1177 B.C. (Revised and Updated)

The Year Civilization Collapsed

By: Eric H. Cline

Narrated by: Eric H. Cline

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

In 1177 BC, 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Eric H. Cline (P)2021 Princeton University Press

Critic reviews

"The memorable thing about Cline's book is the strangely recognizable picture he paints of this very faraway time.... It was as globalized and cosmopolitan a time as any on record, albeit within a much smaller cosmos. The degree of interpenetration and of cultural sharing is astonishing." (Adam Gopnik, New Yorker)

"Engaging.... [An] absorbing tour of the Late Bronze Age." (Josephine Quinn, London Review of Books)

"A fascinating look at the Late Bronze Age, proving that whether for culture, war, economic fluctuations or grappling with technological advancement, the conundrums we face are never new, but merely renewed for a modern age." (Larry Getlen, New York Post)

Terrific

Can’t wait to read the follow up! Love having the author read his work. Everything was so interconnected. Lessons that could be learned for today.

Annoying sing-songy voice of the reader

I couldn’t listen to what might be a good book because the reader’s voice was not suited to the material. Perhaps his voice would be more suited to children’s stories.

Excellent opportunity to learn about the societies and events of during the latter period of the Bronze Age.

I had little knowledge of the information that was presented in this book before listening to it. I learned so much about the people and events that led to the collapse of the Bronze Age. It was well written and well read. I was hooked on the book and found the information presented intriguing. This book will lead me to find more books by this author.

Good but academic

Hard to review this one, as I might simply not be the intended audience. It reads more as an academic book with less emphasis on the story and more on evidence.

Informative but wants context

Excellent citations and paints a vivid picture of the late Bronze Age. Would’ve like to hear more of the effects of the fall of the age.