of the Temple
Shang Dynasty written by Emily Mark and narrated by Ethan Hu https://www.worldhistory.org/Shang_Dynasty/
The Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE) was the second dynasty of China, which succeeded the Xia Dynasty (c. 2700-1600 BCE) after the overthrow of the Xia tyrant Jie by the Shang leader, Tang. Since many historians question whether the Xia Dynasty really existed, the Shang Dynasty may have actually been the first in China and the origin of Chinese culture.
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MUSIC USED
"Nomadic Sunset" and "Aquatic City Vanished" from www.FreePD.com