1177 B.C. (Revised and Updated) cover art

1177 B.C. (Revised and Updated)

The Year Civilization Collapsed

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1177 B.C. (Revised and Updated)

By: Eric H. Cline
Narrated by: Eric H. Cline
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About this listen

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 Ancient Archaeology Civilization World Ancient History Thought-Provoking Imperialism

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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)
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Well, actually, it is. If I see 'breathtaking' in a paid review, I normally think 'ohhh... not another one of them' but this truly is breathtaking in the explanation of what happened over the course of a very short period of time. We are very fortunate that over this period much writing was still in baked clay tablets and that many of them were kept in household/palatial archives. This brings an immediacy to the collapse of the Bronze Age civilisations that otherwise would be missing. I kept looking for excuses to disappear into my workshop just so I could hear the next part. For me, it is a rare book that does that.

I see a comment below that this book is (quote) 'anti-Semitic BS'. That could not be more wrong. Professor Cline spends quite a bit of time trying to place the forty years wandering in the desert into the context of the era. It is possible that the reviewer objects to the currently accepted historical record that the Israelites were just as warlike and vicious as the other tribes and kingdoms.

What is frightening however, is that Professor Cline is able to draw parallels with today's society without ever once stretching the point.

Are you sure this isn't a historical thriller?

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The narration is good, but you can tell the author does lectures, just a little monotone at times. The book is very good, especially as it has been updated as new evidence or views come through. Due recognition is given to all investigations, evidence and theories, which is as it should be, but you would be surprised how often that protocol is not followed. The story is fascinating, giving me a greater understanding of the society and how the collapse of the Bronze Age came about. Amazing stuff, I recommend this book, just bare with it in the first chapter, it picks up considerably.

I am sold

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Cline presents a well thought argument for multiple causes leading to the Bronze Age collapse. He supports his case with plenty of evidence from archeological sources.

Presenting the nature of the Bronze Age in the Mediterranean region provides the background to appreciate what was lost by the collapse, as well as some of the causes for that collapse. However, referring to this using terms such as 'globalized' feels wrong, as it wasn't. Perhaps the author is trying to make this period seem more like today's world?

Cline is right to point out that talk of complexity theory is so much handwaving, unless you actually go and build model using it, which as far as I know has not been done.

Well informed and thoughtful

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I enjoyed the earlier edition of this book and I have enjoyed and pondered on the information, views and opinions expressed in the volume.
Thank you for such an informative read.

Refocus on the subject

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Eric Cline’s narration is perhaps a little wooden at the beginning as some reviewers have pointed out, but after a chapter or so he warms up to the process of reading his own book. Soon his enthusiasm shines through and this becomes a gripping narrative of flourishing civilisations sliding into collapse under numerous stressors. Wonderful scholarship and such a fascinating account.

Fascinating audio book

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Both scholarly and a rattling good tale - or tales. My only suggestion is that it would be a good idea to read the conclusion first. A bit like a Sherlock Holmes story it then makes sense of everything that's gone before, unlike a Sherlock Holmes story though, knowing the ending doesn't spoil the beginning. I'm going to leave it a few months then listen to it again, and maybe read round the subject a bit first. It really does make a lot of sense, and is read beautifully by the author.

Excellent

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Eventually well worth for enlightenment about the bronze age and it's collapse. I think I am not alone in having been ignorant about it all. e.g. I knew the Hittites were from 'Turkey' and that's about it. Maybe a little TOO thorough in the middle with all the evidence - with with multiple unpronounceable kings/queens and kingdoms, but likely to stimulate further interest.

worth persevering.

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A comprehensive chronicle of the bronze age collapse that has the honesty to acknowledge that when history, like science, strays into the zone of chaos and complexity theory all you can do is a chronicle.

The study of history shrugs its shoulders and says "I know how, but I don't know why"

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It’s a strange one this - highly speculative without firm conclusions beyond “it’s complicated” and written in a slightly confusing manner, I still enjoyed it. There’s some fascinating history here, mixed with archeology and how modern science is influencing our understanding. I was just a bit underwhelmed by how the narrative played out and would have liked a bit more on the context of the time. Basically I’ve been spoiled by Dan Carlin.

Pretty good.

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I am fascinated by this era but being read a series of ‘facts’ is not pleasant. I could read Wikipedia for that. This book would be better for hypnosis.

Very factual but read in a painfully unexciting way

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