1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed: Revised and Updated

Written by Eric H. Cline

Narrated by Eric H. Cline

This audiobook narrated by acclaimed archaeologist and bestselling author Eric Cline offers a breathtaking account of how the collapse of an ancient civilized world ushered in the first Dark Ages

In 1177 B.C., marauding groups known only as the "Sea Peoples" invaded Egypt. The pharaoh's army and navy defeated them, but the victory so weakened Egypt that it soon slid into decline, as did most of the surrounding civilizations. Eric Cline tells the gripping story of how the end was brought about by multiple interconnected failures, ranging from invasion and revolt to earthquakes, drought, famine, and the cutting of international trade routes. Bringing to life a vibrant multicultural world, he draws a sweeping panorama of the empires of the age and shows that it may have been their very interdependence that hastened their dramatic collapse. Now revised and updated, 1177 B.C. sheds light on the complex ties that gave rise to, and eventually destroyed, the flourishing civilizations of the Late Bronze Age—and set the stage for the emergence of classical Greece and, ultimately, our world today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Release date: Feb 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9780691224800

Reviews for 1177 B.C.

[Gregor Ausman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well written and sourced. Should have had a voice acto I stead of the author read it, though.

[Nick Xylas · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Completely agree with the reviewer who said that they should have hired a voice artist. It's an interesting book, but Cline's robotic narration sucks all the life out of it.

[David Schechter · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very detailed account of a period in history generally not taught in schools but should be, as it includes the references to the Trojan War and the Biblical Exodus. Since those narratives are much better known, having the context in which they occurred (or did not occur) is important for anyone who wishes to consider themselves educated on those topics.

[Lyndon Turner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I liked the format for talking about the issues contributing to the end of the Bronze Age, the intertwining of these issues, and the overall summary.

[Reinaldo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is an academic work that goes deep discussing the bronze age period and its collapse based in archaeological and historical research. A lot to learn if you are really interested in the subject.

[Brad Perich · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent writing and very entertaining for armchair historians. I deducted a star for the last chapter, which was choppy.

[J Gallop · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Unfortunately, it is getting harder and harder to get good books on history as more and more "historians" buy into the postmodern idea of creating narratives. In this book you get more of a sense that the author is interested in reading current themes such as globalization, climate change, and pandemic back into ancient history than he is in telling what happened at the end of the bronze age.