What the Odyssey is hiding
Summary
Host Noah Hassenfeld interviews archaeologist Eric Cline about the Late Bronze Age collapse, a catastrophic societal breakdown around 1200 BC. Cline argues that interconnected civilizations fell due to a "polycrisis" of drought, earthquakes, supply chain failures, and migration, rather than just the Sea Peoples. The episode draws parallels between this ancient collapse and modern global vulnerabilities, urging listeners to learn from history to prevent future systemic failures.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: JustWorks and Mount Sinai Women's Health
Host's love for Greek mythology and The Odyssey movie
The advanced, interconnected Late Bronze Age societies
The Sea Peoples: Invaders or climate refugees?
Earthquake storms and geological evidence of collapse
Drought, famine, and supply chain disruptions
Case study: The final days of the city of Ugarit
Sponsors: JustWorks, Verizon Business, and Indeed
Why researchers missed the bigger picture for so long
Parallels between the Bronze Age collapse and modern crises
Credits, trivia, and final sponsor messages
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