16. Bagan – City of Temples



In the lowlands of Burma lie the remains of thousands of crumbling temples…

In this episode, we tell one of the most colourful stories of civilizational survival: the story of the Bagan Empire of Myanmar. Find out how this kingdom rose up in the Irrawaddy river valley of central Myanmar, and built one of the most remarkable series of monuments to have survived from the medieval world. Discover what life was like for the people who lived there, and find out what happened to cause its sudden and complete collapse.

SOURCES: https://www.patreon.com/posts/72823363

Voice actors:

Paul Casselle
Michael Hajiantonis
Nick Denton
Alexandra Boulton
Jay Forrester

Readings in Burmese were performed by Daniel San.

Sound engineering by Alexey Sibikin.

Title theme: Home at Last by John Bartmann

source

46 thoughts on “16. Bagan – City of Temples”

  1. As someone of the Burmese diaspora and a long time fan of your work, thank you for this episode. It's amazing to have a cohesive timeline and narrative of the disjointed yet familiar names and stories from the folktales of my childhood being presented in a beautiful two hours. Truly enjoyed it

    Reply
  2. I imagine you may not read these, but I thought I'd say it anyway…

    I love your stuff man, so very well done, and all with no ads thrown in, which says to me that it's about the product more than it is the money for you. The content is amazing, and I hope you are having as much fun making it as we all are listening to it. From one Cooper to another, thank you for what you do, I bid thee much love from the center of the United States

    Reply
  3. I love this podcast so much. The parts you do at the end on walking through the streets of a dying city always make my eyes water. It’s just such a beautiful, melancholy feeling, and you do it perfectly every single time.

    Reply
  4. Your series has educated me on history in a way I never even imagined possible and in another way you have helped me so much more. I have faced so many personal struggles in my recent history and it is listening to these podcast every single night that has put my mind and body at ease, I will never be able to express my gratitude towards you for your efforts. the words simply do not exist. all I can do is say thankyou and continue listen. I do not know you, but you are and forever will be a friend and a mentor within my mind. Thankyou.

    Reply
  5. Mr Cooper, listening to this it made me wonder if you had considered your perspective on living during the fall of the British Empire. I ask, because, it has made me consider my short time (65 years) in witnessing the decline of the USA empire. Thanks as always for these thought provoking remembrances…

    Reply

Leave a Comment