10. The Han Dynasty - The First Empire in Flames

WATCH AD-FREE:
/ fallofcivilizations_po...
A city in ruins. A dynasty in tatters. An empire in ashes...
This episode, we look at the remarkable story of the first empire of ancient China, the Han dynasty. With ancient Chinese poetry, songs and folk music, we look back at the first empire's rise, its remarkable technological advances, and its first, tentative attempts to make contact with the empires of the west. Finally, we look at all the reasons behind the first age of Imperial China's final, dramatic fall.
** Fall of Civilizations the book is now available to pre-order: linktr.ee/fallofcivilizations **
Support Fall of Civilizations on Patreon: / fallofcivilizations_po...
Credits:
Sound engineering by Thomas Ntinas
Voice Actors:
Claire Hynes
Jake Barrett-Mills
Shem Jacobs
Alex Peattie
Music by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: incompetech.com/
Title theme: Home At Last by John Bartmann. johnbartmann.com/
Illustration of Qin Shi Huang's tomb by Richard Holmgren: arcdoc.se

[@moxxy3565]

Who else has to keep rewatching these because they're super interesting but his voice is so relaxing that it puts you to sleep?

[@mastershake8018]

I cant sleep watching these, I'm too interested lol

[@KushBabySpareChange]

This is like my asmr when I sleep. The only jarring part is the poem at the beginning.

[@t-mart2081]

This series is how I go to sleep every night

[@johna9503]

It took me one week to finish one episode. I always fell asleep.

[@zeta802]

I thought it was just me lol

[@joythompson6005]

In my 80's and this is the most enjoyable history lesson ever. Cheers

[@harishthethird]

😨

[@richarddavis8863]

@@harishthethird why make a face? I hope I still have a love of learning and her age

[@harishthethird]

@@richarddavis8863 no it's supposed to convey astonishment xd

[@Prestonhlt]

This makes me so happy to see the older generation able to utilize new technologies to continue to learn more! Love this

[@pooiyinlim5572]

@@Prestonhlt .

[@lucyfiniarel2347]

The poem at the end … “I want to go home but there’s no road back”, that line is devastating.

[@Jasonfallen71]

Right?!? The power comes from the points of view that are represented, new POV’s to those we learn of in traditional learning situations. The plan is to engage us with stories of people like us, regular people who are generally forgotten in time. It’s impact is far greater than if we’re given the usual history lecture, show etc. I’m so thankful for this new kind of history lesson. I believe it even lowers my blood pressure, mind and body are better off from the experience even though it can be devastating.

[@WokeandProud]

It's tragically beutiful because it shows these people were jist like us normal people who just wanted thier stable lives back.

[@samim7705]

That hurt me more than I thought it would

[@patfulco9312]

And that will be the fate of us all as Climate change removes the homes we knew throughout the planet, and we have been too passive or corrupt to stop it. A city can be rebuilt, but not the gift of a liveable planet, once ruined.

[@boredradiosystem1727]

Zap 😊lp mmm

[@ngmason]

The description of Emperor Ling doing market role-playing with his women is hilarious @2:04:00, even your voice actor gives a hint. Doing this while the empire goes bankrupt and burns. What great history.

[@AMortalDefiant]

That poem at the end was so moving. It's one thing to read stuff like that without a sense of the loss that people were feeling. With the benefit of time, we can be callous to the fact that these people's lives were upturned. They would have thought the world had come to an end, where we just look back and see the next civilization starting to take it's place. "I want to go back. There is no road back." That moved me way more than it would have without the context gleaned from the episode.

[@salazar3494]

The poem is actually an integration of several short poems, which are all from a collection called 《昭明文选》or mostly known as 《古诗十九首》（19 ancient poems）. The writers of these poems had been unknown for a long time.

[@salazar3494]

One interesting thing: this kind of poems in Han dynasty were more like lyrics. They are used to be sung in some specific tunes.

[@lokylong28]

@@salazar3494 in fact ancient Chinese poems are probably read like songs, old Chinese does not sounds like modern Chinese at all.

[@stephenrothwell8142]

Well said.

[@charleswillcock3235]

The BBC spends hundreds of thousands, if not millions of pounds per hour to produce TV programmes, I am guessing your budget is a percentage or two of theirs, yet I find your work far more engaging. Thank you for your content.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thanks Charles, much appreciated!

[@CaptainGrimes1]

The BBC used to produce things like this but now they go for visuals and looks rather than substance and content

[@justme-hh4vp]

That's because they don't think anyone will watch it unless you have a known person presenting on a big fee with their own production company producing it rather than someone with skill and passion. Hence next week, Danny Dyer on Diocletian!

[@CaptainGrimes1]

@@justme-hh4vp "Diocletian was a right proper geeza, he was top dog son"

[@philiproach2537]

I believe you mean kilograms per hour

[@SadisticSenpai61]

"The dead are gone and with them we cannot converse. The living are here and ought to have our love." I think that particular verse is something we should all reflect on more often - especially in this particular day and age when we don't know how long our loved ones will be here.

[@paulhallett1452]

In most days and ages people know when they’ll lose their loved ones? Nah. Repent.

[@SadisticSenpai61]

@@paulhallett1452 Why? Plenty of my loved ones wouldn't even be in heaven according to Christianity. Why would I want to spend "eternity" away from the ppl I love? Also, it was a reference to Covid, genius.

[@slappy8941]

​@@paulhallett1452 Repent yourself.

[@WokeandProud]

@@paulhallett1452 Go away.

[@Fallenangel_85]

I interpret it more like we should be nicer to each other and love the living that are here, learn from the past and all...

[@adrianferroni350]

I've probably typed this a half dozen times but I'll gladly say it again, this channel is the most mesmerizing, beautiful, and intricately written collection of intelligent entertainment on KZbin. Just awesome work! Thank you for making me and countless others just a little bit wiser and cultured. Amazing job!

[@vietanhdo5570]

I like how the narrator includes deep geological history in this video. It is like about finding The First Cause and how everything is interconnected, especially geology and geography, which have been shaping the fates of many empires and societies.

[@ronnronn55]

And climate!

[@MattGrovesFTW]

Read Guns, Germs, and Steel

[@ronnronn55]

@@MattGrovesFTW Yes, a real eye opening book, or KZbin video. Ronn

[@suzimonkey345]

“Guns, Germs & Steel” is an excellent read!

[@zacharydiamond4488]

.7

[@lakshaygupta9061]

Last year in tenth grade and for much of the school before that, I despised history to the point that I almost failed once. And now for some weird reason, I'm taking time out of the busy academic schedule to watch these, even when I don't have history as a subject anymore. Says something about the quality of these documentaries. Hats off.

[@insaneweasel1]

Says something about the quality of many teachers.

[@xXLifesLiesXx]

@@insaneweasel1 more so the quality of the curriculum

[@SadisticSenpai61]

I swear school curriculums go out of their way to make their subjects as awful and uninteresting as possible - usually while obscuring the subject and leaving students with false impressions (especially when the subjects concern subjects that have political implications). And history is one of those subjects where you can just about ignore everything you learned in K-12 cuz it's probably wrong.

[@RmeBraTT]

Remember, friend, whenever you learn something about human culture, human history, you also gain a better understanding of yourself. To get to know yourself better, it helps to learn how mankind has operated and acted and reacted and resurrected down the millennia. Never stop learning. It is the gift that never stops giving back to you. Peace to you.

[@jakeloepp4194]

The story is very engaging and informative The photography is fabulous The voice of narrator is clear and very engaging Nothing like is comparable

[@haf9065]

ty😅😉😉😜😘

[@haf9065]

f😉😘

[@davidh6300]

It is all very evocative and engaging

[@user-lc5uk8fl3l]

Junior or senior? A jackelope Aunt Jackie would be fun probably.

[@user-lc5uk8fl3l]

Sleep pandies

[@aamirk345]

My take to anyone who has not yet watched it: This 3 hour video is one of the best investments of time you will ever make. Team Video Han Dynasty, thank you so much for this gem. I really appreciate your effort and research as much as your empathy and respect for a dynasty and era that I would say is not only a jewel in Chinese history but also in world history.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thanks my friend, very kind of you.

[@user-co2jb1sj7i]

you are encouraging me to watch this video 6:26

[@TruthNTime]

All of these episodes are masterpieces. national geographic can't hold a candle to These productions. The cinematography, audio & Presentation are all very well done. Very thorough research as well. All of these factors combined with very clear And pleasing to the ear Narration equals Documentary excellence.

[@hoperules8874]

Ditto, but adding, "Excellent and Superb!"

[@mathewkelly9968]

Alot of it is just smart use of stock footage I believe

[@jaytang3972]

Like Mathew said. It's a lot of stock videos. In the first 4 minutes of the video, not a single shot was of Luoyang, an ancient inland city. There was 15 seconds of CGI, 3 minutes of a abandoned village on a small fishing island, and some fillers. You can't really call this a documentary.

[@jenmb2679]

Nat Geo is overrated. Lots of competition nowadays. I only stick to KZbin and Netflix. I dont even know why i have a tv. Serengeti is amazing, though.

[@jenmb2679]

@@jaytang3972 thanks, I'm wary of long videos because adhd

[@damopryor2851]

The saddest part of all these series is the book burning every civilization has a book Burner 😢

[@jeffrude9614]

How do you feel about the term "erased from the historical record"? When you think about it... this is really scary.

[@LordZama]

@@georgehenry76 Have a day off.

[@sgswaney]

@@LordZama Take your own advice.

[@LordZama]

@@sgswaney You got a point, luv?

[@rizzo021]

We have Amazon. They just banned Clarence Thomas's book

[@thesmokinmuskokan705]

I am so glad youtube randomly suggested this series! I'm completely hooked! There are so many scary parallels with current world events in these videos... I have a feeling we might be living through a future episode

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

I am not being sarcastic with what I am about to write. Of course you see parallels between Han era China; sadly, no, depressingly, there are very few true variations in history. Details may vary, but overall, history just repeats itself, millennia after millennia, in every country, in every culture. Out of periods of chaos and upheaval, civilizations emerge, struggle to a peak, even a flowering, then decadence and decay set in, then fall and the process starts all over. Sometimes the process is measured in centuries, at other times, far less. When I was in school, one teacher, the wife of a Southern Baptist preacher, spent more time going on about parallels between the fall of Rome and the USA in the early 1970s, and pointing out that a sign of "the second coming" was that there would be wars and rumors of wars; a braver classmate pointed out that there had always been wars and rumors of wars. Of course that was not well received, but as unfit as that teacher was, the worst was the geography teacher who was, 20 years later, an unreformed McCarthyite, and how terrifying life was in Soviet Russia and how, Ft. Benning, a first strike target for atomic war, was only 30 miles away. As dysfunctional as this was, I am sure that it has been repeated for millennia - Babylonian teachers terrifying their students with tales of the evil Assyrians, Chinese scholars railing about the evil Mongols. We humans never truly, completely learn.

[@edbruder9975]

@@jeraldbaxter3532 Unfortunately, scaring children has been a powerful mind control method that leads to an intoxicating feeling of great power to the people in charge and mass compliance in the populace. It requires a bit of head shaking to clear the mind and violent revolt from time to time to reset for the next round,. We have nothing to fear but fear itself is true to a point. Fear puts you in shackles. Power corrupts, and you have to hide the corruption or you're out of your job. The Catholics taught us all that very clearly and it's pretty much a universal truth when all the checks and balances collapse or are done away with.

[@bryandraughn9830]

You are setting the example of historical representation with your details, sources, and complete honesty. I'm sure you're aware of the many channels that are nothing but speculative garbage. They draw so much attention, it's a really disappointing trend. You are much appreciated by those of us who aren't interested in fake history. Great work!

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thanks Bryan, much appreciated.

[@Sam_Pritchard]

My face

[@christybyrne5195]

Wise Words

[@DrPlatypus1]

I can't even imagine how long this series took to create. Astounding work, mate. I've watched every episode, many of them more than once. Thank you for these videos, they are fantastic.

[@MrDavidLenard]

@bastiat I rather think not!

[@MrDavidLenard]

@bastiat You generally acuse the whole podcast as garbage... This is just ridiculous. Argumenting that history disagrees is even more weak. So what exactly you are talking about. It looks like that we agree to disagree...

[@MrDavidLenard]

@bastiat @bastiat You are changing topics and start to accuse me as well... That's rude and unprecise. The podcast is bad... Now it's some kind of weird 'argument' (it's literally not an argument, but just one word..) about human systems in general and media. Speak thoroughly to prove your point. I think, education needs different perspectives and presentations to reveal layers of 'truth' and 'knowledge'. Again, you say the whole podcast is bad. I totally disagree. It's made by a person that cares about this world and tries to combine many aspects of education and uses a modern form of presentation. The podcast informs about very important times, societies, personalities and civilizations around the world. I can't think of anything that is more useful in our time. The podcast tries to show 'us' (in a globaliized world) how fragile societies and systems can be. Furthermore, if you look at episode 8 for example it informs about key aspects of human civilization in general. Ex oriente lux!

[@jimmyjasi-]

Excellent channel. I also strongly recommend Stefan Milo channel and David Reichs book as an short introduction to properly understood history of humanity

[@euchiron]

A surprising number of parallels between Rome and Han. And as I had that thought, you carried us right down that path. Brilliant work.

[@SeanHiruki]

Rome and The Han were contemporaries and had a trading relationship. In China Rome was called “Da Qin”

[@HighPriestFuneral]

@@SeanHiruki I am surprised it wasn't mentioned, but the first diplomatic contact between China and Rome occurred in Lingdi's reign (186-190 CE somewhere around there), with an envoy sent by Marcus Aurelius.

[@webeskimo]

where do you see paralels between han and rome? Besides the usual things in any empire/ clan etc. etc

[@PaulvonOberstein]

@@SeanHiruki The supposed connection between the Romans and the Chinese was tenuous at best. The Chinese were vaguely aware there was some important barbarian city somewhere to the west where Chinese goods may haven eventually made their way to, and that was it. The Romans, for their part, knew nothing of China.

[@PaulvonOberstein]

@@webeskimo The Romans and the Han (indeed, all Chinese imperial dynasties) are strikingly different. For instance, the Roman Empire survived the rise and fall of many dynasties, even within a single year, whereas the Chinese empire collapses with the fall of the ruling dynasty, often descending into protracted periods of internecine war until a new dynasty comes out on top and rebuilds the empire.

[@hmj1116]

I'm an old Chinese man who fines this history story of Ancient China very interesting indeed about the history of Imperial China!

[@PatrickLongblkwhtrbbt]

Can you recommend more documentaries like this one? They can be in putongyu as well. I'm a Chinese descended American and I want to learn more about the country of my ancestors

[@goldenn1086]

《中国通史》《从秦始皇到汉武帝》《楚国八百年》《帝陵》《丝绸之路》《张骞通西域》

[@elkingoh4543]

Malaysian Chinese here, there is many historical documentary about ancient China make by mainland itself ​@@PatrickLongblkwhtrbbt

[@lucyfrye5365]

What I took from this series is that the worst place to be in a rebellion is in the library. Temples and palaces are bad too, but nothing comes close to the fire hazard in libraries.

[@curtiswong7280]

The arid climate of the Zhongyuan plains and the dryness of bamboo and paper makes for a very flammable environment.

[@draganjagodic4056]

Paul, You are creating masterpiece. So well researched, so informative and so vividly presented. Sincere congratulations for Your work and thank You.

[@aidansharples7751]

What awards can we submit him for?

Apparently China had morals at one point, death of a dynasty. China is now enemy #1

[@AlexSaueressig]

@ because Americans can't get richer anymore exploiting them? You are the enemy!

[@joebuenosaires3539]

Completely concur with Dragan. Incredibly detailed information & background, all presented without hype or fanfare, laid out in a wonderfully logical & chronological sequence with diversions to other times &/or characters where appropriate. Cannot recommend this video highly enough. MANY thanks for all of your hard work & efforts. joe in buenos aires

[@draganjagodic4056]

@@joebuenosaires3539 Thank You Joe. Sincere regards to You too.

[@veil337]

wow I never noticed now much the background music is authentically from the region under discussion until now...amazing production!

[@spshea]

Your reference "coalesced like beads of mercury on a table" - wow that brought up memories of playing with beads of mercury from a bottle of it that my brother and I had as kids in the late forties. Kids don't have the joy and fascination of such amusements any more but that reference sure brought back memories. I still have that vial of mercury pilfered from my father's home medical office.

[@Luboman411]

@@spshea I teach children. They still have that fascination. You have no idea the bizarre things I catch children playing with in my classroom, in addition to their smartphones and laptops. Haven't caught mercury yet, but I wouldn't be surprised. LOL. Kids are still kids.

[@thenaiam]

I have to admit that I almost passed up on watching any of your videos because your channel name, Fall of Civilizations, brought to mind the kind of overly dramatic documentaries that only focus on spectacle that now populate the cable history/documentary channels. I'm so glad I decided to try, because despite the name, you start from the formation of the geography, millennia before there were even any humans, and go into exquisite detail on each of your topics. Every time, I am amazed at how much research you have done, and how much information is actually known about each civilization. Thank you for what you do, and you have had me hooked ever since.

[@PatrickLongblkwhtrbbt]

The warlord Cao Cao mentioned near the end is actually the father of the poet Cao Zhi mentioned at the beginning of the episode and I'm surprised the narrator never mentions this

[@sylbaster2658]

And one of the main characters of the dynasty warriors video games

[@MrBruceSpy]

The 4K is great, thanks for your work, as a history teacher this is like going to the movies to see your subjects play out in the big screen.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you, I'm glad you like it!

[@manichaean1888]

@@FallofCivilizations You should do Soviet Union one day. ;) It's a joke of course but only half so. It was a unique civilization in a way, which is not more.

[@ascadorcern6106]

@@manichaean1888 i'm not sure if you can do the soviet union without the russian empire . so i think it would be a great episode and i second this

[@manichaean1888]

@@ascadorcern6106 On one hand, you are right, the SU is still continuation of Russia. On the other, it is a unique culture and civilization on its own. So, it it limited in time in this sense. But anyway, I was joking.

[@umjackd]

@@manichaean1888 I actually do rather like the idea... Even if it doesn't really work, the reasons for its collapse are still in debate and interesting, but maybe a bit too modern. You'd get a lot of arguments in the comments.

[@elliotjames4519]

This is literally one of the best documentaries I have ever seen

[@blackrose_111]

I can feel the sadness inside me when I understand the depth meaning of that poem written from a broken heart of a broken hope. Beautiful Poem.

[@icarus313]

I reached the end of this doc and had tears in my eyes. No one does it like you, Cooper. I'm stunned and I feel like a changed man after seeing this.

[@NuNugirl]

This is the only channel I will not unsubscribe from. Thank you for all the hard work.

[@culwin]

Why would you unsubscribe from other channels? Why did you subscribe in the first place?

[@rondoggish]

@@culwin i don't really get what OP meant either 😅

[@mastanate]

This is the only comment reply I won't delete

[@rosschops9509]

Don’t listen to ‘em, Nora. I get the sentiment.a.x

[@feiryfella]

These are as wonderfully relaxing as they are full of eventual slow doom. They fit my 2020 zeitgeist perfectly. So well researched, full of detail, and so moving. Please never stop!

[@bernie1905]

Mmm

[@user-qp4eq1oj5r]

Not real history, Anglo-Saxon conspiracy

[@jihadityrone2197]

@@user-qp4eq1oj5r How so?

[@AndresFCamacho]

Slow doom. Yeah great way to describe the series. Heartbreaking but yeah very well done.

[@deangeraldino4097]

worth the binge for all episode.. Love this podcast as I am learning and got mesmerized about the ancient civilization. better than what netflix and other streaming platform can provide..

[@dayangmarikit6860]

The Khmer Empire episode is my personal favorite.

[@martakaminska9325]

I discovered this channel 2 days ago and have already listened to 10 episodes. You've made my night shifts more bearable. Thank you

[@dayangmarikit6860]

One of my favorites is the Khmer Empire.

[@ChrisSmith-ro1ev]

I just finished watching and ... I don't know what to say. China's beauty, story of Han, music, poetry - I'm speechless. Thank you so much!

[@cosuinofdeath]

All gone now they destroyed their own history

[@leesophie2678]

@@cosuinofdeath like how?

[@Denis-qv5yj]

@@cosuinofdeath The Summer Palace and other historic buildings were not destroyed by the Communists, but by Western colonizers (They did the same in Iraqi museums)

[@alinux09]

@@cosuinofdeath troll spotted

[@cyrilsuperkonar3422]

They destroyed them to survive, or what is the point of a Christian, English speaking China?

[@trey85031]

How can learning about the death of civilizations be so relaxing?

[@busTedOaS]

there's peace of mind in realizing how little of what we do will have lasting effects.

[@stevenroper3577]

@@busTedOaS ...might be wishful thinking at this point, but I hear you

[@elagace03]

It really is captivating yet relaxing, it’s probably why this particular podcast has such a loyal following and great success.

[@elagace03]

@@busTedOaS wonderful reply

[@Jackson-mh8el]

The title does not suit the narrative. But the story line is quite apt

[@yayableu]

I’ve listened to this one 4-5 times already. So well done & haunting.

[@acephas3]

Thank you. I don’t know why I’m haunted by it, but I am. Deeply.

[@DweeD1516]

So sad that EVERY last bit of their society and culture knowledge and prosperity were just incinerated in the equivalent of an instant. Crazy and a wild story. I have also watched it several times as well as every other episode several times. Just one of the BEST all round history channel in all aspects. Perfect and so intriguing and informing. Collected knowledge of these cultures and their fall you wouldn't get anywhere else unless you did the research yourself and even then would not be as interesting and entertaining.

[@adamecstudio4891]

23:45 Qin Shu Huang literally means “First Emperor of Qin”, which is his title. His personal name is “Ying Zheng” instead.

[@yangjennifer4180]

Qin Shi Huang IS his title he adopted after he unified China into the Qin Empire. It’s not a personal name and is different from the reign name of western sovereigns. Huangdi means Emperor which was the title of all Chinese sovereigns since then. Tianzi means son of heaven which was what the emperors were regarded as, not a title. Those titles such as Han Gaozu etc were the titles given to deceased emperors by their successors, not reign names either. Very confusing indeed.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. The name is not Important, the man is..

[@mattyregelmaessig8654]

Again exhaustively researched, elegantly written, and beautifully presented. I have now watched about half a dozen of these documentaries, and I have been immensely impressed by each one of them. Who said "history doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes"? One can't help but feel that there are lessons to learnt for us as our own civilization lurches from one crisis to another.

[@veramae4098]

Mark Twain.

[@christelwilk6166]

Beautifully commented. I so agree with you.

[@ritasjourney]

Unfortunately, psychopaths with out of control desires for money and power do NOT learn.

[@stewiesaidthat]

@ritasjourney it is the people that follow the psychopaths and grant them power who are the ones who don't learn from history. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

[@davidbryden7904]

I think the quote ( it doesn't appear in his books) is "History may not repeat itself, but it often rhymes."

[@larsandrune]

Fall of Civilizations isThe best historical documentaries ever!

[@yeska7192]

The highway t

[@Neamow]

This was just a fantastic episode. I love that you dedicated such a long time to properly explain how the history went down, made sure to use proper pronunciation, and holy cow I can't imagine how long it took to get the footage for these 3 hours. It honestly felt like I was listening to a condensed version of Game of Thrones-like story set in China.

[@thjaeger57]

After spending 3 months in China, one thing I have learned was that China has a long and complicated past, possibly longer than many other civilizations. I found this documentary most intriguing and historically accurate. A superior production. Thank you.

[@porfiriato84]

That goes for every ancient civilization. Always complex and above all... Corrupt.

[@WokeandProud]

Not surprising considering China is one of the cradles of civilization.

[@anydaynow01]

This is an incredible video, it's interesting to see the parallels between the fall of the Roman and Han empires.

[@mavkruger]

D Lll

[@Imagio-jw6js]

" ..but there's no road back!" Moved to some tears. Thank you so much Paul! You are a true artist of historical documentary. I share your videos everywhere.

[@jerrychinforex]

Most history professors and experts specialize in one culture, civilization, or epoch. Joseph Campbell specialized in biblical history, Ken Burns American history. Paul has created such a diverse portfolio of expertise to span so many different eras, cultures, and civilizations. He tells stories spanning the globe, spanning every era of written human history, and all causes of the end of civilizations. External invasions in the Easter Island episode, internal rot in the Han dynasty episode, climate change refuges in the Bronze Age episode. He tells stories founded on Chinese classical poetry, Aztec codex, and scholarly research in the Byzantium episodes. Paul has created a true masterpiece to rival those of the Iliad he references in his works. One day when they write the story of the downfall of our civilization, I hope they find a suitable voice to speak Paul's commentary on our times.

[@blackbode69]

It's incredible how much you miss out on in European schools. Next to all I learned in this video is a brand new to me, you have my most humble of thanks for summarizing it if even so briefly, in such an entertaining media.

[@richardscott2719]

If you think you miss out on that much in European schools, you have absolutely no idea how much American schools leave out. When I was in high school all I knew about the Han dynasty was that it existed in China. They taught us nothing else about it. Not the rise nor the fall nor who was involved

[@PaulvonOberstein]

@@richardscott2719 Americans barely know anything about U.S. or Western history, let alone the history of ancient China.

[@richardscott2719]

@@PaulvonOberstein I agree 100%. Our education system is a facade. In my honest opinion.

[@chrisw.5138]

Well, it seems someone has been to an awful lot of European schools to form his opinion. While I did learn about the Qin and Han at school and from what I remember about the Tang and of course the Mongols, Yuan and Ming, it was just the size about a chapter or so each and more an overview. I grew up in a city founded by the Romans, and the education received about them did outsize that of any other empire building civilisations ancient or not by several magnitudes, except the history of my native country. I can understand that people don't remember their education after some years, but I was always hungry for this kind of information. Never ask me about math please. School education simply doesn't compare to this excellent documentary, which I enjoyed watching already a couple of times. There is just too much history in our small little world, and I am all the more glad for it when presented in such an utterly compelling way.

[@diogopinto6039]

Whenever I open youtube and thers a new fall of civ tv episode: OMFG YES PLZ

[@kingfisher9725]

Same

[@iamperplexed4695]

This isn't new

[@musiko90]

same

[@diogopinto6039]

@@iamperplexed4695 actually yes it is lol

[@iamperplexed4695]

@@diogopinto6039 It was uploaded to this channel on Feb 24, 2020 and currently has almost 482 000 views.

[@shotgunpsycho]

Paul Cooper, your voice is a brush and history is your canvas.

[@jaystewart3395]

Olive

[@_Dumb_Answers]

Agree with the aesthetics but history ain't art haha

[@martinhoulihan5179]

@@jaystewart3395 RN

[@JamesMcKenzie505]

Absolutely love these videos Paul! Would you consider doing a China: part 2? Arguably the next golden age of Imperial China (the Tang and Song dynasties) was even more remarkable than the Han! The Tang saw the empire reach its biggest extent and the Song was the most prosperous economy the world had ever seen up to that point in history. The conquest of the Song by the Mongols was truly cataclysmic, even more devastating than the fall of the Han and a watershed moment which cannot be understated yet is so rarely mentioned in the West.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Hi Lee, yes I certainly have thought about it. It could be in the works soon. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@kenstaroz1536]

An amazing compilation of early chinese dynastic history that is the Han Dynasty. Rich and well researched content. Beautiful landscape videography! My only minor gripe is that some imagery that supposedly portray the Han Emperor and it’s court officials included inaccurate images of the Qing Emperor and its officials wearing the famous pigtail hairstyle of the Qing Dynasty - the last dynasty of china were descended from the Manchurians from Northeast China. This in no way detracts from the immense work that went into making this highly educational documentary on Han China.

[@riccapucho]

This entire series of fallen civilisations should be watched by everyone on the planet. Amazing.

[@devasheeshsharma8198]

Brilliant! PLEASE do one on the indus valley civilization!

[@REHANKHAN-en5zn]

Won't be up to the mark

[@back2davinci525]

@@REHANKHAN-en5zn why not?

[@ramadavan7435]

I doubt it. The indus script is not deciphered. Which means we know so little about them.

[@theloraxtreespeaker]

Dont think we know enough

[@persepolis80]

This would be a very interesting. Would love to learn about the Different Indus clans and kingdoms

[@DngrDan]

I had a four hour drive to listen to this in its entirety and I loved this from beginning to end. But the highlights for me were when you talked about the regions of China, how they came to be geographically, and the different peoples that inhabited every corner of the continent. Not only did you lay out the history of this Dynasty in precise chapters, you explained the importance of the terrain and how it affected Chinese history as a whole. Also, bonus points for citing first hand accounts from ancient historians and political figures for exposition. The time and effort that must have gone into this video must have been insane. One of the best history pieces I've ever heard by far.

[@victorperezurbano9504]

The chills down my spine when that last poem was read... How Amazing this trip was

[@bamm3707]

The piano intro gets me every time. I had to learn it for myself just to hear a full version. Your series is gaining the recognition it deserves and these are getting so much better each time!! Absolutely love it

[@FallofCivilizations]

It's called Home at Last by John Bartmann! He'd probably get a kick out of hearing your version.

[@tommole645]

@@FallofCivilizations A John Bartmann - EDM remix would be great

[@michaelweems679]

@@tommole645 No. Just, no.

[@johanstefonski401]

The piece at the end is gorgeous. It speaks of utter devastation, and of the turning of the pages of history. May our own downfall be so beautifully memorialized.

[@xiangganglai363]

The end of East Han period is also known as The Three Kingdoms period, the famous fiction The Romance of Three Kingdoms was based on that time.

[@MauroEliasBrunner]

The ending of this episode, it's one of the greatest in the history of documentaries, in my humble opinion, this episode stands as the top quality content on the internet.

[@steveg3706]

Maaaaaan if high-school history classes were taught in this manner, I'd have been much MUCH more attentive.

[@aguswahyudi710]

This is how history should be taught! Not by textbooks.!

[@eccomi21]

I doubt that. The main difference between any class and KZbin is that you decide what you watch. If this interests you, you will listen to it. Any class has the disadvantage that no matter how interesting it tries to be, if you don't care about the topic you won't pay attention. I think it would be best if we could have mood based learning. Imagine schools would let you choose what to learn after a certain degree of basics completely by yourself. Or let's say you have a set amount of classes you have to attend each year, but you get to decide daily what you feel like learning. Sure, this is a very broad generalization. But I could imagine it would cause people to actually pay attention

[@katarinahinsey3931]

These shows make me look back and wish I would have become a history teacher

[@RobinTheBot]

@@eccomi21 well yes and no.. The self selecting nature of KZbin does matter, but investigation into the matter has confirmed that test-based curriculum makes it far less likely that children, especially boys, will pay attention in class. Presentation to purpose, like this, does wonders in restoring attention. When students can see why it matters and why it is important AS they learn, it makes a huge difference. Even if students are exposed to this learning style outside matters they care about, they pay more attention and are more engaged.

[@harleymanifesto1907]

I hated all history classes in school. Now here I am in adulthood. Haha

[@CAwildflowers]

Every segment of this series is as thorough, well-researched, incredibly beautiful and heart-wrenching as the next. The Fall of Civilizations is the best ancient civilizations series ever made.

[@alexhu7939]

The opening poem written by Chao Zhi (曹植) in July, 211 ACE. Original text below: 步登北邙阪，遙望洛陽山。 洛陽何寂寞，宮室盡燒焚。 垣牆皆頓擗，荆棘上參天。 不見舊耆老，但睹新少年。 側足無行徑，荒疇不復田。 遊子久不歸，不識陌與阡。 中野何蕭條，千里無人煙。 念我平常居，氣結不能言。

[@johnoneill5661]

A truly amazing series on history so well done they deserve to on TV. This is my favourite episode I love China and it’s history and learning about that history is one of my greatest interests.

[@Jay-vl4le]

I’m always so shocked by the level of production quality and detail in these.

[@Bogey1022]

Pleasantly surprised somehow, every time

[@millermonsterair]

its just an audio podcast that the person puts b-roll footage over. i can even recognize several video clips from history channel documentaries. production value? maybe all of $10 at best. just need a decent mic and then clip out footage from other stuff that is of decent quality (and is free), slap podcast audio onto the second track and bam, you got this.

[@yasyaska2883]

ololoooooooopooooolooooooooooooooooooooooooooooopoooooopolooooooooooo

[@yasyaska2883]

Peck oooooooopooooooop

[@yasyaska2883]

millermonsterair ol

[@hazey9514]

What would us history nerds have done without you Paul. You have created not one but multiple master pieces and all I can do is thank you for it. Never stop please.

[@sechlerm]

I love watching these videos at night. Often I fall asleep, so I have to watch them again the next night. But these videos bring peace to the end of my day, and I’m actually excited to get to bed. I guess what I’m trying to say is thank you. I’ll keep liking and watching if you keep making them. Please keep making them!

[@Divambi]

Same here. The documentaries are my bedtime stories. I often drift to sleep while half listening. His voice is sooo soothing. In the morning i have to replay again to confirm if i really heard everything.

[@noradosmith]

Thought I was the only one :D

[@mishuhishu94]

I have seen about half or more of these visual podcasts by now and I'm blown away by your craftsmanship and dedication. you should be praised a thousand times over for these. I don't know what else to say except for just, thank you for making these 🙏

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thanks my friend, very kind!

[@jakedunnegan]

This is absolutely fascinating! In the West, we don't hear nearly enough about Chinese and other Asian history. Very enlightening and fascinating, particularly the contrast, if you keep in mind the progress of the Greeks and Romans at the time.

[@TFrills]

"I want to go home. To ride to my village gate. I want to go back. But there is no road back. There is no road back." These words made me cry.

[@Luboman411]

Yeah, I just heard that last poem, imagining myself being this poet as he rides into this ancient Chinese city of 2,000 years ago, contemplating the passage of the seasons, of time. And it hit me hard. He's talking about going back to the past, to those long gone, to his long-dead memories. To revisit his childhood home. But time and history and death march ceaselessly on, and his village is no more. So when he says "there is no road back" he means that figuratively, in that we can't unwind time and go back to our cherished memories. THAT is the reality we ALL face, and the reason I also teared up a bit. I also get hit with this strong nostalgia for my memories, my past once in a while...

[@TFrills]

@@Luboman411 same, man. Same.

[@TwoGrainsOfGold]

I WISH you were teaching me history as a child. I used to hate history growing up and even as an adult, my recurring nightmare is that I’m climbing up the stairs of my old school building and I realize that I have a history exam. I wake up in a panic from my own racing heartbeat. I began watching your stuff because I have been having a sneaking suspicion since 2017/18 that this “US Empire” is going to come tumbling down like the Roman Empire and since I know / remember nothing of history, your channel has been teaching me far more than my textbooks in school. So THANK YOU! 🙏🏼

[@colleensen3274]

Thanks!This is a superb series -- I've learned so much. Especially liked the episode on Vijayanagara which is little known.

[@LoreleiCatherine]

I woke up to the Sumerian video and I watched like 3 more videos in a row after. History is one of my FAVORTE things. Thank you for all the hard work and for filling my brain with knowledge in the most pleasant way possible :p

[@ohcliffy]

They say timing is everything, I just randomly caught the poem at the end of this by chance and it hit me like a sledgehammer, due to personal reasons happening in my life right now, as much tears as it has brought to me, I really needed to hear it, THANK YOU!

[@Bulgarian021]

Amazing not only in terms of quality of the historical narrative, but also in terms of linguistic quality. I love listening to British English of the high level and here we also hear some Chinese. I do not speak Chinese at all , but it is so cool to hear some Chinese words/ poems ! I just SUBSCRIBED !

[@chriscr21]

Such an amazing Podcast, to you and everyone who created this, thank you! So brilliant, chilling, exciting, and heartbreaking at the same time. The last few minutes got me for sure, watching what is going on now and thinking back when I was growing up, gave me chills for sure! History is such a fascinating mirror, with the hope that it doesn't turn with the same results with a different date in time! Thank you again!!!!

[@citricitygo]

There was a famous saying from Tang empire Li Shining to his advisor: one can learn his dressing from a mirror, the rise and fall of dynasties from history, and the right and wrongs from other people.

[@johnfajer7691]

This guy is proof that passion and dedication will lead to success. These videos are incredible.

[@claudiaxander]

Waves rise, peak, crash, dissolve. Each whispering This too shall pass.

[@cosuinofdeath]

“This too shall pass”- saying of ancient Terra

[@claudiaxander]

@@cosuinofdeath cool!

[@shepwillner7507]

I love the music in this podcast. It sounds both sad and inspiring, at different times. Mr. Cooper provides greater insights into Chinese history than I learned in both 7th and 10 grades. History was one of my fave subjects in HS, and no wonder: I practically excelled in the subject and even carried that love into college for my first two years. History remains a favorite subject of learning even after college, grad school and B-school, b/c I read about various period in outside reading sources--both nonfiction and fiction.

[@mihahuang6146]

重看这个视频最让我惊讶的不是他对汉朝历史的生动概述（过去一千年来中国人听着这些故事长大成人），而是制作人准确地抓住了中国人对汉的感情，汉是中国历史上唯一一个让后裔敬重和惋惜的朝代

[@WuAndy-xt6rw]

说的对

[@Imyourfather3]

Only one is wrong. At least there's Don.

[@mihahuang6146]

@@Imyourfather3 你对比下漢末和唐末就知道了，三国的那些英雄是为了拯救漢，五代的那些人间之屑只想着唐早点死

[@j.manuelp.vicens3888]

Probably they are for you as the Roman Empire is for westerners

[@goldenn1086]

比较喜欢周

[@Igor-kv1eg]

It is very difficult to overstate the quality of this work. All aspects so meticulously taken care of. A documentary work of art. Historical poetry.

[@billxu8064]

Such a beautiful summary of the Han Dynasty! The poems, visuals, geographical info, historical personalities, etc...

[@SeanHiruki]

If Kongming himself gives such praise you know it is quality content

[@romanvlkolinsky2320]

Mr. Cooper is a genius. Best historical podcast I have ever listened too. Thanks Paul!

[@rinadror]

"... I want to go back. There is no road back" A sentence from Chinese poetry mourning the ruins. Dramatic ending to dramatic events. Thank you for your investment in producing the series.

[@holdengibbons6718]

One of the few things I have to look forward to the past few months are these videos. Thanks for the great content, KZbin living up to its potential through your work.

[@beentheredonethat4257]

You are, with no doubt, the greatest documentarian I’ve ever heard. You are an amazing talent.

[@captcrunk003]

This whole series should be named “Lament”.

[@MisterRON]

I've watched this one over 20 times. It's absolutely incredible and also soothing when trying to rest.

[@pcatful]

The podcasts were excellent. The video addition is beyond excellent. I don't know how you do this without the corporate / network support. Your work has been very inspiring to me. Thank you!

[@mynciee]

I suffer from insomnia and I can tell from 10 seconds of watching I'm gonna sleep to this easy. Subbed!

[@sunnirae1900]

Just be prepared to listen to these over, and over, and over again. They don't get old and I seriously think at this point I can't get to sleep without Paul's voice.

[@hollyw9566]

These are, indeed, exquisite! Thank you! I look forward to future episodes, especially I would like to see some about India. (I love India.) Also, I'd love to see some concerning Japan. And more China. I don't think Westerners know nearly enough about the East.

[@SDongil]

And Korea! Westerners often mention China and Japan while skipping right over Korea, whose dynasties were very stable indeed, and who conducted broad trading.

[@cibo9205]

The poetry at the end was so incredibly moving.

[@PranksterGL25]

These are the BEST historical videos, right there with Rare Earth for impact and no peer in empire histories, that opening piece of music is so perfect

[@theendofmyropemydude]

As a Dynasty Warriors fan, I was edging for like two hours straight until you finally mentioned the yellow turbans

[@ephemeralconnection3827]

when i heard the name Lu Bu i came

[@accidentalcoleslaw]

I'm new to ancient chinese history but I played dynasty warriors a bunch when I was a kid. Now I'm just learning that all those characters were based on real people 🤯 I wonder if LuBu was as much of a savage as he was in the game

[@theendofmyropemydude]

@@accidentalcoleslaw I still have fond memories of think to myself "nah, I can probably take him on" before getting one shot through a block haha

[@accidentalcoleslaw]

@@theendofmyropemydude I'm not ashamed to admit I fell to his blade on many occasions 😅 loved that game

[@Ganggangbuzzbuzz]

@@accidentalcoleslaw greatest backstabber of all time it should be called Lu Bu instead of Benedict Arnold

[@peterkephart7955]

Mr. Cooper, it is difficult to add anything that has not already been said about your work. You are a master of the narrative arts, an artist of cinematography, a giant of historical context and knowledge, and a brilliant alchemist in combining all of these individual elements into truly compelling, cohesive unions of scholarly production. I can hardly wait to see episodes 12 through 100.

[@uncleho7777]

p

[@teaburg]

The amount of work you put into these, and the high quality of them, is greatly appreciated.

[@Ronbo1948]

Excellent video on ancient China! We in the West focus on those "darlings of history" - the Greeks and the Romans - but events in the Far East were awesome as well.

[@mikerosy6924]

You do impressive work in a open way that allows even the most novice to understand and digest. You are a true teacher / organic documentary illustrator sir. 100% on point congrats

[@johndee408]

Amazing i listen while working as a Mechanic. Very relaxing while dealing with the chaos within order that is vehicle repair.

[@fianorian]

This was so informative. I had only the vaguest idea of Chinese history and this helped flesh out at least part of it. I was moved to tears at the end, to think of so much lost.

[@jennytool1348]

I scrolled for a bit and didn’t see a comment about it. I absolutely love this series in general and this episode in particular. I grew up playing the Dynasty Warriors video game series and knew that the games were taken off a book(?) that was called the romance of the three kingdoms. It was based loosely around the end of this time period. Connecting the dots before Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jiang was super interesting! Keep up the good work!

[@SeanHiruki]

Was hoping to find a fellow Dw/Three Kingdoms Fan.

[@zummo61]

Can’t wait to listen to this!

[@zummo61]

@@jordantomes2658 I hold off until the ones with the visuals.

[@Ealsante]

"Such is the way of the realm - long divided, it must unite; long united, it must divide. The Seven Warring States were annexed into Qin; the fall of the Qin led to the Contention of Chu and Han, where Han prevailed. From Liu Bang's slaying of the White Snake and rising, the empire was united, through the restoration of Guangwu, and passed down to Emperor Xian, whence it was sundered into three." -- Luo Guanzhong, Romance of the Three Kingdoms

[@chadbusch8541]

Or more succinct: China's whoooole again. Then it brooooke again!

[@Luboman411]

After the historic U.S. Capitol putsch on Wednesday, I'm starting to get a sinking feeling that this is the fate of the great continental power of the United States: "such is the way of the realm - long divided, it must unite; long united, it must divide." Wise words from a great author about events that happened roughly 2,000 years ago.

[@Scasne]

@@Luboman411 I think there is a term for the occurance, that being The Punic Curse, that Rome suffered after it had defeated its Greatest challenger to future power in Carthage. I do wonder how come the life Empires/Super powers seem to be declining, Rome (900 years approx) Ottoman (600years approx) British (200years) although those older 2 seem to have both survived some sort of reform in the middle of those lives, which obviously the British empire didnt. I think the easiest way to see where a Empire/Superpower is can be seen in what inflections are attributed to the term "foreigner/Barbarian".

[@omegabulldog5001]

@@Scasne Ironically, most empires fell due to internal crisis rather than external threats.

[@Scasne]

@@omegabulldog5001 agreed, and often when they do fall to external forces it's because they were facing internal issues, civil unrest/wars, succession issues, economic,disease, famine, all combine, but an external enemy does form a unifying factor if they are perceived early enough as an actual threat rather than contempt.

[@dawnp1569]

I love this. I listen when I’m at work. I work overnight .

[@gingermintrose]

What an incredible documentary. I was completely mesmerized. Thank you so much for a very well-researched and well-rounded presentation.