Empires Rise & Fall
Every empire thinks it will last forever. None of them do.
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Sargon of Akkad
An abandoned baby floats down a river in a basket and grows up to build the world's first empire. Sound familiar?
Cyrus the Great
A Persian shepherd boy ends up freeing the Jews, conquering Babylon, and inventing human rights. Nobody saw it coming.
Alexander the Great
By age 32 he's conquered most of the known world and reportedly cried because there was nothing left to conquer.
Augustus Becomes Emperor
Caesar's quiet 18-year-old nephew somehow outplays everyone, ends 100 years of civil war, and quietly turns Rome into an empire.
The Fall of Rome
A Germanic warlord politely deposes the last Roman emperor, a teenager named Romulus. 1,200 years end with a whimper.
Charlemagne is Crowned
On Christmas Day, the Pope drops a crown on a Frankish king's head and declares the Roman Empire is back. Charlemagne pretends to be surprised.
The Fall of Constantinople
After 53 days of bombardment with the biggest cannons ever made, the 1,100-year-old city falls to the Ottoman Turks. The Middle Ages end here.
Genghis Khan Rises
An abandoned boy on the Mongolian steppe unites every warring tribe and ends up conquering more land than any human in history.
The Ming Dynasty Rises
A Chinese peasant overthrows the Mongols and founds a dynasty that will rebuild the Great Wall and run the world's biggest fleet.
The Fall of Tenochtitlan
After a brutal 75-day siege, the largest city in the Americas falls. Mexico City rises on its bones.
The Soviet Union Collapses
On Christmas Day, the hammer and sickle is lowered over the Kremlin for the last time. 15 new countries are born overnight.
The Fall of Saigon
American helicopters lift the last people off the embassy roof while North Vietnamese tanks crash through the gates. The Vietnam War ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What stories are in the Empires Rise & Fall collection?
The Empires Rise & Fall collection includes 12 stories: Sargon of Akkad, Cyrus the Great, Alexander the Great, Augustus Becomes Emperor, The Fall of Rome, and 7 more. All available as immersive audio on History Tea.
Can I listen to Empires Rise & Fall stories for free?
Yes! All 12 stories in the Empires Rise & Fall collection are completely free to listen to on the History Tea app. Download on iOS and start listening today.
What time periods does Empires Rise & Fall cover?
The Empires Rise & Fall collection spans c. 2334 BCE, c. 539 BCE, 336 BCE, 27 BCE and more. Each story is a fresh, cinematic retelling with immersive narration.
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