Ancient history Books

Book SynopsisLivy''s Ab urbe condita Book XXII narrates Hannibal''s massive defeats of the Romans at Trasimene (217 BC) and Cannae (216 BC). It is Livy''s best and most dramatic book, and the one most likely to appeal to students at every level. Livy drew on the Greek historian Polybius, but transformed his drier treatment into a rhetorical masterpiece, which by a series of insistent thematic contrasts brings out the tensions between the delaying tactics of Fabius and the costly rashness of Flaminius, Minucius and Varro. A substantial and accessibly written introduction by two experienced commentators covers historical, religious, literary and linguistic matters, including the place of Book XXII in the structure of Livy''s long work. A new text by Briscoe is followed by a full commentary, covering literary and historical aspects and offering frequent help with translation. The volume is suitable for undergraduates, graduate students, teachers, and scholars.Trade Review'… an excellent introduction to Livy for the newcomer, indeed nearly an advanced textbook … an outstanding contribution to Livian studies. The authors deserve no less than our heartiest congratulations and warmest thanks.' Joseph B. Solodow, Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics'The very up-to-date list of references and the extensive indices … make their contribution to the fact that the present volume will quickly establish itself as an indispensable standard work … a third decade worth reading.' Dennis Pausch, Histos'… a highly independent, standard-setting commentary work …' Ann E. Killibrew, Historische ZeitschriftTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Livy's life and work; 2. Course of the war; 3. Sources; 4. Structure; 5. Chronology; 6. Language and style; 7. Literary aspects; 8. Religion in Livy; 9. Roman politics and Fabian strategy; 10. Manpower; 11. The text; Livy Book XXII; Commentary.

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Book SynopsisMyles Burnyeat (19392019) was a major figure in the study of ancient Greek philosophy during the last decades of the twentieth century and the first of this. After teaching positions in London and Cambridge, where he became Laurence Professor, in 1996 he took up a Senior Research Fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford, from which he retired in 2006. In 2012 he published two volumes collecting essays dating from before the move to Oxford. Two new posthumously published volumes bring together essays from his years at All Souls and his retirement. The main body of Volume 3 presents studies written for a wide readership, first on Plato''s Republic and then on the reading and interpretation of Plato in subsequent periods, particularly in nineteenth-century Britain. The volume also includes hitherto unpublished lectures, ''The Archaeology of Feeling'', on the ancient origins of some key modern philosophical and psychological concepts.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Part I. The Republic; 1. Plato on why mathematics is good for the soul; 2. Long walk to wisdom; 3. The truth of tripartition; 4. Plato and the dairy-maids: the distribution of happiness inside and outside the ideal city of the Republic; 5. Justice writ large and small in Republic IV; 6. Fathers and sons in Plato's Republic and Philebus; 7. By the Dog; 8. Culture and society in Plato's Republic; Part II. The Past in the Present; 9. Plato; 10. James Mill on Thomas Taylor's Plato; 11. What was 'the common arrangement'? An inquiry into John Stuart Mill's boyhood reading of Plato; 12. The past in the present: Plato as educator of nineteenth-century Britain; Appendix: The Archaeology of Feeling.

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Book SynopsisThis textbook is endorsed by OCR and supports the specification for GCSE Ancient History (first teaching September 2017). It covers the whole of Component 1, both the compulsory Period Study and the three optional Depth Studies:Period Study: The Persian Empire, 559465 BC by James RenshawDepth Study: From Tyranny to Democracy, 546483 BC by Sam BaddeleyDepth Study: Athens in the Age of Pericles, 462429 BC by Paul Fowler and James Renshaw Depth Study: Alexander the Great, 356323 BC by Lucy NicholasWas propaganda Persia's greatest weapon? How did Athens create democracy? Does Pericles' Athens deserve to be remembered as civilised or barbaric? How did Alexander dominate the ancient world by the age of 32?This book raises these and other key questions. GCSE students and their teachers will explore key political and social developments of the Greek and Persian worlds through the eyes of ancient historians and archaeology. This book invites us to look at anciTable of ContentsIntroduction How to Use This Book Period Study: The Persian Empire, 559–465 BC Depth Study Option 1: From Tyranny to Democracy, 546–483 BC Depth Study Option 2: Athens in the Age of Pericles, 462–429 BC Depth Study Option 3: Alexander the Great, 356–323 BC Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisNew paperback edition - How the invention of paper, a material prized by both scholars and kings, allowed information and ideas to shape humanity for 4000 years, from the Nile to the West. 'A wonderful, enlightening book.' (Alexander McCall Smith).Trade Review‘This fascinating and beautifully written book is an absolute eye opener… A wonderful, enlightening book.’ -- Alexander McCall Smith

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Book SynopsisAn illustrated, readable companion and indispensable guide to Roman London, both visible and beneath your feet.

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Book SynopsisThere is no accessible book which lists the emperors (of which there are very many, thanks to the vicissitudes of the empire itself) in alphabetical order for easy reference and in which a full biographical account of each, with references, can be found. Here it is.

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Book SynopsisA new survey of Severus reign with particular emphasis on the military aspects.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a fascinating discussion of the development of the military equipment of the earliest organized armies.

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Book SynopsisMuch more than a simple guidebook, Exploring Roman London is an indispensable guide for anyone interested in the early history of England''s capital city. In addition to containing information on every site in London where Roman remains can be seen, the history of the foundation of the city and its subsequent development is meticulously chronicled. Each chapter deals with a different aspect of the first incarnation of London, when the invading Romans established their settlement in the 1st century CE.Even those who pride themselves on their knowledge of the city will find much here which is new to them, as street-by-street instructions for self-guided walks around central London allow those interested to follow the hidden rivers and lost roads of the Roman town.Exploring Roman London describes the many fragments of Roman London on open display in the city, most of which are quite unknown to the average citizen. From the huge statue of Minerva which was standing unnoticed in a churchyar

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Book SynopsisGabriele Esposito describes the organization, equipment and tactics of the Carthaginian forces that fought the three Punic wars with Rome, and analyses the campaigns, battles and sieges. Lavishly illustrated with high-quality photographs of replica weapons and equipment in use by reenactors.

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Book SynopsisDescribes the campaigns that destroyed the fabric of the Roman Republic and resulted in Julius Caesar's elevation to Dictator for Life.

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Book SynopsisThe epic story of the first Greco-Persian War and the Persian invasion of Europe and Greece.

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Book SynopsisDetailed study of the weapons, armour and tactics of Bronze Age warfare is enriched by the author's insights from experimental archaeology.

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Book SynopsisNarrates a war that seriously threatened the destruction of Rome.

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Book Synopsis*Traces the development of ships and naval warfare from Alexander the Great to the Battle of Actium.

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Book SynopsisChristopher Mee presents an extensive examination of the material culture of the Greek world from its Neolithic roots in 7000 B.C. to the close of the Hellenistic period in 146 B.C. Features a unique thematic approach to the study of Greek archaeology Includes extensive use of illustrations, many of which are not commonly featured Allows for the study of a particular period of time by its chronological arrangement within each chapter Trade Review"Despite such conservatism, the book manages to keep an essential balance between the detail of the archaeological material and the grand picture of socio-historical phenomena. It shifts between different spatial and temporal scales smoothly and it is certainly recommendable to any student wishing to introduce her/himself to Greek archaeology." (Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 7 November 2011) "Christopher Mee's Greek Archaeology is a thoroughly contemporary and innovative overview, which I recommend warmly to students from the sixth form to their sixties (and later) as an excellent introduction to the subject . . . This is a book for all who want to start to understand the whole of the glory that was Greece from its material culture. It also has good illustrations." (The Anglo-Hellenic Review, 1 September 2011) Table of ContentsIntroduction. 1. Settlement and Settlements. 2. The Architecture of Power. 3. Residential Space. 4. The Countryside. 5. Technology and Production. 6. Trade and Colonisation. 7. Warfare. 8. Death and Burial. 9. Religion. Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive and amply illustrated study of Roman shields, their changing styles, their construction and their use in combatTrade ReviewA good introduction on the subject for new readers as well as an exciting read for specialists. -- Gabriele Esposito * Ancient Warfare Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe ancient standing stones, stone circles and burial chambers of Wales - remarkable feats of construction that are surrounded by legend.

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Book SynopsisThe fascinating history of sex in ancient Egyptian society, from the flirtations of Pharaohs to exotic aphrodisiacs.

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Book SynopsisA fascinating look at the history and legacy of Roman gardens, focusing on Great Britain. The author is a board member of the Association for Roman Archaeology and a prolific writer of papers on Roman art and architecture and has lectured on the subject of Roman gardens.

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Book SynopsisNew B-format paperback edition - A new examination of one of the greatest romantic figures in history, tracing the legend and equally extraordinary reality: 'Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety' (Shakespeare).

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Book SynopsisThe only biography of the most famous Roman general since 98AD, exploring his role in the Romanisation of Britain.Trade Review‘One of the best ancient world authors in the business’ -- Kate Quinn'Simon Turney has painted a vivid picture of a man who learnt his trade fighting Boudicca, but who left his mark.' -- Aspects of History, September 2023

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Book SynopsisOne of the most feared weapons in the ancient world, the gladius was lethal both on the battlefield and in the arena. Literary sources tell of the terror it inspired, while archaeological evidence of wounds inflicted is testament to its deadly effect. By pulling together strands of literary, sculptural and archaeological evidence renowned expert M.C. Bishop creates a narrative of the gladius' development, exploring the way in which the shape of the short sword changed as soldiers and gladiators evolved their fighting style. Drawing together historical accounts, excavated artefacts and the results of the latest scientific analyses of the blades, this volume reveals the development, technology, training and use of the gladius hispaniensis: the sword that conquered the Mediterranean.Table of ContentsIntroduction / Development / Use / Impact / Conclusion / Bibliography / Index

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Book SynopsisA supplement for Jackals, introducing new rites, talents, and virtues for players as well as an exploration of the history and cultures of the Zaharets.Jackals: Travellers on the War Road is a supplement exploring the regions of the Zaharets and the cultures established in Jackals. It expands the lore for each of the four cultures introduced in the core book Luathi, Gerwa, Melkoni, and Trauj describing their various tribes, clans, and city-states, their beliefs, strongholds, and day-to-day lives, adding more nuance and depth to the world and giving players more ways to personalize their characters. New rites, virtues, and talents provide further customization options, while adventure hooks scattered throughout the book hint at new menaces to be battled, new challenges to be overcome... and new glories to be won!

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Naval warfare is the unsung hero of ancient Greek military history, often overshadowed by the more glorified land battles. Owen Rees looks to redress the balance, giving naval battles their due attention. This book presents a selection of thirteen naval battles that span a defining century in ancient Greek history, from the Ionian Revolt and Persian Invasion to the rise of external naval powers in the Mediterranean Sea, such as the Carthaginians. Each battle is set in context. The background, wider military campaigns, and the opposing forces are discussed, followed by a narrative and analysis of the fighting. Finally, the aftermath of the battles are dealt with, looking at the strategic implications of the outcome for both the victor and the defeated. The battle narratives are supported by maps and tactical diagrams, showing the deployment of the fleets and the wider geographical factors involved in battle. Written in an accessible tone, this book successfully shows that Greek naval warfare did not start and end at the battle of Salamis.

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Book SynopsisExplores the cultural landscapes of the late antique Central Zagros and their long-term transformations

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Book Synopsis''Lets us see how power really worked, in public and private ... Stothard tells this story superbly''Dominic Sandbrook, SUNDAY TIMES14 CE: The first Roman emperor is dead. A second is about to succeed. The Forum of Rome, once fought over so fiercely, has become hardly more than a museum. The house of all power is up above on the Palatine Hill, about to become the birthplace of Western bureaucracy, a warren of banqueting and bedrooms, a treacherous household where it takes special talents to survive. This is a Roman history with a cast of new men and newly dominant women, those reviled too often in the past as flatterers and gluttons, uppity slaves and former slaves, lawyers-for-hire, chancer arrivistes and unhinged party animals. Palatine uncovers the lives of the Vitellii, perhaps Rome''s least admired imperial clan, of Publius, an old-fashioned soldier snared in the politics of the new age, of Lucius, an exceptionally skilled and sTrade ReviewLets us see how power really worked, in public and private. We glimpse the emperors at work and at play, in the dining room and in the bedroom. And we see how even they, despite the sycophants, were often prisoners, not architects, of the system. One false step and it would all be over ... Stothard tells this story superbly -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times *This is a story you think you know, told through the eyes of people you don't ... Not so much an alternative history as an alternative epic, farce and satire rolled into one. Palatine is an absorbing saga of battles and banquets, as densely populated and richly depicted as Game of Thrones -- Rachel Cunliffe * The Times *Profound scholarship written with the verve and expertise of an accomplished novelist. On every page lapidary phrases evoke the reality of life in the ancient world . . . Wonderful, evocative stuff! -- Harry Sidebottom * Daily Telegraph *Fans of Peter Stothard's previous books - On the Spartacus Road (2010), The Last Assassin (2020), and Crassus (reviewed here October 2022) - will need no urging towards his latest, a wonderfully evocative study of that dynasty, leading up to the fall of Vitellius in the Year of Four Emperors (AD 69). Palatine, like its predecessors, is imaginatively constructed from a series of realistic vignettes charting the imperial court from the last days of Augustus through to the arrival of the Flavians ... Stothard tells the familiar story in a very original way, making the two Vitellii his central characters ... it's a brilliant device that illustrates how, with some paternal scheming, a relatively ordinary man could push his way through the corridors of power and emerge on top ... This hugely readable novel-like account [is] a Succession for the Julio-Claudian years -- Sir Michael Fallon, Founder of the Parliamentary Classics Group * CLASSICS FOR ALL *

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Book SynopsisFor generations, the study of Greek and Latin was used to train the elites of the western world. Knowledge of classical culture, it was believed, produced more cultivated, creative individuals; Greece and Rome were seen as pinnacles of civilization, and the origins of western superiority over the rest of the world. Few today are willing to defend this elitist, sometimes racist, vision of the importance of classics, and it is no longer considered essential education for politicians and professionals. Shouldn’t classics then be obsolete? Far from it. As Neville Morley shows, the ancients are as influential today as they ever have been, and we ignore them at our peril. Not only do they have much to teach us about the past, but they can offer important lessons for the complex cultural, social and political worlds of the present.Introducing Polity’s Why It Matters series: In these short and lively books, world-leading thinkers make the case for the importance of their subjects and aim to inspire a new generation of students.Trade Review"Professor Morley not only justifies his long-standing commitment to classics but also provokes his readers to reflect upon its nature and significance. A brilliant success!" —Paul Cartledge, Clare College, Cambridge "Morley shows how the ideas, arts and interpretations of Graeco-Roman culture have shaped the present, for both good and ill, and demonstrates how a new generation of scholars are revitalizing the study of classics." —Sarah Bond, University of Iowa

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Book Synopsis'Not all lost cities are real, but this one was.' The extraordinary story of Alexander the Great's lost city, and a quest to unravel one of the most captivating mysteries in ancient history. ‘Superb … impeccably researched, but with the pace and deftly woven plot complexity of a John le Carré novel ... utterly brilliant’ William Dalrymple, Guardian ‘[An] exceptional biography ... This is a jewel of a book’ Sunday Times ‘A brilliant and evocative biography, written with consummate scholarship, great style and wit’ Daily Telegraph ______ For centuries the city of Alexandria Beneath the Mountains was a meeting point of East and West. Then it vanished. In 1833 it was discovered in Afghanistan by the unlikeliest person imaginable: Charles Masson, an ordinary working-class boy from London turned deserter, pilgrim, doctor, archaeologist and highly respected scholar. On the way into one of history’s most extraordinary stories, Masson would take tea with kings, travel with holy men and become the master of a hundred disguises; he would see things no westerner had glimpsed before and few have glimpsed since. He would spy for the East India Company and be suspected of spying for Russia at the same time, for this was the era of the Great Game, when imperial powers confronted each other in these staggeringly beautiful lands. Masson discovered tens of thousands of pieces of Afghan history, including the 2,000-year-old Bimaran golden casket, which has upon it the earliest known face of the Buddha. He would be offered his own kingdom; he would change the world, and the world would destroy him. This is a wild journey through nineteenth-century India and Afghanistan, with impeccably researched storytelling that shows us a world of espionage and dreamers, ne’er-do-wells and opportunists, extreme violence both personal and military, and boundless hope. At the edge of empire, amid the deserts and the mountains, it is the story of an obsession passed down the centuries. **Chosen as a Book of the Year by the Spectator, Listener and Sydney Morning Herald**Trade ReviewCharles Masson is the quixotic and wildly colourful subject of this exceptional biography ... This is a jewel of a book. It rescues Masson from history's cutting-room floor and brings him richly, ripely to life ... Brave, dedicated, endlessly curious, Masson deserves his rediscovery -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *Only now, with this superb biography, is Masson’s tale told in full for the first time. The result, evocatively written, impeccably researched and minutely footnoted, but with the pace and deftly woven plot complexity of a John le Carré novel, is a small masterpiece. It solves most of the mysteries of Masson’s story and deserves all the acclaim it will undoubtedly win ... utterly brilliant -- William Dalrymple * Guardian *Enthralling … A remarkable story, full of grandeur and violence … [and] a powerful commentary on the horrors inflicted by the East India Company … Richardson’s colourful and compelling account gives this forgotten figure his due. -- Joshua Hammer * New York Times *Masson was one of the most extraordinary of many extraordinary Europeans roaming between Persia and India in the 19th century ... A brilliant and evocative biography, written with consummate scholarship, great style and wit. Through the study of one man, Richardson illuminates an entire world -- Harry Sidebottom * Daily Telegraph *Masson’s story is brilliantly retold by Edmund Richardson … A lucid, thrilling and poetic narrative that does justice to the subject. -- Bijan Omrani * Literary Review *History in the best sense of the word – a well-told story that shines a clear and penetrating light on the past. While thoroughly researched and extensively documented, it reads like a thriller by John Grisham. But this is not only a story about Masson and his life. The book helps us understand the mystery of Central Asia and why the struggle to control it is such a central feature of our time … Marvellously readable. -- Terry W. Hartle * Christian Science Monitor *Rarely has a work of non-fiction so brilliantly wrong-footed its readers as Edmund Richardson’s Alexandria: The Quest for the Lost City, which expertly subverts expectations, interweaving narrative, history and biography throughout ... A remarkable achievement, and that rare thing, a book guaranteed to change your perspective on the world -- Sebastian Milbank * Tablet *Immensely enjoyable … a highly entertaining representation of the world of 19th-century India and Afghanistan, and of the daredevil antics of an adventurer hooked on the past, looking to survive, prosper and make his mark in a world of shifting sands and shadows * BBC History Magazine *Richardson is a natural teller of such exuberant stories and the book is full of colourful characters -- A. S. H. Smyth * Spectator *Richardson skillfully weaves the tale of Alexander’s empire with Masson’s adventures, using a novelistic approach rather than dry academic one that focuses on the action without sacrificing key details about the history. -- Andrew DeMillo * AP News *Impressive. In a string of spirited encounters classicist Edmund Richardson tails the vagabond antiquarian who called himself Charles Masson to 1830s Afghanistan ... Masson has at last found the intrepid biographer he has so long deserved. -- John Keay

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Book SynopsisMuch of Constantine I's claim to lasting fame rests upon his sponsorship of Christianity, and many works have been published assessing whether his apparent conversion was a real religious experience or a cynical political manoeuvre. However his path to sole rule of the Roman Empire depended more upon the ruthless application of military might than upon his espousal of Christianity. He fought numerous campaigns, many of them against Roman rivals for Imperial power, most famously defeating Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. In this new study, Ian Hughes assesses whether Constantine would have deserved the title 'the Great' for his military achievements alone, or whether the epithet depends upon the gratitude of Christian historians. All of Constantine's campaigns are narrated and his strategic and tactical decisions analysed. The organization, strengths and weaknesses of the Roman army he inherited are described and the effect of both his and his predecessors' reforms discussed. The result is a fresh analysis of this pivotal figure in European history from a military perspective.

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In the spring of 73 AD the rock fortress of Masada on the western shore of the Dead Sea was the site of an event that was breathtaking in its courage and self-sacrifice. Here the last of the Jewish Zealots who, for nearly eight years, had waged war against the Roman occupiers of their country made their last stand. The Zealots on Masada had withstood a two-year siege but with Roman victory finally assured, they were faced by two options: capture or death. They chose the latter and when the Roman legions forced their way into the hill fort the following morning they were met only with utter silence by row upon row of bodies. Rather than fall into enemy hands the 960 men, women and children who had defended the fortress so heroically had committed suicide. The story of the siege and eventual capture of Masada is unique, not just in Israeli legend but in the history of the world. It is a story of bravery that even the Roman legionaries, well used to death and brutality, could see and appreciate. It was a massacre but a massacre with a difference: carried out by the victims themselves. The story of Masada has gone down in Israeli and Jewish folklore. It is little known elsewhere and it is time to redress the balance.

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Book SynopsisAt its height, the Roman Empire was the greatest empire yet seen with borders stretching from the rain-swept highlands of Scotland in the north to the sun-scorched Nubian desert in the south. But how were the vast and varied stretches of frontier defined and defended? Many of Rome's frontier defences have been the subject of detailed and ongoing study and scholarship. Three frontier zones are now UNESCO World Heritage sites (the Antonine Wall having recently been granted this status - the author led the bid), and there is growing interest in their study. This wide-ranging survey will describe the varying frontier systems, describing the extant remains, methods and materials of construction and highlighting the differences between various frontiers. Professor Breeze considers how the frontiers worked, discussing this in relation to the organisation and structure of the Roman army, and also their impact on civilian life along the empire's borders. He then reconsiders the question of whether the frontiers were the product of an overarching Empire-wide grand strategy, questioning Luttwak's seminal hypothesis. This is a detailed and wide-ranging study of the frontier systems of the Roman Empire by a leading expert. Intended for the general reader, it is sure also to be of great value for academics and students in this field. The appendixes will include a brief guide to visiting the sites today.Trade Review"The Frontiers of Imperial Rome is indispensable for anyone interested in Roman military institutions and policies, and is likely to be the standard work for some time."--StrategyPage "...without question one of the finest I've read from the Pen and Sword imprint, from the quality of the paper to the quality of the scholarship. It belongs both in the bookshelves of the frontier enthusiast as well as in the stacks of university libraries."--Ancient Warfare

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Book SynopsisJustinian I was the last great conquering Roman emperor, who dramatically increased the size of his realm although he never actually led an army in person. His long reign (527-565) was devoted to the challenging project of _renovatio imperii_, that is the renovation of Empire. His was the will and vision behind campaigns that saw the reconquest of Rome itself and Italy from the Ostrogoths, North Africa from the Vandals, and parts of Spain from the Visigoths. These grand schemes were largely accomplished through the services of two talented generals, Belisarius and Narses, and in spite of the distractions of wars against the Persians in the east for most of his reign and the devastation caused by bubonic plague. This is the only book available devoted to analysing all of Justinian's campaigns on the basis of the full range of sources. Besides narrating the course and outcome of these wars, Michael Whitby analyses the Roman army of the period, considering its equipment, organization, leadership, strategy and tactics, and considers the longer-term impact of Justinian's military ventures on the stability of the empire.

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Book SynopsisThe ancient Sibylline prophecies had foretold that the Roman Empire would last for 1000 years. As the time for the expected dissolution approached in the middle of the third century AD, the empire was lapsing into chaos, with seemingly interminable civil wars over the imperial succession. The western empire had seceded under a rebel emperor and the eastern empire was controlled by another usurper. Barbarians took advantage of the anarchy to kill and plunder all over the provinces. Yet within the space of just five years, the general, later emperor Aurelian had expelled all the barbarians from with the Roman frontiers, re-united the entire empire and inaugurated major reforms of the currency, pagan religion and civil administration. His accomplishments have been hailed by classical scholars as those of a superman, yet Aurelian himself remains little known to a wider audience. His achievements enabled the Roman Empire to survive for another two centuries, ensuring a lasting legacy of Roman civilization for the successor European states. Without Aurelian, the Dark Ages would probably have lasted centuries longer. This is a new, revised edition.Trade Review"Incorporating new material, British historian White has revised and expanded his 2006 life of Aurelian... White weaves into this story not only Aurelian's life, but that of several other emperors as well, plus an ongoing discussion of the evolution of the Roman Army."--The NYMAS Review, Autumn 2017 "White's account is supported by careful research, as demonstrated by extensive notes, some including interesting variant treatments of the evidence, and some very interesting appendices. Well written, The Roman Emperor Aurelian, one of a series on the Roman Emperors from Pen & Sword/Casemate, offers the lay reader an excellent picture of the Crisis of the Third Century and the life and work of Aurelian"--StrategyPage Well written, The Roman Emperor Aurelian, one of a series on the Roman Emperors from Pen & Sword/Casemate, offers the lay reader an excellent picture of the Crisis of the Third Century and the life and work of Aurelian, which can be read with profit by those with a more serious interest in thesubject as well--StrategyPage

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a complete and detailed analysis of the organization and equipment of the Macedonian army built by Philip II and later employed to world-changing effect by his son, Alexander III (the Great). This work explains how Philip took the traditional forces of Macedon and reformed them into the most modern and sophisticated combined-arms force in the Mediterranean world. Not only the formidable pike phalanx and the hard-charging Companion cavalry, but also the less famous components, such as light and cavalry types, are described in detail. The tactics employed in the great battles that won the largest empire the world had seen are analysed. With numerous colour photos showing replica weapons and equipment in use, this is a vivid, detailed and accessible study of the army that made Alexander great.

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Book SynopsisThe Roman imperial army represented one of the main factors in the exercise of political control by the emperors. The effective political management of the army was essential for maintaining the safety and well-being of the empire as a whole. This book analyses the means by which emperors controlled their soldiers and sustained their allegiance from the battle of Actium in 31 BC, to the demise of the Severan dynasty in AD 235. Recent discoveries have revolutionised our understanding of the Roman army. This study provides an up to date synthesis of a range of evidence from archaeological, epigraphic, literary and numismatic sources on the relationship between the emperor and his soldiers. It demonstrates that this relationship was of an intensely personal nature. He was not only the commander-in-chief, but also their patron and benefactor, even after their discharge from military service. Yet the management of the army was more complex than this emperor-soldier relationship suggests. An effective army requires an adequate military hierarchy to impose discipline and command the troops on a daily basis. This was of particular relevance for the imperial army which was mainly dispersed along the frontiers of the empire, effectively in a series of separate armies. The emperor needed to ensure the loyalty of his officers by building mutually beneficial relationships with them. In this way, the imperial army became a complex network of interlocking ties of loyalty which protected the emperor from military subversion.

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Book SynopsisDiane Arnson Svarlien's translation of Euripides' Andromache, Hecuba, and Trojan Women exhibits the same scholarly and poetic standards that have won praise for her Alcestis, Medea, Hippolytus. Ruth Scodel's Introduction examines the cultural and political context in which Euripides wrote, and provides analysis of the themes, structure, and characters of the plays included. Her notes offer expert guidance to readers encountering these works for the first time.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Translator's Preface; Map; Andromache; Hecuba; Trojan Women; Endnotes & Comments on the Text; Suggestions for Further Reading.

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Book SynopsisThis volume vividly recounts, for general readers, the Roman town of Herculaneum, destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE and uniquely preserved for nearly two thousand years. Initial chapters offer an engaging historical overview of the town during antiquity, including the riveting story of its rediscovery in the eighteenth century, excavation in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and broad cultural significance in modern times. Subsequent chapters offer an interpretive tour of the ancient town, then focus on one of Herculaneum’s grandest and most beautifully decorated private residences, known as the House of the Bicentenary. Located on the town’s main street, it has a range of features—original rooms, magnificent wall paintings and mosaics, and remarkable documents—that illuminate daily life in the ancient world. Final chapters bring the story up to date, including recent discoveries about the site and its famous papyrus manuscripts, as well as ongoing conservation initiatives.

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Book SynopsisThe founding of the first Persian Empire by the Achaemenid king Cyrus the Great in the sixth century BCE established one of the greatest world powers of antiquity. Extending from the borders of Greece to northern India, Persia was seen by the Greeks as a vastly wealthy and powerful rival and often as an existential threat. When the Macedonian king Alexander the Great finally conquered the Achaemenid Empire in 330 BCE, Greek culture spread throughout the Near East, but local dynasties-first the Parthian (247 BCE-224 CE) and then the Sasanian (224-651 CE)-reestablished themselves. The rise of the Roman Empire as a world power quickly brought it, too, into conflict with Persia, despite the common trade that flowed through their territories. Persia addresses the political, intellectual, religious, and artistic relations between Persia, Greece, and Rome from the seventh century BCE to the Arab conquest of 651 CE. Essays by international scholars trace interactions and exchanges of influence. With more than three hundred images, this richly illustrated volume features sculpture, jewelry, silver luxury vessels, coins, gems, and inscriptions that reflect the Persian ideology of empire and its impact throughout Persia's own diverse lands and the Greek and Roman spheres. This volume is published to accompany a major international exhibition presented at the Getty Villa from April 6 to August 8, 2022.Trade Review"This is a spectacular book, offering fascinating insights into three great ancient Persian empires and their interactions with Classical Greece and Rome. Groundbreaking essays by the leading scholars in the field open our eyes to how people lived and interacted, their motivations, and the outcomes of their choices. This catalogue provides detailed discussion of the hundreds of glorious artifacts brought together in the J. Paul Getty Museum's exhibition from museums across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. The exhibition at the Getty Villa is beautifully reflected and augmented by this richly illustrated and documented volume, one that will delight and ignite the curiosity of specialists and the curious public alike. A magnificent book, worthy of the installation that inspired it!"--Elspeth R. M. Dusinberre, College Professor of Distinction, Classics Department, University of Colorado Boulder; "In Persia: Ancient Iran and the Classical World, leading experts offer an up-to-date, highly interesting overview of the great epochs Iran experienced under the Achaemenid, Arsacid, and Sasanian dynasties. These key periods in Iranian history become palpable to a substantial extent in the political and cultural encounter with classical Greece, the Seleucid kingdom, and the Roman Empire. The different perspectives with which the individual authors look at the history and material culture open up many new perspectives, even for the specialist. The catalogue's illustrations make the complexity of the tradition impressively visible." -- Dr. Bruno Jacobs, Professor Emeritus, University of Basel

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Book SynopsisThe period covered by the Old Testament - beginning in approximately 3000 BC - was one of great technological development and innovation in warfare, as competing cultures clashed in the ancient Middle East. The Sumerians were the first to introduce the use of bronze into warfare, and were centuries ahead of the Egyptians in the use of the wheel. The Assyrians developed chariot warfare and set the standard for a new equine-based military culture. The Babylonians had an army whose people were granted land in return for army service. This authoritative history gives an overview of warfare and fighting in the age of the Old Testament, from the Akkadians, Early and Middle Kingdom Egypt and their enemies, Mycenean and Minoan Greece and Crete, Assyrians and New Kingdom Egyptians, the Hittites, the Sea Peoples who gave rise to the Philistines, the Hebrew kingdom, the Babylonian kingdom, the Medes and later Persian Empires, through to early Classical Greece. Author Simon Elliott explores how archaeology can shed light on events in the Bible including the famous tumbling walls of Jericho, the career of David the boy warrior who faced the Philistines, and Gideon, who was able to defeat an army that vastly outnumbered his own.Trade Review...this is an eye-opening, absorbing book written by an author who knows and loves his subject and who has the means and skill to communicate his knowledge crisply, clearly and with great verve. * Love Reading 26/07/2021 *...a solid survey of this period. […] Elliott’s writing is clear, as we have come to expect, and his text is supported by photographs of wargames figures, some general landscapes, and archaeological artefacts. * Wargames Illustrated *Table of ContentsSumerians and Akkadians; Early and Middle Kingdom Egypt and their enemies; Mycenean and Minoan Greece and Crete; Assyrians and New Kingdom Egyptians; the Hittites; the Sea Peoples who gave rise to the Philistines; the Hebrew kingdom; the Babylonian kingdom; the Medes and later Persian Empires; Dark Age and early Classical Greece.

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Book SynopsisThis volume—the companion book to the special exhibition Back to School in Babylonia of the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures of the University of Chicago—explores education in the Old Babylonian period through the lens of House F in Nippur, excavated jointly by the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania in the early 1950s and widely believed to have been a scribal school. The book’s twenty essays offer a state-of-the-art synthesis of research on the history of House F and the educational curriculum documented on the many tablets discovered there, while the catalog’s five chapters present the 126 objects included in the exhibition, the vast majority of them cuneiform tablets.Table of ContentsContents Foreword. Theo van den Hout Foreword. Eleanor Robson Preface. Marc Maillot Acknowledgments. Susanne Paulus List of Contributors Part I: Essays 1. Back to School in Babylonia: The Aims of Babylonian Education. Susanne Paulus 2. Old Babylonian Nippur in Its Environmental and Historical Settings. Hervé Reculeau 3. The Archaeology of Nippur’s House F and Its Neighborhood. Augusta McMahon 4. Living the Edubbaʾa: School as Sensory Experience and Social Identity. Madeline Ouimet 5. Economic Life in the Scribal Quarter of Nippur. Anne Goddeeris 6. Literacy in the Old Babylonian Period. Dominique Charpin 7. Reconstructing the Elementary Nippur Curriculum. Niek Veldhuis 8. Learning the Basics: The First Steps at School. Klaus Wagensonner 9. Complex Lists: Between Didactics and Erudition. Marta Díaz Herrera 10. Bilingualism and Akkadian. Jay Crisostomo 11. Sumerian Grammar for Babylonians. Colton G. Siegmund 12. Sumerian Proverbs. William A. Younger 13. What Did They Learn about Mathematics? Barbora Wichterlová 14. Practicing Law. Susanne Paulus 15. The Decad and Scribal Errors. Paul Delnero 16. Adventures in a Legendary Past: Tales of Long-Ago Kings as Cultural Education. Jane Gordon 17. Learning History. Piotr Michalowski 18. What Did They Learn about Myths and Religion? Christopher Metcalf 19. Learning Rhetoric through Sumerian Disputations. Catherine Mittermayer 20. What Did They Learn about Women? Jana Matuszak Part II: Catalog 21. Discovering a School in Nippur. Madeline Ouimet and Susanne Paulus, with Laura D'Alessandro and Alison Whyte 22. School Life in House F. Marta Díaz Herrera, Jane Gordon, Danielle Levy, Madeline Ouimet, Susanne Paulus, and Ryan D. Winters 23. The Curriculum: From Signs to Literature. Marta Díaz Herrera, Jane Gordon, Madeline Ouimet, Susanne Paulus, and Colton G. Siegmund 24. Topics of Education. Marta Díaz Herrera, Jane Gordon, Jana Matuszak, Madeline Ouimet, Susanne Paulus, Colton G. Siegmund, Barbora Wichterlová, and Ryan D. Winters 25. After School. Susanne Paulus, Colton G. Siegmund, and Ryan D. Winters List of Compositions Concordance of Museum Registration Numbers Bibliography

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive study of the iron objects found in Tutankhamun's tomb that include daggers, quivers, arrows, and an elaborately decorated bow caseA century after Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon's sensational discovery in 1922 of the virtually intact tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, the boy-king and his treasures continue to fascinate people all over the world. Although nearly 5,400 objects accompanied the young pharaoh on his journey to the afterlife, many of them have not been investigated in detail.Iron from Tutankhamun's Tomb analyzes iron artifacts from the tomb in depth for the first time. This group consists of small iron chisels set into wooden handles, an Eye of Horus amulet, a miniature headrest, and the blade of a richly decorated golden dagger. The most important of these were placed in close proximity to the king's mummy, emphasizing the high value attributed to this rare material in late Bronze Age Egypta time when iron smelting was not yet known in the land of the Nile.Written by a research team of archaeologists, scientists, and conservators, this comprehensive study explores in fascinating detail the context and meaning of these artifacts, while establishing for the first time that Tutankhamun's iron came from meteorites. They complete their examination with the results of chemical analyses, offering in the process a rich overall understanding of iron and its significance in ancient Egypt.

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Book SynopsisAn introduction to the geology of Egypt and its influence on ancient Egyptian cultureWhile much is known about Egypt’s towering pyramids, mighty obelisks, and extraordinary works of art, less is known about the role played by Egypt’s geological history in the formation of pharaonic culture’s artistic and architectural legacy. The fertile soils that lined the Nile Valley meant that the people of Egypt were able to live well off the land. Yet what allowed ancient Egypt to stand apart from other early civilizations was its access to the vast range of natural resources that lay beyond the Nile floodplain.In this engagingly written book, Colin Reader invites readers to explore the influence of geology and landscape on the development of the cultures of ancient Egypt. After describing today’s Egyptian landscape and introducing key elements of the ancient Egyptian worldview, he provides a basic geological toolkit to address issues such as geological time and major earth-forming processes. The developments that gave the geology of Egypt its distinct character are explored, including the uplifting of mountains along the Red Sea coast, the evolution of the Nile river, and the formation of the vast desert areas beyond the Nile Valley. As the story unfolds, elements of Egypt’s archaeology are introduced, together with discussions of mining and quarrying, construction in stone, and the ways in which the country’s rich geological heritage allowed the culture of ancient Egypt to evolve. Ideal for non-specialists and specialists alike, and supported with over one hundred illustrations, A Gift of Geology takes the reader on a fascinating journey into Egypt’s geological landscape and its relationship to the marvels of pharaonic culture.Trade Review"Fascinating . . . hugely ambitious . . . .This is a book that should be on every Egyptologist’s bookshelf."—Ancient Egypt Magazine"[A] travel-sized masterclass. . . . The breadth of this volume makes it perfect for anyone wanting to ground their knowledge of ancient Egypt into a geographic reality, and it should be essential reading for undergraduates in the field."—Egyptian Archeology "A fascinating overview of the Egyptian landscape and the long geological processes that gave rise to one of the world's most unique civilizations."—The Explorers Journal“[A] congenial . . . easy read. . . . a delight.”—Litro Magazine"An authoritative, valuable, accessible introduction to Egypt's geology and its influence on understanding ancient Pharaonic Egyptian culture. Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals. General readers."—CHOICE"Colin Reader is an established authority in Egyptology, and one of only a handful to have specialist knowledge of both geology and ancient Egypt, expertise now distilled into this very readable volume."—Chris Naunton, author of Egyptologists' Notebooks“Colin Reader’s guide to all things geological in Egypt is the perfect handbook for the interested lay reader. Colin takes us from the vast swaths of geological time, across the full range of Egyptian landscapes, to the archaeological context for the building of the pyramids and the quarrying of the unfinished obelisk. His illustrated book is a comprehensive geological companion and, with its suggested further reading, a starting point for deeper investigation.”—Judith Bunbury, University of Cambridge"In this book, Colin Reader skillfully combines his long-standing and scholarly interest in Egyptology with his professional career as a geologist. The result is an accessible, engaging, and up-to-date account of Egypt’s natural landscape and how it came to support the ancient Egyptians’ civilization. This work also successfully demonstrates how events taking place over millions of years are connected to the modern, built environment with which we are familiar today. In this way, A Gift of Geology takes the reader on a deeper exploration of ancient Egypt, encouraging us to think not only in dynasties and periods, but also in eras and eons."—Glenn Godenho, University of LiverpoolTable of ContentsList of FiguresIntroductionChapter 1 The Egyptian LandscapeChapter 2 An Introduction to GeologyChapter 3 The Geology of Egypt Part 1- The Pre-CambrianChapter 4 The Geology of Egypt Part 2 – The Palaeozoic and MesozoicChapter 5 The Geology of Egypt Part 3 – The Cenozoic: a land of riversChapter 6 The Evolution of the River NileChapter 7 The Eastern DesertChapter 8 The Western Desert Part 1Chapter 9 The Western Desert Part 2Chapter 10 Mining and Quarrying.Chapter 11 Building in Stone in Ancient EgyptChapter 12 The Interaction of Monuments and LandscapeChapter 13 A Gift of GeologyFurther Reading

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Book Synopsis'The order was brutal, its message unequivocal – kill the men, women and children of what is now Scotland and don’t shed a tear for any of them.' - The Scotsman The SpectatorSince 1975 much new archaeological evidence has come to light to illuminate the immense undertaking of Septimius Severus’ campaigns in Scotland, allowing for the first time the true story of this savage invasion to be told. In the early 3rd century Severus, the ageing Roman emperor, launched an immense ‘shock and awe’ assault on Scotland that was so savage it resulted in eighty years of peace at Rome’s most troublesome border. The book shows how his force of 50,000 troops, supported by the fleet, hacked their way through the Maeatae around the former Antonine Wall and then pressed on into Caledonian territory up to the Moray Firth. Severus was the first of the great reforming emperors of the Roman military, and his reforms are explained in the context of how he concentrated power around the imperial throne. There is also an in-depth look at the political, economic and social developments that occurred in the Province. This book will particularly appeal to those who are keen to learn more about the narrative of Rome’s military presence in Britain, and especially the great campaigns of which Severus’ assault on Scotland is the best example.

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Book SynopsisEgyptian coffins stand out in museums’ collections for their lively and radiant appearance. As an involucre of the mummy, coffins played a key-role by protecting the body and at the same time, integrating the deceased in the afterlife. The paramount importance of these objects and their purpose is detected in the ways they changed through time. For more than three thousand years, coffins and tombs had been designed to assure in the most efficient way possible a successful outcome for the difficult transition to the afterlife.This book examines twelve non-royal tombs found relatively intact, from the plains of Saqqara to the sacred hills of Thebes. These almost undisturbed burial sites managed to escape ancient looters and became adventurous events of the Egyptian archaeology. These discoveries are described from the Mariette’s exploration of the Mastaba of Ti in Saqqara to Schiaparelli’s discovery of the Tomb of Kha and Merit in Deir el-Medina.Each one of these sites unveil before our eyes a time capsule, where coffins and tombs were designed together as part of a social, political, and religious order. From the Pre-dynastic times to the decline of the New Kingdom, this book explores each site revealing the interconnection between mummification practices, coffin decoration, burial equipment, tomb decoration and ritual landscapes. Through this analysis, the author aims to point out how the design of coffins changed through time in order to empower the deceased with different visions of immortality. By doing so, the study of coffins reveal a silent revolution which managed to open to the common men and women horizons of divinity previously reserved to the royal sphere. Coffins thus show us how identity was forged to create an immortal and divine self.Trade ReviewThe author has a gift for vivid writing and he writes apssionately about a subject close to his heart. […] I would not hesitate to call it a good book and I wish it a wide readership. * Chronique d'Egypte *This well-illustrateed publication is a stimulating read and contains a wealth of information relating to funerary practices and their development through the Pharaonic age […] a very useful addition to any Egyptology bookshelf. * Ancient Egypt Magazine *Table of ContentsList of figures Preface 1. A dwelling by the Nile: The Predynastic grave of “Gebelein Man A” 2. On the path to Sokar: Solar splendours in the Mastaba of Ti 3. Facing the sun: The shaft tomb of Senebtisi 4. Flying back home: The grave of the “Gurnah Queen” 5. A house on the edge of the world: The Tomb of Kha and Merit (TT 8) 6. The Garden of Heaven: The family tomb of Sennedjem (TT 1) 7. The healing light: The burial assemblage of the priestess Tabasety 8. The divine brotherhood: The Tomb of the Priests of Amun 9. Conclusion Bibliography

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Book SynopsisWinner of the 2023 European Association of Archaeology Book of the Year AwardIn prehistoric societies children comprised 40-65% of the population, yet by default, our ancestral landscapes are peopled by adults who hunt, gather, fish, knap tools and make art. But these adults were also parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who had to make space physically, emotionally, intellectually and cognitively for the infants, children and adolescents around them. Growing Up in the Ice Age is a timely and evidence-based look at the lived lives of Paleolithic children and the communities of which they were a part. By rendering these 'invisible' children visible, readers will gain a new understanding of the Paleolithic period as a whole, and in doing so will learn how children have contributed to the biological and cultural entities we are today.Trade ReviewApril Nowell’s illuminating and engaging book … is important for students and professionals in physical and behavioral an­thropology because it fills a gap in helping us understand the fundamental role children played, literally and figura­tively, in our hominin past. * Journal of Paleoanthropology *A timely summary of the state-of-the art regarding Pleistocene youngsters, their lives, deaths and material worlds … This perspective on children as agents of change and innovation is valid and important beyond the Pleistocene. * Childhood in the Past *This is a must-read for those interested in childhood in the past, and for those seeking a rare humanistic volume on human evolution and Palaeolithic archaeology. * Current World Archaeology *This is data-driven, intellectually weighty, wide-ranging and erudite, lively, and packed full of ideas …. it goes much further than most books on human origins to humanise the Palaeolithic world, and the result is one of the best evocations of the Palaeolithic world I have read ... It should certainly be required reading for Palaeolithic and prehistoric specialists; and academics in the life sciences and social sciences and interested lay readers will find it of great value. * Professor of Palaeolithic Archaeology, Durham University *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Foreword by Jane Baxter 1. Toward an archaeology of Paleolithic children 2. Birth and the Paleolithic ‘family’ 3. Toys, burials and secret spaces 4. Stone tools, skill acquisition and learning a craft 5. Children, oral storytelling and the Paleolithic ‘arts’ 6. Adolescence in the Ice Age 7. Paleolithic children as drivers of human evolution Appendix 1. Chronology of the Paleolithic and timeline of fossil hominins Appendix 2. Table of subadult fossils in the Plio-Pleistocene (perinatal–ca. 10 years) Appendix 3. Table of subadult fossils from the Plio-Pleistocene (ca. 10 years–20 years). Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisDid the Exodus occur? This question has been asked in biblical scholarship since its origin as a modern science. The desire to resolve the question scientifically was a key component in the funding of archaeological excavations in the nineteenth century. Egyptian archaeologists routinely equated sites with their presumed biblical counterpart. Initially, it was taken for granted that the Exodus had occurred. It was simply a matter of finding the archaeological data to prove it. So far, those results have been for naught.The Exodus: An Egyptian Story takes a very real-world approach to understanding the Exodus. It is not a story of cosmic spectaculars that miraculously or coincidentally occurred when a people prepared to leave Egypt. There are no special effects in the telling of this story. Instead, the story is told with real people in the real world doing what real people do.Peter Feinman does not rely on the biblical text and is not trying to prove that the Bible is true. He places the Exodus within Egyptian history based on the Egyptian archaeological record. It is a story of the rejection of the Egyptian cultural construct and defiance of Ramses II. Egyptologists, not biblical scholars, are the guides to telling the Exodus story. What would you expect Ramses II to say after he had been humiliated? If there is an Egyptian smoking gun for the Exodus, how would you recognize it? To answer these questions requires us to take the Exodus seriously as a major event at the royal level in Egyptian history.Trade ReviewThe book is a reminder that myths and legends survive far longer than historical facts and can even shape the destinies of people living three millennia later. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ * Fortean Times *Table of Contents1. The Egyptological Search for the Exodus 2. Egypt, Egyptology, and the Exodus: The Egyptian Cultural Construct 3. The Hyksos: The People of the 400 Year Sojourn 4. The Hyksos: The Triumph and Defeat of Apophis 5. Ramses, the Pharaoh of the Exodus 6. The Exodus 7. Post-Exodus Stress Disorder

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