Huge thanks to the absolute expert on this topic Dr Raoul McLaughlin - so lucky he agreed to write this for the channel. He has a youtube channel but he also has incredible books on this subject, this one in particular: www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/152677108X/ref=dbs_a_w_dp_152677108x there is an audio book version too. Check it out! Go go go.
I just finished watching the documentary. That was a really well narrated journey through very interesting subject matter indeed. The graphics were excellent. Very nice way to spend the evening. Cheers
@@marrz8244 Humans don't cause "global warming", just like humans did Not cause the last ice ages. The climate of the earth is a tremendously powerful force that humans can only dream to manipulate. We Can control Pollution and Weather though ----but Not the Climate.
29:20 his real greek name was Alexandros not Alexander. Alexander is latin version . 😂 ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ from Greek words Alex + andros = "keep the mens in distance"
I too love the primary source material. I only wish he would add qualifiers such as Heroditus didn't write his history till 200 years after the events. Im not sure about that but think I've remembered it correctly
@@manleynelson9419 plus many historians and scholars take Herodotus with a grain of salt when it comes to *what the people actually said* especially since the Byzantines Christians where the ones that collected and wrote about herodotus works
I like that this channel quotes direct ancient sources and doesn't speculate or interpret "What really happened". So much history can't be known with 100% certainty. Best guesses based on interpretations of archeological finds are okay as long as the historian states it is only an interpretation. As long as they state "we think this is what happened" instead of stating it as 100% fact. We can't even get modern history 100% accurate due to biases and propaganda.
Just rewatched a year later and I’m again blown away by the sheer volume of research and production value that we have the benefit of receiving at zero cost.
I mean, I pay 17.00 per month to watch it for "free". Everyone else has to watch Ads during the course of the video, for which revenue is shared, or the video sponsor helps to pay... but we get what you mean. Very high quality. A great deal for the level you're getting.
Trajan stepping on the same land where just a few decades earlier a chinese subject was. They both wondered and watched the infinite Ocean before deciding that their own journey was at its end. This parts gave me chills
That tiny parcel of land where the Tigris and Euphrates meet the sea has a lot of history. The British have led amphibious landings there in both the 20th and 21st centuries.
Wonderful, just wonderful. I hate most modern documentaries, they’re drawn out, repetitive, droning and melodramatic to stretch a topic. This is beautiful storytelling, densely packed with wonder and poetry.
Oh yeah, especially if made for TV and you get that constant recap every 10 minutes when there would normally have been an equally long bout of commercials.
i just randomly searched up “interactions between ancient civilizations” out of sheer curiosity and stumbled upon this gem lol. time travelling is dope
@@matildamarmaduke1096 Maybe 🤔 we could setup some new recovery programs transitioning addicts into truth seeking explorers! It’s kept me from falling off the wagon for 14 years!! Seriously, I know part of my issues started out of curiosity and never being satisfied w the information presented to me that explained where we’d been or came from.
@@_S0urR0ses_ Sounds like a winner but I was told today they gotta want it but I said we can not just leave her like that and not even try to help and heard she will climb on your back drowning you for a 20 hit I said hell you say ,but after seeing & hearing such pain I have to atleast try.just ain't come up with a life preserver built to withstand such a tsunami
I recently started my degree in East Asian Studies (double major w/ Linguistics), and one of my classes this semester is an examination of the Roman Empire by studying the provinces and how the people governed by the Empire viewed it. I never thought I’d get something so tailor-made on UA-cam and it’s so high-quality too! Thank you for this amazing content ❤️
I always think about if I had 3 wishes, it’d be to know fluently every language ever, to be able to time travel, and to shape shift. So I could go back and interact with and record ancient people and cultures in truth. So much has been lost or could never be recorded. I’m so amazed how documentaries like this exist because it’s like actually being able to travel back in time. Some think history isn’t that important or learning about it when it’s not your career, is useless, but there’s always something new to learn and it’s just incredible.
Ofcourse the central asians and persians knew about both sides overland, and south east asians and indians knew about both through ocean routes. The ancient world was far more connected then most think.
These videos are so well-made, they do feel like Christmas presents... The infrequency adds to the relish; it's not everyday we get fine gifts like this.
@Giuseppe LoGiurato I know right! I’d actually love it if he started focussing on this style of longer documentaries full time - ala Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History. I love all his videos but especially these ones & the wait’s worth it because they’re so god damn good! I just wish there was more of them 😁
This is a quantum leap forward. It's dynamic, interspersed with commentary and context and just really brings things alive. I like the older videos too of course, but this feels like a seismic improvement. Also the script and editing in this is really nice. Everything feels thoughtful, calm and constantly moving. I'm just really impressed on a number of levels. I know how hard this was to pull off.
I have become addicted to your channel. I really can't express how much I enjoy hearing your voice giving voice to so many of the witnesses of history. It's fascinating and I don't think I ever would have been able to find these stories on my own. It's especially important for me because while I love to read my eyesight is not what it used to be. Thank you so much for these videos.
This was for free. Sir, thank you. It took no small effort to give us this, but it was education freely given. I can do little else than sincerely express my gratitude. You sir, are a saint and a scholar.
@@xxxxxxxx183 Education freely given. As in, he gave it to US for FREE. Not that he didn't make any money off of it. Please learn how to read effectively, sir.
So, I don't have words, however, "Stunning" comes to mind. Dr.Raoul McLaughlin writes like an absolute expert, as stated, the video is on topic and high quality, and the narration was out of this world. I have seen documentaries that can't hold a candle to this. The fact that I watched the video for free makes me feel a little guilty, but that's only because people don't share their masterclass works this way. Thank you Voices of the Past and all involved.
@@ClarkWalters Totally right. To this day in Turkey the name Iskendar is popular, and the further east you go you get Sikander in Pakistan and India. Super interesting
It's one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. History shown as it should be - plot of interlacing actions instead of miscellanous points in time
And just like that, stumbling over a free video here, I was reminded of the wonder I had of the world as a child. Thank you for reminding me that there is still so much rich and colorful history in the world. This is a masterpiece.
It's not just informative, but the way this is written to present history with such beautiful storytelling is amazing. I've heard countless times of Ganying and his ventures to find Rome -but never realized he missed the very Emperor he sought, by a mere 20 years.
I love how the events are interwoven through space and time. It's like Lost, where someone finds something amazing and then it flashbacks how that amazing thing happened. And then the story continues, forming a vast tapestry, but this time it actually all comes together and makes sense.
The best documentary content on history....in the world. I'd literally listen to every single event that ever happened for many hours every day if it was made by you guys. Just wow.
One of the most incredible pieces of work I have listened to, and I am a seasoned historical veteran. It isn't often I am confronted by a topic as huge as this for the first time. Magnificent.
@@SIGNOR-G yes indeed. but dont forget about india. its a battle of 3 titans, just like it might be the case in another maybe 70 years. then hopefully again a peaceful coexistence and technology exchange
@@albertfcb6654 and the best part is that all 3 (or 4 if you include thepersians) were very much different from eachother. This is some good story material
That was beautifully written and narrated. I'm so pleased you have taken the time in your research and explained these important historic moments long forgotten.
West and North China is different from Indo china South East Asians. They are consist of central Asian gene and are grass herders and horse riders. When we think of Rome entering China its not like Vietnam looking in lush forrest jungle mountains but more of Tibetan plains and wasteland
My favorite thing about history is that often you hear the name of a place as it was known a thousand, two thousand years ago etc, it sounds like a fantastical place, and a fantasy story. I see history as great stories first, and a record second. I wish more people did, because it's so much more than who did what, when they did it and why.
My point is that a good story gets you interested. You get hooked on the glory of Rome or the majesty of the pyramids. Then you're in, and if you're hooked, you learn about how it all happened. History is important
“That one time the Greeks were in Afghanistan…” “Wait wot?” “and met the Chinese…” “Sorry WOT?” “… and fought a 3 year war…” “ExcUSE ME?!” “… over some horses.” “U WOT M8?!” “Good times.”
I didn’t even know that eastern Greece and China went to war over horses until last week, now the romans went to war with china. Maybe next week I’ll hear that the Aztecs or Myans fought china
@@christaylor6654 Well...most of the people in Bactria/Afghanistan were "Dayuan" or "Greekish" or "Hellenic", but the ruling government wasn't by the time of The War of Heavenly Horses. That war had a MASSIVE impact on China though, as it spread Buddhism in China. Yeah, you forgot to mention that most of those Greeks in Afghanistan were Buddhists.
Doesn't qin 秦 also denote something though? Not just like a proper name of a dynasty. That would make sense, they called themselves after something they did well and so just assumed a similarly advanced culture would also excel in that particular area (which makes me think it was like a prerequisite, perchance having to do with advances in warfare, agriculture, commerce). Also, this served as propaganda, bringing the rivalry down to individual identity: now there was someone out there, not just some other great nation, but one allegedly claiming to be the better you. I know it doesn't make that much sense rationally but that's the message the subconscious part operates with, thus making it personal.
@Commieblin reminds me of an account I've read (possibly false) that Moctezuma had considered the Tarascan Empire to be the only state in the world worthy of his respect.
Excellent as usual. Hard to imagine how much courage it took to travel centuries ago. Of course, some travelers didn't know the dangers the faced until it was too late. Sadly, today people think an open-minded traveler is necessarily a safe one - that good will begets good will and so many a would be Marco Polo goes off and is never seen again.
As I understand, this is a largely american notion, which is why people in foreign countries catering to tourists are far more exploitive towards americans...
Traveling across the Taklamakan on foot is nuts, even today. The courage of the soldiers willing to cross mustve been immense, as they set off with 60,000 people, and got to Alexandria Eschatae with only 30,000....half of their army died marching alone....
What a beautifully told story. I find myself almost in tears at how close Guan Yin had come, and how he had failed, and the loss of what may have been.
Stuff like this and the amount of knowledge people like you give to the public for free-- it makes me so grateful to be born in the era that I am. Thank you so much!
I am a Chinese in Beijing, and I resonate with one particular point of this great documentary: What does 'China' mean in the ancient west world. For millennia, the Chinese people have been puzzled by the origin of this word. Why did they call it China? In the early 1990s, a theory was presented by an insignificant researcher: the word originated from a Persian word and then the Latin word for 'the country of silk'. This video reinforces this argument.
The bible mentions the chinese people as 'sinnite', their land: Sino--this, I believe, is the origin--the word for 'Asia' comes from, if memory serves, the persian word 'Hsia' or 'Most East'
China came from the translation of western world from Qin Dynasty. As pronunciation was pronounce in western world as Qin Na. Then it turned to China instead and it stuck there since
I often daydream about what I, with modern knowledge would do if I could go back in time to the medieval or ancient era. After watching the beginning part, I kinda just want to travel along the silk road with a small but well-equipped group, see the world, and know that I've lived a life more vast and full of knowledge and insight from that time than anyone else ever could. Damn that would be a journey.
Han Wudi of the Han Dynasty, battled the Xiongnu for decades, eventually won, and gained Control of the HeXi Corridor. The Corridor was essential for the establishment of the Ancient Silk Road. The four Commanderies of the Hexi are Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan and Dunhuang, literal fort cities at the edge of the Han Empire.
@@kevinkevinkevin1909 silk road became worthy for Europe after Mongel conqured most of euroasia continent. However, for western Asia, silk road is always showed strong presence...idk where your source is...
@@qiushiliang4844 ... common sense Genghis Khan is Mongolian and Yuan is Mongolian Dynasty. I don’t need source for common sense. Like you don’t need evidence that Song people were murdered and sold off as slaves as well as Yuan married the Song women. Strong for locals, but Mongolian Empire made the Silk Road for Global Economy. Don’t compare Model T with BMW vehicles.
@@kevinkevinkevin1909 common sense? You are not answering my question. It is only valuable to Europe after Yuan dynasty but silk road has always showed a strong presence in western Asia. Who says it is only "worthy" when it is present to Europe? Such arrogance is laughable.
I had always wondered if there had been any contact between these two civilizations in the past - and if the Romans had really known silk. You've answered me sooo well... Lots of gratitude from my history-loving heart!
History channel is no longer . they want to dumb you down with Baby BOBO . sickening how America has become so unhinged and uneducated. . in so many ways.
I freaking love how if you consider that many people at the time would have a basic knowledge of all these myths together (dwarves Hobbits griffins Cyclops the illiad the odyssey the sagas etc) they basically thought they lived in the irl Tolkien or Warhammer or elder scrolls
Not really but I get what you saying, legitimately you just had to go off of stories passed down or people who went places. No fact check back then, honestly would be wild to just live in it for a week.
You and the good Dr. McLaughlin have done a superb job (if this was indeed your intention) of making this new presentation sound exactly like the historical texts you've always read from. In fact, I think there are about a dozen points where you could have inserted links to stories you'd read before, like China's reports of Rome and vice versa, accounts of the plague of Justinian, and so on: this presentation could serve as a wonderful introduction to the full scale of your previous work.
this is seriously one of the most fascinating documentaries I've ever watched. Watched it 3 days ago and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.
Never got bored watching this video. Not even 1 second. There's a lot if what if's running inside my head now. Thank you for this very interesting video.
Well done documentary! While you mentioned in the video that merchants sail around Sri Lanka, the map you used does not show why they did it. It's a small mistake but I should explain it. Sri Lanka used to be a Peninsula. There was a land bridge between India and Sri Lanka. It's called Rama Setu/Adam's Bridge. Then a cyclone sinks this land bridge in 15th century or something. That's why they sailed around Sri Lanka. Even if there was a no land bridge, the waters between india and Sri Lanka are pretty shallow so it'll be very hard to navigate anyway.
Excellent documentary.. The storytelling is outstanding.. The return of Caesar, the city blanketed in the Imperial colours with silk, so compelling, I felt childlike again, as I closed my eyes and imagined the splendour of the occasion.. Thank you all for your endeavours in putting this together, words cannot suffice, salute 🥃
The Chinese part of that period of history can mostly be found in Shi Ji (史记, written by SiMa Qian) and History of Former Han (汉书), which is pretty well known by most of educated Chinese people these days, but the history of Macedonia, ancient Greece or eastern Roman Empire, not so much. It is amazing that this documentary has provided a different perspective for eastern audience like me, I have spent a couple of years on studying Chinese history records such as 史记(Shi Ji)，汉书(History of Former Han)，后汉书(History of Later Han), specially the parts where content foreign events. Recently I’m trying to find connections between the two by comparing geographic informations on 汉书 and Ptolemy’s map, I do have some interesting finds.
But he jumped from Sima (Which was Qin dynasty) to Hans China....and Da Ching (Qing dynasty? Eh?).... And also he said Da Yuan (Yuan Dynasty?).... Eh ?... That is around 1500 years !!!..... lol..... Cos what he stated... then was... it means that... even Japan is European. lol.... Ceras ?? Seras ??? NOOOOoooooo.......lol.... So "Qin dynasty" was actually the Roman City inside China ? Lol.... Noooo........ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daqin And so the people died.. were because.. they got the small pox ? Or boils ? So then they burnt everything ?....
@@jannguerrero : lol. Thank you.. I take that as a compliment... Lol.... I actually have never heard of the Western side to the East... So I quite like this video ... :)
What a brilliant video on something I've never even considered in all the time reading/watching videos on Rome and China. Super interesting how close those two worlds came and so well done. Thank you!
Just amazing! so many questions that was answered in this video by Dr. Raoul McLaughlin and many thanks for that! Maybe also worth mentioning that the weakness of silk road was not only due to local production of silk by Romans, as, still, many products would be transported for many years after, but the fact that the route was rerouted through Arabia to avoid Sassanid influence, which in turn made nomads there richer. The route change had devastating effect on Sassanid empire, weakening the economy as well as creating pilars of future Islamic empire, which indirectly and with delays had its tolls on Roman empire itself . What else I was missing in this narration was the importance and magnificence of the middle empire, Parthians and then Sassanid; this would give audience a better picture about the two far superpowers who expanded as far as sea allowed, and the middle one who held both (+Sakas) at bay, with its historic, religious and cultural significance especially on Roman empire and vice versa (look for Mithraism till example)
I'm starting to think that "celestial" is probably the way we translate a chinese word that it's far less florid. Celestial kingdom, celestial horses, celestial whatever. Maybe it's like closer to saying: the great horses.
I remember reading about Roman merchants complaining that China was taking away their traditional customers in the Near and Middle East! A sort of ancient trade war.
there is a minor mistake at 58:55. Nabatea was in northwest of Arabia not the southwest. I think you meant to say that it was south to the Roman empire but in the north of the Arabian peninsula
In both northern, central and southern Vietnam, Roman artefacts dated between 1st to 3rd century were found. Glasswares in Lao Cai, Roman vases in Danang, Roman coins in Bac Ninh and An Giang, but only coins of Antonius and his adopted son.
@@maolo76 he wants to have some.roman blood and not those boring rice small snubby nose weak jawline who go to school all time nerd can't get laid small wee wee. Romans are big strong and muscular
This is an amazing documentary. Thanks a ton folks. I have read Dr Raoul's book and loved it. But this was just bringing so many of those things to life :-) Just brilliant and keep up the great work
Absolutely brilliant!!! Incredible research of historical facts and documents from East and West! A great and informative documentary. Thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot. Well done!
Great ingenious video, unknown chapters from ancient history I like the most! recently I visit ancient sites and record them 🎥 (I recommend 😋). Best regards
Thank you so much for making this sort of knowledge readily available in audio-video documentary form. Not everyone has the time and/or energy to plow through countless volumes, however fascinating they may be. For example, I do woodworking as a hobby, and I was able to work on a piece while listening to this fascinating documentary. I am truly grateful that you guys made this possible!
I haven't been watching videos recently bc of travel and studying abroad (in Korea currently!) and what not, but I still love the channel(s)! Surprised by this doc on China and Rome. Seems you're creating documentaries more often these days :)
Possibly the best history channel I've ever found. Makes me wonder why I spent so much time watching The History Channel and learning absolutely nothing 😂
Usually I find the comments sections of videos to be grandiose in their sense of praise. But you deserve all the accolades for this. Excellent work and thank you.
This is amazing, please do a series on the indian ocean silk road and the connections between india, south east asia, arabian peninsula and east africa!
don't forget that we know more about the surface of the moon than the bottom of the ocean....there are so many secrets about earth and life which are yet to be unlocked.
@@yourmama3515 If there wouldn't be any nuclear war or WW3 broke out between superpowers like the USA, China, Russia ... Sure, we're living the best era in human history yet.
@@jimjones1602 That’s an over exaggerated myth. We’ve mapped out near all the entire ocean floor, and all the life down there (what little there is) isn’t of significant importance to land creatures like us.
At the beginning of Part 1 it is incorrectly stated that Caesar returned from Gaul in 46 BC. In that year he returned from Spain where he out the last remnants of resistance to his assumption of power. This error should be corrected because this is an excellent documentary that deserves widespread viewership.
Huge thanks to the absolute expert on this topic Dr Raoul McLaughlin - so lucky he agreed to write this for the channel. He has a youtube channel but he also has incredible books on this subject, this one in particular: www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/152677108X/ref=dbs_a_w_dp_152677108x there is an audio book version too. Check it out! Go go go.
Those times long ago cause less global warming then now🤔.......just a thought✌🤘
I just finished watching the documentary. That was a really well narrated journey through very interesting subject matter indeed. The graphics were excellent. Very nice way to spend the evening. Cheers
@@marrz8244 Humans don't cause "global warming", just like humans did Not cause the last ice ages. The climate of the earth is a tremendously powerful force that humans can only dream to manipulate. We Can control Pollution and Weather though ----but Not the Climate.
Thanks for the link to that book.
29:20 his real greek name was Alexandros not Alexander. Alexander is latin version . 😂 ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ from Greek words Alex + andros = "keep the mens in distance"
This is literally just a whole top class documentary made from primary sources for free incredible work
I too love the primary source material. I only wish he would add qualifiers such as Heroditus didn't write his history till 200 years after the events. Im not sure about that but think I've remembered it correctly
@@manleynelson9419 herodotus wouldve been a child at the time of the greco-persian wars, i think
@@manleynelson9419 plus many historians and scholars take Herodotus with a grain of salt when it comes to *what the people actually said* especially since the Byzantines Christians where the ones that collected and wrote about herodotus works
@@manleynelson9419 We all know that about Herodotus.
I like that this channel quotes direct ancient sources and doesn't speculate or interpret "What really happened". So much history can't be known with 100% certainty. Best guesses based on interpretations of archeological finds are okay as long as the historian states it is only an interpretation. As long as they state "we think this is what happened" instead of stating it as 100% fact. We can't even get modern history 100% accurate due to biases and propaganda.
This is incredible.. We are living in a golden age for historical documentaries.. Videos like this should have millions of views. Truly amazing.
says the white man
@@gimprovement6087 wtf is your problem?
@@kensingcd I'm trolling lol
@@kensingcd Are you really a white man btw?
@@gimprovement6087 go troll somewhere else
Just rewatched a year later and I’m again blown away by the sheer volume of research and production value that we have the benefit of receiving at zero cost.
I mean, I pay 17.00 per month to watch it for "free". Everyone else has to watch Ads during the course of the video, for which revenue is shared, or the video sponsor helps to pay... but we get what you mean. Very high quality. A great deal for the level you're getting.
@@thelearnedindividual5765 Worth every dime - unlike most universities these days!
And where does one even start to research the names and dates and narrative threads for all of this? It's astonishing.
Trajan stepping on the same land where just a few decades earlier a chinese subject was. They both wondered and watched the infinite Ocean before deciding that their own journey was at its end.
This parts gave me chills
That tiny parcel of land where the Tigris and Euphrates meet the sea has a lot of history. The British have led amphibious landings there in both the 20th and 21st centuries.
Wonderful, just wonderful. I hate most modern documentaries, they’re drawn out, repetitive, droning and melodramatic to stretch a topic. This is beautiful storytelling, densely packed with wonder and poetry.
thanks so much!
Agreed. The average Netflix documentary pans between 6 different people who don't know what they're talking about, all paraphrasing the same sentence
@@VoicesofthePast 0à
and usually support some kind if narrative.. This is an incredible, unbiased factual journey through that time
Oh yeah, especially if made for TV and you get that constant recap every 10 minutes when there would normally have been an equally long bout of commercials.
i just randomly searched up “interactions between ancient civilizations” out of sheer curiosity and stumbled upon this gem lol. time travelling is dope
Yeah this channel is great, you should also check out: fall of civilizations. That's also one of my favorite channels about ancient civilizations
Shiiiit it's better than Dope
@@matildamarmaduke1096 Maybe 🤔 we could setup some new recovery programs transitioning addicts into truth seeking explorers! It’s kept me from falling off the wagon for 14 years!! Seriously, I know part of my issues started out of curiosity and never being satisfied w the information presented to me that explained where we’d been or came from.
@@_S0urR0ses_
Sounds like a winner but I was told today they gotta want it but I said we can not just leave her like that and not even try to help and heard she will climb on your back drowning you for a 20 hit I said hell you say ,but after seeing & hearing such pain I have to atleast try.just ain't come up with a life preserver built to withstand such a tsunami
Your milk and cookies on the table go get your reward😂
Love the tone and presentation of this!
I recently started my degree in East Asian Studies (double major w/ Linguistics), and one of my classes this semester is an examination of the Roman Empire by studying the provinces and how the people governed by the Empire viewed it. I never thought I’d get something so tailor-made on UA-cam and it’s so high-quality too! Thank you for this amazing content ❤️
你学习中文吗？🎉
@@mawa2150 对，我在大学学中文，我真喜欢！
@@tali.k57 哪个大学？
What sort of job can you get with that?
@@noon3d historian, diplomat are the ones i can come up with
I always think about if I had 3 wishes, it’d be to know fluently every language ever, to be able to time travel, and to shape shift. So I could go back and interact with and record ancient people and cultures in truth. So much has been lost or could never be recorded. I’m so amazed how documentaries like this exist because it’s like actually being able to travel back in time. Some think history isn’t that important or learning about it when it’s not your career, is useless, but there’s always something new to learn and it’s just incredible.
You will be able to access these memories in heaven, 3d, feels real.
The Romans and Chinese at least knew the other existed and were too far away from each other.
The Persians at least had contact with both no doubt
Some Persian Royalty would end up in Tang China after the Arab conquest of Persia.
@@sodadrinker89 Persia is Arabia
Ofcourse the central asians and persians knew about both sides overland, and south east asians and indians knew about both through ocean routes. The ancient world was far more connected then most think.
And the Greeks too
@@giannis_toupolemou Persians aren't Arab
Oh baby, 94 minutes of Voices of the Past? Christmas came early.
Christmas came early indeed. Ancient Rome and ancient China knowing of each other is so so fascinating
These videos are so well-made, they do feel like Christmas presents... The infrequency adds to the relish; it's not everyday we get fine gifts like this.
@Giuseppe LoGiurato I know right! I’d actually love it if he started focussing on this style of longer documentaries full time - ala Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History.
I love all his videos but especially these ones & the wait’s worth it because they’re so god damn good! I just wish there was more of them 😁
I feel the same way. Now I can listen to this over and over
@@butterball_ ..j
I could not sit through some movies shorter than this but the topic combined with your voice made the hour breeze by. Nice work.
I think it's how he breaks the units up and keeps interest with visuals. His has the effect of a rocking chair and an easy breeze.
This is a quantum leap forward. It's dynamic, interspersed with commentary and context and just really brings things alive. I like the older videos too of course, but this feels like a seismic improvement.
Also the script and editing in this is really nice. Everything feels thoughtful, calm and constantly moving. I'm just really impressed on a number of levels. I know how hard this was to pull off.
Quantum means small fam
@@TWN-nw4jd look up the definition of “quantum leap”
@@SomeoneFarted pretty sure that's a TV show and not real fam
@@TWN-nw4jd Once again, look up the definition of quantum leap.
@@SomeoneFarted how about you describe what you think it means colloquially Vs what it actually means etymologically
I have become addicted to your channel. I really can't express how much I enjoy hearing your voice giving voice to so many of the witnesses of history. It's fascinating and I don't think I ever would have been able to find these stories on my own. It's especially important for me because while I love to read my eyesight is not what it used to be. Thank you so much for these videos.
This was for free. Sir, thank you. It took no small effort to give us this, but it was education freely given. I can do little else than sincerely express my gratitude. You sir, are a saint and a scholar.
Did you not see the advertisements in the video? 🤦♂️
@@xxxxxxxx183 Education freely given. As in, he gave it to US for FREE. Not that he didn't make any money off of it. Please learn how to read effectively, sir.
@@xxxxxxxx183u not very smart are u
So, I don't have words, however, "Stunning" comes to mind. Dr.Raoul McLaughlin writes like an absolute expert, as stated, the video is on topic and high quality, and the narration was out of this world. I have seen documentaries that can't hold a candle to this.
The fact that I watched the video for free makes me feel a little guilty, but that's only because people don't share their masterclass works this way.
Thank you Voices of the Past and all involved.
29:12 The person that figured out the connection between a 2,000-year-old Chinese name and Alexander is absolutely genius.
Al- Exander
Also in proto Indo.european Sekander meant warrior..it was a name.dor.grwat fighters. Sekander's. So a name popular was Alsekander. Or Alexander. :)
@@ClarkWalters Totally right. To this day in Turkey the name Iskendar is popular, and the further east you go you get Sikander in Pakistan and India. Super interesting
Kinda looked like a legionnaire a bit, a gathered body of soldiers in aries; a disease of seize
you pulled that out of your ass. sekander doesnt mean warrior in pie.
It's one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. History shown as it should be - plot of interlacing actions instead of miscellanous points in time
And just like that, stumbling over a free video here, I was reminded of the wonder I had of the world as a child. Thank you for reminding me that there is still so much rich and colorful history in the world. This is a masterpiece.
It's not just informative, but the way this is written to present history with such beautiful storytelling is amazing. I've heard countless times of Ganying and his ventures to find Rome -but never realized he missed the very Emperor he sought, by a mere 20 years.
For me too. If you visit a lot of ancient village and cities in China , it will be mind blowing. I am from latin America
Elder Romans bemoaning the provocative fashions of the youth. The more things change...
Damn thots, not even wearing their togas! What the fvck is Roma coming to?
And they were right.
Immorality is timeless
@@thetruthchannel349 Bath salts are NOT for human consumption.
The Truth Channel CPC are enemies of woke culture and western capitalists like Soros
I love how the events are interwoven through space and time. It's like Lost, where someone finds something amazing and then it flashbacks how that amazing thing happened. And then the story continues, forming a vast tapestry, but this time it actually all comes together and makes sense.
"and makes sense" so nothing like Lost then
*oof*
@@Tentaculat That's why he said "this time"
Bring the trade up to date with the New silk road and Covid-19.
you've just compared the universe to a tv series
The best documentary content on history....in the world. I'd literally listen to every single event that ever happened for many hours every day if it was made by you guys. Just wow.
One of the most incredible pieces of work I have listened to, and I am a seasoned historical veteran. It isn't often I am confronted by a topic as huge as this for the first time. Magnificent.
Slowly but surely, this channel will defeat all interlopers.
Great documentary well done. Jeez the level of this was mind blowing.
Thank you....
Rome and the China are my two favourite civilisations, so this video is like a dream come true.
You have good Civilization taste
@@SIGNOR-G yes indeed. but dont forget about india. its a battle of 3 titans, just like it might be the case in another maybe 70 years. then hopefully again a peaceful coexistence and technology exchange
and the Achaemenid Empire wasnt that bad either, for their time
@@albertfcb6654 and the best part is that all 3 (or 4 if you include thepersians) were very much different from eachother. This is some good story material
Me too, the Roman empire and ancient China dynasties are the most interesting for sure, and both are famous for studying as well
Another Masterpiece documentary, and to think I saw this channel with less than 5000 suscribers, but its gonna a reach a million for sure
Imagine being able to predict a shitcoin pumping this well also
That was beautifully written and narrated. I'm so pleased you have taken the time in your research and explained these important historic moments long forgotten.
I say this w out exaggeration
this is the best historical documentary Ive ever seen.
incredible work.
Damn this was amazing.
For me the most astonishing part is to know that a roman ship reached vietman... imagine that.
@Zeus Christos thanks
West and North China is different from Indo china South East Asians. They are consist of central Asian gene and are grass herders and horse riders. When we think of Rome entering China its not like Vietnam looking in lush forrest jungle mountains but more of Tibetan plains and wasteland
@@st4r444 Right? That'd be like landing a ship in Brazil and being like "hey, we found Mexico!" Like, dude, they don't even speak the same language.
@@st4r444 You don’t gotta call us Indo Chinese now we are only South East Asian
@@Trapo-q8w ok rice eater. Yall short and have small wee wee
This documentary its a gift to humanity.🤝
on god 🙏
A bit dramatic dude.
@@Ulexcool yeah I agree. It's a great documentary but it's not like a miracle
My favorite thing about history is that often you hear the name of a place as it was known a thousand, two thousand years ago etc, it sounds like a fantastical place, and a fantasy story. I see history as great stories first, and a record second. I wish more people did, because it's so much more than who did what, when they did it and why.
My point is that a good story gets you interested. You get hooked on the glory of Rome or the majesty of the pyramids. Then you're in, and if you're hooked, you learn about how it all happened. History is important
Sometimes the grandeur of a narrative leads us to blind ourselves to facts, and encourages us to construct lineages on sinking soil.
Just brilliant stuff, this. So well written and read. Can't believe I just watch a 90 minute documentary like this out of the blue. Very well done.
I feel like a criminal for viewing this for free... This is incredibly high quality.
“That one time the Greeks were in Afghanistan…”
“Wait wot?”
“and met the Chinese…”
“Sorry WOT?”
“… and fought a 3 year war…”
“ExcUSE ME?!”
“… over some horses.”
“U WOT M8?!”
“Good times.”
Yeah .. the world is a lot smaller then we think it was.
I didn’t even know that eastern Greece and China went to war over horses until last week, now the romans went to war with china. Maybe next week I’ll hear that the Aztecs or Myans fought china
@@christaylor6654 Well...most of the people in Bactria/Afghanistan were "Dayuan" or "Greekish" or "Hellenic", but the ruling government wasn't by the time of The War of Heavenly Horses. That war had a MASSIVE impact on China though, as it spread Buddhism in China. Yeah, you forgot to mention that most of those Greeks in Afghanistan were Buddhists.
Spoiler alert!
We didn't start the fire...
"Hey China .. You just found out about another great empire to the west of you .. what do you want to call it?
".... Other .. China?"
"That works!"
They called them Big Qin,so *Big China
@@hx5525 They called da Qin
Mening other China
And claimed they are chinese
Doesn't qin 秦 also denote something though? Not just like a proper name of a dynasty. That would make sense, they called themselves after something they did well and so just assumed a similarly advanced culture would also excel in that particular area (which makes me think it was like a prerequisite, perchance having to do with advances in warfare, agriculture, commerce). Also, this served as propaganda, bringing the rivalry down to individual identity: now there was someone out there, not just some other great nation, but one allegedly claiming to be the better you. I know it doesn't make that much sense rationally but that's the message the subconscious part operates with, thus making it personal.
@Commieblin reminds me of an account I've read (possibly false) that Moctezuma had considered the Tarascan Empire to be the only state in the world worthy of his respect.
Would be easy slaughter for Rome. China got beat by Mongols with ease. The Roman's will then take those tight Chinese vjj with their bwc
Excellent as usual. Hard to imagine how much courage it took to travel centuries ago. Of course, some travelers didn't know the dangers the faced until it was too late. Sadly, today people think an open-minded traveler is necessarily a safe one - that good will begets good will and so many a would be Marco Polo goes off and is never seen again.
Gabby Petito 😔☠️🖤
@@sarahoshea9603 yeah pretty sure her fiancé killed her though
As I understand, this is a largely american notion, which is why people in foreign countries catering to tourists are far more exploitive towards americans...
Traveling across the Taklamakan on foot is nuts, even today. The courage of the soldiers willing to cross mustve been immense, as they set off with 60,000 people, and got to Alexandria Eschatae with only 30,000....half of their army died marching alone....
As was then, is now, and will be forever: An ignorant fool cannot be saved from themselves and their "ideas."
Watching this beautifully done documentary on Rome and China has really gave me a new passion for learning history. Thanks!
Greetings, descendants of the DaChin 大秦, peace and respect from a modern day Han Chinese. [Salute][Respect]🫶🏻
This was so great. Thank you and Dr Raoul McLaughlin for this epic tale of Roman and Chinese history.
What a beautifully told story. I find myself almost in tears at how close Guan Yin had come, and how he had failed, and the loss of what may have been.
One of the best episodes you've ever produced this turns the narrative that China was closed to the West for those years completely upside down
Stuff like this and the amount of knowledge people like you give to the public for free-- it makes me so grateful to be born in the era that I am. Thank you so much!
I am a Chinese in Beijing, and I resonate with one particular point of this great documentary: What does 'China' mean in the ancient west world.
For millennia, the Chinese people have been puzzled by the origin of this word. Why did they call it China? In the early 1990s, a theory was presented by an insignificant researcher: the word originated from a Persian word and then the Latin word for 'the country of silk'. This video reinforces this argument.
Your English is good
I thought it was an English bastardization of "Qin".
The bible mentions the chinese people as 'sinnite', their land: Sino--this, I believe, is the origin--the word for 'Asia' comes from, if memory serves, the persian word 'Hsia' or 'Most East'
China came from the translation of western world from Qin Dynasty. As pronunciation was pronounce in western world as Qin Na. Then it turned to China instead and it stuck there since
China is still Roman
I often daydream about what I, with modern knowledge would do if I could go back in time to the medieval or ancient era.
After watching the beginning part, I kinda just want to travel along the silk road with a small but well-equipped group, see the world, and know that I've lived a life more vast and full of knowledge and insight from that time than anyone else ever could. Damn that would be a journey.
Nothing. Changing time is wrong
@@KneelBeforeBlue Everybody Wang Chung tonight.
We think they’d be blown away by our iPhones and Bluetooth, but really they’d be much more amazed by our spice cabinets and $1 bottles of Arizona.
@@brewsterthegreat4737 Ikr? The fact that we can have ICED tea for dirt cheap is mind blowing in historic context.
I'd probably die after a day or two because I'm type 1 diabetic lol
Han Wudi of the Han Dynasty, battled the Xiongnu for decades, eventually won, and gained Control of the HeXi Corridor. The Corridor was essential for the establishment of the Ancient Silk Road. The four Commanderies of the Hexi are Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan and Dunhuang, literal fort cities at the edge of the Han Empire.
Silk Road became worthy when Mongolians controlled much of east Asia. Before it was just any other path...
@@kevinkevinkevin1909 silk road became worthy for Europe after Mongel conqured most of euroasia continent. However, for western Asia, silk road is always showed strong presence...idk where your source is...
@@qiushiliang4844 ... common sense Genghis Khan is Mongolian and Yuan is Mongolian Dynasty. I don’t need source for common sense. Like you don’t need evidence that Song people were murdered and sold off as slaves as well as Yuan married the Song women. Strong for locals, but Mongolian Empire made the Silk Road for Global Economy. Don’t compare Model T with BMW vehicles.
@@kevinkevinkevin1909 common sense? You are not answering my question. It is only valuable to Europe after Yuan dynasty but silk road has always showed a strong presence in western Asia. Who says it is only "worthy" when it is present to Europe? Such arrogance is laughable.
@@kevinkevinkevin1909 I live in Huhehate😂
I had always wondered if there had been any contact between these two civilizations in the past - and if the Romans had really known silk. You've answered me sooo well... Lots of gratitude from my history-loving heart!
This is probably my favorite documentary yet, I wish the History channel had this type of production quality
Same
History channel is no longer . they want to dumb you down with Baby BOBO . sickening how America has become so unhinged and uneducated. . in so many ways.
This is way beyond History channel. I'd be shocked to see this type of quality on there.
The History Channel barely has any historical content...
I freaking love how if you consider that many people at the time would have a basic knowledge of all these myths together (dwarves Hobbits griffins Cyclops the illiad the odyssey the sagas etc) they basically thought they lived in the irl Tolkien or Warhammer or elder scrolls
Not really but I get what you saying, legitimately you just had to go off of stories passed down or people who went places. No fact check back then, honestly would be wild to just live in it for a week.
You and the good Dr. McLaughlin have done a superb job (if this was indeed your intention) of making this new presentation sound exactly like the historical texts you've always read from. In fact, I think there are about a dozen points where you could have inserted links to stories you'd read before, like China's reports of Rome and vice versa, accounts of the plague of Justinian, and so on: this presentation could serve as a wonderful introduction to the full scale of your previous work.
A movie or series on this would be great. One can only hope...
Why? Whats wrong with this format?
I fully agree.... it would extremely nice to see.
On both sides:
"We've found a totally different Civilization !"
"Yeah, yeah, great - Do they have cool stuff ?"
this is seriously one of the most fascinating documentaries I've ever watched. Watched it 3 days ago and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.
Never got bored watching this video. Not even 1 second. There's a lot if what if's running inside my head now. Thank you for this very interesting video.
Amazing documentary! I’ve always enjoyed anything regarding Justinian. An emperor who did everything wrong, but made it work successfully.
Well done documentary! While you mentioned in the video that merchants sail around Sri Lanka, the map you used does not show why they did it. It's a small mistake but I should explain it. Sri Lanka used to be a Peninsula. There was a land bridge between India and Sri Lanka. It's called Rama Setu/Adam's Bridge. Then a cyclone sinks this land bridge in 15th century or something. That's why they sailed around Sri Lanka. Even if there was a no land bridge, the waters between india and Sri Lanka are pretty shallow so it'll be very hard to navigate anyway.
I think I’ve heard of this, honestly crazy how the world would have looked.
Excellent documentary.. The storytelling is outstanding.. The return of Caesar, the city blanketed in the Imperial colours with silk, so compelling, I felt childlike again, as I closed my eyes and imagined the splendour of the occasion.. Thank you all for your endeavours in putting this together, words cannot suffice, salute 🥃
I love every single minute of this documentary. Modern day History Channel doesn't come even close to this. Bravo!
The Chinese part of that period of history can mostly be found in Shi Ji (史记, written by SiMa Qian) and History of Former Han (汉书), which is pretty well known by most of educated Chinese people these days, but the history of Macedonia, ancient Greece or eastern Roman Empire, not so much. It is amazing that this documentary has provided a different perspective for eastern audience like me, I have spent a couple of years on studying Chinese history records such as 史记(Shi Ji)，汉书(History of Former Han)，后汉书(History of Later Han), specially the parts where content foreign events. Recently I’m trying to find connections between the two by comparing geographic informations on 汉书 and Ptolemy’s map, I do have some interesting finds.
But he jumped from Sima (Which was Qin dynasty) to Hans China....and Da Ching (Qing dynasty? Eh?).... And also he said Da Yuan (Yuan Dynasty?).... Eh ?... That is around 1500 years !!!..... lol..... Cos what he stated... then was... it means that... even Japan is European. lol.... Ceras ?? Seras ???
NOOOOoooooo.......lol.... So "Qin dynasty" was actually the Roman City inside China ? Lol.... Noooo........
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daqin
And so the people died.. were because.. they got the small pox ? Or boils ? So then they burnt everything ?....
Agreed. Typically u find the western version which lacks truthful details
@@MeiinUKI don't think anyone has a high opinion on getting solid facts from Wikipedia..... especially on history.
@@jannguerrero : lol. Thank you.. I take that as a compliment... Lol....
I actually have never heard of the Western side to the East... So I quite like this video ... :)
@@MeiinUKit’s a no-no to cite wikipedia. It isn’t a primary source. I’ll take the word of the UA-camr whose citations are academically researched.
What a brilliant video on something I've never even considered in all the time reading/watching videos on Rome and China. Super interesting how close those two worlds came and so well done. Thank you!
Have you guys considered also putting your content out as podcasts? I’d love to be able to listen while I’m out and about!
The podcast would not be as amazing without the beautiful visuals.
please no
Just amazing! so many questions that was answered in this video by Dr. Raoul McLaughlin and many thanks for that! Maybe also worth mentioning that the weakness of silk road was not only due to local production of silk by Romans, as, still, many products would be transported for many years after, but the fact that the route was rerouted through Arabia to avoid Sassanid influence, which in turn made nomads there richer. The route change had devastating effect on Sassanid empire, weakening the economy as well as creating pilars of future Islamic empire, which indirectly and with delays had its tolls on Roman empire itself . What else I was missing in this narration was the importance and magnificence of the middle empire, Parthians and then Sassanid; this would give audience a better picture about the two far superpowers who expanded as far as sea allowed, and the middle one who held both (+Sakas) at bay, with its historic, religious and cultural significance especially on Roman empire and vice versa (look for Mithraism till example)
These docs are top notch. I love the accompanying music. It makes me feel as though I'm a young Roman legionnaire marching across ancient lands.
The War For Celestial Horses. The Chinese at their florid best !!. Thank you for your time and effort, Voices.
I'm starting to think that "celestial" is probably the way we translate a chinese word that it's far less florid. Celestial kingdom, celestial horses, celestial whatever. Maybe it's like closer to saying: the great horses.
@@jmiquelmb the Chinese are know for giving florid names. Also "great" is not even the same as "celestial".
@@jmiquelmb the Heavenly Horses
I remember reading about Roman merchants complaining that China was taking away their traditional customers in the Near and Middle East! A sort of ancient trade war.
Would be easy slaughter for Rome. China got beat by Mongols with ease. The Roman's will then take those tight Chinese vjj with their bwc
"They're bringing silk, they're bringing steel, they're bringing plague, and some of them I assume are good people."
@@st4r444 rome was also defeated by the huns, nomads from central Asia
Romans were defeated by Huns but not China... Huns and Mongolians are two different era people
@@st4r444 talking rocks without brains and mixing facts and history
One of the most absorbing presentations I've ever seen on UA-cam. Great job.
Finally, a direct, clear, unadulterated history presentation.
Excellent!
This is the best documentary I've seen on YT!!!
Fascinating! The best yet in a line of extraordinary productions.
there is a minor mistake at 58:55. Nabatea was in northwest of Arabia not the southwest. I think you meant to say that it was south to the Roman empire but in the north of the Arabian peninsula
They have settlements, trade posts and presence all over Levant, Arabia and Mesopotamia
I can’t overstate how impressed I am with this detailed account of silk and it’s role in the ancient world. This is a job more than well done.
In both northern, central and southern Vietnam, Roman artefacts dated between 1st to 3rd century were found. Glasswares in Lao Cai, Roman vases in Danang, Roman coins in Bac Ninh and An Giang, but only coins of Antonius and his adopted son.
Dont lie.. Vietnam had no means to sail the ocean and Rome never sail to Asia.
@@maolo76 you do realize that it could have been brought from Romans in China and sold in Veitnam right?
@@vincegalila7211 Roman and China never traded
@@maolo76 yes they did. The merchants just had to be determined enough.
@@maolo76 he wants to have some.roman blood and not those boring rice small snubby nose weak jawline who go to school all time nerd can't get laid small wee wee. Romans are big strong and muscular
I can't believe a documentary of this of this quality is FREE on UA-cam thank you so much
It’s actually insane how far East Alexander went for what was known at the time
So much detail! I loved this video. I hope you do thorough deep dives like this into ancient topics. Your channel is amazing!
This is an amazing documentary. Thanks a ton folks. I have read Dr Raoul's book and loved it. But this was just bringing so many of those things to life :-) Just brilliant and keep up the great work
Absolutely brilliant!!!
Incredible research of historical facts and documents from East and West!
A great and informative documentary. Thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot. Well done!
As a Roman Chinese I find this video absolutely incredible
As a Chinese Roman I'd have to agree.
That makes sense.
This was a magnificent and fascinating work.
Thank you Voices of the Past.
Awesome - I was transfixed throughout this entire documentary.
Great ingenious video, unknown chapters from ancient history I like the most! recently I visit ancient sites and record them 🎥 (I recommend 😋). Best regards
@@kingwilliams8393 Fine, how are you???
@@ancientsitesgirl I'm good
@@ancientsitesgirl nice to meet you here dear
I'm Williams what your name?
@@kingwilliams8393 Irena
@Ancient Sites nice name
Please make these as a podcast mate, I’d love to download this a have my blind grandpa listen!
Awesome to see a collab with Dr RM himself.
What an excellent documentary. I love hearing history told by the people who lived it woven together using the hindsight we now posess.
Thank you so much for making this sort of knowledge readily available in audio-video documentary form. Not everyone has the time and/or energy to plow through countless volumes, however fascinating they may be. For example, I do woodworking as a hobby, and I was able to work on a piece while listening to this fascinating documentary. I am truly grateful that you guys made this possible!
Awesome video! Such an intriguing history of mysterious close encounters and secret meetings.
Cant add a another comment, the praise for this gem from other commentarists is well deserved
This documentary changed my view of the world. Happened in my youth quiete a few times, but now its a rare treat. Thx for that.
I cannot even begin the time and effort spent making this documentary. I appreciate every second of it. This was an amazing listen!!!!
Thank you for the history of the Silk Road, it was a pleasure to listen to, just like all the other productions of Voices of the Past.
This gives me goosebumps because it sounds like two alien worlds slowly learning about a distant, competitor superpower
I haven't been watching videos recently bc of travel and studying abroad (in Korea currently!) and what not, but I still love the channel(s)! Surprised by this doc on China and Rome. Seems you're creating documentaries more often these days :)
I'm curious, do S.Koreans really believe the Ancient Chinese stole the traditional culture from Korea?
The very fact that you're working with Dr. McLaughlin is in itself historic for UA-cam purposes.
This is truly an impressive documentary, so interesting to see both sides' records compared to each other
Possibly the best history channel I've ever found. Makes me wonder why I spent so much time watching The History Channel and learning absolutely nothing 😂
Usually I find the comments sections of videos to be grandiose in their sense of praise.
But you deserve all the accolades for this. Excellent work and thank you.
This is amazing, please do a series on the indian ocean silk road and the connections between india, south east asia, arabian peninsula and east africa!
The world was infinitely more magical and mystical when there was still world to discover.
Don’t forget much more primitive & barbaric, i’d still prefer life in 21st century over any other era in human history
don't forget that we know more about the surface of the moon than the bottom of the ocean....there are so many secrets about earth and life which are yet to be unlocked.
@@yourmama3515 If there wouldn't be any nuclear war or WW3 broke out between superpowers like the USA, China, Russia ... Sure, we're living the best era in human history yet.
@@jimjones1602 That’s an over exaggerated myth. We’ve mapped out near all the entire ocean floor, and all the life down there (what little there is) isn’t of significant importance to land creatures like us.
At the beginning of Part 1 it is incorrectly stated that Caesar returned from Gaul in 46 BC. In that year he returned from Spain where he out the last remnants of resistance to his assumption of power. This error should be corrected because this is an excellent documentary that deserves widespread viewership.
This is one of the more obvious errors.