Best Amorite Podcasts (2024)

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Episode S8 - Decumbo 35:17

4M ago35:17

35:17

Synopsis: Part 2 of a two-part Spotlight series on the rise and fall of the Roman Emperor Galerius: refugee, herdsman, soldier, Caesar, Augustus, Tetrarch, conqueror, schemer, would-be ruler of the (Dacian?) Empire, and persecutor of the Christians. A rollicking Third Century romp inspired by my current residence in his former tetrarchal capital of…

1
Episode S7 - Ascendo 31:28

5M ago31:28

31:28

Synopsis: Part 1 of a two-part Spotlight series on the rise and fall of the Roman Emperor Galerius: refugee, herdsman, soldier, Caesar, Augustus, Tetrarch, conqueror, schemer, would-be ruler of the (Dacian?) Empire, and persecutor of the Christians. A rollicking Third Century romp inspired by my current residence in his former tetrarchal capital of…

1
Episode C30 - The Death of Kings 27:49

10M ago27:49

27:49

Synopsis: Faced with a series of disloyal vassals, Sargon conquers the remaining Neo-Hittite kingdoms and absorbs them into his empire. The Cimmerian invasion of Anatolia leads to the deaths of two powerful kings. In their absence, the preservation of peace and stability falls to local rulers such as Azatiwadas of Quwe. “I am Azatiwadas, the Sun Go…

1
Episode C29 - City of the Raven 31:18

11M ago31:18

31:18

Synopsis: Rusa of Urartu wins early victories against Assyrian armies, but his intrigues in the Zagros kingdom of Mannea earn him Sargon’s wrath. After a crushing defeat by Cimmerian invaders, Rusa’s unable to prevent Sargon’s destruction of his kingdom. “I caused there to be lamentation in the wide land Urartu and in all the mountains, and I made …

1
Episode C28 - The Fall of Carchemish 38:02

11M ago38:02

38:02

Synopsis: After defeating Syrian rebels at Qarqar and extending his dominion to the borders of Egypt, Sargon II labors to defend Tabal from the advances of Midas of Phrygia. Letters to Midas from Pisiri of Carchemish give Sargon a pretext to depose the Country Lord and annex his kingdom to Assyria. “In my fifth regnal year, Pisiri of the city Carch…

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Episode C27 - True King 27:53

12M ago27:53

27:53

Synopsis: Shalmaneser V succeeds his father to the thrones of Assyria and Babylonia, then deals with rebellions in Samaria and Tyre. But his reign is cut short by the violent coup of Sargon II. After losing his hold on Babylonia, Sargon marches west to confront a Syrian alliance under Yaubidi of Hamath. “With regard to the city Assur…Shalmaneser V,…

1
Episode C26 - Damascus 31:17

1y ago31:17

31:17

Synopsis: Tiglath-pileser crushes rebellions in Patin and Luash and annexes their territories to Assyria. King Rasyan of Aram-Damascus forms a coalition of southern kingdoms - including Israel, Edom, Phoenicia and Philistia - to challenge Assyrian dominance, but betrayal by allies and the brutal tenacity of Tiglath-pileser lead to his kingdom’s dow…

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Episode C25 - Arpad 27:52

1y ago27:52

27:52

Synopsis: Matti’el of Arpad turns his back on the Treaty of Katikka and allies with Sarduri II of Urartu. The usurpation of Tiglath-pileser III heralds an Assyrian resurgence and the kingdom of Arpad’s destruction. “Matti’el the son of Attar-shumki (II) fomented a rebellion against Assyria and violated his loyalty oath. To the kings of Hatti and Ur…

1
Update and Patreon Offer 2:16

1y ago2:16

2:16

First off I wanted to let everyone know that I am deep into researching and writing the upcoming season of “The Ancient World – Carchemish.” It’s got lots of fun stuff: Tiglath-pileser III, Sargon II and - most importantly - the final demise of the Neo-Hittite and Aramean kingdoms. Just a really interesting period and I’m looking forward to sharing…

1
Episode C24 - A Kingdom of Sand 28:02

1+ y ago28:02

28:02

Synopsis: Sarduri II rules at the pinnacle of Urartian power, conquering lands from the Black Sea coast to the Zagros Mountains to the kingdoms of northern Syria. Matti’el of Arpad unifies Aramean lands north of Damascus then allies with Urartu against the Assyrians. His defeat by the mysterious ruler of KTK only results in a temporary setback, and…

1
Episode C23 - Eclipse 29:19

1+ y ago29:19

29:19

Synopsis: A siege by Adad-nirari’s subordinate, Nergal-Eresh, finally breaks the Damascene hold over southern Syria and Canaan. The Urartian kings Menua and Argishti press Assyria’s frontiers, even as they conquer and secure new territories in the Araxes River valley. In the reigns of Adad-nirari’s sons, the Empire is beset by plague, rebellions, a…

1
Episode C22 - Shammuramat 30:40

1+ y ago30:40

30:40

Synopsis: Emerging triumphant from civil war, Shamshi-Adad V devotes his energies to humbling Babylonia. Upon his death, his wife Shammuramat acts as regent for their son, Adad-nirari III, and both campaign across the Euphrates to confront a resurgent Arpad. Under its vigorous king Menua, Urartu begins the military conquests that would end with its…

1
Episode C21 - Son of a Nobody 26:58

1+ y ago26:58

26:58

Synopsis: During Neo-Assyria’s absence from the region, King Hazael of Aram-Damascus forges an Aramean Empire that extends to the borders of Egypt. “And Hazael said, ‘Why does my lord weep?’ He answered, ‘Because I know the evil that you will do to the people of Israel. You will set on fire their fortresses, and you will kill their young men with t…

1
Episode C20 - Like a Fire 31:31

1+ y ago31:31

31:31

Synopsis: In Shalmaneser’s final years, his eldest son – the crown prince Assur-danin-pal – enters into rebellion, while his younger son, Shamshi-Adad, struggles to defend his father’s legacy. “Where my brother Assur-danin-pal, in the time of Shalmaneser, his father, acted wickedly, bringing about sedition, rebellion, and wicked plotting, caused th…

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Episode C19 - The Anointed 30:36

1+ y ago30:36

30:36

Synopsis: Hazael of Aram-Damascus and Jehu of Israel bring desolation to the house of Omri. After decades of leading Assyrian campaigns, Shalmaneser III dispatches his turtanu, Dayan-Assur, to fight the newly-formed kingdom of Urartu. “And the Lord said unto (Elijah), Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: And then thou comest, anoint…

1
Episode C18 – Qarqar 32:33

2y ago32:33

32:33

Synopsis: A coalition marshalled by Hadad-ezer of Aram-Damascus and Urahilina of Hamath successfully defends southern Syria from further Assyrian encroachment. But a decade of campaigning by Shalmaneser begins to take its toll. “I destroyed, devastated, and set fire to Qarqar, his royal city. Urahilina brought twelve kings to his support; they came…

1
Episode C17 – The House of Omri 27:48

2y ago27:48

27:48

Synopsis: Political intrigues in Iron Age Israel end with the rise of King Omri. The kingdoms of Hamath and Aram-Damascus leverage military power and regional diplomacy to prepare for the coming of Shalmaneser. “I am Urahilina, son of Paritas, king of Hamath…I made my own seat for every single god. But this seat I built for Ba’alat, and I put my na…

1
Episode C16 – Kar Shalmaneser 26:24

2y ago26:24

26:24

Synopsis: Shalmaneser’s Syrian invasions were countered by a coalition forged by King Ahuni of Bit-Adini. But repeated campaigns wore down his rivals and ended in Assyrian dominance. “Ahuni, terrified by my terrible, awe-inspiring weapons and my grim warfare, crossed over the Euphrates to save his life, and made his way to other lands. At the comma…

1
Episode C15 - The Merciless Weapon 30:43

2y ago30:43

30:43

Synopsis: The Syrian campaigns of Ashurnasirpal II cemented Assyrian dominance. Tribute from the western kingdoms fueled construction of the king’s magnificent new showpiece of Kalhu. “Ashurnasirpal, strong king, king of Assyria, designate of the god Sin, favorite of the god Anu, loved one of the god Adad who is almighty among the gods, I, the merc…

1
Episode C14 - The House of Suhi 30:11

2y ago30:11

30:11

Synopsis: The Country Lords of Carchemish adorned their city with temples and monuments. But Assyrian conquests in the Khabur River valley heralded a growing eastern threat. “I am the ruler Katuwa, Country Lord of Carchemish, son of the Country Lord Suhi (II), grandson of the Country-Lord Astuwatamanza. The gods raised me by the hand and they gave …

1
Episode C13 - The Hand of Shishak 27:57

2y ago27:57

27:57

Synopsis: The Canaanite cities of Tel-Rehov and Beth-Shean were re-founded by the Pharaoh Thutmose III in the wake of the Battle of Megiddo. By the early Iron Age, their size, location and wealth drew the attention of the Pharaoh Shoshenq I. “(Thutmose) was in their center, Amun being the protection of his person in the melee, and the strength of S…

1
The Method to My Madness 28:04

2y ago28:04

28:04

A brief history of The Ancient World. Plus: a new season, a new partnership and a new Patreon page! www.patreon.com/TheAncientWorld www.airwavemedia.comBy Scott C.

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Episode S6 – Castle of the Slave 29:07

2+ y ago29:07

29:07

Synopsis: Joseph and Hyrcanus of the Tobiad clan served as tax farmers in Coele Syria for nearly half a century, weathering the transition from Ptolemaic and Seleucid control along with the constant maelstrom of Jerusalem politics. “Hyrcanus determined not to return to Jerusalem any more, but seated himself beyond Jordan, and was at perpetual war w…

1
A Quick Note 0:57

2+ y ago0:57

0:57

So, first the bad news: Episode C12 wraps the second “season” of “The Ancient World – Carchemish.” The show’ll be on hiatus for the next few months as I turn my attention to a few other projects. Then I’ll be back with another new season this summer. The good news is that next season will not only cover the emergence of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, but…

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Episode C12 – The Two Temples 24:55

2+ y ago24:55

24:55

Synopsis: The growing power of the Israelites and Arameans is reflected in the construction of new temples to Yahweh in Jerusalem and Hadad-Rammon in Damascus. A resurgent Egypt – under increasing influence of the Libyan Meshwesh – begins to eye its former Levantine holdings. “And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, whic…

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Episode C11 – The House of David 28:35

2+ y ago28:35

28:35

Synopsis: In the latter half of the 11th century BC, southern Syria witnessed the increasing prominence of semi-nomadic Semitic peoples – including the Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites and Israelites. “Kings came, they fought, the kings of Canaan fought. At Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo, they took no plunder of silver. From the heavens the stars f…

1
Episode C10 – These Are Not Foolish Travels 26:50

3y ago26:50

26:50

Synopsis: The fracturing and diminishment of Egyptian power in the early Iron Age is captured in “The Report of Wenamun.” I found (King Zakar-baal of Byblos) seated in his upper chamber with his back against a window, and the waves of the great sea of Phoenicia broke behind his head. I said to him: “Blessings of Amun!” He said to me: “How long is i…

1
Episode C9 – Horse to Horse, Army to Army 23:55

3y ago23:55

23:55

Synopsis: In the mid-11th century BC, the Hittite kingdoms of northern Syria are joined by others– in the Philistine pentapolis, the Amuq plain and the region of Classical Cilicia – with ties to the former Mycenaean Greeks. The Phoenician cities of the Levantine coast begin to step from the shadow of post-Collapse Egypt. “I am really Azatiwada, Man…

1
Episode C8 – The Heirs of Hatti 23:52

3y ago23:52

23:52

Synopsis: The Great Kings of Carchemish continue ruling over a Hittite rump state in northern Syria as they support the region’s recovery. After an attack by the Assyrian king Ashur-bel-kala, the Carchemish dynasty is supplanted by the house of Suhi. “In that year, in the month Kislev,…from the River Khabur of the land Kharku to the city of Carchem…

1
Episode C7 – The Heirs of Babylon 25:57

3y ago25:57

25:57

Synopsis: Even as Anatolia, Syria and Egypt confronted the Bronze Age Collapse, the eastern kingdoms of Assyria, Babylonia and Elam continued their ancient cycle of dynastic conflict. “Why I – who am a king, son of a king, seed of a king, scion of a king, who am king for the lands, for the land of Babylonia and the land of Elam, descendant of the e…

1
New Episodes Coming Soon 1:57

3y ago1:57

1:57

By Scott C.

1
Episode C6 – The Splendid Flame 27:43

3+ y ago27:43

27:43

Synopsis: In the wake of the Sea Peoples, the Hittite Great King Kuzi-Teshub focuses on rebuilding and strengthening his kingdom. A powerful new threat soon emerges in the form of King Tiglath-Pileser I of Assyria. “In the service of my Lord Ashur, my chariots and warriors I assembled; I set out on my march. In front of my strong men I went to the …

1
From Bronze to Iron 3:45

3+ y ago3:45

3:45

First off I really hope you’ve been enjoying “The Ancient World – Carchemish.” From the beginning I’ve touted this as a series on the Neo-Hittite kingdoms. But since the first Neo-Hittite kingdom was centered on Carchemish, I thought it’d be fun to start the series with the original Hittite conquest of the city under Suppiluliuma I. Which gave me a…

1
Episode C5 – The Sea Peoples 24:54

3+ y ago24:54

24:54

Synopsis: The Sea Peoples cut a swath of devastation across the Levant before their final confrontation with the pharaoh Ramesses III of Egypt. The Hittite Great King Suppiluliuma II abandons the capital of Hattusas before its final destruction. “Regarding what you wrote me before: ‘Enemy ships were observed at sea!’ If it is true that ships were o…

1
Episode C4 – The Great Kings 32:20

3+ y ago32:20

32:20

Synopsis: The Great King Tudhaliya’s sons, Arnuwanda and Suppiluliuma, take power in a time of growing famine. The collapse of Mycenaean Greece intensifies the predations of Aegean and Mediterranean pirates, who threaten Hittite grain shipments and ally with the Libyans to launch an invasion of Egypt. Among the earliest victims of the seaborne inva…

1
Episode C3 – The Eternal Treaty 28:30

3+ y ago28:30

28:30

Synopsis: Hattusili III’s diplomacy with the pharaoh Ramesses II culminates in the world’s first peace treaty. After his death, his son Tudhaliya IV drives out the Ahhiyawans, then defends northern Syria against Assyrian aggression. “The Kings who are my equals in rank are the King of Egypt, the King of Babylonia, the King of Assyria, [and the King…

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The Bronze Age – Update 0:53

3+ y ago0:53

0:53

I just wanted to give you a quick update about my “The Bronze Age” course on avid.fm. First off, I’m happy to report that we’ve exceeded the threshold for launching the course – so it is officially happening. Thank you so much to everyone who’s already signed up; trust me, it’s going to be lots of fun. Second, if you haven’t had the chance to sign …

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Episode C2 – Tarhuntassa 31:07

3+ y ago31:07

31:07

Synopsis: King Muwatalli II relocates the Hittite capital to the new royal city of Tarhuntassa near the Mediterranean coast, then faces off against the young pharaoh Ramesses II in the Battle of Qadesh. After Muwatalli’s death, his son and brother – Urhi-Teshub and Hattusili – contend for the Hittite throne. “For seven years I submitted to the king…

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The Bronze Age 2:04

3+ y ago2:04

2:04

Hi everyone! As you likely know, I really enjoyed making the original “Ancient World” podcast series – especially the parts covering the Bronze Age Near East and eastern Mediterranean. I’ve always hoped for the opportunity to update and expand those episodes with the latest and greatest information and also introduce new topics that I never had the…

1
Episode C1 – Carchemish 30:49

3+ y ago30:49

30:49

Synopsis: In the late 14th century BC, the Hittite Great King Suppiluliuma wrested Syria from the grip of the Hurrian kingdom of Mitanni. Two of his sons would succeed him to the throne, while two others founded new dynasties in the cities of Aleppo and Carchemish. “The Euphrates is my frontier. In my rear, I established Mount Lebanon as my frontie…

1
A Young Man’s Fancy 1:36

3+ y ago1:36

1:36

By Scott C.

1
Episode S5 – Ordeal by Fire 32:18

4y ago32:18

32:18

Synopsis: In the 4th century AD, the Ethiopian kingdom of Axum converted to Christianity even as the neighboring Himyarites of Yemen converted to Judaism. Centuries later, Axum’s invasion of Yemen to stop the persecution of Christians triggered a conflict with Persia. Map of the kingdoms of Axum and Himyar: https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Axu…

1
Episode S4 – Children of the Moon 24:14

4y ago24:14

24:14

Synopsis: The Sabaeans and Himyarites leveraged their control over south Arabian aromatics into a lucrative trade that spanned the ancient world. The region’s remoteness, wealth and active diplomacy afforded some protection from the powerful empires who frequently dominated the north. Map of the Arabian Peninsula:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.c…

1
Episode S3 – Queen Mavia 28:23

4+ y ago28:23

28:23

Synopsis: A century after Queen Zenobia, another Syrian Arab warrior queen rises to challenge the power or Rome – and succeeds. The story of Queen Mavia of the Tanukh. “Mavia, queen of the Saracens, had begun to convulse the villages and towns on the border of Palestine and Arabia with a violent war, and to ravage the neighboring provinces.” – Rufi…

1
Episode T18 – Tigranes 38:57

4+ y ago38:57

38:57

Synopsis: The death of King Philip I marks the official end of the Seleucid line. Invited by the Antiochenes to rule them, King Tigranes II of Armenia proceeds to conquer all of Syria – including Cleopatra Selene’s stronghold of Ptolemais-Akko. But Tigranes’ refusal to abandon his ally, King Mithridates VI of Pontus, leads to his empire’s destructi…

1
Episode T17 – The Sons of Grypus 30:53

4+ y ago30:53

30:53

Synopsis: With Rome encroaching from the north and south, the sons of Grypus battle Parthians, usurpers and local powers to keep their hold on Syria. “As he lingered on the banks of the Euphrates, (Sulla) received a visit from Orobazus, a Parthian, who came as an ambassador from King Arsaces, although up to this time the two nations had held no int…

1
Episode T16 – The Sons of Thea 24:20

4+ y ago24:20

24:20

Synopsis: While the Ptolemies intrigue in Coele Syria, Antiochus VIII Grypus and his half-brother Antiochus IX Cyzicenus struggle for seventeen years to win control of the north. After the rivals die in quick succession, the kingdom comes under control of Seleucus VI and Demetrius III, the allied sons of Grypus. “Then Grypus proceeded to besiege An…

1
Episode T15 – Grypus 28:26

4+ y ago28:26

28:26

Synopsis: Cleopatra Thea convinces her son Antiochus VIII Grypus to return to Syria and share the throne. But once Zabinas is defeated and the kingdom secure, Grypus decides to avenge his brother’s murder. “Ptolemy (Physcon)…proceeded to devote his entire strength to the destruction of Alexander (Zabinas’) kingdom, which the latter had acquired by …

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Episode T14 – Zabinas 31:52

4+ y ago31:52

31:52

Synopsis: Demetrius II returns to Syria, but his unpopularity – and support for the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra II – results in a usurper named Alexander Zabinas taking most of his kingdom. Fleeing a military defeat, Demetrius is denied entry to Ptolemais-Akko by Cleopatra Thea, an act that leads to his death. The elevation of their son Seleucus V res…

1
Episode T13 – Eunus 31:21

5y ago31:21

31:21

Synopsis: A Syrian man from Apamea, enslaved on the island of Sicily, renames himself King Antiochus and launches the first large-scale slave rebellion against the Roman Republic. “The Sicilians, through the enjoyment of a long peace, grew very rich, and brought up an abundance of slaves; who being driven in droves like so many herds of cattle from…

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