The 24 lectures of Unsung Heroes of the Ancient World focus on antiquity’s underappreciated overachievers. These brilliant engineers, dynamic rebels, accomplished athletes, awe-inspiring military commanders, eloquent orators, meticulous travel writers, and cunning tricksters have long remained in the shadows with limited mainstream recognition. Get an updated and more complete view of history with Professor Gregory Aldrete, Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, as your expert guide.
Unsung Heroes of the Ancient World
Meet some of the most consequential yet under-appreciated figures from across the ancient world, from philosophers and warrior queens to con men and farmers.
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Gharmjo from
Fabulous Romp, Thoughtful Ending
While some of his historical figures appear in other Great Courses, Aldrete deserves great praise for this compilation. Some will like it for the many novel characters he introduces, others for deeper insights into such familiar characters as Strabo, Pliny the Elder, Marcus Agrippa, and Galen. The novel characters he includes are often previously ignored successful women, most of whom are convincingly portrayed. Other strong stories discuss those defying Roman rule such as the Sassanians Ardashir and Shapur (who bested Rome). There are also inventors, athletes, geographers, engineers, outlaws, con men and a false prophet. The course ends marvelously with a brilliant reminder of the ignored people without whom no one could live.
STUNNING INSIGHTS: Aldrete is known for his novel approaches and providing excellent, entertaining courses. Lecture 6 (=L6), discusses Jugurtha, whom Aldrete labels a freedom fighter against Rome. One tends to initially align with Jugurtha’s struggle against Rome. But when Aldrete asks, “Was (Jugurtha) a dangerous rebel…or a freedom fighter?" one realizes that there is not very often much clarity because the winner writes the history. L11: Marcus Agrippa was “the noblest man of his day” and his story should be mandatory reading for anyone considering bureaucratic employment. L12 is a marvelous romance about the loving wife Turia protecting her husband during the dark days when Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon against Rome. In L18 Aldrete defends Bulla the bandit who robbed Romans and distributed the spoils to his countrymen. A quote from Augustine's “The City of God" best explains Bulla’s reasoning: “What are states but gangs of bandits on a large scale? And what are bandit gangs but kingdoms in miniature?" L20 contained a surprise. The story of Xerxes invasion of Greece has been told in many courses. It includes a 480 BC sea battle of Salamis where Xerxes, who had already burned Athens, decided to take on the technologically superior but much smaller Athenian fleet in a narrow strait. Unknown to most was the role of Artemisia queen of the Caria on the Anatolian coast of Turkey. She alone voted against the Xerxe's Persian attack on the Athenian fleet. The story of the failed attack and her brilliant escape from the technologically superior Athenian ships was fabulous fun.
CAUTION: One must be circumspect when in novel territory. For example, my May 2020 review (“Pros and a Con”) of Aldrete's "Decisive Battles of World History" discusses his self-contradicting L11 premise that Pope Urban II “sparked a conflict…a series of invasions of the Islamic kingdoms" by calling for the Crusades. That review noted: “While narrowly true, there is a problem: Who was threatening whom?” It then documents Aldrete’s self-contradictions over its next 5 paragraphs. L21 of this course (Unsung Heroes) describes Sosipatra's (mathematical/philosophic) genius but inadequately documents her supposed “supernatural powers" in a manner unbefitting the high standards of a Great Course. More data is needed. Aldrete's L23 excellent depiction of Alexander of Abonoteichus is a warning that both brilliance and charlatanism can co-exist in the same person.
CONCLUSION: In contrast to preceding lectures about the "high and mighty", L24 provides a contemplative "out-of-the-box" approach to the historical reality of our ancestors. Aldrete ends his course on the supreme importance of farmer over statesman. He points out that it took NINE farmers to produce enough food for themselves plus ONE non-farmer. After each plowed row, oxen had to be rested and each row had to be plowed as many as 9 times. This huge, slow effort was combined with many other laborious steps to achieve successful crops. Starvations devastated the Roman/Greek world when seasons, as they often did, went poorly. Yet Aldrete's research reveals that his largest source for ancient farming was only a few pages in a 600-page reference! Thank you, Professor Aldrete, for such a thought-provoking historical reorientation.
Date published: 2025-02-28
Rated 5 out of
5
by
VasilVelev from
Amazing series
I loved every episode of it! I reccomend it to every person who interests in ancient history!
Date published: 2025-01-22
Rated 5 out of
5
by
BaruchCXXVII from
There is nothing new under the sun
I have observed that recently women have entered the Organ loft, and greeted this with delight, but Professor Aldrete, also to my delight, has taught be that as a result of Ctesibus, Greek women seem to have been celebrated as organist. Professor Aldrete has vindicated feminism and restore women to the intellectual universe, and this entire course repudiates male obfuscation. As a result of this magnificent course I have acquired a film about Hypatia, book one of Vitruvius, and these lectures are full of interesting information, imparted not only with delight but also with a firm grasp of mechanical principles. The augmentation of my knowledge of Technology, Metaphysics and Science is a delight, and together with Professor Ressell on Great Structures, it provides essential insight in our own civilisation. I cannot recommend this course too highly. It is salutary but also illuminating.
Date published: 2025-01-15
Rated 5 out of
5
by
kingmargo from
Great information!
I really enjoyed watching and listening to this course during winter break from my undergraduate courses in classics and archaeology. I was at least partially familiar with most of the people mentioned, so it was great to dive deeper into their stories. Dr. Aldrete presents the information in a fun and entertaining way (although I have to admit I have ADHD and listened in 1.5x speed). Overall I really loved this course and am going to look into Dr. Aldrete's other courses here.
Date published: 2025-01-11
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Docrpaul from
Another fun Aldrete adventure
When I was an undergraduate history major a thousand years ago, the most sought after professors were those who could transform the often tedious research work of professional historians into a living, breathing format - one that transformed those painstakingly gathered facts into a vibrant picture of parts of our past. Professor Aldrete has performed that role admirably in this course, highlighting lesser known figures from the ancient world with stories that inspire a gamut of reactions from disbelief to awe, but always entertain. I can certainly forgive the toga donning hand gesture lecture, having witnessed other great professors re-create Greek phalanxes with student volunteers, or recreate Teddy Roosevelt's charge up San Juan Hill as part of otherwise serious history courses. Professor Aldrete ably reminds us that STORY is the most important part of history. I look forward to more of his lectures in the future.
Date published: 2024-11-21
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Didge from
A Fascinating Series of Lectures
Professor Aldrete is one of the best lecturers (I now have all his courses). His presentation is excellent and he holds my attention throughout the lectures. I heard of several of these unsung heroes before but many were new to me. That so many women were included was good since they are usually cut out of Ancient History. It was interesting to learn more about Agrippa, he is often mentioned in passing linked to Augustus, but it seems that without Agrippa there might not have been an Emperor Augustus.
I recommend this course.
Date published: 2024-11-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Prospero1962 from
Genuinely Entertaining
This course is one of the reasons I enjoy The Great Courses. Interesting, informative, and a sly sense of humor enhance these stories. Yes, you've heard of some of the "unsung" heroes (and rogues) you encounter here. But most a new and fresh. My only quibble is this is very Roman-centric. I would have liked to have seen these stories expanded to other areas of the ancient world. Surely there were unsung heroes amount the ancient Celts, Gauls, Germanic tribes, etc. But that is just a small critique.
Date published: 2024-11-18
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Casimir from
Wonderful course
This is one of my favorite professors and I have taken all of his courses. His presentation is always captivating. The content was not only about fascinating unsung heroes but also about everyday life in the ancient world. I learned very much and enjoyed doing so
Date published: 2024-11-18
Overview
About
Gregory S. Aldrete is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. He earned his PhD in Ancient History from the University of Michigan. He has been honored with numerous awards for his research and teaching and has received five fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities. He is also a prolific scholar whose books include Gestures and Acclamations in Ancient Rome, Daily Life in the Roman City, and The Long Shadow of Antiquity: What Have the Greeks and Romans Done for Us?
Trailer
01: Cimon of Athens: From Glory to Disgrace
Alexander the Great and Socrates are household names. But what about antiquity’s lesser-known figures—the intellectuals, inventors, queens, and con men who shaped history for better and for worse? Kick off the course by getting to know Cimon, a Greek politician and military general, who helped transform Athens into a world power.
37 min
02: Polycrates of Samos: The Tale of a Tyrant
Long considered the cradle of democracy, Greece was also home to despotic governments—many of them quite successful. Become acquainted with one of Greece’s most impressive tyrants: Polycrates of Samos. Survey the tremendous military, economic, and material successes that transformed Samos from a sleepy island to a major regional power under his leadership.
32 min
03: Epaminondas of Thebes: Slayer of Spartans
When we think of ancient Greek city-states, we most often think of Athens and Sparta. But in 400 BC, the quiet city of Thebes surged to the top, led by the frugal but fierce Epaminondas. See how Epaminondas organized a potent fighting force in his home region to throw off the yoke of Spartan oppression.
33 min
04: Ctesibius and Hero: Alexandrian Inventors
Turn your attention to two obscure Alexandrian inventors: Ctesibius and Hero. See how the inventions of the pump, improved water clock, and catapult of Ctseibius redefined pneumatics to shape the material world we live in today. And, look closely at the ingenuity behind some of Hero’s most elaborate inventions—from automated puppet theaters to holy water vending machines.
32 min
05: Olympians: Ancient Athletic Champions
Athletes enjoyed near mythic reverence and popularity in the ancient world. Get to know some of the amateur sportsmen who dominated athletics thousands of years ago, like the skilled wrestler Milo of Croton, the powerful boxer Theagenes of Thasos, the Diagoras of Rhodes sports dynasty, and master long-jumper Phayllus of Croton.
33 min
06: Jugurtha of Numidia: African Freedom Fighter
One of the most fearsome empires in world history, Rome encountered rebellion and resistance from a host of defiant subjects, with the most potent threat being a charismatic and cunning North African prince named Jugurtha. Examine Jugurtha’s brutal rise to power within Numidia, before reflecting on the legacy he left behind.
34 min
07: Mithridates of Pontus: Rome’s Implacable Foe
Born under a passing comet and divinely marked by lightning, Mithridates of Pontus contended for power in 119 BC. Survey the Pontic leader’s bloody conquest across Asia Minor. Investigate how Rome responded to these burgeoning territorial ambitions, both militarily and politically. And, reckon with the mysterious astrological events that punctuated Mithridates’s life.
33 min
08: Strabo and Pausanias: Describers of the World
Carefully crafted maps and tourist guidebooks have gotten us where we need to go for centuries. Among the most influential geographers in antiquity were Strabo and Pausanias. What was the role of the travel writer in antiquity? And how did Strabo and Pausanias revolutionize the craft?
32 min
09: Clodia Metelli: Scandalous Woman of Rome?
In the study of ancient history, women are strikingly absent from the written record. That is largely why Clodia Metelli—a Roman woman whose name repeatedly shows up in speeches, poems, and letters—is so unique. Explore the political struggles and sex scandals that made Clodia Metelli famous among her peers.
32 min
10: Sextus Pompey: He Could Have Been Emperor
A brutal power struggle followed the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. Among those jockeying for influence was Sextus Pompey, a capable admiral who came dangerously close to seizing control of Rome. Dive into his life, from his illustrious upbringing to the military and political opportunities he failed to grasp in his prime.
33 min
11: Marcus Agrippa: Augustus’s Right-Hand Man
Emperor Augustus seized power in Rome after the Second Triumvirate collapsed in 27 BC, but he could not have done it without his childhood best friend, Agrippa. Explore how this unique partnership boosted Augustus’s position in the succession battle. Then, survey Agrippa’s public works contributions to Rome’s burgeoning capital city.
36 min
12: Turia: A Devoted Wife in Times of Crisis
In times of profound military or political crisis, women can find paths to transcend restrictive gender roles. And that’s precisely what happened during the Roman Civil War. Investigate how one woman, an aristocrat named Turia, navigated complex legal and political challenges to avenge her parents' murder and protect her husband from persecution.
32 min
13: Vitruvius and Frontinus: Master Engineers
Shockingly enough, Roman soldiers spent more time building than they did fighting. Meet some of the engineers at the helm of public works projects in ancient Rome. Begin with a deep dive into Vitruvius’s philosophy of architecture, before turning your attention to Frontinus, a general-turned-engineer who revolutionized the Roman waterways.
35 min
14: Mousa, Eumachia, and Plancia: Enterprising Women
Antiquity was full of enterprising women who catapulted to power in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Learn about Mousa, a slave who ascended to the Parthian throne alongside her teenage son. And, get to know both Eumachia and Plancia Magna, a pair of wealthy Roman priestesses who transformed their communities through patronage.
34 min
15: Pliny the Elder: 20,000 Things Worth Knowing
Pliny the Elder—so engrossed by his studies that he slept just a few hours a night to make time for reading—authored what might be considered the first encyclopedia. Survey Pliny’s early life as a Roman officer and part-time scholar before breaking down the scope and impact of his crowning intellectual achievement, The Natural History.
34 min
16: Quintilian: The Eloquent Professor
Cicero’s enduring fame is proof that speechmaking lay at the heart of public life in classical Rome. But he was not the only Roman who inspired public speakers and their educators. Meet the clever man behind one of the most respected oratory manuals in antiquity: Marcus Fabius Quintilianus.
32 min
17: Galen the Physician: Medical Pioneer
Though seen as arrogant in his personal dealings, the ancient physician Galen excelled in the delicate craft of medicine. Examine his unconventional methods, from opium and cinnamon potions to public vivisection. And, catalog his stint as a practicing physician, first to Rome’s most fearsome fighters and then to a string of its emperors.
34 min
18: Eunus and Bulla: Rebels and Outlaws
As the story of Spartacus has shown, the oppressed underclass could pose a potent threat to Rome. See how Eunus, a mere house servant from Syria, incited a brutal slave rebellion in the Roman province of Sicily. And, study the life and impact of Bulla, a roadside bandit who harassed wealthy travelers with Robin Hood-like fervor.
33 min
19: Ardashir and Shapur: Stupendous Sassanians
Sassanian Kings Ardashir and Shapur are among the only leaders in history to take on Rome successfully. Survey the political history of Ancient Persia, from Alexander the Great’s invasion to the rebellion that formed the Sassanian Empire. Dissect Kings Ardashir and Shapur’s military clashes with Rome—one of which ended in an emperor’s humiliating capture.
34 min
20: Zenobia and Artemisia: Warrior Queens
Greece and Rome did battle with many queens, the most famous of which was Cleopatra. But what about the lesser-known female leaders who went toe-to-toe with the ancient world’s most powerful polities? Become acquainted with Artemisia and Zenobia, fearsome warrior queens who cast gender role decorum aside and suited up for war.
34 min
21: Hypatia and Sosipatra: Female Philosophers
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle dominate ancient philosophy. But women, too, lived the life of the mind in antiquity. Listen to Hypatia’s tragic story, from her command of Alexandrian public life to her gory demise at the hand of zealots. And, reconstruct the life of Sosipatra, a woman philosopher and ethicist active in Asia Minor.
33 min
22: Percennius and Zenothemis: Ancient Con Men
Shift your focus to ancient anti-heroes. Start with Percennius the Mutineer, a master manipulator who could whip up theater audiences and disgruntled Roman soldiers alike. Then, explore just how Zenothemis and Hegestratus, conniving fraudsters from ancient Athens, sought to capitalize on a botched maritime insurance scheme.
32 min
23: Alexander of Abonoteichus: The False Prophet
Continue your survey of ancient swindlers with the false prophet Alexander Abonoteichus. Follow Alexander’s ascent from quack country doctor to influential cult leader, breaking down the high-level illusions and trickery that deceived even powerful Romans into believing in his grift.
33 min
24: Farmers: Antiquity’s Greatest Unsung Heroes
Change gears by focusing not on generals nor queens but on a group of truly unsung heroes: antiquity’s yeoman farmers. Examine the agricultural methods—plowing, sowing, and composting among them—that kept small farms afloat. And, evaluate the outsized burden these farmers bore as the ancient world’s leading producers.
36 min
