In ancient near eastern studies, societies like the Egyptians and Mesopotamians get all the press, and rightly so, however these societies had equally fascinating neighbors which recent archeological studies have illuminated. Regions like Anatolia, the Persian plateau, and the Caucuses give rise to many cultures. These societies smelted bronze and eventually iron too, the greatest commodity in the ancient near eastern world. Join us to learn about modern discoveries in Georgia and Armenia, the ancient Assyrian civilization, the Persians, and the invasion of Alexander the Great!