Hour 9 | 100 BCE - 100 CE

Episodes

Jan 16

Kingdom of Nam-Viet · Trung Sisters · Roman Republic into Roman Empire · Ptolemaic Egypt · Cleopatra · Kush and Queen Amanirenas · Judea · Jesus and Christianity · Fall of Jerusalem · Jewish Diaspora · Boudicca in Roman Britannia · Nasca · Nasca Lines

SYNOPSIS

Note: We’ve added links throughout the SYNOPSIS which are not our official sources. We’ve linked pictures, maps, encyclopedia entries, etc for you to enjoy if you want to see the things we are discussing, or get a quick reminder of people, time periods, concepts etc (what is an australopithecine again??). For our official sources check out the BOOKS, ARTICLES, INTERVIEWS, and LECTURE tabs.

In this episode we cover 100 BCE - 100 CE. During these years the Trung sisters in Nam-Viet lead a rebellion against the Han Chinese. Rome turns from a republic to an empire and continues its relentless expansion. We discuss Ptolemiac Egypt, the destruction of Jeruselem, and Queen Boudicca in Brittain. The Romans are stopped eventually at the border of Kush by a queen nicknamed, “the one-eyed Kandake.” Transitioning from BCE’s and into the CE’s means we will cover the life of Jesus. And we end the episode, and season 2, with the Nasca culture in Peru.

Kingdom of Nam-Viet and Trung Sisters

Yangtze River.
Red River Delta.
People are bringing back the practice of teeth blackening.
Famous Yue sword.
Reminder of Qin Dynasty.
Zhao Tuo.
Kingdom of Nam Viet or Nan-Yue.
Han Emperor Wudi.
The Trung sisters remained an important symbol of resistance.

Roman Republic into Roman Empire

Scroll through the years on this tool see the boundaries the Roman Empire expand.
The Spartacus Revolt.
Julias Cesar declares himself dictator for life and is assassinated on the March 15.
Book after book has been written about Octavian/Augustus, we give him about three sentences. Here are a couple more of the very basics.

Ptolemaic Egypt and Cleopatra

Hellenistic period.
Dynasties of Ancient Egypt.
Good luck following the incestuous family tree of the Ptolemaic royal family.
Ptolemies presented themselves as living gods.
Cool article about the archeology of the City of Alexandria.
Map reminder of where Memphis and Alexandria.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Library of Alexandria. I really recommend listening to this podcast. Three scholars chat about the library!
Septuagint.
In the modern world we mostly only care about Cleopatra the Seventh but the whole line is fascinating. I highly recommend this book! (Here is an interview with the author if that more manageable).
Story of Cleopatra. Or listen to the History Chicks chat about her!
Mark Antony.

Kush and Queen Amanirenas

First Cataract.
One eyed Kandace.
In 1910 a British archeologist found the Meroë Head under the steps of the temple.
Depiction of Queen Amanirenas.

Judea

Explanation of BCE and CE or BC and AD. No year zero!
King Herod the First and the Second are important players in the turmoil of Judea.

Jesus and Christianity

A summary of the Christmas story in the Gospels.
The New Covenant.
The story of Jesus’s baptism. The last line of which is, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.”
The Parable of the Sower in Mark, Mathew, or Luke.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Jesus says what every harm or help you give to the least of these, you give to him.
Love one another and love god.
Last supper.
Jesus is betrayed with a kiss.
Crucifixion.

Fall of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Jewish Diaspora

Zealots.
Fall of Jerusalem.
The fall of Jerusalem led to the Jewish Diaspora.

Boudicca in Roman Britannia

Roman Britain.
Roman Emperor Nero.
Roman historian Tacitus.
Revolt of Boudica according to Tacitus.
Iceni people.
Summary of the Battle of Watling Street. Or listen to a historian chat about it on this podcast interview.

Nasca

Cahuachi.
Corn was important to the Nasca.
Highly recommend looking at all the pictures of Nasca pots and textiles from the Met.
The figures and motifs of the Nasca lines are also found repeated on pottery or woven into textiles. Monkey, killer whale, bird, people.
Nasca ceramic drum.
Ceramic Nasca Antaras or panpipes: example, example, example.
Video of Esteban Valdivia playing Nasca Antara, this is the audio we used in the episode
Anthropomorphic Mythical Being: example, example, example.
The Nasca lines: example, example, example, example. (Make sure you check them out on our google earth presentation!)
Recently scientists discovered many more Nasca lines using AI.
The Nasca lines and aquaducts are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Cool explanation of the Nasca puquios. Great pictures.
The stone spirals: example, example, example.
The Nasca Aqueducts are still in use today.