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Fall of Civilizations Podcast

Fall of Civilizations Podcast

By: Fall of Civilizations Podcast
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About this listen

 A history podcast looking at the collapse of a different civilization each episode. What did they have in common? Why did they fall? And what did it feel like to watch it happen?Fall of Civilizations Podcast World
Episodes
  • 20. Persia - An Empire in Ashes

    20. Persia - An Empire in Ashes
    Nov 12 2025

    In the highlands of the Iranian Plateau, a collection of enormous pillars reach up to the sky...

    In this episode, we tell the story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Find out how this remarkable ancient power sprung up from the rubble of a ruined world to become the most powerful human society on earth. Hear how they raised their grand palaces and monuments, and brought an unprecedented number of people together within their borders, as well as coming into conflict and cooperation with other ancient peoples. And finally find out what happened to bring the palaces of the Persian kings crashing down in fire and flame.


    CREDITS

    Voice actors:

    Henry Stenhouse Michael Hajiantonis

    Lachlan Lucas

    Alexandra Boulton

    Simon Jackson

    Tom Marshall-Lee

    Chris Harvey

    Jack Jacobs

    Nick Denton

    Amrit Sandhu

    Paul Casselle

    Tim Stephenson

    Ameen Taher

    Readings in Old Persian were performed by Mateen Arghandepour

    In Spanish by Scott Fins

    And readings in Greek were performed by Dimitris Chavres

    Singing of the Zoroastrian gathas was performed by Ardalan

    The Theme music is Home at Last by John Bartmann

    Sound design was by Alexey Sibikin

    Historical advisor was Dr. Mateen.M. Arghandehpour at the University of Oxford

    Full list of sources available here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/145588047
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    5 hrs and 29 mins
  • 19. The Mongols - Terror of the Steppe (Part 2)

    19. The Mongols - Terror of the Steppe (Part 2)
    Dec 9 2024
    In the far east of the Eurasian steppe, the sound of hoofbeats is growing...In this episode we travel along the vast grassland corridor of the steppe, to hear one of the most remarkable and unlikely stories from medieval history – the story of the Mongol Empire. Find out how this group of nomadic horse riders united the peoples of the Mongolian steppe, and forged them into a truly unique kind of state. Discover how they conquered much of the lands of Eurasia, and brought the distant cultures of China, Persia, the Middle East and Europe into contact. And hear the story of how the world’s largest land empire finally came apart, and left the world as we know it in its wake.Voice Actors:Michael HajiantonisHenry StenhouseLachlan LucasAlexandra BoultonSimon JacksonTom Marshall-LeeChris Harvey,Nick DentonAmrit SandhuSebastian BalzaroloMatt BidulphPaul CasselleReadings in Arabic were performed by Oussama Taher.Readings in Chinese were by Richard Teng.Readings from the secret history of the Mongols in Mongolian were performed by Uiles
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    2 hrs and 45 mins
  • 19. The Mongols - Terror of the Steppe (Part 1)

    19. The Mongols - Terror of the Steppe (Part 1)
    Dec 5 2024
    In the far east of the Eurasian steppe, the sound of hoofbeats is growing...In this episode we travel along the vast grassland corridor of the steppe, to hear one of the most remarkable and unlikely stories from medieval history – the story of the Mongol Empire. Find out how this group of nomadic horse riders united the peoples of the Mongolian steppe, and forged them into a truly unique kind of state. Discover how they conquered much of the lands of Eurasia, and brought the distant cultures of China, Persia, the Middle East and Europe into contact. And hear the story of how the world’s largest land empire finally came apart, and left the world as we know it in its wake.Voice Actors:Michael HajiantonisHenry StenhouseLachlan LucasAlexandra BoultonSimon JacksonTom Marshall-LeeChris Harvey,Nick DentonAmrit SandhuMatt BidulphPaul CasselleReadings in Arabic were performed by Oussama Taher.Readings in Chinese were by Richard Teng.Readings from the secret history of the Mongols in Mongolian were performed by Uiles
    Show More Show Less
    4 hrs and 1 min
All stars
Most relevant
So well researched and presented. A pleasure to listen to or re-listen to; as I have done many times.
Highly recommended

Brilliant

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So very well produced, researched and delivered. You feel as if you have been transported to the place and time being described. Paul Coopers voice is like velvet on the ears. a favourite to listen to then register to as a bedtime story. Always looking forward to new episodes.

Amazing history

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Absolutely stunning detail, great narration, well researched and thorough. A delight to listen to and I hope for many more over the years!

incredible

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