African history: pre-colonial Books

Book SynopsisThis is a story studded with extraordinary achievements and historic moments, from the building of the pyramids and the conquest of Nubia, through Akhenaten''s religious revolution, the power and beauty of Nefertiti, the glory of Tutankhamun''s burial chamber, and the ruthlessness of Ramesses, to Alexander the Great''s invasion, and Cleopatra''s fatal entanglement with Rome. As the world''s first nation-state, the history of Ancient Egypt is above all the story of the attempt to unite a disparate realm and defend it against hostile forces from within and without. Combining grand narrative sweep with detailed knowledge of hieroglyphs and the iconography of power, Toby Wilkinson reveals Ancient Egypt in all its complexity.Trade Review‘A sophisticated and complete account of the world's first nation state' * The Times Books of the Year *‘Wilkinson's stirring and clear sighted account of the ancient world's most enduring civilisation comes as a welcome treat' * Sunday Times Books of the Year *‘I had always presumed, before I read Wilkinson's book, that it was impossible to write a history of Egypt which combined scholarship, accessibility, and a genuine sense of revelation. I was wrong' * Observer *‘A comprehensive, illustrated history focusing on the dark side of the Pharaohs and some harsh political realities' * The List *

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Book SynopsisHatshepsut, the daughter of a general who took Egypt's throne without status as a king’s son and a mother with ties to the previous dynasty, was born into a privileged position of the royal household. Married to her brother, she was expected to bear the sons who would legitimize the reign of her father’s family. Her failure to produce a male heir was ultimately the twist of fate that paved the way for her inconceivable rule as a cross-dressing king. Hatshepsut was a master strategist, cloaking her political power plays with the veil of piety and sexual expression. Just as women today face obstacles from a society that equates authority with masculinity, Hatshepsut had to shrewdly operate the levers of a patriarchal system to emerge as Egypt's second female pharaoh. Scholars have long speculated as to why her images were destroyed soon after her death, all but erasing evidence of her rule. Constructing a rich narrative using the artifacts that remain, noted Egyptologist Kara Cooney offers a remarkable interpretation of how Hatshepsut rapidly but methodically consolidated power—and why she fell from public favor just as quickly.Trade Review'An entertaining and well-researched biography on a lesser-known - but no less influential and powerful Egyptian woman'. * History Revealed *'With rigorous scholarship and a lively sense of sisterhood, Cooney retrieves Hatshepsut in her own times and liberates her as a woman for ours' * The Times *‘Hatshepsut’s story provides all the ingredients required of a modern bestseller’ * Mail on Sunday *'Kara Cooney has written a lively, engaging, historically accurate account of one of the most controversial of Egypt’s female pharaohs, Hatshepsut. Cooney presents an accessible story of Hatshepsut’s rise to power until her demise, bringing ancient Egypt, its people, and its rulers to life.' -- Salima Ikram, Professor of Egyptology, American University in Cairo'Engrossing and compulsively readable.' * Time *‘The life of Hatshepsut, Egypt’s second female pharaoh, was replete with opulent living, complex royal bloodlines, and sexual energy; in short, the kind of drama that fuels Ancient Egypt’s enduring appeal…From Hatshepsut’s self-perception, political prowess, and lifestyle emerge an image of the ‘ultimate working mother’ and a compelling insight into ancient gender roles.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Cooney's detective work finally brings out the story of a great woman's reign.’ * Kirkus Reviews *‘Egyptologist Cooney peels back the layers of the life of Hatshepsut, Egypt’s second female pharaoh, providing a multidimensional portrait of a woman of strength, intelligence, and substance.’ * Booklist *‘The Woman Who Would Be King is a fascinating look at one of the most formidable and successful women in all of ancient history. Before Cleopatra there was Hatshepsut. Now, thanks to Kara Cooney, the real Hatshepsut stands before us in all her glory. For the first time we have a full-length biography of her that is not only a great scholarly work but also a marvelous read.’ -- Amanda Foreman, author of The Duchess and A World on Fire: Britain’s Crucial Role in the American Civil War‘The compelling biography of a fascinating woman: the daughter, wife and stepmother of kings, who defied tradition to rule the most powerful nation in the Mediterranean world as pharaoh. Cooney tells her tale with authority, sensitivity and imagination. It is a tale that deserves to be told.’ -- Joyce Tyldesley, author of Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt and Hatchepsut: The Female Pharaoh‘What Stacy Schiff did for Cleopatra, Kara Cooney has done for Hatshepsut. An absolutely fantastic read about one of the most powerful Pharaoh-Queens in ancient Egypt. Completely unputdownable!’ -- Michelle Moran, bestselling author of Nefertiti‘The story of Hatshepsut, the woman who ruled Egypt as Pharaoh, is an amazing tale and Dr Cooney tells it in a very personal way. Readers are going to love this version!’ -- Bob Brier, author of The Murder of Tutankhamen‘This biography of Hatshepsut is an ideal blend of historical analysis and an imaginative story. Cooney’s narrative flows as if it were a novel, but at the same time illuminates the historical, economic, social, and religious context of Hatshepsut’s world, and that of the people surrounding her. The reader is given a glimpse into a vibrant ancient world—one that we oftentimes forget about in the midst of all the granite and mudbrick that remains today. Writing a biography of a woman about whom there is little archival information is difficult, to say the least. Nevertheless, Cooney presents a seamless picture of Hatshepsut’s life and her rise to power in ancient Egypt.’ -- Professor Kathleen Sheppard, author of The Life of Margaret Alice Murray: A Woman's Work in Archaeology

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Book SynopsisA monumental work, decades in the making: the first atlas to illustrate the entire scope of the transatlantic slave tradeTrade Review"A monumental chronicle of this historical tragedy, one that records some 35,000 individual slaving voyages, roughly 80 percent of those made. . . . [This book] is a human document as well as a rigorous accounting. It is filled with moving poems, photographs, letters and diary entries."—Dwight Garner, New York Times"A monumental chronicle of this historical tragedy, one that records some 35,000 individual slaving voyages, roughly 80 percent of those made. The authors remind us that only 4 percent of the captives disembarked in what became the United States, while 95 percent arrived in the Caribbean and South America. Atlas of the Transatlantic Slave Trade is a human document as well as a rigorous accounting. It is filled with moving poems, photographs, letters and diary entries."—Dwight Garner, New York Times"A remarkable resource. . . . The charts raise as many questions as they answer; this is entirely the point."—James Delbourgo, Times Higher Education". . . a ground-breaking project: the Atlas will be indispensable for all those interested in the slave trade."—Jane Webster, Times Literary Supplement". . . a beautifully produced volume . . . The whole is topped and tailed by two excellent essays: a masterly introduction by David Brion Davis and a rousing afterword by David Blight. The end result of all this international, scholarly effort is a remarkable book which is not only a pleasure to have on one's shelves, but a model of scholarly and publishing activity. . . . Here, and in their varied (and complex) work as individual scholars, Eltis and Richardson have revealed themselves to be among the most imaginative, influential and distinguished historians of their generation."—James Walvin, International Journal of Maritime History"This groundbreaking work provides the fullest possible picture of the extent and inhumanity of one of the largest forced migrations in History."—The Global Journal"Beautifully produced, with period images and contemporary quotations, this is in a work of commemoration, but the best memorial, the authors clearly feel, is the historic truth."—Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman"We are indebted to Eltis and Richardson for opening up new evidence and pointing towards future projects. The importance of this book transcends the story of the slave trade itself."—James Walvin, Family & Community History Vol 14.2Winner of the 2010 R.R. Hawkins Award, given by the Association of American PublishersWinner of the PROSE Award for Excellence in Single Volume Reference/Humanities and Social Sciences category, as given by the Association of American PublishersReceived Honorable Mention for the 2011 Dartmouth Medal for outstanding referenceHonorable Mention in the General Non-Fiction category of the 2010 Los Angeles Book FestivalWinner of the 2011 Anisfield-Wolf Awards in the non-fiction category"A brilliant rendition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database. This atlas is essential to the study of chattel slavery. No student of slavery should be without it."—Ira Berlin, University of Maryland"These magnificent maps—all 189—document almost every conceivable aspect of one of the world's worst crimes. An epic and gruesome drama receives a fitting representation. A superb contribution to scholarship."—Philip D. Morgan, Johns Hopkins University "This is a highly original work and represents a major contribution to historical analysis. There are no comparable works on this topic."—Stanley Engerman, University of Rochester"This is an important project that will add greatly to our understanding about the major, long-term patterns of trade between Africa and the Americas, help to map the African Diaspora, and place the transatlantic slave trade in larger world history context."—Steve Behrendt, Victoria University of Wellington"This is a major work of enormous consequence, without parallel in the literature, deeply researched, highly original, and of immeasurable value."—Harm J. de Blij, Michigan State University

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Book SynopsisTelling the story of a man who stood against the overwhelming power of the mighty Roman empire, Hannibal is the biography of a man who, against all odds, dared to change the course of history. Over two thousand years ago one of the greatest military leaders in history almost destroyed Rome. Hannibal, a daring African general from the city of Carthage, led an army of warriors and battle elephants over the snowy Alps to invade the very heart of Rome's growing empire. But what kind of person would dare to face the most relentless imperial power of the ancient world? How could Hannibal, consistently outnumbered and always deep in enemy territory, win battle after battle until he held the very fate of Rome within his grasp? Hannibal appeals to many as the ultimate underdog—a Carthaginian David against the Goliath of Rome—but it wasn't just his genius on the battlefield that set him apart. As a boy and then a man, his self-discipline and determination were legendary. As a military leader, like Alexander the Great before him and Julius Caesar after, he understood the hearts of men and had an uncanny ability to read the unseen weaknesses of his enemy. As a commander in war, Hannibal has few equals in history and has long been held as a model of strategic and tactical genius. But Hannibal was much more than just a great general. He was a practiced statesman, a skilled diplomat, and a man deeply devoted to his family and country. Roman historians—on whom we rely for almost all our information on Hannibal—portray him as a cruel barbarian, but how does the story change if we look at Hannibal from the Carthaginian point of view? Can we search beneath the accounts of Roman writers who were eager to portray Hannibal as a monster and find a more human figure? Can we use the life of Hannibal to look at the Romans themselves in an unfamiliar way— not as the noble and benign defenders of civilization but as ruthless conquerors motivated by greed and conquest?Trade Review"Freeman writes beautifully and with picturesque vision when chronicling Hannibal’s most famous feat." * Merion West *"Freeman gives his readers much to consider in learning about a totally alien world in an easy, uncomplicated lively prose about an epic tale." * New York Journal of Books *“A thorough account of the career of one of the ancient world’s most indelible and complex figures. Freeman vividly, almost cinematically, brings to life the career of Hannibal Barca, the great but ill-fated Carthaginian general whose tactical and strategic brilliance is still studied today. A simultaneously propulsive and nuanced account that hums on the page.” * Kirkus, Starred Review *"Roman historians have cast Hannibal Barca as a cruel, uncouth barbarian, but Philip Freeman’s panoramic biography Hannibal supplies evidence that the great Carthaginian military leader was an educated statesman and diplomat, notable for his devotion to his country, family, and troops. Hannibal is an epic biography of the military genius who nearly ended Rome’s imperial expansion." * Foreword Reviews *“Freeman offers a highly readable, well-organized military and personal biography of the Carthaginian general who nearly changed history, vividly revealing more amazing scenarios in Hannibal’s life and battles than any writer could concoct in a novel. Freeman ends with fascinating speculation on how the modern world would look if Hannibal had won. [A] vivid, fast-moving account.” * Booklist *Praise for Philip Freeman’s Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great:“Freeman’s cultural and historical knowledge bring the emperor to life and humanize him in a way no writer before him has succeeded in doing.” * Publishers Weekly *“Here, in vivid and exciting detail, are all the familiar highlights of Alexander’s career: the battles, the tempestuous relationships, the dazzling ambitions, the mysterious death in Babylon. Mr. Freeman’s ambition, he tells us in his introduction, was ‘to write a biography of Alexander that is first and foremost a story.’ It is one he splendidly fulfills.” * The Wall Street Journal *“Freeman does not hero worship Alexander, and does not paper over his subject’s many faults. At times, Alexander can seem like an almost mythic figure, but, as Freeman shows, he was all too human.” * The Boston Globe *"The greatest victory of the book, however, is Freeman’s storytelling. This biography stands out from others written about Alexander thanks to its smooth flow and interesting narrative. It is, as Freeman hopes, a history book for those readers who are not already experts on Alexander or his world.” * The Saturday Evening Post *

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Book Synopsis'We need this book' SIMON REEVE'Illuminating' FINANCIAL TIMESWhy is Africa often perceived as a single country? What role did African soldiers play in the Second World War?Who else led the charge against Apartheid in South Africa?How did an African man become one of the wealthiest people in history?It's a Continent unravels these untold stories and delves into the fascinating and diverse cultures of Africa's 54 nations.With its bold and colourful narrative, It's a Continent breaks down this vast and complex continent, chapter by chapter, focusing on each country's unique history. From ancient kingdoms to modern struggles for independence, from overlooked heroes to monumental achievements, this book shines a light on the pivotal moments that have shaped Africa's position on the global stage.This book is a corrective to the misconceptions and misrepresentations of Africa as a monolith. Through its pages, you'll discover Africa's diversity, beauty and complexity and gain a deeper appreciation for its rich heritage and contributions.

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Book SynopsisTypically wide-ranging, informative, and illuminating . . . a lovely book Peter FrankopanWhen did globalization begin? Most observers have settled on 1492, the year Columbus discovered America. But as celebrated Yale professor Valerie Hansen shows, it was the year 1000, when for the first time new trade routes linked the entire globe, so an object could in theory circumnavigate the world. This was the ''big bang'' of globalization, which ushered in a new era of exploration and trade, and which paved the way for Europeans to dominate after Columbus reached America.Drawing on a wide range of new historical sources and cutting-edge archaeology, Hansen shows, for example, that the Maya began to trade with the native peoples of modern New Mexico from traces of theobromine - the chemical signature of chocolate - and that frozen textiles found in Greenland contain hairs from animals that could only have come from North America.Moreover, Hansen turns accepted Trade ReviewProvocative . . . a smart, broad-ranging survey of the global Middle Ages that is learned, thought-provoking - and perfectly tuned to our times -- Dan Jones * Sunday Times *Typically wide-ranging, informative, and illuminating, Valerie Hansen has written a lovely book that puts together the pieces of the global jigsaw puzzle of a millennium ago -- Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads: A New History of the WorldThe world has been connected longer than the schoolbooks tell you, a whole millennium longer at least: connections of gold and spices, dragons and slaves and faith. Valerie Hansen teases out the unfamiliar links between Chinese markets, Baghdad fortunes, strange blonds on the walls of Mayan temples, and Vikings on Russian rivers in a careful but accessible and truly global history -- Michael Pye, author of The Edge of the WorldValerie Hansen's sweeping tour of the world in the year 1000 is revelatory and full of eye-opening surprises. She tells a rich and fascinating story of the many ways that far-flung societies a millennium ago forged connections among themselves, a reminder that the forces of globalization that seem so potent today have been at work for centuries. A masterly work of scholarship -- Liaquat Ahamed, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Lords of FinanceValerie Hansen takes us on an informative and entertaining romp around the world of a thousand years ago, on everything from Viking longboats to camel caravans in Central Asia. Anyone who thinks that globalization is something new in life needs to read this book! -- Ian Morris, author of Why the West Rules - For NowIn a rich and fascinating account of the world around the year 1000, Valerie Hansen shows how people, goods, and ideas traversed vast spaces. Ranging by sea and land across six continents, she seeks out exciting and unexpected connections that show that globalization is by no means new to our own time -- David Abulafia, author of The Boundless SeaValerie Hansen has not only fashioned a coherent and original vision of the world in the year 1000, in itself a remarkable feat of scholarship, but described it in a clear, concrete and absorbing narrative that will entertain and enlighten every reader -- R.I. Moore, author of The First European Revolution and The War on HeresyWhat makes The Year 1000 so special is that it is the result of the author's unique fusion of firsthand, on-site investigations around the world and intensive research in far-flung libraries, archives, and museums. What's more, all of this energetic, scholarly activity is combined with a compelling argument for a new hypothesis concerning the origins of globalization, a topic that could hardly be more pertinent to our own age -- Victor H. Mair, editor of The Columbia History of Chinese Literature and coauthor of The History of Tea and Sacred DisplayThe myth of the 'European Middle Ages' dissolves in the ocean currents and trade winds of this stimulating account of early global connections. Bolstered by facts and enlivened by intriguing theories, Hansen's book presents a world of objects, ideas, people, animals, and know-how constantly on the move. A brisk and refreshing trip for us all -- Barbara H. Rosenwein, author of A Short History of the Middle Ages and Generations of FeelingA tour-de-force and offers many new ways of thinking about the past -- Katrina Gulliver * Spectator *A fascinating, gripping, all-encompassing read -- Giles CorenHighly impressive, deeply researched, lively and imaginative -- Christiane Bird * New York Times *A brilliant communicator... wonderful [book]...brilliant

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Book SynopsisThis cohesive account of Egypt’s millennia-long past offers readers a sure guide through the corridors of Egypt’s past, from the mysterious predynastic kingdoms to the nation-state of the twenty-first century. The author addresses central issues such as how Egyptian history can be treated as a whole and how the west has shaped prevailing images of it, both through direct contact and through the lens of western scholarship. Drawing on current historical scholarship and his own research, Jason Thompson has written a remarkable work of synthesis and concision, offering students, travelers, and general readers alike an engaging one-volume narrative of the extraordinarily long course of human history by the Nile. This updated paperback edition contains new material on the 25 January Revolution, the rise and fall of the Muslim Brotherhood, and the new era of President Sisi.Trade Review"“Intended to offer travelers especially a basic background in Egyptian history, Thompson’s survey fluidly relates thousands of years of time. . . . An excellent introduction to Egyptian history.”—Gilbert Taylor, Booklist, ""A remarkable work of synthesis, cohesion, and understanding.""—Al-Ahram Weekly, ""[An] excellent summation of the flow of Egyptian history.""—Egyptian Archaeology, ""[The] dearth of comprehensive histories is answered handsomely by Thompson's survey.""—Saudi Aramco World"Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Preface Chronology Maps 1. The Gift of the Nile 2. The Birth of Egyptian Civilization: Predynastic and Early Dynastic Egypt 3. The Old Kingdom 4. The First Intermediate Period and the Middle Kingdom 5. The Second Intermediate Period and the New Kingdom 6. The Third Intermediate Period and the Late Period 7. Ptolemaic Egypt 8. Egypt in the Roman Empire 9. Coptic Egypt 10. The Advent of Islam 11. The Fatimids and Ayyubids 12. The Mamluks 13. Egypt in the Ottoman Empire 14. The Birth of Modern Egypt 15. Mid-Nineteenth-Century Egypt 16. The British Occupation of Egypt 17. The Parliamentary Era 18. Nasser 19. Sadat 20. Mubarak 21. Postscript to Revolution Notes Recommended Reading Image Sources

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Book SynopsisThe mysteries of Ancient Egypt, the wonderland of the Pharaohs, have always held the world in awe. Now available in new covers, this volume provides a comprehensive history of this fascinating land from its earliest days to the conquest of Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. Gardiner presents background on Egyptian language, the writing, the land, its neighbors, and resources, with a special section devoted to the Egyptian method of determining chronological dates. He then follows with a concise history of Egypt from the time of the Old Kingdom, through the Ramesside period, up to the last days of Egyptian independence around 323 B.C. Authoritative andmeticulously researched, Egypt of the Pharaohs is an enticing introduction to the study of this ancient civilization.Trade Review"A magnificent book."--New Statesman "Outstanding, both for the meticulous scholarship for which the author is renowned among Egyptologists and for the humanity and understanding with which he approaches this subject."--Times Literary Supplement "Presented with an authority which cannot be surpassed...with notable frankness, and with a detached enthusiasm...which reflect the long life of a scholar whose vocation has at the same time been his hobby."--The Spectator "A 'must' for students of Egyptian history."--John W. Betlyon, University of North Florida

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Book SynopsisFew personalities from classical antiquity are more famous--yet more poorly understood--than Cleopatra VII, queen of Egypt. In this major biography, Duane Roller reveals that Cleopatra was in fact a learned and visionary leader whose overarching goal was always the preservation of her dynasty and kingdom. Roller''s authoritative account is the first to be based solely on primary materials from the Greco-Roman period: literary sources, Egyptian documents (Cleopatra''s own writings), and representations in art and coinage produced while she was alive. His compelling portrait of the queen illuminates her prowess as a royal administrator who managed a large and diverse kingdom extending from Asia Minor to the interior of Egypt, as a naval commander who led her own fleet in battle, and as a scholar and supporter of the arts. Even her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius--the source of her reputation as a supreme seductress who drove men to their doom--were carefully crafted Trade ReviewThis is Cleopatra laid bare without any distractions: a good beginning for readers who know little about her and want to learn more. * History Today *Roller offers a superb panorama of the society and culture of late Ptolemaic Egypt, with vivid sketches of....Cleopatra's Alexandria. * Times Literary Supplement *Table of ContentsPreface ; Abbreviations ; List of Illustrations ; Introduction ; 1. Cleopatra's Ancestry and Background ; 2. The Ptolemaic Heritage and the Entanglement With Rome ; 3. Cleopatra's Youth and Education ; 4. Becoming Queen (51-47 BC) ; 5. Consolidating the Empire (47-40 BC) ; 6. The Peak Years (40-34 BC) ; 7. The Operation of the Kingdom ; 8. Scholarship and Culture at the Court of Cleopatra ; 9. Downfall (34-30 BC) ; Appendices ; Bibliography ; List of Passages Cited ; Index

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Book SynopsisKing Sethy I (also transcribed as Seti, Sethi and Sethos) ruled for around a decade in the early thirteenth century BC. His lifetime coincided with a crucial point in Egyptian history, following the ill-starred religious revolution of Akhenaten, and heralding the last phase of Egypt’s imperial splendor. As the second scion of a wholly new royal family, his reign did much to set the agenda for the coming decades, both at home and abroad. Sethy was also a great builder, apparently with exquisite artistic taste, to judge from the unique quality of the decoration of his celebrated monuments at Abydos and Thebes. This richly illustrated book tells the story of Sethy's career and monuments, not only in ancient times, but in modern history, and the impact of his legacy on today’s understanding and appreciation of ancient Egypt.Trade ReviewDodson is one of the most prolific authors of useful and readable Egyptological books, all extensively illustrated and referenced ... It has taken some 2,750 years since Sethy died for this superb biography to detail his life and monuments, taking him out from under the heavy shadow of his much written about vain-glorious son Ramesses II, and showing who really was the precursor of Egypt's greatness. Eminently readable, splendidly illustrated and well referenced, this book cannot be too highly recommended. * Minerva *Well illustrated ... The large colour photographs of these walls scenes are clear enough to allow the reader to pick out almost every detail. * Ancient Egypt *Table of ContentsPreface Abbreviations and Conventions Introduction 1. The cradle of Sethy I 2. The reign of Sethy I 3. The mansion of millions of years and the house of eternity 4. Limbo 5. Resurrection Notes Chronology Bibliography Illustrations Sources Index

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Book SynopsisSultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603) was one of the most important rulers in the history of Morocco, which to this day bears the mark of his twenty-five year rule in the sixteenth century. Though famed for his cunning diplomacy in the power struggle over the Mediterranean, and his allegiance with Britain against Spain in the conquest for the newly discovered Americas, he was more than a political and military tactician. A descendent of the Prophet Muhammad himself, al-Mansur was a charismatic religious authority with ambitions to become Caliph and ruler of all Muslims. Spanning four continents, Dr. García-Arenal places this fascinating figure in a context of political intrigue, discovery and military conquest. With insightful analysis, a glossary and a guide to further reading, this book is the ideal introduction to a multifaceted figure who fully deserves the epithet "Maker of the Muslim World".Table of ContentsAcknowledgments INTRODUCTION 1 THE BATTLE OF ALCAZAR Why did the battle take place? The main protagonists at the battle of Alcazar 2 ABD AL-MALIK AND AHMAD BEFORE THE BATTLE OF ALCAZAR Algiers Abd al-Malik’s propaganda Muley Ahmad al-Mansur 3 SIXTEENTH-CENTURY MOROCCO: ITS POPULATION, CITIES, RELIGIOUS ELITES AND ARMY The population of Morocco: Arabs and Berbers The cities The ‘ulama The Sufi brotherhoods Qadiriyya and Shadhiliyya Sharifism The army 4 RENEGADES, MORISCOS AND JEWS Renegades Andalusians or Moriscos Jews 5 DIPLOMACY AND TRADE The Spanish reaction to Alcazar: the captive princes England and the cause of the Portuguese restoration The Barbary Company The Iberian union Cadiz and America The Moroccan embassy to England The sultan’s memorandum Ahmad and El Dorado 6 THE CONQUEST OF WESTERN SUDAN Sudanese gold The Sahara The expedition 7 THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN IMPERIAL IDEOLOGY Marrakesh: the capital city and the palace Belief in the Mahdi 8 MESSIANISM AND THE RIVALRY WITH THE OTTOMANS The Millennium and the conquest of Western Sudan Moroccan rivalry with the Ottomans Plague, hunger and war CONCLUSION Sources and Bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis* Provides an accessible narrative history of Egypt from earliest human settlement to the time of the first pharoahs. * Explores prehistoric foundations of many traditions evident in Ancient Egypt. * Includes chronology, glossary, bibiliography and numerous illustrations -- ideal for student use. .Trade Review"Egyptologists frequently have little understanding of the prehistoric past, especially the paleolithic periods, and it is commendable that Midant-Reynes has included this overview." International Journal of African Historical Studies "... integrate[s] the prehistory of Egypt and Nubia through into the (Egyptian) Unification period, thus investigating the entire united Nile region and its flanking deserts in a logical but rarely encountered attempt to develop a cohesive picture ... In this the book succeeds admirably." Journal of African HistoryTable of ContentsIllustrations. Preface. Acknowledgements. Translator's Note. Introduction. Part I: The Land of Egypt:. 1. Between the River and the Desert. Part II: The Palaeolithic Period: . 2. The Earliest Evidence for Humans in the Nile Valley. 3. The Beginnings of Cultural Diversity. 4. Diversity or Nilotic Adaptation. Part III: The Neolithic Period:. 5. The Process of 'Neolithicization'. 6. The Neolithic Period (Fifth Millennium BC). Part IV: The Approach to the Pharaonic Period (Fourth Millennium BC): . 7. The Predynastic Period (c. 4000-3000 BC). 8. The First Pharaohs and the Unification of the Two Lands. Conclusion. Appendix 1: Relative Chronology and the Traditional Dating Systems. Appendix 2: 'Absolute Dates'. Glossary. Abbreviations. Bibliography. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book is an introduction to the war machine of New Kingdom Egypt from c. 1575 bc1100 bc. Focuses on the period in which the Egyptians created a professional army and gained control of Syria, creating an Empire of Asia. Written by a respected Egyptologist. Highlights new technological developments, such as the use of chariots and siege technology. Considers the socio-political aspects of warfare, particularly the rise to power of a new group of men. Evaluates the military effectiveness of the Egyptian state, looking at the logistics of warfare during this period. Incorporates maps and photographs, a chronological table, and a chart of dynasties and pharaohs Trade Review"For anyone interested in Egyptian military history, and wanting to learn more than the simple dry facts and the well-known major battles, then this book is an absolute must. The author is to be congratulated on this major contribution to our knowledge of warfare in ancient Egypt, presented in a very readable book, suitable for the beginner as well as the real enthusiast." Ancient Egypt "A very handy and innovative introduction on the war machine of New Kingdom Egypt (ca. 1550-1070 BC)... shows a thorough familiarity with the ancient sources and relevant literature on military topics, ancient and modern... Spalinger's book is a stimulating and highly competent study no one who deals with New Kingdom warfare should overlook." Bryn Mawr Classical ReviewTable of ContentsList of Figures viii List of Maps x Acknowledgements xi Preface xiii Chronology xvi 1 Prelude to New Kingdom Warfare 1 2 The System of Early Dynasty XVIII: Technological and Physical Constraints 32 3 Southern and Northern Expansion 46 4 Social and Religious Implications of the New Military system 70 5 The Battle of Megiddo and its Result 83 6 The Pharaoh on Campaign: Ideal and Real 101 7 The Later Military Situation in Asia and at Home 110 8 Egyptian Imperialism and Thutmose III 130 9 Dynasty XVIII: Warfare and Economy 140 10 The Amarna Letters and War 160 11 The Influence of the Egyptian Military from Late Dynasty XVIII to Dynasty XIX 169 12 Early Dynasty XIX 187 13 To Kadesh and After 209 14 Merenpath and Ramesses III 235 15 Egypt on the Defensive 249 16 The Social System of the Military in the Ramesside Period 264 General Bibliography 278 Index 282

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Book SynopsisExploring Religion in Ancient Egypt offers a stimulating overview of the study of ancient Egyptian religion by examining research drawn from beyond the customary boundaries of Egyptology and shedding new light on entrenched assumptions. .Trade Review“This book provides a new and rather different view of religious practice amongst the ancient Egyptians, drawing on an extensive range of texts, artefacts, contextual information, and anthropological approaches from outside Egypt.” (Ancient Egypt, 1 April 2015)Table of ContentsPreface vi 1 Belief without a Book 1 2 Finding the Sacred in Space and Time 38 3 Creating Sacred Space and Time: Temple Architecture and Festival 80 4 Chaos and Life: Forces of Creation and Destruction 110 5 Being Good: Doing, Saying, and Making Good Possible 150 6 Being Well 177 7 Attaining Eternal Life: Sustenance and Transformation 201 Bibliography 238 Index 256

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Book SynopsisThe ancient Egyptians presented themselves as superior to all other people in the world; on temple walls, the pharaoh is shown smiting foreign enemies - people from Nubia, Libya and the Levant - or crushing them beneath his chariot. Officially, foreigners represented disorder and chaos - the opposite of Egypt's perfect land of justice and order. But despite such imagery, from the beginning of their history, the Egyptians also enjoyed friendly relations with neighbouring cultures; both Egyptians and foreigners crossed the deserts and seas exchanging goods gathered from across the known world. They shared knowledge and technology, and sometimes settled abroad, marrying and acculturating. Through such interactions, the Egyptians influenced other cultures, and at the same time were themselves shaped by foreign contacts and external events.War & Trade with the Pharaohs explores Egypt's connections with the wider world over the course of 3,000 years, introducing readers to ancient diplomacy, travel, trade, warfare, domination, and immigration - both Egyptians living abroad and foreigners living in Egypt. It covers military campaigns and trade in periods of strength - including such important events as the Battle of Qadesh under Ramesses II and Hatshepsut's trading mission to the mysterious land of Punt - and Egypt's foreign relations during times of political weakness, when foreign dynasties ruled parts of the country. From early interactions with traders on desolate desert tracks, to sunken Mediterranean trading vessels, the Nubian Kingdom of Kerma, Nile fortresses, the Sea Peoples, and Persian satraps, there is always a rich story to tell behind Egypt's foreign relations.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewMagisterial... Vividly conjured... This is not just lyrical writing, it is a deeply knowledgeable writer trying imaginatively to inhabit a far-distant culture on the basis of the best evidence... Romer does not peel back accreted myths about Egypt, he sandblasts them away... As an antidote to conventional narrative histories of Egypt this is salutary -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *Romer has woven an intricate tapestry of ancient evidence from the bottom up, accessible to the general reader without losing academic rigour or sensationalising the past for dramatic effect... A high-quality introduction for those orienting themselves with the period -- Trent Hugler * Spectator *Deeply informed -- Andrew Robinson * Nature *Romer is a seasoned field archaeologist, accomplished researcher, and canny observer. This book, the third and final of a series, synthesises Romer’s dynamic take on pharaonic culture through more than five decades of work in Egypt… Fresh, detailed, and often unexpected... A genuine pleasure to read… Romer’s essential point – that pharaonic culture simply cannot be fully comprehended in modern Western terms or ways of thinking – is valid and needs shouting from the rooftops. This sterling volume may be the best way of doing that for some time to come -- Campbell Price * Ancient Egypt Magazine *

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Book SynopsisWith a novelist's pen, Forster brings to life the fabled, romantic city of Alexander the Great, capital of Graeco-Roman Egypt, beacon of light and culture symbolised by the Pharos, where the doomed love affair of Antony and Cleopatra was played out and the greatest library the world has ever known was built. In the autumn of 1915, in a 'slightly heroic mood', E.M. Forster arrived in Alexandria, full of lofty ideals as a volunteer for the Red Cross. Yet most of his time was spent exploring 'the magic, antiquity and complexity' of the place in order to cope with living in what he saw as a 'funk-hole'. Threading 3,000 years of history with vibrant strands of literature and punctuating the narrative with his own experiences, Forster immortalised Alexandria in this book, painting an incomparable portrait of the great city and, inadvertently, himself.Trade ReviewThis work is something more than just a work of literary piety devoted to that strange and evocative city called Alexandria... it succeeds in being a small work of art, for it contains some of Forster's best prose as well as felicities of touch only a novelist of major talent could command. Vintage Forster. -- Lawrence DurrellSurely the best guide-book ever written. -- Bonamy DobréeTable of ContentsList of Maps and Plans Introduction Preface Authorities Part I: History I Greco-Egyptian Period II Christian Period III The Spiritual City IV Arab Period V Modern Period Part II: Guide I From the Square to Rue Rosette II From the Square to Ras-el-Tin III From the Square to the Southern Quarters IV From the Square to Nouzha V From the Square to Ramleh VI From the Square to Mex VII Aboukir and Rosetta VIII The Libyan Desert Appendices I The Modern Religious Communities II The Death of Cleopatra III The Uncanonical Gospels of Egypt IV The Nicene Creed Notes

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Book SynopsisFrom its humble origins as a cluster of rival chiefdoms along the banks of the Nile, ancient Egypt rose to become one of the most advanced civilizations of its time. This atlas traces its turbulent history and remarkable cultural development, from the founding of Memphis around 5000 BC, through the territorial expansion and flourishing trade of the ‘age of empire’, to Greek domination and ultimate collapse. Political rivalries are charted through the successive dynasties, from the strife of the intermediate periods to the golden ages of prosperity and artistic glory under Akhenaten, Tutankhamun and Ramesses II. The latest archaeological evidence is used to cast new light on the vast architectural legacy of the world’s first great nation state. The authoritative narrative, illustrated with over sixty full colour maps and over seventy plates, makes this an indispensable handbook for history students and enthusiasts alike.Table of ContentsPart 1 Origins of ancient Egypt: prehistoric Egypt; the emergence of Egypt; the old kingdom administration; old kingdom Egypt and Nubia; the great pyramid age; the first intermediate period; the Egyptian language and writing. Part 2 The middle kingdom: the wars of reunification; the administrative state; the faiyum and delta; middle kingdom Egypt and the near east; middle kingdom Egypt and Nubia; the second intermediate period; Thebes, Kush and the Hyksos kings; Egyptian literature. Part 3 The new kingdon: the wars of Ahmose; Wawat and Kush; Egypt, Syria and Palestine I; Egypt, Syria and Palestine II; Punt and Gods land; power and the royal palace I; power and the royal palace II; the Amarna letters; Egyptian art. Part 4 The late new kingdom: the road to Kadesh; urbanization; Libyan invasions and the sea peoples; the decline of the royal authority; Tanis, Thebes and Libya; the Palestinian campaign of Shoshenk I; division of the kingdom; king from the Kush; the valley of the kings. Part 5 The late period: the sack of Thebes; the saite monarchy; Saite Egypt and the near east; the Nubian legacy of the 25th dynasty; Persian and Egyptian independence; after Alexander; women in Egypt;

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Book SynopsisFor over a decade Nefertiti, wife of the heretic king Akhenaten, was the most influential woman in the Bronze Age world; a beautiful queen blessed by the sun-god, adored by her family and worshipped by her people. Her image and her name were celebrated throughout Egypt and her future seemed golden. Suddenly Nefertiti disappeared from the royal family, vanishing so completely that it was as if she had never been. No record survives to detail her death, no monument serves to mourn her passing and to this day her end remains an enigma - her body has never been found. Joyce Tyldesley here provides a detailed discussion of the life and times of Nefertiti, Egypt''s sun queen, set against the background of the ephemeral Amarna court.

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Book SynopsisRichard Miles is Professor of Classics at the University of Sydney and a Fellow of Trinity Hall, Cambridge University. He has written widely on Punic, Roman and Vandal North Africa and has directed archaeological excavations in Carthage and Rome. He is also the author of Ancient Worlds (Allen Lane, October 2010) and the presenter and writer of the series Ancient Worlds for BBC2.Trade ReviewMr. Miles has skilfully fused the works of ancient historians such as Polybius and Livy, a wide range of modern studies and recent archaeological research to create a convincing and enthralling narrative * The Economist *Richard Miles's Carthage Must be Destroyed is a refreshing addition to the debate -- Philip Parker * Financial Times *This is a lively and compelling, chronological account of Carthage from its Phoenician foundation to its reception in Emperor Augustus's Rome -- Paul Cartledge * Literary Review *Richard Miles tells this story with tremendous élan, combining the best of modern scholarship with narrative pace and energy. It is a superb achievement, a model for all such endeavours. He is even better on the little-known background to this tale -- Peter Jones * Telegraph *The dramatic story of these events is set out in gripping detail * The Scotsman *A fine, sweeping survey of the rise and fall of an empire and a glimpse into the diversity of the ancient world ... Richard Miles is ... concerned with the wider context ... and his book is all the more valuable for that * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisSlavery and the British Empire provides a clear overview of the entire history of British involvement with slavery and the slave trade, from the Cape Colony to the Caribbean. The book combines economic, social, political, cultural, and demographic history, with a particular focus on the Atlantic world and the plantations of North America and the West Indies from the mid-seventeenth century onwards. Kenneth Morgan analyses the distribution of slaves within the empire and how this changed over time; the world of merchants and planters; the organization and impact of the triangular slave trade; the work and culture of the enslaved; slave demography; health and family life; resistance and rebellions; the impact of the anti-slavery movement; and the abolition of the British slave trade in 1807 and of slavery itself in most of the British empire in 1834. As well as providing the ideal introduction to the history of British involvement in the slave trade, this book also shows just how deeply Trade ReviewA first rate-work that deserves much praise. * Jeremy Black, History. *A clear overview of the entire history of British involvement with slavery and the slave trade * Spartacus Review *Table of ContentsPreface ; Introduction ; 1. Slavery and the Slave Trade ; 2. Merchants and Planters ; 3. The Triangular Trade ; 4. Slave Demography and Family Life ; 5. Work, Law, and Culture ; 6. Slave Resistance and Rebellion ; 7. The Abolition of the British Slave Trade ; 8. Slave Emancipation ; Epilogue ; Select Bibliography

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Book SynopsisScholars of the Hebrew Bible have in the last decade begun to question the historical accuracy of the Israelite sojourn in Egypt, as described in the book of Exodus. The reason for the rejection of the exodus tradition is said to be the lack of historical and archaeological evidence in Egypt. Those advancing these claims, however, are not specialists in the study of Egyptian history, culture, and archaeology. In this pioneering book, James Hoffmeier examines the most current Egyptological evidence and argues that it supports the biblical record concerning Israel in Egypt.Trade ReviewThis book is an excellent source to use in conjunction with one's study of Exodus, a "must by" for all evangelical professors of Old Testament studies as well as pastors and Bible teachers interested in information regarding the historical reliability of the Israelites' existence in Egypt. Because of the wealth of information and documentation provided in this book, there is truely no other book of its kind. * mark Rooker, Faith and Mission, Vol.17, No.3, Summer 2000. *"This is historical research at its best, with constant attention to primary sources...[Hoffmeier] retains a broad perspective and leaves no stone unturned in his quest to have the epigraphic and archeological evidence shed light on the biblical record of Israel's sojourn in and exodus from Egypt."--Gary Rendsburg, Cornell University

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewNell Irvin Painter's Creating Black Americans is destined to become one of the most beautiful history textbooks in recent memory, with roughly 150 creative representations of the African-American experience ranging from painting and sculpture to graffiti art and quilts. Most of the images are in stunning color, some of them filling an entire page." Ron Hogan, Beatrice.com Read the entire interview at - www.beatrice.com/archives/001853.html#more ...incorporates a sweeping, historic narrative with the emotional expression of more than 150 works of African-American art. IEbony, February 2006 Nell Irvin Painter brings her considerable skills and insight to Creating Black Americans. Her excellent introduction to the black American experience will serve any interested reader well...History, the author notes, exists in both the past and present. And Painter's compelling use of black art...emphasizes this point to great effect...Through word and image, [she] has produced a narrative of African-American history that will profit its readers. Kenneth R. Janken, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in the New York PostTable of ContentsPreface ; 1. Africa and Black Americans ; 2. Captives Transported, 1619-ca. 1850 ; 3. A Diasporic People, 1630-ca. 1850 ; 4. Those Who Were Free, ca. 1770-1859 ; 5. Those Who Were Enslaved, ca. ; 6. Civil War and Emancipation, 1859-1865 ; 7. The Larger Reconstruction, 1864-1896 ; 8. Hard-Working People in the Depths of Segregation, 1896-ca. 1919 ; 9. The New Negro, 1915-1932 ; 10. Radicals and Democrats, 1930-1940 ; 11. The Second World War and the Promise of ; INTERNATIONALISM, 1940-1948 ; 12. Cold War Civil Rights: 1948-1960 ; 13. Protest Makes a Civil Rights Revolution: 1960-1967 ; 14. Black Power, 1966-1980 ; 15. Authenticity and Diversity in the Era of Hip-Hop, 1980-2004 ; Epilogue: A Snapshot of African Americans at the Turn of the Twenty-First Century

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Book SynopsisWhat do we learn if we look in parallel at the past of two distinct parts of the world? Anne Haour weighs this question by considering both the central Sahel of West Africa and the European countries around the North Sea, for the period 800-1500. This is a time for which historical records are scarce, and to which archaeology is making ever-increasing contributions. It is also, and foremost, a time when the central Sahel and northern Europe alike were undergoing far-reaching changes that were to define key aspects of their identity today. New monotheistic religions were replacing the animist faiths, states and empire becoming consolidated, new trading networks being set up, new towns emerging, fortifications being erected as symbols and in defence against raiders and invaders. Do these elements of convergence mean that we can unpick much wider themes of similarity between northern Europe and Sahelian West Africa? This volume''s central argument is that we can understand one area betterTrade Review[A] thoughtful and intriguing book ... highly original. * Journal of African History *...there is much in this volume to be inspired by. The boldness of the topic is exciting and thought-provoking, as id the idea of the collision of the local and the global. * Ceri Ashley, African Achaeological Review *In an easy-to-read writing style,[Haour] has employed an innovative and challenging approach that brings in a welcome fresh ideas to a current and future archaeological and historical research * Carlos Magnavita, Journal of African Archaeology *...interesting volume...a welcome exercise in trying to extend intellectual horizons through comparative studies * David Edwards The Society for Medieval Archaeology *

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Book SynopsisThis is the first survey of village institutions in Egypt during this period and includes associations, local officials, banks record-offices, legal procedures, festivals and monasteries. The continuing and changing elements in the power relationships between central and regional authorities and the rural population contribute to village studies.Table of ContentsNotes on Contributors Preface Maps 1: MICAELA LANGELLOTTI and D. W. RATHBONE: Introduction 2: ROBERTO MASCELLARI: Police procedures and petitions in Roman Egypt: the role of village officials 3: MARIO PAGANINI: Private associations and village life in early Roman Egypt 4: SILVIA STRASSI: Elders (presbuteroi) of the farmers and of the village in Roman Egypt: the cases of Bacchias and Karanis 5: THOMAS KRUSE: The association of state farmers and its role in village administration in Roman Egypt 6: MICAELA LANGELLOTTI: Record-offices in villages in Roman Egypt 7: MARIA NOWAK: Village or town: Did it matter for making wills in Roman Egypt? 8: FRANÇOIS LEROUXEL: Private banks in villages of Roman Egypt 9: ANDREA JÖRDENS: Festivals and celebrations in the countryside 10: LAJOS BERKES: Fiscal institution or local community? The village koinon in Late Antiquity (4th-8th centuries) 11: GESA SCHENKE: The monastery of Apa Apollo as landowner and employer 12: ARIETTA PAPACOSTANTINOU: 'Great Men', churchmen, and the others: forms of authority in the villages of the Umayyad period

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Book SynopsisThe ancient Egyptians are an enduring source of fascination, from mummies and pyramids, to curses and rituals. In this second edition of his Very Short Introduction, Ian Shaw explores the history and culture of pharaonic Egypt, and examines the latest research on Ancient Egyptian ideas of death, kingship, religion, race, sex, and gender.Trade ReviewThe author is on top of every aspect of their topics, and fully up to date... The entirely new chapter on the 'Arab Spring', new museums, and cultural heritage in modern Egypt is very welcome and thought provoking. * John Tait, Emeritus Professor of Egyptology, UCL *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements List of illustrations 1: Introduction: the story so far 2: Discovering and inventing: constructing ancient Egypt 3: History: building chronologies and writing histories 4: Writing: the origins and implications of hieroglyphs 5: Kingship: stereotyping and the 'oriental despot' 6: Identity: issues of ethnicity, race, and gender 7: Death: mummification, dismemberment, and the cult of Osiris 8: Religion: Egyptian gods and temples 9: Egyptomania: the recycling and reinventing of Egypt>'s icons and images 10: The 'Arab Spring', new museums, and cultural heritage in modern Egypt References Further reading Useful websites Glossary Timeline Index

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Book SynopsisDeir el-Medina, the village of the workmen who built the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, is a uniquely rich source of information about life in Egypt between 1539 and 1075 BC. The abundant archaeological remains are complemented by tens of thousands of texts documenting the thoughts and activities of the villagers. Many of the texts are written on papyrus but most are on flakes of limestone which, being free and readily available, were used for even the most casual and temporary of records. They include private letters, administrative accounts, magic spells, records of purchases, last wills and testaments, laundry lists, and love songs. The value of these rare glimpses of daily life is greatly enhanced by the concentration of texts in one time and place.This book combines translations of over 200 of these texts spanning the entire range of preserved genres with stunning illustrations. The reader will, therefore, be able to experience the life of the villagers through their own words whilst viewing places known to each individual writer. Each text is introduced by a commentary that provides the context and explains the contribution each text makes to our understanding of Egyptian society at this period.Trade ReviewThis is one of the best volumes on Deir El Medina, and is an outstanding scholarly achievement, certain to prove useful to Egyptologists and historian alike. * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *

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Book SynopsisAn introduction to the people who lived along the Nile for almost 35 centuries, this collection of essays presents studies of ancient Egyptians arranged by social type - slaves, craftsmen, priests, bureaucrats, pharaohs, peasants and women - representing Egyptian culture, state and society.Table of ContentsIntroduction Sergio Donadoni Chronology 1: Peasants Ricardo A. Caminos 2: Craftsmen Dominique Valbelle 3: Scribes Alessandro Roccati 4: Bureaucrats Oleg Berlev 5: Priests Sergio Pernigotti 6: Soldiers Sheikh 'Ibada al-Nubi 7: Slaves Antonio Loprieno 8: Foreigners Edda Bresciani 9: The Dead Sergio Donadoni 10: The Pharaoh Erik Hornung 11: Women Erika Feucht Index

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Book SynopsisAn introduction to the people who lived along the Nile for almost 35 centuries, this collection of essays presents studies of ancient Egyptians arranged by social type - slaves, craftsmen, priests, bureaucrats, pharaohs, peasants and women - representing Egyptian culture, state and society.

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Book SynopsisMuseums play a vital role in connecting us with little-known terrains and the deep mysteries of our historical past. Based on the author's exploration of the British Museum's world-famous collection of Egyptian antiquities, this title reveals the powerful role of museums in shaping our understanding of science, culture, and history.Trade Review"In her meticulously researched and cogently argued Wondrous Curiosities, Stephanie Moser demonstrates how popular audiences, museum trustees, art critics, and others with little knowledge of ancient Egypt all contributed... to the creation of representations that still influence our perceptions today." (Current Anthropology) "Stephanie Moser shows how the [British Museum] came to define Egyptian culture by the way it presented objects to the public. This fascinating exploration looks at the history of some of its iconic treasures and how they ended up at the museum." (New Scientist)"

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Book SynopsisOn 26 November 1922, Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamun. This book puts Tutankhamun's short life into context by describing and explaining the complexities of life in Ancient Egypt and details the actual discovery and original expedition, drawing on the personal archives of Howard Carter himself.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Maps; Egyptian Chronology; Ancient Egypt: The Land and the People; Ancient Egypt: Society, Religion and the Arts; The Pharoahs; King Akhenaten and the Amarna Period; The Reawakening of Interest in Ancient Egypt in the West; Jean-Francois Champollion and the Decipherment of the Hieroglyphs; Rediscovering Monuments of Ancient Egypt; Recording Monuments of Ancient Egypt; Early Photography in Egypt; C & C: Carter and Carnarvon; Back in the Valley; The Antechamber; The Tomb; The Excavators; Recording the Contents of Tutankhamun's Tomb; Harry Burton; Opening the Burial Chamber; The Burial Chamber; The Sarcophagus and Coffins; The King's Mummy; The Treasury; The Annexe; The Contents of the Tomb; Safeguarding Tutankhamun's Afterlife; Maintaining Tutankhamun's Royal Status in the Afterlife; Mementoes of this World; King Tutankhamun 13371327 BC; And 80 Years Later; Index; Translations; Credits.

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Book SynopsisThe first new translation in over 400 years of one of the great works of the Renaissance: an African diplomat''s guide to Africa.In 1518, al-Hasan ibn Muhammad al-Wazzan, a Moroccan diplomat, was seized by pirates while travelling in the Mediterranean. Brought before Pope Leo X, he was persuaded to convert to Christianity, in the process taking the name Johannes Leo Africanus. Acclaimed in the papal court for his learning, Leo would in time write his masterpiece, The Cosmography and the Geography of Africa.The Cosmography was the first book about Africa, and the first book written by a modern African, to reach print. It would remain central to the European understanding of Africa for over 300 years, with its descriptions of lands, cities and peoples giving a singular vision of the vast continent: its urban bustle and rural desolation, its culture, commerce and warfare, its magical herbs and strange animals.Yet it is not a mere catalogue of the exotic: Leo also invited his readers to acknowledge the similarity and relevance of these lands to the time and place they knew. For this reason, The Cosmography and Geography of Africa remains significant to our understanding not only of Africa, but of the world and how we perceive it.

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Book SynopsisA fresh look at the British Museum's celebrated and extensive ancient Egyptian collection from across three thousand yearsTrade Review“The book includes 180 marvelous color photographs of objects such as sculptures, funerary objects, jewelry and papyri. Essays accompanying the plates explore Egyptian kingship and images illustrating the pharaoh’s connection with various gods. . . . The plates throughout the book are striking and the accompanying discussion of Egyptian customs is excellent and very interesting.”—Richard Weigel, Bowling Green Daily News -- Richard Weigel * Bowling Green Daily News *"The variety of the artefacts and the quality of the illustrations, combined with the book’s thoughtful text, make this well worth a place in anyone’s Egyptological library.”—Hilary Forrest, Ancient Egypt -- Hilary Forrest * Ancient Egypt *

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Book SynopsisThe Umayyad World encompasses the archaeology, history, art, and architecture of the Umayyad era (644â750 CE).This era was formative both for world history and for the history of Islam. Subjects covered in detail in this collection include regions conquered in Umayyad times, ethnic and religious identity among the conquerors, political thought and culture, administration and the law, art and architecture, the history of religion, pilgrimage and the Qurâan, and violence and rebellion. Close attention is paid to new methods of analysis and interpretation, including source critical studies of the historiography and inter-disciplinary approaches combining literary sources and material evidence.Scholars of Islamic history, archaeologists, and researchers interested in the Umayyad Caliphate, its context, and infl uence on the wider world, will find much to enjoy in this volume.Table of Contents1. Introduction: The Umayyad World; Part I Political Culture; 2. Living Together: Social Perceptions and Changing Interactions of Arabian Believers and Other Religious Communities during the Umayyad Period; 3. Prophetic Dominion, Umayyad Kingship: Varieties of Mulk in the Early Islamic Period; 4. Ethnicity, Power and Umayyad Society: The Rise and Fall of the People of Maʿadd; 5. Umayyad Visual Culture and Its Models; Part II Scribes, Administration and Law; 6. Aspects of Umayyad Administration; 7. The Social and Economic Background of Provincial Administrators in Egypt; 8. The Umayyads and the Formation of Islamic Judgeship; 9. Al-Awzaʿi and the Umayyad Influence on Islamic Legal Development; 10. The Surrender Agreements – Origins and Authenticity; Part III Regions of the Umayyad World: Conquest, Society and Economy; 11.The Umayyad North (Or: How Umayyad was the Umayyad Caliphate?); 12. Elites in the Countryside: The Economic and Political Factors behind the Umayyad ‘Desert Castles’; 13. The Umayyad Red Sea as an Islamic Mare Nostrum; 14. The Umayyads and North Africa: Imperial Rule and Frontier Society; 15. Conquest and Settlement: What Al-Andalus can tell Us about the Arab Expansion at the Time of the Umayyad Caliphate; 16. Ecology, Economy and the Conquest of Khurasan; Part IV Pilgrimage in Mecca and Jerusalem; 17. The Transition from Late Antiquity to Early Islam in Western Arabia; 18. Ibn al-Zubayr, the Kaʿba and the Dome of the Rock; 19. Umayyad Jerusalem: From a Religious Capital to a Religious Town; Part V Religion and Identity in the Material Evidence20. Arabic Rock Inscriptions up to 750 CE; 21. The Written Transmission of the Qurʾan during Umayyad Times: Contextualising the Codex Amrensis 1; 22. Christian Art and Visual Culture in Umayyad Bilad al-Sham; Part VI Limits of Empire: Rebellion, Resistance and Legacy; 23. Kharijism in the Umayyad Period; 24. Qurashi Marriage and the Roots of Revolt: The Rebellion of ʿAbd Allah b. Muʿawiya, 744–747; 25. How the West was Won: Unearthing the Umayyad History of the Conquest of the Maghrib; 26. Power, Law and Ideology in Umayyad Al-Andalus

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Book SynopsisThis book presents pioneering research on the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives in the medieval period. Primarily archaeological, the book has an interdisciplinary slant, examining the material culture, history, and environment of the islands.Featuring contributions by leading archaeologists and material culture researchers, the book is the first systematic archaeological monograph devoted to the Maldives. Offering an archaeological account of this island-nation from the beginnings of the Islamic period, it complements and nuances the picture presented by external historical data, which identify the Maldives as a key player in global networks. The book describes excavations and surveys at a medieval site on the island of Kinolhas. It offers a comprehensive analysis of finds of pottery, glass, and cowries, relating them to regional assemblages to add valuable new data to an under-researched field. The artefacts suggest links with India, Sri Lanka, the Middle EastTrade Review‘This landmark volume is the first systematic archaeological monograph devoted to the Maldives, an understudied crossroads of Indian Ocean circulations. Combining rigorous excavation description with substantive discussions of context and historical interpretation, it highlights a history of global connections linking the Maldives to Africa, Arabia, India, and beyond. This book should become a new standard reference for anyone interested in the history of Indian Ocean networks, economic history, and Islamic studies.’Professor R. Michael Feener, Kyoto University Center for Southeast Asian Studies/Director, Maritime Asia Heritage SurveyTable of Contents1 Introduction: An Archaeological Study of a Maldivian Island 2 An Overview of Previous Historical and Archaeological Work in the Maldives 3 Approaching the Heritage and Archaeology of Kinolhas 4 Kinolhas: The Trenches and Stratigraphy 5 The Earthenware Pottery 6 The Glazed Pottery: Asian and Islamic Imports 7 The Fauna 8 The Small Finds 9 The Archaeology of the Maldives in the Medieval Period: A Comparative Study 10 Towards an Archaeology of the Medieval Maldives

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Book SynopsisIn this compelling guide, renowned author and scholar Michael Rice introduces us to the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt, allowing us to encounter their world through their own eyes.Trade Review'A handy guide and sourcebook interesting and reliable information in compact form.' - Bryn Mawr, Classical Review'A handy guide and sourcebook interesting and reliable information in compact form.' - Bryn Mawr, Classical ReviewTable of ContentsPreface, Acknowledgements, Encountering the Ancient Egyptians, The Egyptian kingship, The gods of Egypt, Chronology, Rank, title and office in Ancient Egypt, Maps of Ancient Egypt, WHO’S WHO IN ANCIENT EGYPT, Glossary, List of abbreviations, Bibliography, Appendices, Appendix 1: entries by occupation, Appendix 2: entries in chronological sequence, Appendix 3: Ancient Egypt in museum collections

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Book SynopsisDrawing on Jungian psychology to show why Egypt has been so important in the history of Western civilisation, Michael Rice explains the majesty and enduring appeal of Egyptian civilization. Jung claimed that there exist certain psychological drives dormant in our shared unconscious: these are the archetypes. From the omnipotent god to the idea of the nation state, the formulation of most of these archetypes is owed to ancient Egypt.Michael Rice sets out to recover the sense of wonder that the Egyptians themselves felt as they contemplated the world in which they lived, and the way they expressed that wonder in the religion, art and literature. He traces the story of Egyptian civilization from its emergence in the third millennium BC to its transformation following the Macedonian conquest in 30 BC.Trade Review"This exuberant book will appeal to those willing to think about history from a Jungian standpoint." - Religious Studies Review'Well written. It is a good eclectic read.' - Rosalind Park, History Today.Table of ContentsPreface Illustrations Acknowledgements 1. The Nature of Ancient Egypt A Note on Chronology 2. The Ancient Egyptian Psyche 3. Egypt and `The Gods' 4. Before the Kingship - Predynastic Egypt 5. Kingship and the Archaic Kings 6. Egypt's Glory: The Old Kingdom 7. Hiatus - The First Intermediate Period 8. Restoration - The Middle Kingdom 9. Invasion - The Second Intermediate Period 10. Empire - The New Kingdom 11. Tutankhamun and the Reaffirmation of Amon 12. The Ramessids and the Decline of Egypt 13. The Final Phase 14. The Greeks in Egypt 15. The Myth of Egypt References Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisUnravel the history behind of one of the most fascinating ancient civilisations with this engaging, entertaining and educational guide to the ancient Egyptians.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part I: Introducing the Ancient Egyptians 7 Chapter 1: Getting Grounded: The Geography and History of Ancient Egypt 9 Chapter 2: Examining the Lives of the Everyday Egyptians 29 Part II: Stepping Back in Time 55 Chapter 3: Building a Civilisation with Military Might 57 Chapter 4: Building the Empire: The Glories of the New Kingdom 79 Chapter 5: Looking at the Power Behind the Throne: Royal Women 101 Chapter 6: Following the Decline and Fall of the Egyptian Civilisation 117 Part III: Living Life to the Full: Culture and Beliefs 139 Chapter 7: Enjoying Food and Entertainment 141 Chapter 8: Staying Healthy: Diseases and Medicine 157 Chapter 9: Worshipping like an Egyptian: Religion 171 Chapter 10: Exploring Funerary Beliefs and Mummification 189 Part IV: Interpreting Egyptian Art and Architecture 207 Chapter 11: Deciphering Egyptian Art and Hieroglyphs 209 Chapter 12: Touring the Temples 229 Chapter 13: Excavating the Tombs: Houses of Eternity 253 Chapter 14: Probing the Pyramids 271 Part V: The Part of Tens 285 Chapter 15: Top Ten Breakthroughs in Egyptology 287 Chapter 16: Ten Egyptians Worth Knowing 297 Chapter 17: Ten Ancient Egyptian Achievements 307 Chapter 18: Top Ten Places to Visit in Egypt 317 Chapter 19: Ten Key Egyptologists 327 Index 335

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Book SynopsisCleopatra - a brave, astute, and charming woman - continues to fascinate centuries after she ruled Egypt. This title includes essays that explore such topics as Cleopatra's controversial trip to Rome, her suicide by snake bite, and the afterlife of her love potions.Trade Review"After reading, and perhaps re-reading, the contributions to this remarkable set off essays, the reasons contributing to the posthumous super-status of Cleopatra VII become self-evident." Bryn Mawr Classical Review (BMCR) "Supplements our current understanding of a rich tradition with new layers." -- Alastair Blanshard Prudentia

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Book SynopsisPresents ancient Egypt in photographs and textual descriptions of Egyptian art, culture, and government. This book provides a view of the civilization as a whole, and includes a section on the history of Egyptology, the invasions and excavations, and a section on where the artifacts can be seen today.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1983, this book deals with the precolonial history of the Islamic West African city of Timbuktu. The book traces the fortunes of this fabled city from its origins in the twelfth century, and more especially from around 1400 onwards, to the French conquest in the late nineteenth century. The study rests upon a comprehensive utilisation of the Timbuktu sources, including the well-known chronicles or tarikhs of Timbuktu. The author focuses on the role of scholars and, in so doing, he provides a fresh study of a learned community in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, the study shows that the scholars occupied a position of leadership and authority in the social structure of the city. Hence, in providing fuller understanding of the role of scholars and their status as 'notables', the work makes it possible to understand the enigma which has surrounded this extraordinary city throughout its history. It contributes an important perspective for historians of Africa, the Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. Genesis of a social tradition; 3. The scholars as a learned elite; 4. The scholars as administrators; 5. The scholars as regional notables; 6. Persistence of the patriciate; 7. Summary and conclusions; Appendices; Notes; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisThe Cambridge History of Egypt offers the first comprehensive English-language treatment of Egyptian history through thirteen centuries, from the Arab conquest to the present day. The two-volume survey considers the political, socio-economic and cultural history of the world's oldest state, summarizing the debates and providing insight into controversies. As Egypt reclaims a leading role in the Islamic, Arab and Afro-Asian worlds, the project stands as testimony to its complex and vibrant past. Volume 1 addresses the period from the Arab invasion in 640 to the Ottoman conquest in 1517. It opens with a discussion of the preceding centuries to illustrate the legacy of ancient Egypt, and then progresses chronologically according to the major dynastic episodes. Authors have been encouraged to address their topics in the light of new research.Trade ReviewReview of the hardback: '… a fine addition to any personal or institutional library with interest in the Islamic world … the authors and editors are to be congratulated.' Journal of the American Oriental SocietyReview of the hardback: ' … this excellent volume is a reliable summary of recent research in the field.' Amalia Levanoni, University of HaifaReview of the hardback: '… a notable scholarly achievement … the main contribution of the editor, Carl F. Petry, in making this book an important landmark in the modern historiography of Muslim Egypt, lies in his broad vision of the history of Egypt and its people.' Jerusalem Studies in Arabic and IslamTable of Contents1. Egypt under Roman rule: the legacy of Ancient Egypt Robert K. Ritner; 2. Egypt on the eve of the Muslim conquest Walter E. Kaegi; 3. Egypt as a province in the Islamic Caliphate, 641–868 Hugh Kennedy; 4. Autonomous Egypt from Ibn Tulun to Kafur, 868–969 Thierry Bianquis; 5. The Ismaili Da'wa and the Fatimid Caliphate Paul E. Walker; 6. The Fatimid state, 969–1171 Paula A. Sanders; 7. The non-Muslim communities: the Christian community Terry G. Wilfong; 8. The non-Muslim communities: the Jewish community Norman A. Stillman; 9. The Crusader era and the Ayubbid dynasty Michael Chamberlain; 10. The Bahri Mamluk Sultanate, 1250–1390 Linda S. Northrup; 11. The regime of the Circassian Mamluks Jean-Claude Garcin; 12. The monetary history of Egypt, 642–1517 Warren C. Schultz; 13. Art and architecture in the medieval period Irene A. Bierman; 14. Culture and society during the late Middle Ages Jonathan P. Berkey; 15. Historiography of the Ayyubid and Mamluk epochs Donald P. Little; 16. Egypt in the world system of the later Middle Ages R. Stephen Humphreys; 17. The military institution and innovation in the late Mamluk period Carl F. Petry; 18. The Ottoman occupation Michael Winter.

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Surveying more than three thousand years of Egyptian civilization, Egypt and the Egyptians offers a comprehensive introduction to this most rich and complex of early societies. From high politics to the concerns of everyday Egyptians, the book explores every aspect of Egyptian culture and society, including religion, language, art, architecture, cities, and mummification. Archaeological and documentary sources are combined to give the reader a unique and expansive view of a remarkable ancient culture. Fully revised and updated, this new edition looks more closely at the role of women in Egypt, delves deeper into the Egyptian Neolithic and Egypt's transition to an agricultural society, and includes many new illustrations. Written for students and the general reader, and including an extensive bibliography, a glossary, a dynastic chronology and suggestions for further reading, this richly illustrated book is an essential resource for anybody wishing to explore the society and civilizati

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