Middle East Audiobooks | History

Ancient Iraq: A Captivating Guide to Mesopotamia from the Sumerians and Akkadians through the Assyri

The first transportation wheel, the first writing, the first law codes, and the first empires—the innovative ancient Iraqis transformed our world! The “Cradle of Civilization” brought us the sixty-second minute, the sixty-minute hour, and the twelve-hour day and night. Their brilliant sages predicted solar and lunar eclipses and developed quadratic equations. Ancient Iraq was undeniably a powerhouse of creativity and stunning achievements. Come explore how the Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Persian, and Greek empires surged to the top, only to crash and burn. This engaging audiobook will guide you through an incredible journey from the earliest civilizations to the fall of the Sassanian Empire in 651 CE. This audiobook will unpack the following questions and more! - What was the world’s oldest city? - How similar was Hammurabi’s Law Code to the Law of Moses? - How many times was the god Marduk stolen from Babylon? - What massive coalition crushed Assyria once and for all? - How do today’s historians and astronomers use the ancient Chaldean eclipse records? - What three Iranian dynasties ruled Iraq, beginning with Cyrus the Great? - What were Alexander the Great’s plans for Babylon? - How did the Antonine Plague interrupt Rome’s invasion of Iraq? - What Sassanid emperor called on China for help against the Muslim Arabs? To explore ancient Iraq’s historical legacy, scroll up and click the “add to cart” button!

Captivating History (Author), Jay Herbert (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sumerian Gods of Nibiru

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. The Sumerians are today's wonder of the day and another incredible ancient society. Ancient Sumer, a group of city-states, was in Mesopotamia. The Sumerians invented arithmetic geometry, writing, and armies. Furthermore, their publications educate readers about Sumerian culture today. The Sumerian civilization flourished between 4100 and 1750 B.C. 'Sumer' was named after the 'land of cultured rulers.' Sumer was one of the earliest to divide the day into hours and minutes. They also had a sophisticated religion centered on gods known as the Anunnaki. The Sumerians' destiny was thought to be in the hands of the Anunnaki. The Anunnaki were often depicted in myths as judging humankind. The gods were also known as the children of the Earth and the Sky. Most people regard these tales as myths, just like the Greek gods. Others, though, wonder whether there is more to the story. Some scientists think the Anunnaki were actual people. They might have come from another planet, according to popular belief. Many individuals believe they are from the enigmatic planet X, which they claim passed incredibly close to Earth thousands of years ago. Why would aliens come to Earth and behave like gods? Of course, to enslave humans! According to this theory, the Anunnaki compelled the Sumerians to dig for gold for them. The Anunnaki departed for Planet X after they had all they needed. According to some, the Anunnaki were a kind of reptile humanoid. They argue that these reptiles assisted the Sumerians in the development of their writing and mathematical systems. Furthermore, they believe that reptiles still exist and have influence over people. Were the Anunnaki genuine? Or have they fabricated gods? One thing is sure: these ancient Sumerian deities continue to attract humans.

Ishmael Ningishzida (Author), Digital Voice Mike G (Narrator)

Audiobook

Lords of Nibiru in Mesopotamia

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. The Sumerian celestial object Nibiru signified the deity Marduk. The name is of Akkadian origin and means 'crossroads' or 'transition point.' The vast majority of Babylonian literature relates it to Jupiter. In Tablet 5 of the Enuma Elish, the pole star at the time may have been Thuban or Kochab (Ursa Minor). The term 'Nibiru' is taken from 5,000-year-old Sumerian literature and cuneiform tablets. The Sumerian civilization flourished in the fertile regions between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in the southern area of modern-day Iraq. Its cuneiform symbol was often a cross or a variety of winged discs. Nibiru is often referred to as the 'Planet of the Crossing.' In the reconstruction of Tablet V of the Enuma Elish by Landsberger and Kinnier Wilson, the term 'pole star' is rendered as 'ni-bi-ri.' It has several variations, such as 'ni-bi-ru' and 'ni-bi-a-na.' Landsberger and Kinnier Wilson think it alludes to a permanent point in the skies since it is contrasted with the term itebbiru, which signifies 'who previously crossed.' Tablet V's referenced translation uses the phrase 'polar star' despite substantial evidence that neberu was a planet in the late eras, either Jupiter or Mercury, according to the authors' remarks. According to the discoveries of ancient astronomers, Nibiru is an actual planet or brown dwarf inside our solar system. Established scientific organizations in astronomy and archaeology consider these hypotheses pseudoscience or fringe science. According to Sumerian cosmology, the twelfth planet in the solar system was Nibiru (which includes 10 planets, the Sun, and the Moon). The Earth, the asteroid belt, and the Moon would have originated due to a catastrophic collision between the planet and Tiamat, a planet between Mars and Jupiter.

Ishmael Ningishzida (Author), Digital Voice Mike G (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mesopotamia, Rise and Fall: A History of Civilizations, A Legacy of Science, and the Birth of Litera

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. The most famous legacies of Mesopotamia are its human-headed, winged bulls and wedge-shaped writing system. Even though these objects offer a glimpse into an ancient culture's grandeur and mystery, the region's influence extends far beyond them. One of the first civilizations in the world, Mesopotamia is often called the 'cradle of civilization.' The civilization contributed to the development of written language, economics, law, and religion. The pages of this book discuss many of these contributions. In Mesopotamia, for example, the lunar calendar was divided into two seasons, and the year was divided into 12 months. There were seven days in a week in the Sumerian calendar. Sexagesimal, or base 60, mathematics survives to this day based on 60-minute hours and 24-hour days in Mesopotamia. The term Mesopotamia is typically used by historians to refer to the region in southwest Asia that includes modern-day Iraq and parts of Turkey, Iran, and Syria. Hellenistic Greeks used Mesopotamos to refer to the area between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Fertile soil and water provided by these rivers enabled humankind to abandon its nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle and become sedentary and agrarian. The agricultural revolution was born in Mesopotamia because of this feature. Almost 2,000 years ago, Mesopotamia had little information about itself. The history and culture of the region are revealed in the Hebrew Bible. During the fifth century BC, Herodotus described the area for the first time. Anabasis ('Upcountry March'), a Greek mercenary, historian, and philosopher's account of his experiences crossing Anatolia and traveling along the Tigris and Euphrates, was written over 100 years later. A Chaldean priest of Bel who migrated to Greece left behind some of the region's most detailed and reliable accounts, even though his writings are only extant in fragments.

Aj Carmichael (Author), Digital Voice Mike G (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - G/GESCHICHTE - Das ewige Jerusalem: Zwischen Krieg und Erlösung

Am 7. Oktober 2023 erfolgt der Terrorangriff der Hamas. Zivilisten vom Greis bis zum Kleinkind werden getötet, Frauen vergewaltigt und Hunderte Geiseln in den Gazastreifen verschleppt. Wie traumatisch dieser Tag für Israel ist, bezeugt der Beitrag der Autorin Agnes Fazekas, die in Tel Aviv lebt und die schrecklichen Folgen hautnah miterleben muss. Seit Jahrtausenden verspricht Jerusalem Frieden und Erlösung, aber keine Stadt hat mehr Krieg und Zerstörung in ihrer Geschichte erlebt. 44-mal wird Jerusalem erobert: durch Babylonier, Makedonier, Römer, Perser, Araber, Kreuzritter, Osmanen und Briten und viele mehr. Und gleich drei Weltreligionen erheben zwischen Klagemauer, Grabeskirche und Felsendom ihren Anspruch auf »al-Quds«, die Heilige, wie Jerusalem auf Arabisch heißt. Die erhoffte Nähe zu Gott kann ein Fluch sein. Der junge Staat Israel kommt 1948 unter Schmerzen zur Welt. Die ersehnte Heimstatt der Juden wird auf Kosten der alteingesessenen Bevölkerung errichtet und muss sofort gegen die arabischen Nachbarstaaten hart erkämpft werden. Erst nach dem Sieg im Sechstagekrieg 1967 wird die Altstadt von Jerusalem israelisch. Und der Konflikt will kein Ende finden. Intifada, militante Siedler und jetzt der Terrorkrieg der Hamas. Wie heißt es im jüdischen Talmud: »Zehn Maß Leiden kamen auf die Erde herab. Jerusalem bekam davon neun Maß.«

G Geschichte (Author), Karsten Wolf (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Persian] - تاریخ اختلاط ایرانیان و ترکان

این کتاب، تاریخ طولانی آشنای و همگرایی و بالاخره اختلاط ایرانیان و ترکان را بررسی می‌کند. بیش از هزار سال است که ایرانی‌زبانان و ترک‌زبانان از آسیای مرکزی در مرزهای چین گرفته تا آناتولی و عراق در کنار یکدیگر و با همدیگر زندگی می‌کنند. هر قرن و دوره تاریخی که گذشته، امتزاج و اختلاط تباری، زبانی، فرهنگی و اقتصادی آنان بیشتر شده است. آشنایی علمی با تاریخ همسایگی و امتزاج ایرانیان و ترکان، سطح دانش ما را در این مورد بالا می برد. همچنین افزایش دانش مردم در این زمینه به سود زندگی آرام و مسالمت‌آمیز در همه جوامع منطقه خواهد بود.

عباس جوادی (Author), سید ابراهیم تقوی (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Byzantine-Seljuk Wars: The History and Legacy of the Battles for Asia Minor in the 11th Century

By the end of the Byzantine Empire’s existence, the old age had weakened both the state and church, making it an easy target for invading forces. The most notable invaders were the the Turkish-speaking Seljuks, led through a series of battles by Kutalmishouglu Suleiman, who supported different usurpers against the Byzantine emperor. The expansion of the Seljuks was so successful that when Suleiman died, he had put all of Bithynia under his control as well as several important harbor towns along the shores on the Asian side of Bosphorus. With that accomplishment, he had managed to separate the Byzantines living in Anatolia from their emperor in Constantinople. This immediately weakened the unity of the Byzantine Empire. When another invading Muslim army took control of what is now Syria, Israel, and Northern Africa, the dismembered Byzantine Empire lost significant portions of land, but that allowed it to grow into a smaller and stronger unity. It took a lot of power struggles and battles on many fronts for the empire to recapture some of the lands, but gradually the Byzantine Empire lost all influence in Anatolia. By the end of the 11th century, the Hellenic culture and Greek language were replaced by Islam and Turkish. Of all the conflicts that brought this state of affairs into being, few were as instrumental as the Battle of Kapetron, the culmination of one of the first major Seljuk raids into Byzantine territory. It represented not just a clash of ethnicities, cultures, and religions, but also a harbinger of a changing of the guard, and one that would shape geopolitics in the region for the next several centuries.

Charles River Editors (Author), Jim Walsh (Narrator)

Audiobook

Maat Revealed, Philosophy of Justice in Ancient Egypt

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. Unlike ancient Rome, Egypt did not transmit any legal system to us, but rather an idea of justice our modern minds can hardly understand. In the ancient Egyptian world, almost all the texts and inscriptions speak of justice. All the texts of wisdom teach that one has to conform to Maat, an obscure and omnipresent concept that Egyptologists have translated into the expression 'Goddess of Truth and Justice.' Egyptian justice is so different from ours that Egyptologists and historians of religions believe they have not yet fully understood its meaning. They regret this fact because understanding Maat would be a gateway to a deeper understanding of the ancient Egyptian world. As for lawyers, they have limited themselves to the Greco-Roman sources on the philosophy of Justice and the discoveries of Egyptologists in this philosophical field remain thoroughly ignored. Thanks to her experience in ancient history of law and her ability to understand ancient symbols, the author provides Egyptology with the missing pieces that were needed to form a coherent image of Maat. Once revealed, Maat sheds a new and unexpected light on the whole of Egyptian civilization. As a bridge between traditionally separate fields of academic research, this book is a useful and groundbreaking contribution to Egyptology, the history of religions and the modern philosophy of law.

Anna Mancini (Author), Digital Voice Archie G (Narrator)

Audiobook

Anunnaki Gods in Exile

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. During the Sumerian era, intelligent and talented individuals lived in the southern Iraq region. Scholars think that the earliest known human civilization emerged 'suddenly,' 'unexpectedly,' and 'with remarkable abruptness' in the fertile plain watered by the Euphrates and Tigris rivers roughly 6,000 years ago. It was a civilization to which we owe nearly all the 'Firsts' that we believe are necessary for a developed society, such as the wheel and methods of transportation on wheels; brick, which is used to build and continues to be used to build large structures; and furnaces and kilns, which are essential to industries ranging from baking to metallurgy. Sumer is credited with creating writing and record-keeping, astronomy, mathematics, towns and urban civilizations, kingships and laws, temples and priests, calendars, festivals, recipes, art, and artifacts. They were the first to record and explain historical events and tell stories about their gods by displaying exquisite sculptures and statuettes at holy sites. Over the last 150 years, several individuals have gained and evaluated scattered Mesopotamian archaeological objects to compile a comprehensive inventory. The names of the academics who made the voyage possible may be seen on many markers along the route that elevated ancient Sumer from obscurity to reverence. We will cover a few individuals who worked in diverse locations. In the last 150 years, archaeology and studying ancient languages have made this workable.

Ishmael Ningishzida (Author), Digital Voice Mike G (Narrator)

Audiobook

Gods and Giants

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. Giants and Gods is an in-depth exploration of two fascinating and mysterious groups of beings that have captured the imagination of people for millennia: the Biblical Nephilim and the Apkallu deities of Mesopotamia. This book delves into the history and mythology surrounding these figures, and examines their significance within both biblical and Mesopotamian narratives. In the Bible, the Nephilim are described as the offspring of angels and human women, and are believed to have been a race of giants who lived before the Great Flood. The Apkallu, on the other hand, were a group of seven divine beings in Mesopotamian mythology who were said to have been sent to earth by the god Enki to bring civilization to humanity. Throughout the book, we explore the fascinating similarities and differences between these two groups, examining the religious and cultural context in which they emerged, and the ways in which they have been interpreted over time. We examine the biblical narrative of the Nephilim in detail, including their origins, their role in the Great Flood, and their continued presence in Jewish and Christian tradition. We also delve into the rich history and mythology surrounding the Apkallu deities, examining their importance within the broader context of Mesopotamian religion and culture. We explore the various texts and artifacts that reference the Apkallu, and examine the ways in which they have been depicted in art and literature. Overall, Giants and Gods offers a fascinating journey through the ancient world, exploring the intersection of religion, mythology, and history through the lens of two mysterious and intriguing groups of beings. Whether you are a scholar of ancient history and religion, or simply someone with a deep interest in these fascinating figures, this book is sure to provide a wealth of insight and knowledge.

Ishmael Ningishzida (Author), Digital Voice Mike G (Narrator)

Audiobook

From Gilgamesh to Babylon

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. 'From Gilgamesh to Babylon' invites readers on an immersive voyage through the realms of mythology and history, embarking on a captivating exploration that spans from the legendary hero Gilgamesh to the magnificent city of Babylon. This book intertwines the ancient myths and historical narratives of Mesopotamia, illuminating the wonders of a bygone era. Step into the epic tale of Gilgamesh, the demigod king driven by an unquenchable thirst for immortality. Within the pages of 'From Gilgamesh to Babylon,' readers unravel the layers of this timeless narrative, unearthing profound themes of mortality, friendship, and the eternal quest for purpose that have enthralled audiences for ages. Beyond the realm of myth, the book ventures into the historical tapestry of ancient Mesopotamia. Witness the rise of Babylon, a majestic city that flourished under the reign of Hammurabi and his renowned Code. Through vivid descriptions and meticulous research, readers gain insights into the daily lives, customs, and beliefs of the ancient Babylonians. From the breathtaking Hanging Gardens to the monumental ziggurats that touched the heavens, the architectural marvels of Babylon spring to life. 'From Gilgamesh to Babylon' breathes life into the intricate pantheon of gods and goddesses that shaped the spiritual landscape of Mesopotamia. Encounter Ishtar, Marduk, and Ea as their myths intertwine with mortal existence, revealing the religious rituals and mythological beliefs that permeated ancient Babylonian society. By drawing upon historical accounts, archaeological discoveries, and scholarly insights, this book provides a comprehensive and accessible exploration of Mesopotamian mythology and history. It unveils the cultural significance of these ancient myths and their enduring impact on subsequent civilizations, shedding light on the intricate interplay between myth and reality.

Ishmael Ningishzida (Author), Digital Voice Mike G (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - Israel - Eine Korrespondenz (Ungekürzte Lesung)

Am 7. Oktober 2023 wachte der israelische Soziologe Natan Sznaider in einer anderen Welt auf. Entsetzt und verzweifelt waren unzureichende Worte, um das Massaker der Hamas zu fassen. Aus der Ferne erkannte der Kölner Schriftsteller Navid Kermani den Schrecken wieder, der in den vergangenen zwei Jahrzehnten bereits über so viele Völker im Nahen Osten gekommen war. Die beiden Freunde erinnerten sich eines leidenschaftlichen Mailwechsels, den sie 2002 nach ihrer ersten Begegnung in Haifa geführt hatten. Dasselbe gespenstische Gefühl beschlich sie, weil sich alle Befürchtungen bewahrheitet hatten. 21 Jahre später hilft ihre Korrespondenz die Gegenwart im Nahen Osten zu verstehen. In der Hörbuchfassung leiht Isaak Dentler Navid Kermani seine Stimme, Nico Holonics liest die Parts von Natan Sznaider. Die beiden Autoren lesen gemeinsam das Vorwort.

Dr. Navid Kermani, Natan Sznaider, Navid Kermani (Author), Dr. Navid Kermani, Isaak Dentler, Natan Sznaider, Navid Kermani, Nico Holonics (Narrator)

Audiobook

Middle East Audiobooks in History