I am from Iraq. One of my teachers at year 7 school, Master Zuhair; may he rest in peace, taught us history and he has covered all this document and more about the Assyrians, and I thought no one would come close to him, you did Dr Cooper. Master Zuhair used to know the Akadian language too. Knowing Iraq history, I find it amazing how history repeats itself. The story of Assyria and its geo relationships has manifested repeatedly for the last 3000 years. Your documentary has taken me in an emotional journey across many levels and boosted my realization of why we need to study history! I am sure, with whatever subjectivity, objectivity, and projection this document is consumed under, it is so enriching to one sense of existence. Thank you so much.
Well said, my friend. Cheers to your teacher fir introducing you to this history. This was an incredible lesson taught so beautifully. Grateful for the creator that made this.
crazy to think how many times in our history, religion is the root cause of all our man-made evils. literally documented time and time again in all corners of the earth. we should be exploring space by now. sigh
am an Iraqi citizen. I tell you that there are wonders and wonders in Iraq. In Iraq, there are in every civilization ax and traces of the Sumerians and Babylonians. Talking about Iraq does not end because it is the origin of humanity. Faithful revealed the prophets and messengers. And you, as a European citizen, thank you for this work and spreading the history of Iraq, and that it is not only the history of Iraq, but the history of mankind. thank you brother. I am from the city of Nasiriyah (the city of Ur).
I am from India, I use Beniwal surname, our elders say that we have come from Persia (Iran), this is a corrupt name of Banipal. We consider Ashhur Banipal as our ancestor. Share would be great.
I am from Nineveh, specifically from Mosul. I lived my childhood among these monuments, walls and archaeological hills, and I remember how I used to pass every day in front of it. I was very impressed by it, and I wished to be an archaeologist who would take care of the antiquities of his city, but I ended up as a refugee in Turkey looking for his future, I wonder if Ashurbanipal would return to see his sons and his city like this, what would he have said? Thank you for showing our history to the world
I really love how each episode starts off with a real life account of someone stumbling across some magnificent ruins and being left in awe of them. Really captures the mystery behind the collapse of civilizations.
I like the way you have the music at a low volume. It adds to my enjoyment of the series. It sets the tone without covering the sound of your voice. I say this about the 12 I have already watched as well. Thank you.
Herodutos wrote of the Assyrians yet Xenophon did not know of the Assyrians. Cuneiform and Akkadian is still in used during the Persian Empire, Xenophon would have encountered people in the Persian Empire who can speak and read the Cuneiform left in the ruins of the Assyrians Cities during the Era of Persian Empire.
@@Frenchy78ify that's not what I've replied to, it's the fact he didn't know who had built them, where others from his land and time period had written about them.
I have listened to the podcast version of this at least 5-6 times now over the last month, forming the images in my head... I even translated most of the text in Dutch so my 12 year old son, who is learning about Mesopotamia in school right now, could follow it. My expectations for this version with images were high .. but boy ... this is even sooo much better that what I expected. Immediately from minute 1 you can see the quality level of this: the Greek soldiers, the images of present day Nimrud, the animation of Nineveh, and it goes on and on and on .. It deserves every second of praise it gets and I will recommend this to anyone who might listen ... and I will of course start watching it with my son first thing tomorrow morning!
I have watched all of your youtube videos several times over. I should also note that your tone is very relaxing and peaceful, and have often used the audio as a tool to help me fall asleep. Thank you very much for the incredible work that you put into these.
I can only admire the presentation , the effort which has been put into these episodes, each of which are so full of detail and the naration so easy to listen to. Your work has revived my interest in times past. Many thanks.
As a history, geography, biology, language, literature, and documentary nerd and aspiring fantasy novelist, this channel is a beautiful trove of high quality treasure. Thank you so much for the passion and dedication you are putting into these videos and the admiration and respect you have for these cultures. Every episode is inspiring!
What can I say? This was the best thing I’ve watched on UA-cam, the details the Research the visual aids and no ads! As descendant of assyrians I would like to thank you and your team with all my heart for this amazing work. I wish you all the best in your next episode.
These documentaries transport me back in time; they are enthralling masterpieces. And I am infinitely grateful that I have unlimited access to them FOR FREE. Your work is brilliant and you deserve all the success that has come and will continue to come your way.
Not only do you have incredible voice actors, you clearly put a lot of thought and care into matching the voices to the words. It's like each of them, for just a few lines, has committed their entire self to the person behind the words. You all bring it every time and it really, really shows.
I believe I commented on an earlier video of this channel, effectively saying that this podcast inspired me to pursue history. If you do end up reading this, I just got an offer from Oxford for ancient and modern history, I can’t say thank you enough, this podcast continues to inspire me and exposes me to new and underrepresented areas of history. Thank you. I even put this series in my personal statement (I hope you don’t mind), absolutely brilliant.
I think that one of the main reasons that I really enjoy your presentations is your pace and delivery are perfect. The episodes take as long as they need to take, without removing valuable pauses for thinking etc. Well done Paul and thank you!
Wow, this is amazing! I am Assyrian and was born in iraq and my parents tell us these stories all the time when we were kids. It was so beautiful to watch!
I don't even understand how you make these ! I mean imagine how much time it must take just to type the script for a 3 plus hour video. Imagine all the research hours spent putting it together. And then to add a whole cinematic element telling the life of an empire like a story to help put the listener there in their head. Truly incredible what you do. And thank you from us all for doing it . A few characters in this comment section don't do justice the thanks u deserve !
Literally, I watch these videos over TV shows. This is what I do on my nights off. Stay up until 2:30am, watching these. I’ll be so sad to run out. Anyways, thank for making them.
I agree. It is so much work. But people like me appreciate it more than you could know. I didn't take any coursework on this in college (studied other things) and they certainly didn't teach us much at all about this area in my grade school. I am almost 60 now and love to learn about history on my own--I cannot get enough of ancient history.
I've watched this 3 maybe 4 times and I swear it gets better each time. This is a Masterpiece in every sense of the word. Thank you for sharing your passion.
As an assyrian, i thank you for your beautiful, professional and in depth documentary of my people's history, not many people know who we are, and the importance we played in agriculture, science, architecture, mathematics, literature, and warfare. Assyria will peacefully rise again
@@emknight84 it is his land it’s our land but it’s taken away from the Kurds and Iraq gov by the Muslims. They don’t like us because we are Christian and believers of Jesus. Why do you think Isis wanted to destroy every piece of history we had left in the homeland ?
As a history teacher, I realized watching this that I have never even seen footage of the Tigris or Euphrates Rivers. Thanks for the amazing footage, and the excellent storytelling.
@@nonyadamnbusiness9887 It's not that hard to believe. I can see how they may have seen plenty of images of the rivers but no actual live footage until this point.
It is astounding that with all the technology we have, there is so little in terms of high quality documentaries except from smaller talented outfits like this- most people know nothing of this world except modern war footage. I bet a well crafted decently funded miniseries would do great on network television- I think the public wants more than politics and dysfunctional celebrity trials. They sell the people short. The heritage of the near east is our heritage also. We don’t need Mesopotamia and man made climate change, although climate and Mesopotamia is closely linked for thousands of years. We don’t need racial or religious strife- just exploration of how we became who we are.
I love that you have people narrating the foreign language. It adds a lot to the experience of these videos. I appreciate it and everything you've done with this series
The letter from the kid to his mother is perfect. That's the content I'm here for. Tell me more about how kids today are no different from those 2700 years ago. I'm all for it.
Lol, dude I know, that shit cracked me up. Easily sub that kid's clothes for a pair of Adidas or some shit like that, and that kid is walking around TODAY. Poor guy
nothing new in this day and age. a kid wanting what his buddies had is timeless. buy me new clothes you mean mom. you don't love me like johnnies mom loves him! bad mommy.
@@chrischong6613 I mean, extremely few have even that. I'm under no illusions that anything of myself will remain to be looked at or read 3000 years in the future.
I'm done watching the 13 episodes of this wonderful podcast and I am sad to know that there are no more. Being syrian I know quite a lot about the history of our region. We studied the Sumerian, Assyrian, Akkadian civilizations beside the civilizations in Syria like Ugarit, Ebla, Qatna etc at school, still I fully enjoyed watching this podcast, knowing so many details and listening to those old stories written by kings and common people who once lived there and eyewitnessed the rise and fall of their societies. With time I grew a big passion for history in general and I must say that I've never watched or read anything better about the Incas, the Aztecs or the Byzantines. This mixture of geography, history, stories and pictures you created in your podcast, Mr. Cooper, and the way you told us all of this, are so professional and well done and absolutely better than so many documentaries produced by big media. Hats off, Mr. Cooper! I really hope that we could watch/listen to/read more from you in the future, best regards from Germany
I can not express how much I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary. Thank you so much for the work that you put into this production. I can't wait to watch the rest of your content.
As an avid casual of history and civlizations, I binged all of your episodes on Spotify before taking a gander to see if you had a UA-cam channel and lo and behold! Now I can watch them all again with footage! Your commentary on these peoples and histories is one that has some of the highest quality and attention to detail I've seen. Keep doing what you're doing because it's truly awe-inspiring and fresh full of essential knowledge.
The videos are so much more thank listening, right?? The footage is great, even the computer generated images. I thought some of it was real, but I had to look hard at it, lol.
I love history podcasts, but I always find myself pausing to look at maps and artistic recreations and photos of artifacts to get visuals to pair with it, so thank you for paring the two! Even contrasting the ancient story with visuals of the contemporary region is wonderful for really stimulating the intellect.
My pleasure, Joyce! If you know anyone who would be interested in translating Assyrian subtitles for this episode for a small fee, tell them to get in contact.
@@yakamen Assyrians today speak Neo-Aramaic dialects, not Akkadian seen in cuneiform tablets, which gradually fell out of use as Aramaic became the lingua franca of the region. However, it is important to note that the Assyrian empire used Aramaic as a secondary language starting in the 8th century B.C., and modern Neo-Aramaic dialects spoken by ethnic Assyrians descend from this form of Aramaic. Aramaic texts from the Assyrian empire were not really preserved however.
You are truly one of the most valuable content creators of a generation. To put so much incredible information into such exquisite context for the future record is a great work. Thank you.
i don't want to be that guy, but don't you guys think that we should change the name of the a**yrians ? i mean... it's a hate word and it should not be used. we need to modify the name from all history book and ban the word, we should name then some other way. i already sent a letter to the authorities about it.
I sent this documentary to my brother , he said man it's 3 hours and I can't commit to watching such a long video. I urged him to watch at least the first 5 minutes , he ended up not only seeing the whole video once but twice and subscribed to the channel! Paul, you are a godsent for those who love history, I can't thank you enough.
It's one thing to get hooked into and lose 3 hours watching a series of sorry videos, it's entirely another matter to be hooked into and lose yourself in a single 3 hour video.
This is one of the most incredible channels on UA-cam. Paul is master of explaining the facts but still painting the colours to bring the story to life. It is truly a gift that we get to listen to such epic chronicles for free and all the accolades for Mr. Cooper are very deserved. Stay the wonder my friend.
There always is one of you isn’t there, clutching at straws, relating everything to being black and stretching every narrative to somehow fit an Afrocentric narrative. While I suppose one could draw comparisons between Assyrian treatment of the nations they subjugated and the treatments of Africans by Europeans during colonisation, there is little else relating your bizarre assertions to the content of documentary and unlike in this documentary your assertions are not backed by tireless research and volumes of objective evidence to support your claims. Take your propaganda elsewhere, maybe some BLM rally or something. They might actually believe the wildly speculative assertions you make. Next thing you are going try to tell me is that Wakanda is a real place, and the only reason we can’t see it is because of its amazing cloaking technology.🙄
I read Xenophon's Anabasis 20 years ago, a must read for history enthusiast. I must say that the introduction for this documentary is one of the best I have ever seen, the script, the narrators voice, the time it took and the selected music were perfect. A Masterpiece.
What the History Channel should have been. You have brought insight and joy to me and my family. Blessings be upon you and all you do and we all wish you much success on UA-cam. :D
history Channel did use to be like this. I remember ancient history Tuesdays. I used to watch shows in the morning before I went to school about letters that soldiers in world war 1 and 2 wrote to their loved ones from the front lines. then I didnt watch history channel for a couple years when I first moved out from my parents and it completely changed. i dont know what happened, the only explanation that makes sense is... ALIENS
So someone who is ancient to us, stumbled upon the ruins of a civilization already ancient to them. And this civilization already had a long history of civilizations preceding them. That summarizes well why I am so fascinated by this era. We know so little about them. We think they were primitive, but not really. We know small fragments about their history, but their actual history and life was just as rich as ours today, with politics, feuds, social events, trade, inventions etc…
To think Babylon was a long dead ancient civilization by the time of Assyria, which itself had long died out by the time of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Makes you realize that all civilizations are but sandcastles that will eventually be swept away by the tide.
They say China is the world's oldest continuous civilization. As someone who is Chinese I never considered my people's earliest period (the Xia and Zhou dynasties) to be primitive. They were just less technologically advanced though still just as culturally rich as their successor dynasties.
I've watched this particular documentary 5 times from beginning to end. I think I'm obsessed, but it's the best kind of obsession: even though I'm a Greek, from a completely different culture, through this video alone I have been acquainted with Assyrian history so much, to the point of being passionate about it. I truly hope that any coverage of ancient Greece, be it the Minoans, the Mycenaeans, the classical age or the Hellenistic period, receive such lengthy, meticulous and immaculate coverage. Because anyone just immerses himself into this. Thank you, Mr Cooper, from your contribution and giving these precious bits of knowledge for free Edit: Mr Cooper, you have covered the Byzantine age of Greece, remarkably as well.
This channel is one of youtube's crown jewels. Interesting, informative, meticulously researched videos, presented with artistic integrity and relaxing narration.
Great verbal cadence to these. It allows you to really absorb what he's saying and visualize the history. I think this is the third time I've watched this particular one and I'm actually learning names and remembering details. In other words these videos are more than entertaining, they are educating.
Another vote for "verbal cadence" as a great way to describe Paul Cooper's pace. I agree, the cadence allows for absorption, and like you, I have watched a couple of these more than once, and I am starting to learn names and remember details too.
I just discovered this channel somehow and I’ve been a history nerd my whole life I truly can’t get enough, thank you for putting so much thought and effort into creating your content it’s amazing quality
Thanks Mr. Cooper for the video version of this broadcast which I have listened to several times. As an Iraqi Christian who grew up on the outskirts of Nineveh speaking the ancient Aramaic language, I know my roots run deep into that land. It hurts me deeply seeing the ancient ruins of Nineveh under the dirt neglected and forgotten. I hope for a day, Iraqis will finally realize and cherish their own true history and not the history of the conqueror.
@@henogee8320 its complicated in my book, I know I was born in Iraq, I know I am a Chaldean Christian. I know I speak Aramaic but I can not prove to anyone that I belong to the ancient Assyrians that ruled that area 2500 years ago.
You're an amazing narrator bordering on hypnotist. to anyone who doubts a 3 hour video: you're not trapped in a theater. do as I did, and watch a bit at a time. it's worth it. this was an amazing composition and I can't imagine how many hours were spent making it. bravo
This is exactly how I watch them! The 3 hours seems daunting but it's all beautifully chopped up into little stories that slowly form into the big picture at the end and can absolutely be watching in small bite sized chunks until you have watched it all, truly some amazing content.
This is one of the best historical videos on UA-cam. It's amazing, not only do you talk about the rulers, you also talk about the day to day lives of the people living during that time. It's rare to find historical videos on UA-cam which talk about day to day lives and activities of civilians. Most videos only talk about the leaders and nobleman.
Without a doubt: the most scholarly rendered, thoroughly researched, and gracefully composed ancient history podcast available: nonpareil. Kudos again for a a gem amidst internet dross. Θάλαττα, θάλαττα: another FOC podcast!
Pfft. This is a terrible synopsis of Anabasis. Clearchus did not die in battle at Cunaxa as insinuated here, he broke the enemy on the wing he'd been assigned without losing a single man and then chased them from the field. When they camped that night, it was with the surety Cyrus' army had been victorious. He would only be slain when negotiating safe passage for he and the other Greek mercenaries. Xenophon is not merely one of the greatest writers of antiquity in terms of clarity and quality of prose, but the greatest in all ancient Greece. To summarize Anabasis without having obviously read even its opening pages casts serious doubt on this "thorough research" and "graceful compos(ition)" -whatever that means.
@@Hello.Sailor I don't feel your criticism is justified as in which format of history has there been an account of everything in that somebody else always knows another account or a little more detail.
@@khiljinagor8976 I disagree, the way Cunaxa is talked about here compresses events in an unsatisfactory manner that could have been eliminated by simply stating "Later, some days after the battle...." The way that it is worded struck me as a pretty bad way of stating it given that this is a 3 hour video and 3 extra seconds which would give a far better idea of that little aspect of the Anabasis and would have made it far better. I understand that the point here was to discuss other aspects of the Anabasis and not the battle, but that bit about Clearchus stuck out at me like a red thumb waving a tie dye flag on top of a car in the middle of a busy intersection. Clearly one part of it, was to use it to show that Xenophon wasn't to the ten thousand what Napoleon was to the invasion of Egypt. Getting a battlefield promotion (or battlefield election as it were) or being an original member of the command staff is a far sight from getting elected to the position in the aftermath of treachery. This gives context to the man who wrote the Anabasis, and what he was doing there (at least during that part of the journey). btw, it is not so much about the inclusion of detail, it is the implication of the wording. As Pierre Abelard said almost a thousand years ago in Sic et Non: Be precise in the use of words and expect precision from others. These are words that have meaning that transcends the time, place and reason they were written.
The opening narration of this documentary is definitely one of the most awesome ones I have seen so far! Xenophon reminiscing about an ancient people, just as we do about ancient Greece today!
Astounding and amazing, the quality of this work, I don't have the slightest clue who still watches TV nowadays when you have things like this available.
You've created a truly outstanding video. As a medical writer, I'm especially impressed by the ability of your writers to convey this portion of history so lucidly. They definitely waxed eloquent.
In old days that was the begining of our CIvilisation today so poor , huge control by religions especialy Islam as a retarder of our time same s with the Christianity especialy VAtican and Inquisition in the past
@@Sukira69 Syria was a Christian country until the 13th century. Assyrians are known to b the first people to believe in Jesus. I live in Cacanada now and certainly not to proud to say it. My parents brought us here because of a poster they saw in magazines. Million times more proud to be Syrian than Cacanadian and hope to go back as soon as the G7 stop founding all those terrorists.
@@Sukira69 Don’t get touchy, incel. Clearly you immediately took it as a challenge lol. You ever been proud of something your country achieved? Yes. And did you personally have anything to do with that achievement? No. He probably meant proud as in he thinks it is very cool/interesting to have been born in a city that was literally already old 5,000 years before most of Europe’s oldest cities were even born.
Man, your episodes always effect me on a deep emotional level. It's a combination of the subject matter, your writing style and your voice. I get lost in it all and get melancholy when it all ends
I can't travel currently, but my mind travels through distance and time, consuming this global history. Makes me feel connected with all those who appreciate the storytelling. Despite in my own struggles, the stories here take me to a time and place greater than myself. Thank you for helping me escape to a grander perspective.
Hey Paul, just wanted to say congrats on 50M views and just say a huge thank you for the service you provide. I truly don't think anyone else could do this job and it is something that is immeasurably valuable. 50 million is a crazy number, more people than ever heard Einstien speak. Just some perspective. Much love from Seattle, WA💜
@Fall of Civilizations I want to thank you too. These documentaries are so remarkable. The quality is excellent, & I relish each one. I can hardly find anything on TV worth watching. You're my go-to UA-cam and now. :^)
You need to make these more often, not only do you help me sleep, but your contribution to our historical knowledge is immeasurable, the minds who have absorbed these stories, countless. Thank you.
This entire series is masterful and enlightening. A joy for anyone interested in history, the craftsmanship from Paul Cooper and team is superb. I regularly recommend to anyone and everyone who will listen
We've eagerly awaited the Assyrian podcast and, once again, been astounded by Dr Cooper's impeccable and detailed research on what must be a pepper-corn budget. Having previously read Paul Cooper's linked novel "All Our Broken Idols", tears came to our eyes remembering his tale of the ritualised "hunting" of caged lions so exquisitely recorded in the ancient carved frieze. A huge amount of background effort has gone into the Fall of Civilization series and we thank you and your co-workers. Bravo, brava!
Brilliant documentary. Thank you for this excellent and informative documentary. The references made to Xenophon, Bible old testament and original Assyrian Akkadian and Sumerian writings has made this documentary very special. Thank you for your hard work. 10 out of 10.
This one came through while I was at work, and I’m finally able to enjoy it. I recommend this channel to every curious mind I can, and all those that visit the channel on my recommendation have thanked me for it. Thank you.
I’ve learned more history from this channel than I did in all my formal education, kindergarten through doctorate (not a history major, of course). And more than just facts and stories, I’ve gained broader context that has helped disparate pockets of knowledge meld together into a more cohesive understanding of the history of human civilization. And it’s been fun!
I have loved history my entire life, partly due to the history in my own family. That is why I chose to be a history teacher. I love the little accidents of history that preserve things like Ashurbanipal's library tablets, considering how much has been lost and even deliberately destroyed. I believe the strength of these podcasts is due in part to your care and passion for the subject matter along with your desire to transport your viewers/listeners back as close as possible to actually experiencing the events as they happened. As always, excellent work.
There are not words to tell you how very much I enjoyed this documentary. All I can say is thank you. Thank you very very much. What a masterful telling of the story of an empire from such a deeply personal perspective of the players on the grand chessboard. Brilliant.
This is the best documentary that I've watched. It wasn't rushed, or over-dramarised, nor were the voice actors drowned out by overly loud background music. It was long enough to do the subject justice. I look forward to exploring more from your channel. Excellent! I loved hearing the Hebrew language.
I think this is your best one yet. Your camera footage and use of accurate historical images is particularly great. Top tier documentary by any standard. Keep it up.
It was both refreshing and of course a reward to come across your effort, your works here. I discovered it on UA-cam. So satisfying to get a whole other and new telling of the history of civilization. Please accept my simple nod of appreciation for your great work, you have my respect and admiration. If I could demonstrate it more at this time it would be done, thank you.
And another masterpiece of historical excellence.... Thank you. My interest in ancient history was kindled as a first year (6th grader) when both ancient and modern history were taught as separate subjects in school, something that is now diluted and mixed within (if at all ) the subject heading of "Humanities". This series has rekindled the kind of enthusiasm and feeling I had for ancient history from when I was a boy...
Now this is how you tell history. One of the most engaging and thought provoking historical documentaries that I have ever watched.. History Channel should take note. Bravo 👏
Lol. The history channel is anything but. Now it’s ancient aliens and conspiracy twaddle. You know, in my country (Ireland) history is now an optional subject for secondary school age students, and I think this a shame and a mistake. The old saying “those who forget history, are doomed to repeat it” means more and more these days.
Thank you so much for this. It’s very rare to find such a well done documentary on my ancestors. I’m a history fanatic, it’s always been my favourite subject in school and I especially love ancient civilisations like the Romans, Greeks, and most of all the Assyrians. This is by far my favourite documentary I’ve taken the time to watch. Thank you again so much for covering the history of my people in such depth that I don’t believe anyone else has done before.
@@Sanitarium_The_Movie He isn't doing something about the Islamic empires and what made them collapse unfortunately. I would love to see one about the abbasid caliphate or the emirate of Cordoba.
I love how you explain how the civilisation started, prospered then fell. I learn so much. Please don't stop making these. Really appreciate the hard work 💪
As an Assyrian, I’m excited to see this podcast. It fills me with both pride and sorrow, but I’m very glad to see my ancient ancestors honestly represented.
@@faithk9707 it’s so sad to hear the stories of how our ancestors ended up where they did. My grandfather lived in the Hakkari mountains of northern Iraq. During the Assyrian genocide, yet people of his town and all the surrounding villages fled on foot into turkey. It took a year and half I think, chased and killed by the Kurds the whole way. My grandfather lost most of his family, most families were destroyed. I could tell stories all day about the journey, but they eventually got to turkey and were given asylum, but were treated terribly because they were Christian. My grandfather, Tom, by the way, joined the British army as a translator because he could speak 6 local languages. His family was wealthy before the genocide so he was well educated. After the war his CO liked him so much he offered to take Tom back with him to Britain rather than leave him destitute in a war torn land with no future. So he went, and after six months in London with his CO’s family was honourably discharged. His CO, a colonel Mumford, gave him a bunch of cash and the option to go anywhere in the British empire to settle. He’d had malaria as a child and didn’t want to risk it again, (by the way that was the only time he was ever sick in his 103 years) so rather than moving to Brazil to farm, he chose Canada, since he’d heard there were other Assyrians settled there. Sure enough, he met my grandmother there, who was an Assyrian who’s family had come during a wave of immigration in the 1800s. She was born in Canada. And that was my grandpas lift up til he was 17, since he’s lied about his age to enlist!
What can I say this series is unbelievably brilliant and deserves to be on somewhere like the BBC or discovery channel .its fantastic a heroic effort and thank you .
I've listened to the audio of this several times on my way to work, and have the utmost respect and appreciation for it, watching the video for the first time truly elevates that. The quality of the content and imagery is truly great.
Couldn't stop watching the whole 3 hours in one sitting. This is a wondrous production, just first rate in narration, music, voice acting, historical detail, context, and pathos. It's hard to express how amazing this was to experience and appreciate because I've been wanting to understand the bronze age peoples that came from the dawn of civilization and your presentation of the Assyrians brings to life the character of these people and rulers from eons ago. This is my first video I have watched of this series and I can't wait to watch them all now.
your channel deserves a series of its own on Netflix. i watch a lot of youtube, and i'm always in awe of the masterpieces you put out in your series. best channel on youtube
@@aurionlover4128unless you are to be king you will suffer like everyone else Genetics or not I am not sure where you get your thinking from You should work on that
Weird you say that, Assyrians still call themselves by the same name that is described in the video: “Ashuraye”. Also, if they’re not Assyrian, what are they?
@The Imperishable Star you must be a Kurd or an Arab nAtionalist. Assyrians are the heart of Iraq. They are the natives of Mesopotamia! All the love to my Assyrian brothers ♥️
@The Imperishable Star please read Assyrian identity in ancient times and today by Simo Parpola (PHD in Assyriology University of Helinski) Assyrians are not “Nestorian” this is just a religious term made by the Roman Catholic Church. Assyrians have been for centuries calling themselves Suraye, which is a synonym of Ashuraye. They still live in the villages surrounding Nineveh, their ancient capital and still speak Aramaic which many of the words have Akkadian roots. Do some research before making baseless claims. If Assyrians are simply Nestorian Christian’s then why does Historian John speed’s map (dated 1626) show a group of people living in the Ottoman Empire calling themselves Assyrians?
I can't think of a single history lecture, documentary or podcast that does a better job at actually taking you back in history, almost as if you're there experiencing it for yourself.
The ending of this documentary was especially powerful. I can only imagine what it would be like for the city I grew up in to be eviscerated (in the modern world, probably by nuclear blasts and left as uninhabited ruins by radiation) and for the country I once lived in to be wiped off the face of the earth leaving only fragments behind. Nobody deserves such complete and total devastation, not the victims of Assyrian attacks nor the Assyrian civilians themselves in their final fall. This is the brutality that war can bring, and I hope that one day we can overcome the cycles of vengeance, and wars against each other and embrace peace. As always, amazing documentary thank you for all the hard work you must have put into it.
Stunning, incredibly edited and presented.. amazing. Your videos could be a masters level course in ancient history in any university... just fantastically well done. Thank you!
I am from Iraq. One of my teachers at year 7 school, Master Zuhair; may he rest in peace, taught us history and he has covered all this document and more about the Assyrians, and I thought no one would come close to him, you did Dr Cooper. Master Zuhair used to know the Akadian language too.
Knowing Iraq history, I find it amazing how history repeats itself. The story of Assyria and its geo relationships has manifested repeatedly for the last 3000 years.
Your documentary has taken me in an emotional journey across many levels and boosted my realization of why we need to study history!
I am sure, with whatever subjectivity, objectivity, and projection this document is consumed under, it is so enriching to one sense of existence.
Thank you so much.
YEHOVAH -Sir I. Am Grateful for the Teachers on ANCIENT Greek and Roman Catholic church in this country.
Well said, my friend. Cheers to your teacher fir introducing you to this history. This was an incredible lesson taught so beautifully. Grateful for the creator that made this.
Irate bGodzgass was v
Your master learn history from the zionist - do proper research and dont rely on westerners
crazy to think how many times in our history, religion is the root cause of all our man-made evils. literally documented time and time again in all corners of the earth.
we should be exploring space by now. sigh
am an Iraqi citizen. I tell you that there are wonders and wonders in Iraq. In Iraq, there are in every civilization ax and traces of the Sumerians and Babylonians. Talking about Iraq does not end because it is the origin of humanity. Faithful revealed the prophets and messengers. And you, as a European citizen, thank you for this work and spreading the history of Iraq, and that it is not only the history of Iraq, but the history of mankind. thank you brother. I am from the city of Nasiriyah (the city of Ur).
would love too see Iraq someday. Looks amazing
P.
I am from India, I use Beniwal surname, our elders say that we have come from Persia (Iran), this is a corrupt name of Banipal. We consider Ashhur Banipal as our ancestor. Share would be great.
@@nucks2233 Welcome to the country of the prophets and messengers all the time, and everyone is welcome
@@dalujasnathi Banipal, one of the kings of Mesopotamia in Iraq, currently in the Kingdom of Assyria, with its capital Nineveh, the city of Nimrud
I am from Nineveh, specifically from Mosul. I lived my childhood among these monuments, walls and archaeological hills, and I remember how I used to pass every day in front of it. I was very impressed by it, and I wished to be an archaeologist who would take care of the antiquities of his city, but I ended up as a refugee in Turkey looking for his future, I wonder if Ashurbanipal would return to see his sons and his city like this, what would he have said?
Thank you for showing our history to the world
Thank you my friend, wishing you all the best for the future.
@@FallofCivilizations thanks
This is so unfortunate. I hope you get the opportunity to one day pursue your education.
@@BeckBeckGo Thanks. I appreciate your words
Wow I didn't even realize that nineveh was still the name of the city
You can't find a better quality documentary than this channel. The quality of research and delivery is just out of this world.
Wonderful indeed.
3 hour documentary which is higher quality than most commercial documentaries. What a legend.
I'm higher too
Needs more aliens haha jkjkjkkk
@@rtothes936fr 😂
I really love how each episode starts off with a real life account of someone stumbling across some magnificent ruins and being left in awe of them. Really captures the mystery behind the collapse of civilizations.
x z z z z z z z z z *. x.
I like the way you have the music at a low volume. It adds to my enjoyment of the series. It sets the tone without covering the sound of your voice. I say this about the 12 I have already watched as well. Thank you.
Glad you enjoy it!
Well said. The music mood is also perfect.
I agree
The thought of Xenophon, a man so ancient to me, standing and staring in awe and wonder at an ancient ruin… it just gives me chills
Herodutos wrote of the Assyrians yet Xenophon did not know of the Assyrians. Cuneiform and Akkadian is still in used during the Persian Empire, Xenophon would have encountered people in the Persian Empire who can speak and read the Cuneiform left in the ruins of the Assyrians Cities during the Era of Persian Empire.
@@victorsanchez5336 yeah, tbh I doubt ancient history was part of the curriculum of warriors.
100%
@@M1ggins so what ? you need to be educated to admire coliseum ish ruins that are so old you cangt even comprehend ?
@@Frenchy78ify that's not what I've replied to, it's the fact he didn't know who had built them, where others from his land and time period had written about them.
I have listened to the podcast version of this at least 5-6 times now over the last month, forming the images in my head... I even translated most of the text in Dutch so my 12 year old son, who is learning about Mesopotamia in school right now, could follow it. My expectations for this version with images were high .. but boy ... this is even sooo much better that what I expected. Immediately from minute 1 you can see the quality level of this: the Greek soldiers, the images of present day Nimrud, the animation of Nineveh, and it goes on and on and on .. It deserves every second of praise it gets and I will recommend this to anyone who might listen ... and I will of course start watching it with my son first thing tomorrow morning!
Why would you listen to the same thing Viber six times
Couldn't click fast enough. The prime example of historical documentary on UA-cam.✌️
History Time, Kings and general's are excellent too.
Yes its quite amazing
Flashpoint history is another top channel. But this is def the OG of history channels. Next we need some women to join the Frey.
I count HistoryMarche as another excellent and informative historical UA-cam channel.
Couldn’t agree more with this comment!
The Holy Trinity
I have watched all of your youtube videos several times over. I should also note that your tone is very relaxing and peaceful, and have often used the audio as a tool to help me fall asleep. Thank you very much for the incredible work that you put into these.
Thanks my friend, glad they help!
you dozed off hehe 😉
I use them when I sleep too! I love them awake or asleep.
Hey bro... I do the same thing. Something about his voice that puts me in the mood to sleep. In fact I can't sleep now without listening to him.
I do too!!!
I can only admire the presentation , the effort which has been put into these episodes, each of which are so full of detail and the naration so easy to listen to. Your work has revived my interest in times past. Many thanks.
As a history, geography, biology, language, literature, and documentary nerd and aspiring fantasy novelist, this channel is a beautiful trove of high quality treasure.
Thank you so much for the passion and dedication you are putting into these videos and the admiration and respect you have for these cultures. Every episode is inspiring!
Thank you my friend!
Every single episode is a masterpiece! I couldn’t agree more.
Legendary stuff this Fall of Civilisations, a treasure trove.
What can I say? This was the best thing I’ve watched on UA-cam, the details the Research the visual aids and no ads!
As descendant of assyrians I would like to thank you and your team with all my heart for this amazing work. I wish you all the best in your next episode.
Thanks my friend, very kind!
Thanks my friend, very kind
This documentary is a time-machine…
These documentaries transport me back in time; they are enthralling masterpieces. And I am infinitely grateful that I have unlimited access to them FOR FREE. Your work is brilliant and you deserve all the success that has come and will continue to come your way.
Works better if ur smoke high 🤣
@@unitedssshtits8386 just blazed and getting ready for bed actually 🤪😎
@@unitedssshtits8386 is a was reutu
@@unitedssshtits8386 wu is a very eye
@@unitedssshtits8386 is a eusuwwe
Not only do you have incredible voice actors, you clearly put a lot of thought and care into matching the voices to the words. It's like each of them, for just a few lines, has committed their entire self to the person behind the words. You all bring it every time and it really, really shows.
Thanks my friend, yes I try my best
I believe I commented on an earlier video of this channel, effectively saying that this podcast inspired me to pursue history. If you do end up reading this, I just got an offer from Oxford for ancient and modern history, I can’t say thank you enough, this podcast continues to inspire me and exposes me to new and underrepresented areas of history. Thank you. I even put this series in my personal statement (I hope you don’t mind), absolutely brilliant.
Congratulations on the place!
Incredibly impressive congratulations man
what did they say about the series?
Bro, congrats
Please check your spelling. You made a typo. new not knew. Anybody can do it. Congrats on getting into Oxford.
I think that one of the main reasons that I really enjoy your presentations is your pace and delivery are perfect. The episodes take as long as they need to take, without removing valuable pauses for thinking etc. Well done Paul and thank you!
Wow, this is amazing! I am Assyrian and was born in iraq and my parents tell us these stories all the time when we were kids. It was so beautiful to watch!
assyrian are hindu
Found Yossarian.
@@ifsowhynot found hoodi
Another war torn region of Islam, run away ran out of food, money, bullets, blame Europe & USA,
Shlamalakh Mia! Assyrian born in Iran!
What a wonderful narration of History seldom found elsewhere with such poetry and meticulousness.
Paul's work in these videos is of the very highest caliber, and I am most grateful to him for his work.
I don't even understand how you make these ! I mean imagine how much time it must take just to type the script for a 3 plus hour video. Imagine all the research hours spent putting it together. And then to add a whole cinematic element telling the life of an empire like a story to help put the listener there in their head. Truly incredible what you do. And thank you from us all for doing it . A few characters in this comment section don't do justice the thanks u deserve !
Thank you! Yes, a script like this is around 25,000 words, and took 8 weeks to write, and a few weeks to produce. Video can take another 6 weeks.
@@FallofCivilizations absolute dedication to bring an ambitious project each few months. Thanks FoC!
Literally, I watch these videos over TV shows. This is what I do on my nights off. Stay up until 2:30am, watching these. I’ll be so sad to run out. Anyways, thank for making them.
They are documentaries
I agree. It is so much work. But people like me appreciate it more than you could know. I didn't take any coursework on this in college (studied other things) and they certainly didn't teach us much at all about this area in my grade school. I am almost 60 now and love to learn about history on my own--I cannot get enough of ancient history.
I've watched this 3 maybe 4 times and I swear it gets better each time. This is a Masterpiece in every sense of the word. Thank you for sharing your passion.
i have watched every episode more than once. Truly...this is brilliant content!
As an assyrian, i thank you for your beautiful, professional and in depth documentary of my people's history, not many people know who we are, and the importance we played in agriculture, science, architecture, mathematics, literature, and warfare. Assyria will peacefully rise again
I love your history and your contributions
Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless , saying, Blessed be Egypt my people , and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
@@julietkhayel56Isaiah 19:25 🙏
I’m assyrian and I loved this episode. Thank you so much. We are a dying community but we are still here.
Write books my brother ✊
One of the best soldiers I ever served with was of Assyrian stock. When we were in Iraq he always called it his land.
@@emknight84 it is his land it’s our land but it’s taken away from the Kurds and Iraq gov by the Muslims. They don’t like us because we are Christian and believers of Jesus. Why do you think Isis wanted to destroy every piece of history we had left in the homeland ?
May your community continue living for many ages to come.
@@Pheelyp Thank you, my friend. The best to you, your family and your people.
As a person who loves ancient history,
no lullaby is better than these epic story in 12.a.m.
Thank you from Japan
Yes, they put me to sleep too. I mean that in the nicest way lol.
Almost midnight here in Chicago, IL USA, needing this bedtime story to fall asleep after a very rough day...
As a history teacher, I realized watching this that I have never even seen footage of the Tigris or Euphrates Rivers. Thanks for the amazing footage, and the excellent storytelling.
The rivers are dry now . Because Turkey build dems and stop water flow. People have no water
That's kind of hard to believe, considering all the war footage that's been in the news for the last three decades.
@@nonyadamnbusiness9887 It's not that hard to believe. I can see how they may have seen plenty of images of the rivers but no actual live footage until this point.
It is astounding that with all the technology we have, there is so little in terms of high quality documentaries except from smaller talented outfits like this- most people know nothing of this world except modern war footage. I bet a well crafted decently funded miniseries would do great on network television- I think the public wants more than politics and dysfunctional celebrity trials. They sell the people short. The heritage of the near east is our heritage also. We don’t need Mesopotamia and man made climate change, although climate and Mesopotamia is closely linked for thousands of years. We don’t need racial or religious strife- just exploration of how we became who we are.
@@robertenglehardt9706 Television should have died about 2010.
Paul Cooper, the grand master of narrative work, meticulous research and just superb storytelling.
"Grand Master" is an apt title.
I love that you have people narrating the foreign language. It adds a lot to the experience of these videos. I appreciate it and everything you've done with this series
The letter from the kid to his mother is perfect. That's the content I'm here for. Tell me more about how kids today are no different from those 2700 years ago. I'm all for it.
Lol, dude I know, that shit cracked me up. Easily sub that kid's clothes for a pair of Adidas or some shit like that, and that kid is walking around TODAY. Poor guy
Dude that made me lose my mind. Absolute A+ content.
nothing new in this day and age. a kid wanting what his buddies had is timeless. buy me new clothes you mean mom. you don't love me like johnnies mom loves him! bad mommy.
Imagine if after thousands of years your only legacy is as a whiny brat
@@chrischong6613 I mean, extremely few have even that. I'm under no illusions that anything of myself will remain to be looked at or read 3000 years in the future.
I'm done watching the 13 episodes of this wonderful podcast and I am sad to know that there are no more. Being syrian I know quite a lot about the history of our region. We studied the Sumerian, Assyrian, Akkadian civilizations beside the civilizations in Syria like Ugarit, Ebla, Qatna etc at school, still I fully enjoyed watching this podcast, knowing so many details and listening to those old stories written by kings and common people who once lived there and eyewitnessed the rise and fall of their societies. With time I grew a big passion for history in general and I must say that I've never watched or read anything better about the Incas, the Aztecs or the Byzantines. This mixture of geography, history, stories and pictures you created in your podcast, Mr. Cooper, and the way you told us all of this, are so professional and well done and absolutely better than so many documentaries produced by big media. Hats off, Mr. Cooper! I really hope that we could watch/listen to/read more from you in the future, best regards from Germany
I need to watch an episode at least 3x to understand it all, so it's like getting triple the episodes.
Excellent series, I would recommend it to friends & family.
@@saul2007t Of course 👍🏼
Excellent history & story telling delivery, with visuals. Great for homeschoolers...etc.
@@saul2007t In der Tat 👍🏼
I can not express how much I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary. Thank you so much for the work that you put into this production. I can't wait to watch the rest of your content.
Thank you, very kind of you
As an avid casual of history and civlizations, I binged all of your episodes on Spotify before taking a gander to see if you had a UA-cam channel and lo and behold! Now I can watch them all again with footage! Your commentary on these peoples and histories is one that has some of the highest quality and attention to detail I've seen. Keep doing what you're doing because it's truly awe-inspiring and fresh full of essential knowledge.
The videos are so much more thank listening, right?? The footage is great, even the computer generated images. I thought some of it was real, but I had to look hard at it, lol.
I love history podcasts, but I always find myself pausing to look at maps and artistic recreations and photos of artifacts to get visuals to pair with it, so thank you for paring the two! Even contrasting the ancient story with visuals of the contemporary region is wonderful for really stimulating the intellect.
Another you might really like then is History time, amazing channel.
I wish the videos were annotated with the names of the ruins like the one at 14.29.
I'm Assyrian and speak the language fluently. Thank you for the great job on my people's history.
My pleasure, Joyce! If you know anyone who would be interested in translating Assyrian subtitles for this episode for a small fee, tell them to get in contact.
Is your spoken Assyrian the same as the written cuneiform? That's amazing.
@@yakamen Assyrians today speak Neo-Aramaic dialects, not Akkadian seen in cuneiform tablets, which gradually fell out of use as Aramaic became the lingua franca of the region. However, it is important to note that the Assyrian empire used Aramaic as a secondary language starting in the 8th century B.C., and modern Neo-Aramaic dialects spoken by ethnic Assyrians descend from this form of Aramaic. Aramaic texts from the Assyrian empire were not really preserved however.
@@yakamen There is significant linguistic change at the distance of 3000 years.
A top-notch, no-nonsense documentary series 👌
You are truly one of the most valuable content creators of a generation. To put so much incredible information into such exquisite context for the future record is a great work. Thank you.
Thank you my friend, very kind of you!
Me and my Mrs agree we listen to these in bed and eagerly await where and when we'll end up next
For future records...... if digital video lasts longer than clay tablets .
Those Hebrew prophets are the greatest content creators of all generations
i don't want to be that guy, but don't you guys think that we should change the name of the a**yrians ? i mean... it's a hate word and it should not be used.
we need to modify the name from all history book and ban the word, we should name then some other way. i already sent a letter to the authorities about it.
I sent this documentary to my brother , he said man it's 3 hours and I can't commit to watching such a long video. I urged him to watch at least the first 5 minutes , he ended up not only seeing the whole video once but twice and subscribed to the channel! Paul, you are a godsent for those who love history, I can't thank you enough.
First five minutes classic trick 🤣...I use it on myself and my maths and physics students :)
@@jonathangeddes9786 😁
5 star documentary.
@@Perseverence no
It's one thing to get hooked into and lose 3 hours watching a series of sorry videos, it's entirely another matter to be hooked into and lose yourself in a single 3 hour video.
This is one of the most incredible channels on UA-cam. Paul is master of explaining the facts but still painting the colours to bring the story to life. It is truly a gift that we get to listen to such epic chronicles for free and all the accolades for Mr. Cooper are very deserved. Stay the wonder my friend.
There always is one of you isn’t there, clutching at straws, relating everything to being black and stretching every narrative to somehow fit an Afrocentric narrative. While I suppose one could draw comparisons between Assyrian treatment of the nations they subjugated and the treatments of Africans by Europeans during colonisation, there is little else relating your bizarre assertions to the content of documentary and unlike in this documentary your assertions are not backed by tireless research and volumes of objective evidence to support your claims. Take your propaganda elsewhere, maybe some BLM rally or something. They might actually believe the wildly speculative assertions you make. Next thing you are going try to tell me is that Wakanda is a real place, and the only reason we can’t see it is because of its amazing cloaking technology.🙄
I highly agree with u. All ur response comments have been deleted or hidden. Shame on u utube.
This was playing while I slept. I dreamed of ancient ruins and magnificent cities stretching for miles. Amazing!!!
I read Xenophon's Anabasis 20 years ago, a must read for history enthusiast. I must say that the introduction for this documentary is one of the best I have ever seen, the script, the narrators voice, the time it took and the selected music were perfect. A Masterpiece.
What the History Channel should have been. You have brought insight and joy to me and my family. Blessings be upon you and all you do and we all wish you much success on UA-cam. :D
If this was on the history channel, at least 75% of it would have attributed the events to aliens.
history Channel did use to be like this. I remember ancient history Tuesdays.
I used to watch shows in the morning before I went to school about letters that soldiers in world war 1 and 2 wrote to their loved ones from the front lines.
then I didnt watch history channel for a couple years when I first moved out from my parents and it completely changed. i dont know what happened, the only explanation that makes sense is... ALIENS
"History Channel" is just a name they named themselves. What's with the constant comparisons in these comments?
So someone who is ancient to us, stumbled upon the ruins of a civilization already ancient to them. And this civilization already had a long history of civilizations preceding them.
That summarizes well why I am so fascinated by this era. We know so little about them. We think they were primitive, but not really. We know small fragments about their history, but their actual history and life was just as rich as ours today, with politics, feuds, social events, trade, inventions etc…
Fascinating
Wish they hadn't have destroyed the library of Alexandria.
To think Babylon was a long dead ancient civilization by the time of Assyria, which itself had long died out by the time of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Makes you realize that all civilizations are but sandcastles that will eventually be swept away by the tide.
They say China is the world's oldest continuous civilization. As someone who is Chinese I never considered my people's earliest period (the Xia and Zhou dynasties) to be primitive. They were just less technologically advanced though still just as culturally rich as their successor dynasties.
@@barbiquearea written history was the difference. Cuneiform was not decoded for millennia.
I've watched this particular documentary 5 times from beginning to end. I think I'm obsessed, but it's the best kind of obsession: even though I'm a Greek, from a completely different culture, through this video alone I have been acquainted with Assyrian history so much, to the point of being passionate about it.
I truly hope that any coverage of ancient Greece, be it the Minoans, the Mycenaeans, the classical age or the Hellenistic period, receive such lengthy, meticulous and immaculate coverage. Because anyone just immerses himself into this.
Thank you, Mr Cooper, from your contribution and giving these precious bits of knowledge for free
Edit: Mr Cooper, you have covered the Byzantine age of Greece, remarkably as well.
I’ve watched all of them at least 5x,Collapse is one of the premier providers of history
This channel is one of youtube's crown jewels. Interesting, informative, meticulously researched videos, presented with artistic integrity and relaxing narration.
Great verbal cadence to these. It allows you to really absorb what he's saying and visualize the history. I think this is the third time I've watched this particular one and I'm actually learning names and remembering details. In other words these videos are more than entertaining, they are educating.
Another vote for "verbal cadence" as a great way to describe Paul Cooper's pace. I agree, the cadence allows for absorption, and like you, I have watched a couple of these more than once, and I am starting to learn names and remember details too.
I was literally thinking about your podcast this morning wondering when a new episode would be coming.. made my day thank you
Enjoy!
Me too, I was just thinking about this just two days ago... When will Fall of Civilizations upload again? and now it's here.
@@FallofCivilizations - Thank you for your hard work, I love your videos.
Same here, we were watching episode 1 for the 4th time and I was like “when assyria pls” and then I saw it, shouting like crazy with joy
@Fall of Civilizations you should do an episode on the Anasazi and native Americans from the Southwest .
I just discovered this channel somehow and I’ve been a history nerd my whole life I truly can’t get enough, thank you for putting so much thought and effort into creating your content it’s amazing quality
Thanks Mr. Cooper for the video version of this broadcast which I have listened to several times. As an Iraqi Christian who grew up on the outskirts of Nineveh speaking the ancient Aramaic language, I know my roots run deep into that land. It hurts me deeply seeing the ancient ruins of Nineveh under the dirt neglected and forgotten. I hope for a day, Iraqis will finally realize and cherish their own true history and not the history of the conqueror.
the time will come sam
Everything crumbles to dust, there is nothing to treasure about vanity
Iraqi Christian or Assyrian?
@@henogee8320 its complicated in my book, I know I was born in Iraq, I know I am a Chaldean Christian. I know I speak Aramaic but I can not prove to anyone that I belong to the ancient Assyrians that ruled that area 2500 years ago.
@@iraq1974 you got point ,but you can say your chaldian .
You're an amazing narrator bordering on hypnotist. to anyone who doubts a 3 hour video: you're not trapped in a theater. do as I did, and watch a bit at a time. it's worth it. this was an amazing composition and I can't imagine how many hours were spent making it. bravo
This is exactly how I watch them! The 3 hours seems daunting but it's all beautifully chopped up into little stories that slowly form into the big picture at the end and can absolutely be watching in small bite sized chunks until you have watched it all, truly some amazing content.
Would have been half the length if he didn't draw his words out so much. Unnecessarily long.
This channel, FALL OF CIVILIZATIONS, is hands down the best documentary channel on yt I've found by far.. So much detailed info n camera work
This is one of the best historical videos on UA-cam. It's amazing, not only do you talk about the rulers, you also talk about the day to day lives of the people living during that time. It's rare to find historical videos on UA-cam which talk about day to day lives and activities of civilians. Most videos only talk about the leaders and nobleman.
Without a doubt: the most scholarly rendered, thoroughly researched, and gracefully composed ancient history podcast available: nonpareil. Kudos again for a a gem amidst internet dross. Θάλαττα, θάλαττα: another FOC podcast!
Pfft. This is a terrible synopsis of Anabasis. Clearchus did not die in battle at Cunaxa as insinuated here, he broke the enemy on the wing he'd been assigned without losing a single man and then chased them from the field. When they camped that night, it was with the surety Cyrus' army had been victorious. He would only be slain when negotiating safe passage for he and the other Greek mercenaries. Xenophon is not merely one of the greatest writers of antiquity in terms of clarity and quality of prose, but the greatest in all ancient Greece. To summarize Anabasis without having obviously read even its opening pages casts serious doubt on this "thorough research" and "graceful compos(ition)" -whatever that means.
@@Hello.Sailor More of a cultural history than an military account. :)
@@Hello.Sailor I don't feel your criticism is justified as in which format of history has there been an account of everything in that somebody else always knows another account or a little more detail.
@@khiljinagor8976 I disagree, the way Cunaxa is talked about here compresses events in an unsatisfactory manner that could have been eliminated by simply stating "Later, some days after the battle...." The way that it is worded struck me as a pretty bad way of stating it given that this is a 3 hour video and 3 extra seconds which would give a far better idea of that little aspect of the Anabasis and would have made it far better.
I understand that the point here was to discuss other aspects of the Anabasis and not the battle, but that bit about Clearchus stuck out at me like a red thumb waving a tie dye flag on top of a car in the middle of a busy intersection. Clearly one part of it, was to use it to show that Xenophon wasn't to the ten thousand what Napoleon was to the invasion of Egypt. Getting a battlefield promotion (or battlefield election as it were) or being an original member of the command staff is a far sight from getting elected to the position in the aftermath of treachery. This gives context to the man who wrote the Anabasis, and what he was doing there (at least during that part of the journey).
btw, it is not so much about the inclusion of detail, it is the implication of the wording.
As Pierre Abelard said almost a thousand years ago in Sic et Non: Be precise in the use of words and expect precision from others. These are words that have meaning that transcends the time, place and reason they were written.
@@whyjnot420 But this really is about Classical Greek history.
The opening narration of this documentary is definitely one of the most awesome ones I have seen so far! Xenophon reminiscing about an ancient people, just as we do about ancient Greece today!
Cant agree more. Excellent illustration of the scale of time and human experience within it.
I have to admit that I have always lumped all tha ancient civilisations together, but this really made me realise the large timescale they cover.
Love you surname...
Astounding and amazing, the quality of this work, I don't have the slightest clue who still watches TV nowadays when you have things like this available.
yup feel the same
TV is going the way of the dinosaurs. I rarely watch it.
This is still one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen hundreds.
You've created a truly outstanding video. As a medical writer, I'm especially impressed by the ability of your writers to convey this portion of history so lucidly. They definitely waxed eloquent.
I was born in the capital of Assyrian empire (Nineveh) so proud to be part of that region ❤️🇮🇶
Alf wardey....I'm from Hassake,Syria.🖖
What's there to be proud most middle east coming to Christian countries in Europe
In old days that was the begining of our CIvilisation today so poor , huge control by religions especialy Islam as a retarder of our time same s with the Christianity especialy VAtican and Inquisition in the past
@@Sukira69 Syria was a Christian country until the 13th century. Assyrians are known to b the first people to believe in Jesus. I live in Cacanada now and certainly not to proud to say it. My parents brought us here because of a poster they saw in magazines. Million times more proud to be Syrian than Cacanadian and hope to go back as soon as the G7 stop founding all those terrorists.
@@Sukira69 Don’t get touchy, incel. Clearly you immediately took it as a challenge lol. You ever been proud of something your country achieved? Yes. And did you personally have anything to do with that achievement? No.
He probably meant proud as in he thinks it is very cool/interesting to have been born in a city that was literally already old 5,000 years before most of Europe’s oldest cities were even born.
Man, your episodes always effect me on a deep emotional level. It's a combination of the subject matter, your writing style and your voice. I get lost in it all and get melancholy when it all ends
I can't travel currently, but my mind travels through distance and time, consuming this global history. Makes me feel connected with all those who appreciate the storytelling. Despite in my own struggles, the stories here take me to a time and place greater than myself. Thank you for helping me escape to a grander perspective.
Hey Paul, just wanted to say congrats on 50M views and just say a huge thank you for the service you provide. I truly don't think anyone else could do this job and it is something that is immeasurably valuable. 50 million is a crazy number, more people than ever heard Einstien speak. Just some perspective. Much love from Seattle, WA💜
One of life’s pleasures now is hearing an episode on audio and later seeing it with the visuals when the video drops.
where is the pre-visual podcast aired/published?
On Spotify
We, your fans, are so grateful for your devotion to making these videos. This is one of my top comfort shows.
Cheers Alex!
I watched all three hours of this. Every minute of it was amazing.
You’re doing amazing work and I feel guilty watching this for free, knowing the amount of work it must’ve taken. Thanks for all the effort!
Don't feel guilty. Knowledge should be free!
@@FallofCivilizations This ^ Thank you ❤️
@Fall of Civilizations I want to thank you too. These documentaries are so remarkable. The quality is excellent, & I relish each one.
I can hardly find anything on TV worth watching. You're my go-to UA-cam and now. :^)
@@FallofCivilizations what you are doing should not be done for free....... Not for your team... More money = more content
😢😢@@FallofCivilizations😢😢😢 😢😢😢😂
This is the best history documentary stream available. High historical accuracy, and brilliant delivery.
You need to make these more often, not only do you help me sleep, but your contribution to our historical knowledge is immeasurable, the minds who have absorbed these stories, countless. Thank you.
This is the kind of history documentary I dearly miss. Detailed but never dry.
The colouring of the carvings was especially wonderful. I can't imagine how much work must have gone into making this. Thank you!
Many Hours.
Thanks my friend! Yes it took a long time
Especially those depictions of the lion hunts near the end of the empire. So much detail!
@@FallofCivilizations Thanks
@@FallofCivilizations that one voice actor is a bit too enthused, it was hard to focus on the meaning because of the exaggerated prosody.
This entire series is masterful and enlightening. A joy for anyone interested in history, the craftsmanship from Paul Cooper and team is superb. I regularly recommend to anyone and everyone who will listen
We've eagerly awaited the Assyrian podcast and, once again, been astounded by Dr Cooper's impeccable and detailed research on what must be a pepper-corn budget. Having previously read Paul Cooper's linked novel "All Our Broken Idols", tears came to our eyes remembering his tale of the ritualised "hunting" of caged lions so exquisitely recorded in the ancient carved frieze. A huge amount of background effort has gone into the Fall of Civilization series and we thank you and your co-workers. Bravo, brava!
Brilliant documentary. Thank you for this excellent and informative documentary. The references made to Xenophon, Bible old testament and original Assyrian Akkadian and Sumerian writings has made this documentary very special. Thank you for your hard work. 10 out of 10.
This one came through while I was at work, and I’m finally able to enjoy it.
I recommend this channel to every curious mind I can, and all those that visit the channel on my recommendation have thanked me for it. Thank you.
I’ve learned more history from this channel than I did in all my formal education, kindergarten through doctorate (not a history major, of course). And more than just facts and stories, I’ve gained broader context that has helped disparate pockets of knowledge meld together into a more cohesive understanding of the history of human civilization. And it’s been fun!
Very well worded and I couldn't agree more. I've never been so applied before. This is much more interesting to me than main stream fantasy titles.
I have loved history my entire life, partly due to the history in my own family. That is why I chose to be a history teacher. I love the little accidents of history that preserve things like Ashurbanipal's library tablets, considering how much has been lost and even deliberately destroyed. I believe the strength of these podcasts is due in part to your care and passion for the subject matter along with your desire to transport your viewers/listeners back as close as possible to actually experiencing the events as they happened. As always, excellent work.
Glad you think so!
Ashurbanipal? Ashur is sanskrit word. Interesting
There are not words to tell you how very much I enjoyed this documentary. All I can say is thank you. Thank you very very much. What a masterful telling of the story of an empire from such a deeply personal perspective of the players on the grand chessboard.
Brilliant.
Thanks for listening my friend
This is the best documentary that I've watched. It wasn't rushed, or over-dramarised, nor were the voice actors drowned out by overly loud background music. It was long enough to do the subject justice. I look forward to exploring more from your channel. Excellent! I loved hearing the Hebrew language.
I think this is your best one yet. Your camera footage and use of accurate historical images is particularly great. Top tier documentary by any standard. Keep it up.
Couldn't even make it to a total of 3 history lessons in highschool, yet I sat through the entirety of this video. Great work!
It was both refreshing and of course a reward to come across your effort, your works here. I discovered it on UA-cam. So satisfying to get a whole other and new telling of the history of civilization. Please accept my simple nod of appreciation for your great work, you have my respect and admiration. If I could demonstrate it more at this time it would be done, thank you.
And another masterpiece of historical excellence.... Thank you. My interest in ancient history was kindled as a first year (6th grader) when both ancient and modern history were taught as separate subjects in school, something that is now diluted and mixed within (if at all ) the subject heading of "Humanities". This series has rekindled the kind of enthusiasm and feeling I had for ancient history from when I was a boy...
Another great episode, For a history lover like myself, this is by far the best thing on the internet. Always well researched and logically presented
Now this is how you tell history. One of the most engaging and thought provoking historical documentaries that I have ever watched..
History Channel should take note.
Bravo 👏
History channel should step aside and give up it’s shame title.
Lol. The history channel is anything but. Now it’s ancient aliens and conspiracy twaddle.
You know, in my country (Ireland) history is now an optional subject for secondary school age students, and I think this a shame and a mistake. The old saying “those who forget history, are doomed to repeat it” means more and more these days.
History Channel should shut down. It's trash. Everybody knows that. It's just a name, that has nothing to do with History.
Thank you so much for this. It’s very rare to find such a well done documentary on my ancestors. I’m a history fanatic, it’s always been my favourite subject in school and I especially love ancient civilisations like the Romans, Greeks, and most of all the Assyrians. This is by far my favourite documentary I’ve taken the time to watch. Thank you again so much for covering the history of my people in such depth that I don’t believe anyone else has done before.
Now to complete the trilogy, you need to do one about the Babylonian Empire. Please do it to make it a full Mesopotamia trilogy.
Yes please, Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian
Yes please do it
🙏 Yes, please! That'd be awesome!
One on the rise & fall of the Babylonian Empire would be nice!
@@Sanitarium_The_Movie He isn't doing something about the Islamic empires and what made them collapse unfortunately. I would love to see one about the abbasid caliphate or the emirate of Cordoba.
I love how you explain how the civilisation started, prospered then fell. I learn so much. Please don't stop making these. Really appreciate the hard work 💪
As an Assyrian, I’m excited to see this podcast. It fills me with both pride and sorrow, but I’m very glad to see my ancient ancestors honestly represented.
I second that.
@@frankxu1407 Assyrians will never perish, We are one of Gods people. Assyria will rise, mark my words.
Khya Atour
Proud Assyrian here too.
My grandpa is Assyrian too! His family lived near Lake Urmia in Iran before they were persecuted and had to flee
@@faithk9707 it’s so sad to hear the stories of how our ancestors ended up where they did. My grandfather lived in the Hakkari mountains of northern Iraq. During the Assyrian genocide, yet people of his town and all the surrounding villages fled on foot into turkey. It took a year and half I think, chased and killed by the Kurds the whole way. My grandfather lost most of his family, most families were destroyed. I could tell stories all day about the journey, but they eventually got to turkey and were given asylum, but were treated terribly because they were Christian. My grandfather, Tom, by the way, joined the British army as a translator because he could speak 6 local languages. His family was wealthy before the genocide so he was well educated. After the war his CO liked him so much he offered to take Tom back with him to Britain rather than leave him destitute in a war torn land with no future. So he went, and after six months in London with his CO’s family was honourably discharged. His CO, a colonel Mumford, gave him a bunch of cash and the option to go anywhere in the British empire to settle. He’d had malaria as a child and didn’t want to risk it again, (by the way that was the only time he was ever sick in his 103 years) so rather than moving to Brazil to farm, he chose Canada, since he’d heard there were other Assyrians settled there. Sure enough, he met my grandmother there, who was an Assyrian who’s family had come during a wave of immigration in the 1800s. She was born in Canada. And that was my grandpas lift up til he was 17, since he’s lied about his age to enlist!
What can I say this series is unbelievably brilliant and deserves to be on somewhere like the BBC or discovery channel .its fantastic a heroic effort and thank you .
Seeing the steeles in color was amazing.Had to pause everytime one came up
I am Assyrian and loved this documentary. Great effort and thank you for your attention to the Assyrian Empire!
I've listened to the audio of this several times on my way to work, and have the utmost respect and appreciation for it, watching the video for the first time truly elevates that. The quality of the content and imagery is truly great.
Couldn't stop watching the whole 3 hours in one sitting. This is a wondrous production, just first rate in narration, music, voice acting, historical detail, context, and pathos. It's hard to express how amazing this was to experience and appreciate because I've been wanting to understand the bronze age peoples that came from the dawn of civilization and your presentation of the Assyrians brings to life the character of these people and rulers from eons ago. This is my first video I have watched of this series and I can't wait to watch them all now.
Thanks Jim, very kind
your channel deserves a series of its own on Netflix. i watch a lot of youtube, and i'm always in awe of the masterpieces you put out in your series. best channel on youtube
as an Assyrian i really Appreciate your awesome work! hopwfully we come back stronger than ever before!
Hopefully not
@@nikbombo6648 L
there are no more assyrians, babylonians or ancient people nowadays. you live in that area doesnt make you one of them.
@@henrypahulu40 my genetics say otherwise😝😝😝😝😝😝😝
@@aurionlover4128unless you are to be king you will suffer like everyone else Genetics or not I am not sure where you get your thinking from You should work on that
Our empire may have fallen but we’re still around. Proud to be Assyrian. Khaya Ashour! 💪💪
@The Imperishable Star Someone’s religion does not constitutes their ethnicity.
Weird you say that, Assyrians still call themselves by the same name that is described in the video: “Ashuraye”. Also, if they’re not Assyrian, what are they?
@The Imperishable Star you must be a Kurd or an Arab nAtionalist. Assyrians are the heart of Iraq. They are the natives of Mesopotamia! All the love to my Assyrian brothers ♥️
@The Imperishable Star please read Assyrian identity in ancient times and today by Simo Parpola (PHD in Assyriology University of Helinski)
Assyrians are not “Nestorian” this is just a religious term made by the Roman Catholic Church. Assyrians have been for centuries calling themselves Suraye, which is a synonym of Ashuraye. They still live in the villages surrounding Nineveh, their ancient capital and still speak Aramaic which many of the words have Akkadian roots. Do some research before making baseless claims.
If Assyrians are simply Nestorian Christian’s then why does Historian John speed’s map (dated 1626) show a group of people living in the Ottoman Empire calling themselves Assyrians?
@@atb7606doesn't the Assyrian church believe in Nestorianism? Is so they are Nestorians regardless of whether they are simultaneously Assyrians.
That kid writing his parents. I felt that. Some things never change.
1:07:01
I can't think of a single history lecture, documentary or podcast that does a better job at actually taking you back in history, almost as if you're there experiencing it for yourself.
The ending of this documentary was especially powerful. I can only imagine what it would be like for the city I grew up in to be eviscerated (in the modern world, probably by nuclear blasts and left as uninhabited ruins by radiation) and for the country I once lived in to be wiped off the face of the earth leaving only fragments behind. Nobody deserves such complete and total devastation, not the victims of Assyrian attacks nor the Assyrian civilians themselves in their final fall. This is the brutality that war can bring, and I hope that one day we can overcome the cycles of vengeance, and wars against each other and embrace peace. As always, amazing documentary thank you for all the hard work you must have put into it.
The way current events are going you may not have to imagine that scenario for much longer, tragically.
Incidentally, Paul: this was your best episode yet, by a margin. If a person is not awed by history after watching this, they are lacking something.
Thanks Michael, glad you thought so!
I find Episode 10 equally remarkable. Having said that, all episodes are a treasure trove...so eloquently presented! Well done!
Stunning, incredibly edited and presented.. amazing. Your videos could be a masters level course in ancient history in any university... just fantastically well done. Thank you!