Ancient history Books

Book SynopsisA wonderfully concise and readable, yet comprehensive, history of the Mediterranean Sea, the perfect companion for any visitor -- or indeed, anyone compelled to stay at home.''The grand object of travelling is to see the shores of the Mediterranean.''Samuel Johnson, 1776The Mediterranean has always been a leading stage for world history; it is also visited each year by tens of millions of tourists, both local and international. Jeremy Black provides an account in which the experience of travel is foremost: travel for tourism, for trade, for war, for migration, for culture, or, as so often, for a variety of reasons. Travellers have always had a variety of goals and situations, from rulers to slaves, merchants to pirates, and Black covers them all, from Phoenicians travelling for trade to the modern tourist sailing for pleasure and cruising in great comfort.Throughout the book the emphasis is on the sea, on coastal regions and on port cities vTrade ReviewPraise for Jeremy Black's The Holocaust'A demanding but important work.'Praise for Jeremy Black's Insurgency and Counterinsurgency: A Global History'A significant and timely contribution to understanding the new meaning of war.' - Choice

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Book SynopsisAssyria was one of the most influential kingdoms of the Ancient Near East. In this Very Short Introduction, Karen Radner sketches the history of Assyria from city state to empire, from the early 2nd millennium BC to the end of the 7th century BC. Since the archaeological rediscovery of Assyria in the mid-19th century, its cities have been excavated extensively in Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Israel, with further sites in Iran, Lebanon, and Jordan providing important information. The Assyrian Empire was one of the most geographically vast, socially diverse, multicultural, and multi-ethnic states of the early first millennium BC.Using archaeological records, Radner provides insights into the lives of the inhabitants of the kingdom, highlighting the diversity of human experiences in the Assyrian Empire.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewIntroductory, readable, no footnotes. Excellent for the general reader seeking a starting point. * Ancient East & West *The ideas and the analyses are combined in a highly readable way, making this "pocket-sized" book a perfect source for the non-professional reader who is interested in one subject or another and wants to become familiar quickly with a certain subject. * Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology, Horatiu Cocis *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Introducing Assyria ; 2. Assyrian places ; 3. Assyrians at home ; 4. Assyrians abroad ; 5. Foreigners in Assyria ; 6. Assyrian world domination ; Chronology ; Glossary ; References ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisTells the Greek story through the interconnecting lives of the men and women who shaped its politics and literature, its science and philosophy, its art and sport.Trade Review'A few great men operating in isolation – too often this is the way ancient Greece is described to us. Stuttard puts the very greatest into their historical, political and cultural contexts and coaxes some of the lesser known centre stage' - Bettany Hughes, author and historian'David Stuttard's career represents an admirable commitment to popularizing classical culture and making it accessible to new non-specialist audiences' - Current World ArchaeologyTable of ContentsIntroduction • 1. Of Gods and Heroes • 2. The Age of Tyrants • 3. Greece in Peril • 4. The Age of Pericles • 5. World War • 6. Fall Out • 7. The Age of the Dynasts • 8. In the Shadow of Rome • 9. Lives in a Mirror

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Book SynopsisInvestigates a broad selection of hoards that have come to light in recent times across the British Isles. The author looks at the variety of objects found and at the practice of hoarding itself. She also considers who the hoarders were and what might have compelled them - economic upheaval, war, or more complex social and ritual customs.

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Book SynopsisA fascinating illustrated insight into the rare and intriguing collection of shoes uncovered at Vindolanda.

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Book SynopsisWith a new introduction, this collection of Slavic tales is based on the oral storytelling traditions of the peoples of Eastern Europe, from the Polish and the Slovaks to the Macedonians, Czechs and Serbians, with roots in pagan folklore and influenced by the Viking traders who settled in Kiev in the early middle ages. Stories abound with mountains, magic palaces and temples and such incredible tales as 'The King of the Toads', 'Vassilissa the Cunning', and 'The Tsar of the Sea' and 'The Feather of Bright Finist the Falcon'. FLAME TREE 451: From mystery to crime, supernatural to horror and myth, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.

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Book Synopsis'The reigning Queen of Classics' Spectator'Mary Beard is the best in the business' Dan Snow'Excellent' Guardian'Enthralling' Sunday TimesBritain's most famous classicist asks: what are civilisations?Central to this huge question are the ways in which we have depicted the human and the divine from prehistory to the present day. And across such iconic creations as Angkor Wat, the Ravenna mosaics and China's terracotta army, one ancient representation of the human body still influences (or distorts) how people in the West see not only their own culture but that of others.From idolatry to iconoclasm, Mary Beard shines her spotlight on the artists who made art, and on those who have used, viewed, or interpreted it - and asked how to look with the eye of faith.

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Book Synopsis''Epic history as it is meant to be written!'' Simon Sebag Montefiore''A sweeping and panoramic account of the first great superpower rivalry a definitive account.'' Tom HollandThe Roman empire was like no other. Stretching from the north of Britain to the Sahara, and from the Atlantic coast to the Euphrates, it imposed peace and prosperity on an unprecedented scale.Its only true rival lay in the east, where the Parthian and then Persian empires ruled over great cities and the trade routes to mysterious lands beyond. This was the region Alexander the Great had swept through, creating a dream of glory and conquest that tantalized Greeks and Romans alike. Tracing seven centuries of conflict between Rome and Persia, Adrian Goldsworthy shows how these two great powers evolved together. Despite their endless clashes, trade between the empires enriched them both, and a mutual respect prevented both Rome and Persia from permanently destroying t

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Book Synopsis''No brief survey can do justice to the richness, complexity and detail of Foucault''s discussion'' New York Review of BooksThe second volume of Michel Foucault''s pioneering analysis of the changing nature of desire explores how sexuality was perceived in classical Greek culture.From the stranger byways of Greek medicine (with its advice on the healthiest season for sex, as well as exercise and diet) to the role of women, The Use of Pleasure is full of extraordinary insights into the differences - and the continuities - between the Ancient, Christian and Modern worlds, showing how sex became a moral issue in the west. ''Required reading for those who cling to stereotyped ideas about our difference from the Greeks in terms of pagan license versus Christian austerity'' Los Angeles Times Book ReviewTrade ReviewNo brief survey can do justice to the richness, complexity, and detail of Foucault's discussion ... subtle and penetrating * New York Review of Books *'A man of the same era and Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Lacan, Louis Althusser, Jacques Lacan, Louis Althusser, Jacques Derrida and Jean Baudrillard, he was, in his writings and his life, the most accessible of them all, as well as the most beguiling' -- Richard Gott * Guardian *Always provocative, needling, disconcerting * Washington Times *

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Book SynopsisFor four centuries Britain was an integral part of the Roman Empire, a political system stretching from Turkey to Portugal and from the Red Sea to the Tyne and beyond. Its involvement with Rome started long before the Conquest launched by the Emperor Claudius in 43 AD, and it continued to be a part of the Roman world for some time after the final break with Roman rule. Bringing together archaeological investigation and historical scholarship, Peter Salway explores some of the key issues arising from this period in Britain''s history, discussing the question of identity at this time and analysing the importance of widespread literacy in Roman Britain. Covering the period from Julius Caesar''s first forays into Britain and Claudius'' subsequent conquest, as well as Britain under the later Roman Empire, Salway outlines the key events of this time period, providing a focus on society in Roman Britain, and offering a thoughtful consideration of the aftermath of Roman rule.In the new edition of this Very Short Introduction, Peter Salway makes a number of essential updates in light of recent research in the area. He looks at issues of ethnicity, ''Britishness'', and post-colonialism, provides alternative theories to the end of the Roman period in Britain, and draws parallels between the history of Roman Britain and a wide range of other periods, territories, and themes, including the modern experience of empires and national stereotypes. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewYou can't beat this fact-packed guide. * Kate Whiting, Northern Echo *This book is a concise, clear and readable history of Roman Britain across four centuries ... it has much to offer both the general reader and the expert. * Rupert Jackson, Classics for All *Table of ContentsList of illustrations ; List of maps ; 1. The beginnings of British history ; 2. The Roman conquest ; 3. Britain under the late empire ; 4. The end of Roman rule ; Further Reading ; Chronology ; Index

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Book SynopsisPeter Adamson offers an accessible, humorous tour through a period of eight hundred years when some of the most influential of all schools of thought were formed: from the third century BC to the sixth century AD. He introduces us to Cynics and Skeptics, Epicureans and Stoics, emperors and slaves, and traces the development of Christian and Jewish philosophy and of ancient science. Chapters are devoted to such major figures as Epicurus, Lucretius, Cicero, Seneca, Plotinus, and Augustine. But in keeping with the motto of the series, the story is told ''without any gaps,'' providing an in-depth look at less familiar topics that remains suitable for the general reader. For instance, there are chapters on the fascinating but relatively obscure Cyrenaic philosophical school, on pagan philosophical figures like Porphyry and Iamblichus, and extensive coverage of the Greek and Latin Christian Fathers who are at best peripheral in most surveys of ancient philosophy. A major theme of the book is in fact the competition between pagan and Christian philosophy in this period, and the Jewish tradition also appears in the shape of Philo of Alexandria. Ancient science is also considered, with chapters on ancient medicine and the interaction between philosophy and astronomy. Considerable attention is paid also to the wider historical context, for instance by looking at the ascetic movement in Christianity and how it drew on ideas from Hellenic philosophy. From the counter-cultural witticisms of Diogenes the Cynic to the subtle skepticism of Sextus Empiricus, from the irreverent atheism of the Epicureans to the ambitious metaphysical speculation of Neoplatonism, from the ethical teachings of Marcus Aurelius to the political philosophy of Augustine, the book gathers together all aspects of later ancient thought in an accessible and entertaining way.Trade Reviewone of the most accomplished and ambitious ventures in publishing . . . from the first volume onwards, a repeated refrain has been philosophers arguing that being a philosopher is the best choice in life. These books are so engaging, instructive and diverting it might almost make you believe that is true. * The Scotsman *Adamson considers a large period of history but the chapters never seem intimidating or lacking in depth. Any reader with an interest in philosophy will find this work both entertaining and educational. * Library Journal *A volume that is both a perfect introductory work and will also help to plug some of the gaps that most of us have in our knowledge of the long span of ancient philosophical history. * James Warren, Phronesis *Table of ContentsPart I. Hellenistic Philosophy 1: Fighting over Socrates: The Hellenistic schools 2: Beware of the Philosopher: The Cynics 3: Instant Gratification: The Cyrenaics 4: The Constant Gardener: The Principles of Epicurus 5: Am I Bothered?: Epicurean Ethics 6: Nothing to Fear: Epicureans on Death and the Gods 7: Reaping the Harvest: Lucretius 8: Walking on Eggshells: Stoic Logic 9: Nobody's Perfect: The Stoics on Knowledge 10: We Didn't Start the Fire: The Stoics on Nature 11: Like a Rolling Stone: Stoic Ethics 12: Anger Management: Seneca 13: You Can Chain My Leg: Epictetus 14: The Philosopher King: Marcus Aurelius 15: Beyond Belief: Pyrrho and Skepticism 16: The Know Nothing Party: The Skeptical Academy 17: Rhetorical Questions: Cicero 18: Healthy Skepticism: Sextus Empiricus 19: The Joy of Sects: Ancient Medicine and Philosophy 20: The Best Doctor is a Philosopher: Galen Part II. Pagan Philosophy in the Roman Empire 21: Caesarian Section: Philosophy in the Roman Empire 22: Middle Men: The Platonic Revival 23: To the Lighthouse: Philo of Alexandria 24: Delphic Utterances: Plutarch 25: Lost and Found: Aristotelianism after Aristotle 26: Not Written in Stone: Alexander of Aphrodisias 27: Silver Tongues in Golden Mouths: Rhetoric and Ancient Philosophy 28: Sky Writing: Astronomy, Astrology, and Philosophy 29: A God Is My Co-Pilot: The Life and Works of Plotinus 30: Simplicity Itself: Plotinus on the One and Intellect 31: On the Horizon: Plotinus on the Soul 32: A Decorated Corpse: Plotinus on Matter and Evil 33: King of Animals: Porphyry 34: Pythagorean Theorems: Iamblichus 35: Domestic Goddesses and Philosopher Queens: The Household and the State 36: The Platonic Successor: Proclus 37: A Tale of Two Cities: The Last Pagan Philosophers 38: For a Limited Time Only: John Philoponus Part III. Christian Philosophy in the Roman Empire 39: Father Figures: Ancient Christian Philosophy 40: Please Accept our Apologies: The Greek Church Fathers 41: Fall and Rise: Origen 42: Three for the Price of One: The Cappadocians 43: Naming the Nameless: The Pseudo-Dionysius 44: Double or Nothing: Maximus the Confessor 45: Practice Makes Perfect: Christian Asceticism 46: Spreading the Word: The Latin Church Fathers 47: Life and Time: Augustine's Confessions 48: Papa Don't Teach: Augustine on Language 49: Help Wanted: Augustine on Freedom 50: Heaven and Earth: Augustine's City of God 51: Me, Myself, and I: Augustine on Mind and Memory 52: Born Again: Latin Platonism 53: Fate, Hope, and Clarity: Boethius

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of one of the great forgotten wars of history - which led to the division of one of the biggest empires the world has ever seen. Alexander the Great built up his huge empire in little more than a decade, stretching from Greece in the West, via Egypt, Syria, Babylonia, and Persia through to the Indian sub-continent in the East. After his death in 323 BC, it took forty years of world-changing warfare for his heirs to finish carving up these vast conquests. These years were filled with high adventure, intrigue, passion, assassinations, dynastic marriages, treachery, shifting alliances, and mass slaughter on battlefield after battlefield. And while the men fought on the field, the women schemed from their palaces and pavilions. Dividing the Spoils revives the memory of Alexander''s Successors, whose fame has been dimmed only because they stand in his enormous shadow. In fact, Alexander left things in a mess at the time of his death, with no guaranteed succession, no administration in place suitable for such an enormous realm, and huge untamed areas both bordering and within his ''empire''. The Successors consolidated the Conqueror''s gains. Their competing ambitions, however, meant that consolidation inevitably led to the break-up of the empire. Astonishingly, this period of brutal, cynical warfare was also characterized by brilliant cultural developments, especially in the fields of philosophy, literature, and art. As well as an account of the military action, this is also the story of an amazing cultural flowering. In some senses, a new world emerged from the dust and haze of battle - the world of Hellenistic Greece. A surprising amount of the history of many countries, from Greece to Afghanistan, began in the hearts and minds of the Successors of Alexander the Great. As this book demonstrates, their stories deserve to be better known.Trade ReviewGripping. * Simon Sebag Montefiore, New York Times Book Review *He provides us with a brilliant work of history and humanity, facts within cautionary tales. * John Shosky, The European Legacy *Review from previous edition Robin Waterfield has produced an excellent introduction...He conveys the drama of the aftermath of Alexander's death with the intensity of a novelist. * Military Times *A briskly readable march through tumultuous events which continue to reverberate. * Daily Express *Robin Waterfield's coruscating cultural-political narrative does full and equal justice to all the major dimensions of this extraordinary half-century. * Paul Cartledge, author of Ancient Greece, A History in Eleven Cities *A gripping and often unsettling account of a formative period of ancient history. As Robin Waterfield points out, it deserves to be far better known than it is -- and now, thanks to the author himself, it is as accessible as it has ever been. * Tom Holland, author of Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West *Table of ContentsPreface ; Acknowledgements ; Maps ; 1. The Legacy of Alexander the Great ; 2. The Babylon Conferences ; 3. Rebellion ; 4. Perdiccas, Ptolemy, and Alexander's Corpse ; 5. The First War of the Successors ; 6. Polyperchon's Moment ; 7. The Triumph of Cassander ; 8. Hunting Eumenes in Iran ; 9. Antigonus, Lord of Asia ; 10. The Restoration of Seleucus ; 11. Warfare in Greece ; 12. The End of Antigonus ; 13. The Kingdoms of Ptolemy and Seleucus ; 14. Demetrius Resurgent ; 15. The Fall of Demetrius ; 16. The Last Successors ; Time Line ; Cast of Characters ; Genealogies ; Notes ; Bibliography ; Index

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Book SynopsisDiscover the history of Europe - from the Dark Ages to present day - by the author of the bestselling A Short History of EnglandEurope is an astonishingly successful place. But it would take volumes to tell its story, right? Wrong. From warring peoples to peace, wealth and freedom, Andrew Jenkins distils its evolution into this short, single-volume history.From Greece and Rome, through the French Revolution to the Second World War and modern times. Taking in leaders such as Julius Caesar, Joan of Arc, Wellington and Angela Merkel.Sharing stories of cultural figures like Aristotle, Shakespeare and Picasso.Jenkins brings together the transformative forces and dominant eras into one chronological tale - all with his insight, colour and authority.Trade ReviewA short, invigorating gallop over two and a half thousand years -- Allan Massie * Scotsman *Simon Jenkins achieves a high ambition: a concise readable history of two millennia of European civilisation from its discernible origins to our present perplexities. In 305 pages! . . . An immensely rewarding book from a gifted writer -- Harold EvansFull of stand-out facts ... absolutely fascinating -- Richard Bacon, BBC Radio 2, on 'A Short History of England'Masterly, perhaps a masterpiece -- Independent, Books of the Year on England's Thousand Best ChurchesJenkins is, like all good guides, more than simply informative: he can be courteous and rude, nostalgic and funny, elegant, convincing and relaxed -- Adam Nicolson on 'England’s Thousand Best Houses' * Evening Standard *Full of the good judgements one might hope for from such a sensible and readable commentator, and they alone are worth perusing for pleasure and food for thought -- Michael Wood on 'A Short History of England' * New Statesman *Any passably cultured inhabitant of the British Isles should ask for, say, three or four copies of this book -- Max Hastings on 'England’s Thousand Best Houses' * Sunday Telegraph *Jenkins has produced the sort of work that not only compacts people and places into manageable form but also has wit and insight enough to bring a sense of freshness even to a knowledgeable history buff * Booklist review *

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Book SynopsisEmbark on an unforgettable time-travelling journey along one of the world''s greatest landmarks: the Great Wall of China.Spanning 2,700 years and over 21,000km (13,000 miles), this beautifully illustrated children''s book reveals the fascinating story of the Great Wall and the individuals that helped build it. What started out as a frontier defence against northern tribesmen has, over time, become one of the seven great wonders of the world. Exquisite panoramic illustrations and engaging text bring to life key periods and turning points in the Great Wall''s history - from the first defensive forts built in 656 BCE to its painstaking present-day restoration. Cutaway views reveal the interiors of important buildings, and pull-out details introduce fascinating facts and key characters. Children will also love searching for the adventurous time-travelling fox who appears in each of the artworks.Perfect for parents and children to pore over together, The Great Wall Through Time makes a gorgeous gift or collector''s item. Fun, interactive, and packed with details, it vividly presents Chinese history to children as they have never seen it before.

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Book SynopsisThe first biography of Alaric to appear in English tells the history of the fourth-and fifth-century Roman Empire through the life of the Goth who attacked it.Trade Review"Today, as Douglas Boin of Saint Louis University points out in his superb book, the word "Gothic" has become synonymous with all that is "dark, gloomy and macabre". History, it is often said, is written by the winners—but that is only if they can write. If they can't, then history is written by the losers, crossly." -- The Economist"...a finely crafted account of how Alaric became the embodiment of Rome's self-defeating fear of the world outside its frontiers." -- Philip Parker - Literary Review"Few records survive of the Visigoth culprit Alaric (well, if you will destroy a literate culture...) but the historian Douglas Boin knows enough to clear up some misapprehensions. Alaric the Goth… is a Latin-speaker who longs for nothing so much as to be Roman… One snub too many, and he and his mob show the Eternal City to be fleeting. The book… understands what drives personal success far better than modern treatises on management and self-help… An “Outsider’s History” is how Boin describes his book about Alaric. History is seldom anyone else’s." -- Janan Ganesh - Financial Times"A new history argues the Goths who sacked Rome have been much traduced." -- Patrick Kidd - The Times"He [Douglas Boin] eloquently protests against the stereotypical depictions of Goths…" -- Catherine Conybeare - Times Literary Supplement"History may mostly be written by the victors, but the destruction of Rome by the far less literate Goths in 410AD is an exception. This colourful portrait of the city and empire in the fifth century tells their side of the story. Rich Romans lived in splendour while Goths endured slavery. Alaric, their leader, served in the Roman army— before turning on the oppressors." -- The Best Books of the Year 2020: History - The Economist"Boin published his book before the attack on the US Capitol, but his reading of the ancient past through the lens of contemporary trauma offers a fitting epitaph to a regime that did not fall but petered out – and a reminder that even a failed sack can be given meaning." -- Josephine Quinn - London Review of Books"The most engaging parts of Alaric the Goth, and by far the greater portion of its contents, diverge from Alaric’s story to give a sweeping view of Roman life near the fall of the empire. It’s here, especially in matters of Christian-pagan tension, that Mr. Boin excels." -- James Romm - The Wall Street Journal"Boin paints a richly detailed portrait of the world in which Alaric maneuvered, defined by the thrashings of an empire in turmoil… A cogent, readable text that vividly conveys the fears and confusion that surrounded the issue of immigrants’ rights in a period of declining Roman power." -- Wendy Smith - The Boston Globe"This brilliant book... starts the story of the sack of Rome not from inside the walls of the eternal city, but outside, with Alaric the Goth. It’s a great trick, superbly executed. Some books tilt the world so that you will never quite see it in the same way again, and this is definitely one." -- Catherine Nixey, Summer Reads 2020 - History Extra

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Book SynopsisAn Introduction to the Ancient World offers a thorough survey of the history of the ancient Near East, Greece and Rome. Covering the social, political, economic and cultural processes that have influenced later western and Near Eastern civilisations, this volume considers subjects such as the administrative structures, economies and religions of the ancient Near East, Athenian democracy, the development of classical Greek literature, the interaction of cultures in the Hellenistic world, the political and administrative system of the Roman Republic and empire, and the coming of Christianity, all within the broad outline of political history.This third edition is thoroughly updated and some chapters are completely rewritten to cover recent historical research. Changes include: more attention to economic structures and developments, and to the history of the later Roman Empire (third to sixth centuries AD); incorporation ofTrade Review ‘An Introduction to the Ancient World is an engaging and useful introductory text for students who are encountering the ancient Mediterranean and Near East for the first time. It is an excellent mix of erudition, concision and clarity that even advanced students and professionals will find valuable and suitable to their needs. Few introductory ancient history texts compare with An Introduction to the Ancient World, and none surpass it. Having used it as a textbook in both my Western Civilization and World Civilizations courses, it gives students a coherent overview that committee-produced, expensive textbooks lack.’ Edward Dandrow, University of Central Florida, USA ‘An Introduction to the Ancient World is an engaging and useful introductory text for students who are encountering the ancient Mediterranean and Near East for the first time. It is an excellent mix of erudition, concision and clarity that even advanced students and professionals will find valuable and suitable to their needs. Few introductory ancient history texts compare with An Introduction to the Ancient World, and none surpass it. Having used it as a textbook in both my Western Civilization and World Civilizations courses, it gives students a coherent overview that committee-produced, expensive textbooks lack.’ Edward Dandrow, University of Central Florida, USA Table of Contents List of maps; List of figures; List of boxes; Preface to the Third Edition; Chronology; Introduction; PART I: THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST; 1 THE ORIGINS OF THE CIVILISATIONS OF EGYPT AND MESOPOTAMIA; 2 THE THIRD MILLENNIUM; 3 THE SECOND MILLENNIUM; 4 THE FIRST MILLENNIUM; 5 RELIGION; 6 ECONOMY AND SOCIETY; 7 GOVERNMENT; PART II: THE GREEK WORLD; 8 THE EARLY IRON AGE (c. 1200 – c. 750 BC): ‘THE DARK AGES’; 9 THE ARCHAIC PERIOD, c. 750 – c. 500 BC; 10 THE CLASSICAL PERIOD, c. 500 – c. 330 BC; 11 THE HELLENISTIC WORLD, c. 330 – c. 30 BC; PART III: ROME; 12 EARLY ROMAN HISTORY (753–265 BC); 13 FURTHER EXPANSION AND NEW SOCIAL TENSIONS, 264–133 BC; 14 THE CENTURY OF THE CIVIL WARS, 133–30 BC; 15 THE EARLY IMPERIAL AGE, 27 BC–AD 193; 16 THE CRISIS OF THE THIRD CENTURY AD AND LATE ANTIQUITY; 17 EPILOGUE; PART IV: APPENDICES; Select bibliography; Index

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Book SynopsisThis revised and expanded edition of the widely-praised A History of Byzantium covers the time of Constantine the Great in AD 306 to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Expands treatment of the middle and later Byzantine periods, incorporating new archaeological evidence Includes additional maps and photographs, and a newly annotated, updated bibliography Incorporates a new section on web resources for Byzantium studies Demonstrates that Byzantium was important in its own right but also served as a bridge between East and West and ancient and modern society Situates Byzantium in its broader historical context with a new comparative timeline and textboxes Table of ContentsList of Figures vii List of Maps x List of Boxes xi Preface to the Second Edition xiv Preface to the First Edition xvi Introduction 1 1 The Crisis of the Third Century 23 2 The Revival under Diocletian 36 3 The Age of Constantine the Great 49 4 The Fourth Century: Constantius II to Theodosios I 72 5 The Fifth Century 103 6 The Age of Justinian 129 7 The Byzantine "Dark Ages": Late Sixth and Seventh Centuries 160 8 The Isaurian Dynasty and Iconoclasm 198 9 Continued Struggle over Ikons 220 10 The Beginnings of the Macedonian Dynasty 242 11 The Apogee of Byzantine Power 265 12 The Komnenoi 290 13 The Aftermath of the Fourth Crusade 330 14 The Beginnings of Decline 347 15 The End of the Empire 383 16 Byzantium after the Fall of the City 401 Glossary 421 General Bibliography 428 A Selection of Primary Sources in English Translation 435 List of Byzantine Rulers 438 Comparative Chronology 444 Electronic Resources 448 Index 451

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Book SynopsisAn innovative and insightful exploration of the passionate early life of Socrates and the influences that led him to become the first and greatest of philosophersSocrates: the philosopher whose questioning gave birth to the ideas of Western thought, and whose execution marked the end of the Athenian Golden Age. Yet despite his pre-eminence among the great thinkers of history, little of his life story is known. What we know tends to begin in his middle age and end with his trial and death. Our conception of Socrates has relied upon Plato and Xenophon men who met him when he was in his fifties and a well-known figure in war-torn Athens. There is mystery at the heart of Socrates' story: what turned the young Socrates into a philosopher? What drove him to pursue with such persistence, at the cost of social acceptance and ultimately of his life, a whole new way of thinking about the meaning of existence? In this revisionist biography, Armand D'Angour draws on neglected sources to eTrade ReviewSympathetic and irreverent … A demythologised Socrates is revealed, not so much debunked as rendered newly human … All this is done in prose of easy elegance and authority … Socrates is one of the very few philosophers whose thoughts on love are worth reading * Daily Telegraph *In this brilliant study, Armand D’Angour refocuses the works of Socrates the Philosopher by looking afresh at the life of Socrates the Man. In doing so, he provides new insights not just into Socrates but into ancient Greek thinking as a whole -- Peter Frankopan, author of 'The Silk Roads'Write the name Aspasia on your hearts! History, as told by men, has often erased the role of women. Our new champion Armand D’Angour has pieced together the evidence – that a woman of great intellectual powers helped lay the foundations of Western philosophy. This is a delicious and exhilarating piece of serious scholarship -- Helena KennedyD’Angour sets about his task with admirable imagination, even a touch of literary flair ... Highly readable -- Patrick Kidd * The Times *A terrific read * Literary Review *A fascinating and revelatory book. A penetrating combination of tremendous scholarship, imagination and sympathetic understanding -- William BoydA learned, agile and slickly written book … [D’Angour] offers an erudite guide to the intellectual culture of the time … [I] couldn’t help admiring his grasp of the material and his ability to communicate it compactly -- Tim Whitmarsh * Guardian *Who was Socrates? D’Angour guesses that the majority of people who know something about him will answer that Socrates was ‘a thinker, wise man, or philosopher of ancient Greece.’ If your answer was along these lines, then you need to pick up this book … Not only clearly well-researched, but it is also enjoyable to read * All About History *A book that succeeds brilliantly in achieving something that I had always assumed was impossible: providing a historically grounded portrait of the man Socrates may actually have been. Not merely eye-opening, it is thrilling and moving -- Tom HollandArmand D’Angour’s new readings of Plato’s dialogues bring a new Athenian world to life … Plausible and beautifully written -- Josephine QuinnWho was Socrates? Surprising insights abound in Armand D’Angour’s new, even radical, biography of the brilliantly eccentric, earthy, and brave provocateur-philosopher. Socrates in Love is deeply thoughtful and delightfully written -- Adrienne Mayor, author of 'Gods and Robots: Myths, Machines, and Ancient Dreams of Technology'The most nourishing book I have read this year * praise for The Greeks and the New, Spectator: Book of the Year Selection *A fantastic, engaging book … Not to be missed * praise for The Greeks and the New, Bryn Mawr Classical Review *The book is well-written and fun to read—it has itself some of the gleam and glamour of the new, and I expect that its readers will give it kleos * praise for The Greeks and the New, Classical Journal Online *Engaging and aptly original study * praise for The Greeks and the New, Times Literary Supplement *A learned, agile and slickly written book … D’Angour offers an erudite guide to the intellectual culture of the time … I couldn’t help admiring his grasp of the material and his ability to communicate it compactly -- Tim Whitmarsh * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisIn 490 BCE the indefatigable Athenian herald Philippides made his legendary 26 mile run to deliver to the people of Athens news of their city's victory over the Persians. Each year, all over the world, thousands of athletes and millions of enthusiasts replicate Philippides's marathon.Why do we run? To what end all the effort and pain? The Greeks were the first to ask these questions and to wonder why we choose to measure ourselves against others; they were also the first to suspend war, politics, and the daily workings of the state to enjoy days' long public celebrations of athletic prowess.As the pandemic entered its second year, internationally renownedscholar and best-selling author Marcolongo discovers running. In this spirited, generous, and erudite book, she shares not only her scholarship but her own journey to understanding that a healthy body is a healthy mind.

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Book SynopsisThis volume offers an eyewitness account of life in the classical world. The author has selected a series of telling extracts from Greek literature to provide a picture of the customs, concerns and underlying values of the ancient Greeks. The Greeks speak for themselves, both in the formal language of public office and in the colloquial speech of the household and the street. Their words reveal activities and opinions which are sometimes remarkably similar to those of the modern day, but which are otherwise so different that they are difficult for us to understand.The extracts have been selected from a variety of sources and record not only the lives of famous Greeks, but - perhaps more importantly - offer an insight into the lives of more ordinary individuals. Poetry, hymns and war-songs are included, as are quotations from official documents, inscriptions, laws, histories, funerary monuments, war-memorials and graffiti. This compilation gives an impression of the public and private facets of Greek life, providing an insight into the mentality of the Greeks.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisFew classical stories are as romantic as that of Jason and the Golden Fleece. The stirring tale of an adventurer who was also a disenfranchised king's son and daring sea-captain has resonated through the ages, rumbling and echoing like the clashing rocks which almost pulverised the doughty Argo to splinters. The themes of the legend are perennial, and endlessly engaging. For even while it tells of a quest to the ends of the earth, of the villainous usurper King Pelias, of dragons' teeth, of the doom of Hylas (beloved friend to Heracles), ravished to his end by nymphs who greatly desired him for his beauty, and of Jason's lust for the witch Medea (betrayed so that he might wed another), it speaks to us of more: of sex and gender; of identity and race; and, of colonisation and conquest. From Pindar to J W Waterhouse, from Max Beckmann to Ray Harryhausen and from Mary Renault to Ian Seraillier, the epic poem of "Apollonius of Rhodes" has inspired later interpretations as rich, salty and diverse as the source text itself. Helen Lovatt here unravels, like untangled sea-kelp, the diverse strands of the narrative and its numerous and fascinating afterlives. Her book will prove endlessly entertaining to those who love classical literature and myth.Trade ReviewThis book, the outgrowth of a college course, is an ambitious project, meticulously researched and rich in detail, a tour de force that brings to bear well over the 57 literary works, children’s books, comics and films. * The Classical Review *In Search of the Argonauts draws a vivid treasure map to follow the Argonaut story wherever it lands – from ancient epics to modern children’s books to contemporary film and television. On this journey, Lovatt uncovers rich veins of meaning about heroism, masculinity, and leadership stowed within the various adaptations of the Argonaut tradition. -- Monica S. Cyrino, Professor of Classics, University of New Mexico USAThis is a wide-ranging study of many different versions of the Argonautic myth from antiquity to the present and in a broad range of media: poetry, novels, paintings, films. Lovatt skillfully shows how various retellings of the story bring out important issues, especially those concerned with gender and ethnicity, and shows the myth’s centrality in many stages of western culture. -- William Thalmann, Professor Emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature, University of Southern California, USATable of ContentsList of Illustrations Versions, Texts and Abbreviations Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Back-stories and Beginnings Chapter 2: Femininity and Sexuality Chapter 3: Masculinity and Leadership Chapter 4: Entertainment and the Marvellous Chapter 5: Ethnicity and Otherness Chapter 6: Heroism and Betrayal Chapter 7: Quest and Fleece Chapter 8: Findings and Endings Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisExplores the relationship between food, religion and the ever-widening gap between the tables of the rich and the poor. This book has been thoughtfully adapted for the modern kitchen, whilst retaining the true essence of dining in medieval Britain. It is illustrated with scenes of food, feasting and cooking from paintings, tapestries and drawings.

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Book SynopsisReveals how the pyramids of Egypt were sophisticated generators of clean energy• Explains how the pyramids harmonized seismic energy, which enabled the harvesting of electricity and the mitigation of earthquakes• Shares recent cutting-edge research on earthquake lights, acoustic frequency measurements and energy concentration within the Great Pyramid, the shafts of the Queen’s Chamber, the scorch marks that support the King’s Chamber explosion hypothesis, and the significance of the large void above the Grand Gallery• Includes technical appendices written by experts and top researchersSharing extensive new evidence and cutting-edge research that the Great Pyramid at Giza was built as an energy-harvesting machine, Christopher Dunn details how the ancient Egyptians generated clean power for their civilization and reveals how the pyramid builders and the great inventor Nikola Tesla drew from the same universal knowledge.

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Book SynopsisThe Stalingrad of the ancient world, this is an immensely readable, brilliant, brutal and vivid history of the greatest and bloodiest war of ancient Greece.The Peloponnesian War, fought 2,500 years ago between oligarchic Sparta and democratic Athens for control of Greece, is brought spectacularly to life in this magnificent study. Kagan demonstrates the relevance of this cataclysmic event to modern times in all its horror and savagery. As two uncompromising empires fight a war of survival from diametrically opposing political, social and cultural positions, the seemingly invincible glory of Athens crumbles in tragedy.Athenian culture and politics was unmatched in originality and fertility, and is still regarded as one of the peak achievements of Western civilisation. Dramatic poets such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes raised tragedy and comedy to a level never surpassed; architects and sculptors were at work on the Acropolis; natural philosophers like Anaxagoras andTrade Review‘It is a lively narrative that moves with immense speed towards its grim conclusion…Recent events have enhanced Kagan’s reputation among American conservatives as a sage.’ Daily Telegraph ‘It is a daunting task to cover the same ground as a great classical historian, but Donald Kagan achieves it splendidly with “The Peloponnesian War”.’ Sunday Times, Books of the Year ‘Kagan’s narrative of one of the critical episodes in the history of the ancient world is as good an account of the subject as one could ask for.’ Spectator

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Book SynopsisRestall and Solari explore Maya identity, politics, culture, and indigenous views of the universe from ancient times to the present. With the Maya historically subdivided and misunderstood in so many ways, the pursuit of what made them "the Maya" is all the more important.Table of ContentsChapter 1 Maya Genesis Chapter 2 The Divine King Chapter 3 The Writing Rabbit Chapter 4 A Day in the Life Chapter 5 Maya "Mysteries" Chapter 6 Conquests Chapter 7 Colonizations Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisIn 43 lively chapters Peter Adamson tells the story of philosophy from its beginnings to Plato and Aristotle. Most histories jump from one famous name to another, but Adamson shows that the people and ideas in between, usually overlooked, are fascinating and significant. Based on his popular podcasts, this is serious history with a light touch.Trade Review[Adamson] sets out to achieve the impossible and does a great job of it ... ideal for introducing readers ... to the delights and the fascination of Greek philosophy * John Godwin, Classics for All *Table of ContentsEARLY GREEK PHILOSOPHY; SOCRATES AND PLATO; ARISTOTLE

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Book Synopsis`Long may the barbarians continue, I pray, if not to love us, at least to hate one another.'' Cornelius Tacitus, Rome''s greatest historian and the last great writer of classical Latin prose, produced his first two books in AD 98. He was inspired to take up his pen when the assassination of Domitian ended `fifteen years of enforced silence''. The first products were brief: the biography of his late father-in-law Julius Agricola and an account of Rome''s most dangerous enemies, the Germans. Since Agricola''s claim to fame was that as governor for seven years he had completed the conquest of Britain, begun four decades earlier, much of the first work is devoted to Britain and its people. The second is the only surviving specimen from the ancient world of an ethnographic study. Each in its way has had immense influence on our perception of Rome and the northern `barbarians''. This edition reflects recent research in Roman-British and Roman-German history and includes newly discovered evidence on Tacitus'' early career. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World''s Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford''s commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

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Book Synopsis''Two things alone I long for: first, that when I die I may leave the Roman people free...and second, that each person''s fate may reflect the way he has behaved towards his country.''Cicero (106-43 BC) was the greatest orator of the ancient world and a leading politician of the closing era of the Roman republic. This book presents nine speeches which reflect the development, variety, and drama of his political career,among them two speeches from his prosecution of Verres, a corrupt and cruel governor of Sicily; four speeches against the conspirator Catiline; and the Second Philippic, the famous denunciation of Mark Antony which cost Cicero his life. Also included are On the Command of Gnaeus Pompeius, in which he praises the military successes of Pompey, and For Marcellus, a panegyric in praise of the dictator Julius Caesar.These new translations preserve Cicero''s rhetorical brilliance and achieve new standards of accuracy. A general introduction outlines Cicero''s public career, andTable of ContentsAgainst Verres (In Verrem I) ; Against Verres (In Verrem II.5) ; On the command of Gnaeus Pomeius (De imperio Cn. Pompeii) ; Against Catiline (In Catilinam I) ; Against Catiline (In Catilinam II) ; Against Catiline (In Catilinam III) ; Against Catiline (In Catilinam IV) ; For Marcellus (Pro Marcello) ; Philippic II

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Book SynopsisLate antiquity: decline or transformation, conflict or interaction?Late antiquity is the period (c.300 - c.800) in which barbarian invasions ended Roman Empire in Western Europe by the fifth century and Arab invasions ended Roman rule over the eastern and southern Mediterranean coasts by the seventh century. Asking ''what, where, and when'' Gillian Clark presents an introduction to the concept of late antiquity and the events of its time. Not only a period of cultural clashes, political restructurings, and geographical controversies, Clark also demonstrates the sheer richness and diversity of religious life as well as the significant changes to trade, economy, archaeology, and towns. Encapsulating significant developments through vignettes, she reflects upon the period by asking the question ''How much can we recognise in the world of late antiquity?''ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1. What and when is late antiquity? ; 2. Running the Empire ; 3. Law and welfare ; 4. Religion ; 5. What shall we do to be saved? ; 6. Barbarism ; 7. Bronze elephants: classical and Christian culture ; 8. Decisive change? ; Chronology

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Book SynopsisImages of the Ice Age, here in its third edition, is the most complete study available of the world''s earliest imagery, presenting a fascinating and up-to-date account of the art of our Ice Age ancestors. Authoritative and wide-ranging, it covers not only the magnificent cave art of famous sites such as Lascaux, Altamira, and Chauvet, but also other less well-known sites around the world, art discovered in the open air, and the thousands of incredible pieces of portable art in bone, antler, ivory, and stone produced in the same period. In doing so, the book summarizes all the major worldwide research into Ice Age art both past and present, exploring the controversial history of the art''s discovery and acceptance, including the methods used for recording and dating, the faking of decorated objects and caves, and the wide range of theories that have been applied to this artistic corpus. Lavishly illustrated and highly accessible, Images of the Ice Age provides a visual feast and an absTrade Review...a highly recommended read on the alluring yet quietly majestic art of the Ice Age. * Antonio P. Batarda Fernandes, European Journal of Archaeology *The strength of Bahn's book is the vast canon of art it documents. * Paul Pettitt, Current World Archaeology *[A] beautifully illustrated guide to the creative endeavours of our prehistoric predecessors, which provides ample evidence of the former, and goes a long way to ameliorate the latter, combining details discussions of cave paintings and petroglyphs, decorated objects, figurines, and personal adornment with thought-provoking explorations of how they might be interpreted. * Current Archaeology *a very comprehensive guide to the art of the Ice Age * Karekiet and Meander *[In Images of the Ice Age ,Paul Bahn] offers a unique opportunity to appreciate universally important works of art, many of which can never be accessible to the public, and which represents the very earliest evidence of artistic expression. * SALON *Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgements ; List of Illustrations ; Introduction ; 1. The Discovery of Ice Age Art ; 2. The Oldest 'Art' in the World ; 3. A Worldwide Phenomenon ; 4. Making a Record ; 5. How Old is the Art? ; 6. Fakes and Forgeries ; 7. Portable Art ; 8. Blocks, Rock-Shelters, and Caves ; 9. Art in the Open Air ; 10. What Was Depicted? ; 11. Reading the Messages ; 12. Conclusion ; Notes ; References ; Index

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Book SynopsisThe targeted destruction of ancient sites and monuments in the Middle East provokes widespread outrage in the West. But what is our connection to the ancient Near East? In this updated edition of What Makes Civilization? archaeologist David Wengrow investigates the origins of farming, writing, and cities in ancient Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Egypt, and explores the connections between these two civilizations. It is the story of how people first created kingdoms and monuments to the gods and, just as importantly, how they pioneered everyday practices that we might now take for granted, such as familiar ways of cooking food and keeping the house and body clean. Wengrow asks why these ancient cultures, where so many features of modern life originated, have come to symbolize the remote and the exotic. Today, perhaps more than ever, he argues, the beleaguered cultural heritage of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia stands as a warning for the future. A warning of the sacrifices people will tolerate to preserve their chosen form of life; of the potential for unfettered expansion that exists within any cultural tradition; and of blood perhaps yet to be spilled, on the altar of a misguided notion of civilization.Trade ReviewFor any student studying the question of what civilisation actually is this is valuable reading. * John Bulwer, Euroclassica *Convincingly concludes that the parallel development of Mesopotamia and Egypt demonstrates the deep attachment of human societies to the concepts they live by, and the inequalities they are prepared to endure in order to preserve those guiding principles. * Nature *What Makes Civilization? [...] is expertly grounded, thoughtfully written and discreetly radical in its findings. * Dominic Green, Minerva01/01/2019 *What Makes Civilization? is well written for a student or educated lay-person audience...when the past is being employed to understand the present or predict the future of human societies, archaeologists must be part of the discussion. * Current Anthropology *This book promises a lot and delivers even more...It guides readers into the heart of the sources of civilization. * Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institue *Provocative....stimulating... * Steven Snape, History Today *Lively and insightful work. * Geoff Ward, Western Daily Press *Table of ContentsPART ONE: THE CAULDRON OF CIVILIZATION; PART TWO: FORGETTING THE OLD REGIME

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Book SynopsisIn this clear and evocative account, John Gaskin unfolds the thinking about nature, life, death and other worlds that informed the culture and society of the Classical world, drawing out its interest for modern readers. Witty sketches and diagrams enliven the story, which runs from Homeric Greece to the banning of pagan religions in ad 391. The book concludes with a gazetteer describing notable sites and the people and ideas connected with them, making it an ideal companion for visitors to Classical ruins and for all armchair travellers curious to explore life's big questions.Trade Review'A great idea, smartly executed … You’ll never confuse a Stoic with a Cynic again' - Independent'One of my favourite discoveries in the last twelve months' - Juxtabook'Clear and evocative … a delightful book … It is written with a light and witty touch but you will be the wiser for reading it' - Timeless TravelsTable of ContentsPart I – The Idea of Hellenism: What the Greeks Created: 1. The Scheme of Things Entire • 2. The Idea of Hellenism • 3. Wine, Sex and the Symposium • 4. Theatres: Festivals, Entertainments and Meetings • 5. Temples: Gods, Feasts and Safe Deposits • Part II – The Ideal of Homer and the Ideas of the Philosophers: • 1. Troy: The Legend and the Book • 2. Troy: The Book and the Ideals • 3. Miletus: The Nature of the Universe • 4 Ionia and Western Greece: Laws, Numbers and Reality • 5. Athens: Socrates, Plato and Other Worlds • 6. Aristotle and this World: Nature, Life and Ethics • 7. Epicurus: The Garden and the Wilderness • 8. Stoicism: Duty and the Laws of Nature • 9. Neoplatonism: The Last Protest • 10. The End of Classical Antiquity • Part III – Cities and Citizens: A Gazetteer

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Book SynopsisCats can be seen in ancient Egyptian homes, temples and adorning the heads of their gods. Cats in Egypt were probably domesticated by around 4,000 BC from wild ancestors. Over the following centuries, they became popular household pets. In this book, Dr Malek draws on a vast range of artistic and written sources to show how cats became one of the most widely esteemed and revered animals in Egypt.Table of ContentsRunning free: the wild cats; Together at last: the domestic cats; A poor man's lion: the divine cats; Pride goes before a fall: the story cats; Buried with full honours: the mummified cats; Epilogue; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisHow and where did our ancestors live during the 8000 years between the end of Ice Age and the arrival of the Romans in AD 43? In tracing the variety and development of prehistoric settlements from the hunter-gatherers of the Mesolithic to the tribes of the Iron Age, Dr Bewley takes a fresh look at all the key sites, from Star Carr in Yorkshire and other Mesolithic settlements, the causewayed camps of the Neolithic, the great Bronze Age landscapes to the Dartmoor and other land divisions, and the hillforts and farmsteads of the Iron Age. Throughout he concentrates on the close relationship between the individual site and the wider landscape, and on the ways that archaeologists discover, interpret and constantly reinterpret prehistoric settlements.

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Book SynopsisThis Element provides an overview of pre-modern and ancient economies of the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It analyzes the regions densely occupied semisedentary villages and its domestic and institutional economies, specialization, distribution, economic development, and future directions are reviewed.Table of Contents1. Introduction and Historical Background; 2. Domestic Economy; 3. Institutional Economy; 4. Specialization; 5. Distribution; 6. Economic Development; 7. Future Directions.

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