Crossroads of Civilization: A History of Central Asia
TV Show · Documentary · History

Central Asian History"Crossroads of Civilization" brings Central Asia's story alive. These 24 lectures explore magnificent landscapes, steppe cultures, resplendent cities, and epic conquests.

2025 · 29m
Starring Eren Tasar

Season 1

  • EPISODE 1
    Central Asia: A Lay of the Land
    A geographic overview of Central Asia's extreme climates, from mountains to steppes. Learn about nomadic and agricultural societies, their ways of life, and historical interactions.
    29 min
  • EPISODE 2
    Scythian and Nomadic Culture
    Explore the Scythians' nomadic lifestyle, their excavated burial mounds with spectacular grave goods, and archaeological findings confirming Herodotus's accounts.
    28 min
  • EPISODE 3
    Early Empires on the Steppe
    The Eurasian steppe's history unfolds at the interface of nomadic tribes and sedentary civilizations. Track incursions by Persian, Greco-Bactrian, Kushan, and Han Dynasties, creating a cultural fusion.
    27 min
  • EPISODE 4
    Sogdiana and a Cultural Crossroad
    Religion fuses cultures in early Central Asia. Trace Zoroastrianism, Buddhism's trade role, and Nestorian Christianity's entry into Central Asia and China.
    28 min
  • EPISODE 5
    The Xiongnu and Tensions with China
    Explore the Xiongnu's rise, their defeat of the Han, and eventual vassalage. Learn about luxury goods, animal art, and nomadic religious beliefs and practices.
    27 min
  • EPISODE 6
    Rise of the Turkic Empires
    Trace Turkic nomadic origins, the Turkic khaganate's rise (linking Europe-China), and the Uyghur khaganate's emergence, focusing on Manichaeism and impressive cities.
    27 min

Related

Cast & Crew

  • E‌T
    Eren Tasar
    Host

About

Crossroads of Civilization: A History of Central Asia

Documentary

Central Asian History"Crossroads of Civilization" brings Central Asia's story alive. These 24 lectures explore magnificent landscapes, steppe cultures, resplendent cities, and epic conquests.

Information

Studio
The Great Courses
Released
2025

Languages

Subtitles

English (United States) (SDH), Spanish (Mexico) (SDH)

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Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cape Verde
  • Egypt
  • Eswatini
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • India
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger (English)
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uganda
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Zimbabwe

Asia Pacific

  • Australia
  • Cambodia
  • Fiji
  • 香港 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Indonesia (English)
  • 日本
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • 澳門 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Malaysia (English)
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • Mongolia
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • 대한민국
  • 台灣
  • Thailand
  • Turkmenistan
  • Vietnam

Europe

  • Armenia
  • Österreich
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France (Français)
  • Deutschland
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Italia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg (English)
  • Malta
  • Moldova, Republic Of
  • Nederland
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal (Português)
  • Россия
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • España
  • Sverige
  • Schweiz
  • Türkiye (English)
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina (Español)
  • Bahamas
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bolivia (Español)
  • Brasil
  • Virgin Islands, British
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile (Español)
  • Colombia (Español)
  • Costa Rica (Español)
  • Dominica
  • República Dominicana
  • Ecuador (Español)
  • El Salvador (Español)
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala (Español)
  • Honduras (Español)
  • México
  • Nicaragua (Español)
  • Panamá
  • Paraguay (Español)
  • Perú
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Venezuela (Español)

The United States and Canada

  • Canada (English)
  • Canada (Français)
  • United States
  • Estados Unidos (Español México)