The Blog
Every episode, told simply — and a little fun.
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The Xiongnu and the Han: Steppe versus Empire | World History
This series covers the three-century confrontation between the Xiongnu confederation and Han China, from the early defeats and peace treaties to the…
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Tamerlane and the Timurid Renaissance: The Sword and the Pen | Central Asian History
This biography arc charts the rise of Timur from a wounded sheep-stealer to the last great nomadic conqueror. His empire, built on…
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Polynesian Wayfinding: To the Ends of the Earth | Pacific History
This series follows the ancestral Polynesian seafarers as they develop and refine extraordinary navigation techniques without instruments. From the initial sett
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The Moche and Nazca of Ancient Peru | World History
This series delves into the Moche and Nazca cultures that thrived along Peru’s coast. It covers the Moche’s intricate metalwork and human…
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The Inca and the Road to Cusco: Building an Empire on the Andes | South American History
This series traces the rise of the Inca Empire from its legendary origins in the Cusco valley under Pachacuti, through its rapid…
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Srivijaya and Majapahit: Maritime Southeast Asia’s Golden Age | Southeast Asian History
Two maritime empires, Srivijaya (7th-13th c.) and Majapahit (13th-16th c.), dominated the Strait of Malacca. Through trade and naval power, they became…
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Angkor: The Khmer Empire’s Temple City | Southeast Asian History
From the 9th to 15th centuries, the Khmer Empire built magnificent temples at Angkor, including Angkor Wat. This series explores the divine…
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Askia the Great and the Songhai Empire: Conqueror of the Sahel | West African History
Askia Muhammad I came to power after overthrowing the Sonni dynasty, ushering in a golden age for the Songhai Empire. This biography…
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The Kingdom of Kongo and the Coming of Portugal: Cross and Crown | Central African History
In the late 15th century, the Kingdom of Kongo engaged with Portuguese explorers, leading to the conversion of its royal family to…
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Great Zimbabwe: The Kingdom of Stone | African History
From the 11th to 15th centuries, Great Zimbabwe was a city of stone and hub of the Indian Ocean gold trade. This…
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The Taiping Rebellion: The Deadliest Civil War You’ve Never Heard Of | Chinese History
Over 20 million lives lost, yet often overshadowed—this saga covers the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom’s rise and fall (1850-1864). Led by Hong Xiuquan,…
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The Kingdom of Aksum | African History
This series explores the rise and fall of the Aksumite Empire, from its origins as a trading hub to its adoption of…