Whether you're building a language education study collection or simply want a structured way to learn a new script at home, the choice between a single in-depth course and a mixed bundle of lectures can be tough. On one side sits a brand-new The Great Courses program devoted entirely to Egyptian hieroglyphs, with a guidebook to follow along. On the other is a used multi-disc assortment that pulls from math, religion, philosophy, and similar Great Courses topics. This head-to-head helps you decide which one belongs on your shelf.
Quick verdict
Choose the hieroglyphs course if you want a focused, ready-to-use study set with no signs of previous handling. Choose the multi-course lot if you'd rather sample several disciplines and don't mind cosmetic wear on a used product.
At a glance
| Feature | Hieroglyphs course | 12-DVD Great Courses lot |
|---|---|---|
| Price | USD 25.00 | USD 37.99 |
| Condition | Brand New | Good, with cosmetic imperfections |
| Contents | 4 DVDs + guidebook | 12 assorted DVDs on math, religion, philosophy, and more |
| Format | DVD, widescreen 16:9 | DVD |
| Case type | Jewel case: standard | Tall/DVD case |
| Focus | One subject: Egyptian hieroglyphs | Multiple subjects |
Where the hieroglyphs course wins
The hieroglyphs course earns the nod when your study goal is specific. It arrives with a guidebook that walks alongside the lectures, and the widescreen presentation fits a modern TV easily. If you want a structured introduction to reading ancient Egyptian writing, this single-topic course keeps every lesson on track.
Where the 12-DVD lot wins
The lot takes the lead for exploration. With many discs spanning different academic areas, it lets you move from math to religion to philosophy without buying separate courses. The set arrives in a tall DVD case that holds all the discs together. If you want breadth for a small home library, this assortment delivers far more content to browse than a single course does.
Product notes
Decoding the Secrets of Egyptian Hieroglyphs
This four-DVD Great Courses set, taught by Professor Bob Brier, suits someone serious about learning hieroglyphs. It includes a guidebook to support your study, and the discs are brand new in a standard jewel case. The 16:9 widescreen format looks clean on a widescreen display. The limitation is that the scope is exactly one subject: the writing system of ancient Egypt. If your curiosity also pulls you toward algebra or ethics, you'll need to add other courses separately. For a dedicated language education study session, this is a tidy, self-contained package.
Lot of 12 Assorted Great Courses DVDs
This bundle of 12 Great Courses DVDs is for the viewer who likes to jump between fields. The assortment covers math, religion, philosophy, and related topics, all on DVD in a tall case. The listing describes the set as used but in working shape, with cosmetic imperfections such as scuffs and nicks. That's a fair trade when you want more discs without a deep investment per title. It's a practical option when you're building a varied lecture library. Keep in mind that the selection is mixed rather than a structured curriculum, so you'll be browsing rather than following a planned sequence.
Final choice by use case
If your goal is to decode ancient Egyptian writing through a systematic, guided course, the hieroglyphs set is the clearer path. If you want to sample many Great Courses topics from one purchase and are comfortable with a used, cosmetically imperfect lot, the multi-course assortment is the broader choice.
