A (very) basic introduction to the history of the Early Medieval world, designed to supplement assigned reading for students in my HIST151: History of the World to AD 1500 course at Calvin University. This episode offers a summarized view of some key aspects of the early middle ages, specifically from the perspective of continental western Europe a…

A (very) basic introduction to the history of Central Asia, designed to supplement assigned reading for students in my HIST151: History of the World to AD 1500 course at Calvin University. This video offers a summarized view of the geography, key animals, social structure, and select key developments in Central Asia from prehistory to around 1400 C…

This episode offers a very basic introduction to Ancient Egypt, designed to supplement introductory learning with an open-access world history textbook (https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/history-textbooks/2/). This episode offers a summarized view of the key periods for Ancient Egypt, from prehistory to the Roman period, but also emphasizes the danger of…

This episode offers a very basic introduction to world prehistory, designed to supplement introductory learning with an open access world history textbook (https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/history-textbooks/2/). Learn what the terms "prehistory," "paleolithic," and "neolithic" mean, and some of the main reasons why the Neolithic Revolution was so signif…

This episode, prepared as a basic introduction for students in several of my History courses at Calvin University, defines and distinguishes between the terms "history" and "the past." While many people use the word "history" to refer to old times, "the past" is really more accurate. "History," on the other hand, should more accurately be understoo…

A 35-minute lecture introducing the Byzantine emperor Justinian and his military campaigns against the Sassanid Empire and to reclaim lost Western Roman territory in North Africa (from the Vandals) and Italy (from the Ostrogoths). Produced for my Calvin University HIST 262: "Early Medieval Worlds" course.…

A very brief introduction to the Maginot Line, the extensive border defense system established by France in the aftermath of the first World War. This short lecture was produced for students in my spring 2020 HIST 153 "Borderlands in World History" course at Calvin University.

In this episode, Professor Rohl briefly outlines some highlights from the wider history of Africa up to AD 1500, mentioning ancient Ethiopia, the Western Sudanic Empires, Great Zimbabwe, and the Swahili City-States. The textbook mentioned within this episode can be downloaded from: https://ung.edu/university-press/books/world-history-cultures-state…

In this episode, Professor Rohl provides a very brief overview of the Islamic World, from the initial foundation of the faith through its expansions up to the end of the Mamluk period. Links to resources mentioned within the episode include: 1001 Inventions and the Library of Secrets (video starring Sir Ben Kingsley): https://www.youtube.com/watch?…

In this episode, Professor Rohl provides an overview of the Roman Empire (with an emphasis on the Principate), it's fall, and the aftermath in Late Antique/Early Medieval Europe and Byzantium.

In this episode, Professor Rohl briefly outlines key aspects of the development of ancient Rome from its foundation through the assassination of Julius Caesar.

In this episode, Professor Rohl discusses briefly outlines key aspects of the development of the Greek World, from the Bronze Age Minoans through the death of Alexander the Great.

In this episode, Professor Rohl discusses the development of civilization in East Asia, with a particular emphasis on China and the long-term history of the Great Wall.

In this episode, Professor Rohl discusses the civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia, including the region's role as the birthplace of human civilization, the very deep connections between biblical literature and ancient Mesopotamian culture, and some of the creation and flood stories originating in ancient Mesopotamia.…

In this episode, Professor Rohl discusses what History is, how it relates to "the Past," why history is worth studying, and ends with a brief overview of what is involved (and what's not) in historical thinking. A few resources are referred to or quoted in this episode, and you can grab these through the following links: History vs. The Past - John…

This is a general introduction to the summer 2019 session of HIST 151: World History to AD 1500, an online course from Calvin University. This episode lets students enrolled on this course know who I am, how the course runs, and what they need to expect in terms of assignments, etc.