The Ancient World

SEASON 2 FINALE

Synopsis: Shulgi and his successors face major challenges to Ur III rule, including Amorite attacks, Sumerian rivals, and a newly-emboldened Shimashki.

“The god Enlil granted to Shu-Sin a long lifespan, a crown and tiara, a scepter of long days, a royal throne, a firm foundation, years of abundance,
a weapon – the flood – which casts terror…” – Copy of an inscription from a statue of Shu-Sin commemorating a victory over Shimashki
Map of the
Near East c. 2060 BC:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2060BC.jpg

Map of the
Near East c. 2028 BC:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2028BC.jpg

Map of the
Near East c. 2000 BC:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2000BC.jpg

Episode
Images:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720332382139/with/55129840383

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A12_References.pdf

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Synopsis: The Proto-Elamite horizon sparked innovation and trade throughout Iran and Central Asia, and its collapse saw the emergence of numerous “secondary states”. Toward the end of the Third Millennium BC, the dominant polity east of the Zagros was the Oxus Civilization.

Map of the Middle Asian Interaction Sphere:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/MAIS.png

Episode Images:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720332227258/

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A11_References.pdf

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Synopsis: Ur-Namma unifies Sumer and ejects the Elamites. His son, King Shulgi, designs a new empire and begins a push for Zagros domination.

“The trustworthy shepherd, king, the sword of Sumer, Ur-Namma, the king of the Land, was taken to the …house…he who was beloved by the troops, could not raise his neck anymore. The wise one…lay down; silence descended. As he, who was the vigor of the Land, had fallen, the Land became demolished like a mountain…He passed away in his prime…abandoned, like a broken jar.” – The Death of Ur-Namma

Map of the Near East c. 2112 BC:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2112BC.jpg

Map of the Near East c. 2060 BC:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2060BC.jpg

Episode Images:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720331669262/

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A10_References.pdf

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Synopsis: With the fall of the Old Kingdom, power devolves to the various nomes. The Herakleopolitan House of Khety extends control over most of Egypt before eventually being defeated and deposed by the rival House of Thebes.

“I took care of the towns of Hefat and Hormer in every situation of crisis, when the sky was clouded and the earth was parched and everybody died of hunger. The south came with its people and the north with its children; they brought the finest oil in exchange for the barley that was given to them. The whole of Upper Egypt died of hunger and each individual had reached such a state of hunger that he ate his own children. But I refused to see anyone die of hunger and gave to the north the grain of Upper Egypt. I brought life to the provinces of Nekhen and Edfu, Elephantine and Ombos.” – Tomb Inscription of the Nomarch Ankhtifi

Episode Image: Painted osiride sandstone seated Ka statue of king Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II, on display at the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. By Prof. Mortel, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=118201367.

Map of Egypt in the First Intermediate Period:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A9_Egypt.png

Episode Images:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720331395977

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A9_References.pdf

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[NOTE: This new version features improved audio]

Synopsis: The impacts of the Aridification Event lead to Akkadian collapse. Gudea of Lagash asserts independence and shepherds the south through the aftermath. The brief period of Guti domination is terminated by the
Elamite invasion of Kutik-Inshushinak and the Sumerian revolt of Utu-Hegal of Uruk.

“They placed fetters on (Tirigan’s) hands and put a cloth over his eyes. Utu-Hegal made him lie at Utu’s feet and on his neck he set his foot. Gutium, the fanged snake of the mountain ranges, he made drink from the cracks in the earth.” – Victory Stele of Utu-Hegal of Uruk

Episode Image: Statue of Gudea, Ensi of Lagash, on display at the British Museum, 2025. My photo.

Map of the Near East c. 2200 BC:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2200BC.jpg

Map of the Near East c. 2112 BC:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/2112BC.jpg

Episode Images:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/75506172@N07/albums/72177720331179161/

References and Further Reading:

https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/A8_References.pdf

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you would like to advertise on this podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices