Ancient history Books

Book SynopsisThis book showcases a figure whose life and work bridge Classical and Hellenistic Greece. It comprises Tiziano Dorandiâs comprehensive new edition of the Clearchus âfragmentsâ, accompanied by a richly annotated English translation from Stephen White, as well as nine new studies examining key aspects of Clearchusâ thought.Clearchus, from Soli on the island of Cyprus, was an Aristotelian philosopher and cultural historian active in the later fourth and early third centuries BCE. A versatile thinker and prolific author, he wrote on a wide range of subjects. Although none of his works survive, he is cited extensively by later authors. Topics addressed in this volume include his accounts of souls during sleep, educational traditions, forms of love, luxurious living, sage maxims and other traditional sayings, aquatic wildlife, lunar phenomena, and his relation to Plato and Platonism.Clearchus of Soli will interest both students and scholars of ancient Greek history, philosophy and science, and especially anyone interested in Aristotle and his circle, Hellenistic literature and culture, or Greek cultural history generally.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis groundbreaking study, among the earliest syntheses on female homosexuality throughout Antiquity, explores the topic with careful reference to ancient concepts and views, drawing fully on the existing visual and written record including literary, philosophical, and scientific documents.Even today, ancient female homosexuals are still too often seen in terms of a mythical, ethereal Sapphic love, or stereotyped as Amazons or courtesans. Boehringer''s scholarly book replaces these clichés with rigorous, precise analysis of iconography and texts by Sappho, Plato, Ovid, Juvenal, and many other lyric poets, satirists, and astrological writers, in search of the prevailing norms, constraints, and possibilities for erotic desire. The portrait emerges of an ancient society to which today''s sexual categories do not applya society before sexualitywhere female homosexuality looks very different, but is nonetheless very real.Now available in English for the first time, Table of ContentsList of figures; Note to the reader and translator's note; Preface to the English Translation (2020), by Sandra Boehringer; Preface to Sandra Boehringer, L’Homosexualité féminine dans l’Antiquité grecque et romaine, Paris: Les Belles Lettres, 2007, by David Halperin; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; Introduction; I. MYTH AND ARCHAIC LYRIC POETRY: HOMOEROTICISM IN THE FEMININE; II. CLASSICAL AND HELLENISTIC GREECE: FROM SILENCE TO HUMOR; III. THE ROMAN PERIOD: FROM MYTHICAL FICTION TO SATIRE; Epilogue: Lucian or the Saturation of Signs; Conclusion; Bibliography (2007); Index of Ancient Authors and Works; Index of Contemporary Authors; Index nominum et rerum

Read more less

Book SynopsisAmongst the civilizations to participate in the dynamic processes of contact and interchange that gave rise to complex societies in the ancient Near East, Elam has remained one of the most obscure, at times languishing in the background of scholarly inquiry. In recent years, however, an increasing body of academic publications have acknowledged its relevance and suggested that its legacy was more considerable and long-lasting than previously estimated.The Elamite World assembles a group of 40 international scholars to contribute their expertise to the production of a solid, lavishly illustrated, English language treatment of Elamite civilization. It covers topics such as its physical setting, historical development, languages and people, material culture, art, science, religion and society, as well as the legacy of Elam in the Persian empire and its presence in the modern world. This comprehensive and ambitious survey seeks forTrade Review"This much-needed book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date survey of scholarship on one of the more enigmatic cultures of the ancient world, which dominated western Iran from the late fourth millennium BC to the mid-first: Elam. It is a necessary research tool for anyone with an interest in the history, philology, and archaeology of the ancient Near East and beyond." Marc Van De Mieroop, Columbia University, USATable of ContentsIntroduction; Part I Imagining Elam: The History of Research and its Sources; 1. Ælam regio: Elam in Western Scholarship from the Renaissance to the Late 19th Century; 2. Elam and the Bible; 3. France and Elam; 4. Between Orientalism and Persomania: the Presentation of the Iranian Collections at the Louvre; 5. Elamite Forgeries and the Antiquities Market; Part II The Land and Peoples of Elam; 6. Physical Geography and Environment of Elam; 7. Metals and Mining; 8. The Peoples of Elam; 9. Elamites and Iranians; Part III Elam through History; 10. The Birth of Elam in History; 11. The Old Elamite Period; 12. Elam in the Middle Elamite Period; 13. The Last Centuries of Elam: The Neo-Elamite Period; Part IV Close Encounters on the Eastern and Western Fronts; 14. Great Domino Games: From Elam, Looking Eastwards; 15. Elam and Babylonia c. 1400-1100 BC; 16. Elam and Assyria; 17. Propaganda and Symbolism: Representations of the Elamites at the Time of Ashurbanipal; Part V Language and Writing in Elam; 18. Prehistoric Administrative Technologies and the Ancient Near Eastern Redistribution Economy: The Case of Greater Susiana; 19. The Proto-Elamite Writing System; 20. Linear Elamite Writing; 21. The Elamite Language; 22. Writing in Elam; 23. Elamite Royal Inscriptions; 24. Elamite Administration; Part VI The Material Culture of Elam; 25. Elamite Architecture; 26. Elamite Ceramics; 27. The Metal Arts of Elam; 28. The Industry of Vitreous Materials in Elam; 29. Origins of Monumental Sculpture in Elam: Two Case Studies; 30. The Sculptural Arts of Elam; 31. Glyptic in the 4th-2nd Millennium; 32. Glyptic in the 1st Millennium; 33. Elamite Dress and Textiles; Part VII Elamite Society; 34. Cuneiform Culture and Science, Calendars, and Metrology in Elam; 35. Elamite Religion and Ritual; 36. Elamite Funerary Practices; 37. Women of Elam; 38. Music; Part VIII The Legacy of Elam; 39. Elamite Administrative and Religious Heritage in the Persian Heartland; 40. The Elamite Artistic Heritage of Persia; 41. Elam in Achaemenid Studies

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Argonauts of the Desert' presents a revolutionary new commentary on the Bible and its origins, arguing that most biblical stories and laws were inspired by Greek literature. From Genesis to Kings, the books of the Bible may have been written by a single author, a Hellenized Judean scholar who used Plato's ideal state in The Laws as a primary source. As such, biblical Israel is a recreation of that twelve tribes State and the stories surrounding the birth, life and death of that State were inspired by Greek epics. Each chapter presents the biblical material and compares this to the Greek or Roman equivalents, discussing similarities and differences.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Hypothesis and Thesis 1. Genesis 2. Exodus 3. Leviticus 4. Numbers 5. Deuteronomy 6. Joshua 7. Judges 8. Samuel 9. Kings 10. Conclusions

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the acclaimed master of historical fiction comes an epic saga about a reluctant hero, the Roman Empire, and the rise of a new faithTrade Review"A great warrior comes face to face with the only thing that could ever change him: a little girl who holds both hope and humanity in her heart. This is Pressfield’s best work." -- Jim Gant, ex–Green Beret, Silver Star recipient, and author of One Tribe at a Time"A brilliant tour de force." -- Ann Scott Tyson, award–winning journalist and author of American Spartan"A Man at Arms captures not only the ferocity and shock of battle, but also the relationships and emotions that make warfare so awful and yet so glorious." -- Jocko Willink"An incredible book that I devoured in one sitting. The master behind Gates of Fire does it again!" -- Ryan Holiday, The New York Times best-selling author of Stillness Is the Key"A Man At Arms explores the warrior ethos through the eyes and heart of a mercenary whose calling is tested on a journey of transformation. A masterpiece!" -- Jack Carr, Navy SEAL sniper and The New York Times best-selling author of Savage Son

Read more less

Book SynopsisHistory sees Augustus Caesar as the first emperor of Rome, whose system of ordered government provided a firm and stable basis for the expansion and prosperity of the Roman Empire. Hailed as ''restorer of the Republic'' and regarded by some as a deity in his own lifetime, Augustus was emulated by many of his successors. David Shotter reviews the evidence in order to place Augustus firmly in the context of his own times. Key topics discussed include: the background to Augustus Caesar''s spectacular rise to power  his political and imperial reforms the creation of the Republica of Augustus the legacy Augustus Caesar left to his successors. Revised throughout, the second edition of this successful book takes the most recent research in the field into account. David Shotter also includes more coverage of the social and cultural aspects of this complex character''s reign together with an expanded guide to further reading.Trade Review'Shotter has given us a clearly written, well-organized introductory survey ... anyone interested in Augustus ... would also find much of value here. A good introduction.'- BMCRTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. The Crisis of the Roman Republic 2. The Divine Youht 3. The Powers of Augustus 4. Auctorias - and Patronage 5. The City of Marble 6. The Respublica of Augustus 7. The Empire and the Augustan Peace 8. The Succession 9. The Legacy of Augustus Appendix I: Chief Dates in the Life and Career of Augustus Caesar Appendix II: The sources for Augustus' Principate: With Further Reading on the Source Material Appendix III: Glossary of Latin Terms. Select Bibliography. Index of Proper Names and Places

Read more less

Book SynopsisFully revised and update with the latest field research, an expanded guide to further reading, and drawing on a wealth of knowledge, this examination of the Roman republic's fall is a must for all students of history and classical studies.Trade Review'This is an impressive piece of publishing worth anyone's time and money.' – History Teaching Review'This book should serve its intended audience well, stimulating rather than blunting whatever enthusiasm it may have for the subject' –Robin Seager, The Classical ReviewTable of Contents1. Introduction: The Republic 2. The Government of the Republic 3. The Growth of the Empire 4. Factionalism in Roman Politics: The Gracchus Brothers 5. Marius, the Army and the Italian Allies 6. Sulla and the Senate 7. The Domination of Pompey 8. The First Triumvirate and the Slide to Civil War 9. Caesar's Dictatorship 10. The Final Act: Antonius, Octavian and Lepidus 11. Epilogue

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis all embracing survey of Pompeii provides the most comprehensive survey of the region available. With contributions by well-known experts in the field, this book studies not only Pompeii, but also for the first time the buried surrounding cities of Campania. The World of Pompeii includes the latest understanding of the region, based on the up-to-date findings of recent archaeological work.Accompanied by downloadable resources with the most detailed map of Pompeii so far, this book is instrumental in studying the city in the ancient world and is an excellent source book for students of this fascinating and tragic geographic region.Trade Review‘The editors' … modest hope that The World of Pompeii will serve as an updated variation on the themes of August Mau's Pompeii: Its Life and Art is no preparation for the wealth of information presented here, not to mention access to the thoughts and work of many leading Pompeii scholars from the eighteenth century onwards.’ – Bryn Mawr Classical ReviewTable of ContentsPart 1: Beginnings 1. An Orientation to the Cities and Countryside 2. History and Historical Sources 3. Rediscovery and Resurrection 4. The Environmental and Geomorphological Context 5. Recent Work on Early Pompeii 6. The First Sanctuaries 7. Early Urban Development 8. Building Materials, Construction Methods, and Chronologies. Appendix: A Note on Roman Concrete (Opus Caementicium) and Other Wall Construction Part 2: The Community 9. Development of Pompeii’s Public Landscape in the Roman Period 10. Urban Planning, Roads, Streets and Neighborhood 11. The Walls and Gates 12. The Forum and its Dependencies 13. Urban, Suburban and Rural Religion in the Roman Period 14. Amphitheatre, Palaestra, and Entertainment Complexes 15. The City Baths 16. The Water System – Supply and Drainage Part 3: Housing 17. Domestic Spaces and Activities 18. The Development of the Campanian House 19. Instrumentum Domesticum – A Case Study 20. Domestic Decoration. Paintings and the 'Four Styles' 21. Domestic Decoration. Mosaics and Stucco 22. Real and Painted (Imitation) Marble at Pompeii 23. Houses of Regions I and II 24. Regions V and IX. Early Anonymous Domestic Architecture 25. The Creation of the House of the Vestals (VI16–8) 26. Rooms with a View. Residences Built on Terraces (Regions VI–VIII) 27. Residences in Herculaneum 28. Villas Surrounding Pompeii and Herculaneum Part 4: Society and Economy 29. Shops and Industries 30. Inns and Taverns 31. Gardens 32. The Loss of Innocence. Pompeian Economy and Society 33. Epigraphy and Society 34. Pompeian Women 35. The Lives of Slaves 36. Pompeian Men and Women in Portrait Sculpture 37. The Tombs at Pompeii 38. Victims of the Cataclysm 39. Early Published Sources for Pompeii

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis original study examines the claims for sensational intrigues in the 6th century Egyptian palace, culminating in the possible assassination of King Teti by his own bodyguards. New evidence from the author''s recent excavations is set against the written claims of the ancient historian Manetho. This offers the reader a unique opportunity to compare archaeological and historical evidence, and sheds new light on the political conspiracies and quarrels of the age.With over 80 illustrations, and clear presentation of the dynastic tomb excavations, the book also gives a rare and accessible insight into Old Kingdom society and administration under the kings Unis, Teti and Pepy I. It will be valuable to all students of Egyptian history.Trade Review'This whole book is a fascinating insight into the scope - and limitations - of attempting to use archaeological date to reconstruct "history".' - Egyptian Archaeology'This whole book is a fascinating insight into the scope - and limitations - of attempting to use archaeological date to reconstruct "history".' - Egyptian Archaeology'The text is methodically organised to present the evidence with simplicity and clarity... Kanawati's methodology is systematic and straightforward.' – Caroline Hubschmann, Eras JournalTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 Assassination claim 2 The suspects: case studies 3 The investigation Conclusions

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis concise volume introduces readers to the three main sections of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and to the biblical books found in each. It is organized around two primary stories: the story that scholars tell about the Old Testament and the story the literature itself tells. Concluding with a reconsideration of the Old Testament as more like poetry than a story, three main chapters cover: The Pentateuch (Torah) The Prophets (NeviÊim) The Writings (Ketuvim) With key summaries of what the parts of the Old Testament are all about, and including suggestions for further reading, this volume is an ideal introduction for students of and newcomers to the Old Testament.Trade Review‘An excellent introduction to the Old Testament! Strawn delightfully guides readers through both the content of the books in the Hebrew Bible and the most current questions in biblical scholarship. No background knowledge is presumed, and no other introduction to the Old Testament is as readable. Students and teachers alike will appreciate Strawn’s jargon-free and undogmatic discussion of debates among scholars, his humor and literary sensitivity with biblical prose and poetry, as well as his attention throughout to the diversity and complexity of issues that face all readers of biblical literature.’ — Davis Hankins, Appalachian State University, USA‘Brent A. Strawn’s The Old Testament: A Concise Introduction is a tour-de-force that provides an exceptional orientation to the "lay of the land" stretching before students as they set out to explore the texts of the Hebrew Bible. Strawn overviews the content of the Old Testament with a balance of detail, clarity, and wit, while also presenting an outstanding up-to-date primer to the long history of biblical interpretation that students will meet in the classroom. Strawn is an expert field guide who welcomes readers with unrivaled sensitivity and care for detail, and his book will inspire thoughtful, critical engagement with the biblical text for years to come, in both undergraduate and seminary settings.’ — Kelly J. Murphy, Central Michigan University, USA ‘Aimed at first-time readers of the Old Testament, Brent Strawn’s Concise Introduction is a highly readable, accessible, and reliable guide to the rich anthology of literatures that make up the Old Testament. Readers will come away from this book with a much deeper appreciation of the complexity, the sophistication, and the compelling nature of the Old Testament as an ancient but timeless word that proves timely for each new context and generation. Strawn helps us see how the Old Testament may be read paradoxically "as if" it were a grand, coherent story and "as if" it were unsettled, open-ended poetry, constantly sparking new questions and avenues of interpretation.’ — Dennis Olson, Princeton Theological Seminary, USATable of Contents1 The Story of the Old Testament and the Old Testament as Story 2 The Pentateuch (Torah) 3 The Prophets (Neviʾim) 4 The Writings (Ketuvim) 5 From Story to Song

Read more less

Book SynopsisProvides a general introduction to the cultural history of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. It then presents a translation of the only known native narratives, written in Greek, of the histories of these two civilizations. This volume will appeal to all people interested in ancient Israel, Greek history, and ancient history in general.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe essential illustrated guide to the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece and Rome, vividly retelling their stories and exploring their origins. Who were the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece and Rome? What did they mean to the people who worshipped them? Although their time of widespread worship has long passed, the Greek and Roman gods have fascinated and inspired writers and artists for millennia. From Aphrodite to Apollo, Poseidon to Zeus, these are some of the most recognizable characters in Western culture, yet there is a much richer past behind famous paintings of the birth of Aphrodite or the bold iconography of Zeus and his thunderbolts. The Greek and Roman gods are enthralling characters in the enduringly powerful Iliad, Odyssey and Metamorphoses. They are immortal and powerful yet also vain, vindictive and vulnerable. Moreover, as manifestations of death, fertility, love and war, the gods are also our key to understanding how the Greeks and Romans saw their Table of ContentsIntroduction FIRST–GENERATION OLYMPIANS Zeus / Jupiter Hera / Juno Aphrodite / Venus Hades / Pluto Poseidon / Neptune Demeter / Ceres THE NEXT GENERATION Athena / Minerva Artemis / Diana Hermes / Mercury Ares / Mars Dionysus / Bacchus Hephaestus / Vulcan BEYOND OLYMPUS Janus Hecate / Trivia Hestia / Vesta Isis Serapis Asclepius / Aesculapius Mithras EPILOGUE Between Human and Divine

Read more less

Book SynopsisBritain's most distinguished historian of ancient Greek art recounts what the Parthenon and its sculptures meant to the citizens of 5th-century BCE Athens. Surprising, questioning, challenging, enriching: the Pocket Perspectives series celebrates writers and thinkers who have helped shape the conversation across the arts. Mixing classic and contemporary texts, reissues and abridgements, these are bite-sized, fully illustrated reads in an attractive, affordable and highly collectable package.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe essential guide to the greatest hits from the tomb of Tutankhamun, presented in a beautiful compact package.Trade Review'Presents a lavish and essential guide to the tomb, its discovery and all the astonishing artefacts and valuables it contained' - All About HistoryTable of Contents1. Who was Tutankhamun? 2. The Treasures of the Tomb: Daily Life; Royal Life; Death and the Afterlife 3. The Rediscovery Family Tree List of Kings Map Further Reading Sources of Illustrations Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover the lives of the ancient Romans, pieced together from inscriptions, discarded letters, biographies and myth over two thousand years of history. The Roman empire witnessed a huge diversity of human experience over its history. At its pinnacle, it exerted its rule across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, from Britannia to the Black Sea. In this collection of 100 lives, Philip Matyszak and Joanne Berry give voice not only to famed rulers and generals whose names and deeds have been enshrined in classical texts but also to the ordinary citizens centurions, scholars, Christian martyrs and civil servants who made up the fabric of Roman society. The biographies of these individuals, whose stories range from the happy and uneventful to the tragic and dramatic, are pieced together from ancient art, artefacts and myths. Matyszak and Berry illuminate the sometimes surprising exploits of Rome's women, such as Amazonia, a sword-swinging gladiator, and Metila, a priestess of the cTrade Review'The authors are to be commended for what they accomplish with such a format … Great to see that so many women’s lives are included, even to illustrate a period where there are male alternatives – redressing this age-old imbalance' - Ancient History

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis illustrated introduction offers a fresh approach to the history of the Islamic world from its origins to the present day. Told in six chapters, arranged both chronologically and thematically, and richly enhanced with outstanding images, it provides an illuminating insight into the material culture produced from West Africa to Southeast Asia through art and artifacts, people and places.From pre-Islamic works that provided a foundation for the arts of Islam to masterpieces produced under the great empires and objects that continue to be made today, this expansive survey traces the development of civilizations at the forefront of philosophical and scientific ideas, artistic and literary developments, and technological innovations, exploring a wealth of cultural treasures along the way.Texts are accompanied by a wide variety of objects, including architectural decoration, ceramics, jewellery, metalwork, calligraphy, textiles, musical instruments, coins, illustrated manuscripts, and modern and contemporary art, all of which shed new light on the Islamic world both past and present. This book will inspire and inform anyone interested in one of the most influential and diverse cultures of the world.Table of ContentsIntroduction ? 1. A history of histories ? 2. Belief and practice ? 3. Interconnected worlds (750?1500) ? 4. The age of empires (1500?1900) ? 5. Literary and musical traditions ? 6. The modern world ? 7. Glossary ? 8. Selected bibliography ? 9. Acknowledgements ? 10. Credits ? 11. IndexTrade Review'Handsomely illustrated … offers a fresh approach by looking at the finest arts alongside rarely seen archaeological material from daily life … Anyone interested in the Islamic world should have this book' - Timeless Travels'Beautifully conceived, designed and produced … absorbing, inspiring, at times surprising, and consistently illuminating' - Art QuarterlyTable of ContentsIntroduction • 1. A history of histories • 2. Belief and practice • 3. Interconnected worlds (750–1500) • 4. The age of empires (1500–1900) • 5. Literary and musical traditions • 6. The modern world • 7. Glossary • 8. Selected bibliography • 9. Acknowledgements • 10. Credits • 11. Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction A Note on This Translation Dramatis Personae Medea Notes Acknowledgments

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe only full treatise on architecture and its related arts to survive from classical antiquity, the De Architectura libri decem (Ten Books on Architecture) is the single most important work of architectural history in the Western world, having shaped humanist architecture and the image of the architect from the Renaissance to the present. This new, critical edition of Vitruvius' Ten Books of Architecture is the first to be published for an English-language audience in more than half a century. Expressing the range of Vitruvius' style, the translation, along with the critical commentary and illustrations, aims to shape a new image of the Vitruvius who emerges as an inventive and creative thinker, rather than the normative summarizer, as he was characterized in the Middle Ages and Renaissance.Trade Review' … this is an important publishing event in the study of architectural history. With Vitruvius now made less obscure, we can see with much greater clarity the inherent flexibility of the Classical system at the time when there was no such thing as Classical architecture - only architecture.' Architects Journal'As twentieth century translator of Vitruvius' treatise Ingrid D. Rowland has done a tremendous service to all those interested in classical architecture.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review'This book makes the Renaissance enthusiasm for Vitruvius understandable again, and it is an indispensable starting point for future work on him.' Preservation'Rowland and Howe have reconstructed Vitruvius's conception of architecture as a liberal art and an essential component of any civilized society, and made it accessible to us.' Archis'I would recommend anyone interested in ancient architecture to buy a copy of this volume for the commentary alone.' Ian Campbell, Burlington MagazineTable of ContentsPart I. Translator's Preface: List of manuscripts and printed editions; Illustrator's preface; Part II: The Translation: Book 1; Book 2; Book 3; Book 4; Book 5; Book 6; Book 7; Book 8; Book 9; Book 10; Part III. Commentary and Illustrations.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBook XII brings Virgil's Aeneid to a close, as the long-delayed single combat between Aeneas and Turnus ends with Turnus' death - a finale that many readers find more unsettling than triumphant. In this, the first detailed single-volume commentary on the book in any language, Professor Tarrant explores Virgil's complex portrayal of the opposing champions, his use and transformation of earlier poetry (Homer's in particular) and his shaping of the narrative in its final phases. In addition to the linguistic and thematic commentary, the volume contains a substantial introduction that discusses the larger literary and historical issues raised by the poem's conclusion; other sections include accounts of Virgil's metre, later treatments of the book's events in art and music, and the transmission of the text. The edition is designed for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students and will also be of interest to scholars of Latin literature.Trade Review'Cambridge University Press's splendid Greek and Latin Classics series, known in the trade as the 'Green and Yellows', is now in its fifth decade. The series adds to its lustre with these two very different but equally outstanding commentaries … each of which shows remarkable standards of scholarship and criticism. Publications such as this are real events in the world of Classics.' The Times Literary SupplementTable of ContentsIntroduction; P. Vergili Maronis Aeneidos liber dvodecimvs; Commentary.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis volume draws on literary and archaeological evidence to reconstruct the Goths' dramatic history, and to explore the meaning of Gothic identity at different moments and in different contexts. It is divided into three parts, corresponding to the three main phases in Gothic historyTrade Review"...a volume of central importance on the place of the Goths in early European history and a fine contribution to the study of the transformation of Europe after Rome." Times Literary Supplement, January 1998. "... an excellent introduction to the student" Archaeological Review from CambridgeTable of ContentsList of Plates. List of Figures. Preface. Abbreviations. Acknowledgements. 1. The Gothic Problem. Part I: In Search of the Goths:. 2. From the Baltic to the Black Sea. 3. The Fourth Century Kingdoms. Part II: Goths, Huns and Romans:. 4. The Hunnic Revolution. 5. Goths and Romans: Remaking the Gothic World. 6. The Transformation of the Goths 376-476. Part III: The Kingdoms of the Goths:. 7. The First Gothic Successor State. 8. Ostrogothic Italy: Kingdom and Empire. 9. Sixth Century Crises and Beyond. 10. Symbols, Mechanisms, and Continuities. Appendix 1: Procopius and the Gothic Elite. Appendix 2: Non-Goths in the Army of Totila. Bibliography. 1. Primary Sources. 2. Secondary Sources. 3. The Wielbark and Cernjachov Cultures. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPompey the Great was one of the most important military commanders and politicians in the history of the Roman republic. This biography provides a historical background essential for understanding Pompey's career. It gives readers a look inside the political and military world of ancient Rome and at one of the characters that shaped its destiny.Trade Review"Displays a high degree of expertise and professional competence . . . an important contribution to the understanding of the late Republic and a valuable tool for future researchers." History "An authoritative volume which is likely for many years to remain essential reading for students of the Late Republic. . . highly recommended." Greece and Rome "The new edition makes this volume one of the most ready references on this subject in English, and the chronological table and the glossary are exemplary for a biography on a Roman topic. Seager's work has stood the test of time and will continue to do so." Bryn Mawr Classical ReviewTable of ContentsPreface. Abbreviations. List of maps. Introduction: The Historical Background from the Gracchi to Sulla. 1. Cn. Pomepeius Strabo. 2. Pompeius, Cinna and Sulla. 3. The Rise to the Consulship. 4. The Commands Against the Pirates and Mithradates. 5. Pompeius in the East. 6. Rome in the Absence of Pompeius. 7. The Return of Pomepius. 8. The Consulship of Caesar. 9. The Exile of Cicero. 10. The Conference of Luca. 11. The Second Consulship and the Growth of Anarchy. 12. The Third Consulship and the Approach of Civil War. 13. The Civil War. 14. Conclusion. Afterword. Appendix 1 The Chronology of Caesar's Legation in 59. Appendix 2 The Terminal Date of Caesar's Gallic Command. Select Bibliography. Chronological table. Glossary. Index.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisPeter Brown explores a revolutionary shift in thinking about the fate of the soul between 250 and 650 CE, showing how personal wealth in the pursuit of redemption led Church doctrine concerning the afterlife to evolve from speculation to firm reality. This new relationship to money set the stage for the Church's domination of medieval society.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA series of dinner parties at which the guests quote extensively from Greek literature. The work provides quotations from works now lost, and preserves information about wide range of information about Greek culture.Trade ReviewThe re-evaluation of Athenaeus continues. This is the very welcome first volume of a new Loeb edition of the Deipnosophistae intended to replace the set of volumes edited by Charles Gulick (1927-41). -- J. L. Lightfoot * Exemplaria Classica *Essential for food historians. Excellent Value. -- AKD * Petits Propos Culinaires *One of the main advantages of Olson's new edition is that it is reader-friendly. When The Learned Banqueters quotes from a known author, Olson follows the text of, and gives the reference to, the best modern edition, making it easy for the reader to look up the citation in its original context...Olson's translation is largely excellent, and captures the spirit of the different authors quoted. -- Helen Morales * Times Literary Supplement *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA series of dinner parties at which the guests quote extensively from Greek literature. The work provides quotations from works now lost, and preserves information about wide range of information about Greek culture.Trade ReviewOne of the main advantages of Olson's new edition is that it is reader-friendly. When The Learned Banqueters quotes from a known author, Olson follows the text of, and gives the reference to, the best modern edition, making it easy for the reader to look up the citation in its original context...Olson's translation is largely excellent, and captures the spirit of the different authors quoted. -- Helen Morales * Times Literary Supplement *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAccompanying the first ever exhibition on the storytelling around Alexander the Great, King of Macedon, this book charts the evolution of a legend that continues to captivate audiences today.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAccompanying the first ever exhibition on the storytelling around Alexander the Great, King of Macedon, this book charts the evolution of a legend that continues to captivate audiences today.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA superb visual introduction to what are undoubtedly some of the greatest works of art from the ancient world, showcasing a series of specially taken photographs of the British Museum's unrivalled collection of Assyrian sculptures.

Read more less

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.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA handy and colourful illustrated guide to reading, writing and understanding ancient Egyptian names, epithets, titles and phrases.Table of Contents1. The importance of names in Ancient Egypt; 2. People and their names: how Egyptian names are written and what they mean; 3. Gods' names and epithets; 4. The animal world: how animal names express the nature of the creature; 5. Secret names and names for posterity; 6. List of useful Egyptian words and phrases.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIan Jenkins was senior curator at the British Museum, where he iwas responsible for the ancient Greek collections.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWonderfully preserved Greek vases are a unique source of information about the mythology, religion, drama and daily life of the ancient Greek world. This sumptuous photographic book offers a superb visual introduction to the artistry of ancient Greek vases, exploring them not merely as beautiful vessels to bear water and wine, but also as instruments of storytelling and bearers of meaning. Presenting the vases and their imagery in their full narrative glory, The Greek Vase interprets their forms and stories along a variety of themes, from the adventures of gods and mythological heroes, to expressive scenes of sexual intimacy and depictions of social, family and domestic life. This beautifully illustrated book highlights what these pictures would have meant to the people who lived with and used them, how they have been received by later generations, and the profound influence of their form, decoration and narrative on subsequent art, architecture and literature.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Viking ship is one of the most iconic images of the Vikings and the longship in particular has been central to our understanding of the Vikings. This book explores the evolution of their sea-going vessels and celebrates this outstanding feature of the Viking Age.

Read more less

Book SynopsisExplores ancient India (c. 100 BCE600 CE) through three of its major religions Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism to illuminate how they reflect political power, artistic innovation and changes in peoples' daily lives. Ancient India was a dynamic, cosmopolitan centre of creativity. The visual traditions of its major indigenous religions were closely interrelated, reflecting political power, changes in peoples' daily lives and artistic innovation. Exported beyond the Indian subcontinent in antiquity, these three major religions Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism are living traditions and their devotional works of art impact on the daily life of billions of people across the world. This major new publication traces the development of religious imagery from around 100 BCE, when it focused on the depiction of nature spirits, to 600 CE, by which time devotional images of Jain, Buddhist and Hindu deities and teachers had taken shape. Moving from symbolic to human form, such imagery employed at

Read more less

Book SynopsisJayne Carroll is Director of the Institute for Name-Studies and Associate Professor in the History of English at the University of Nottingham. Her main academic interests include place-names and language and literature in Old English and Old Norse. Stephen H. Harrison is an Honorary Research Associate in medieval history at Trinity College Dublin, having previously worked in museums, universities and commercial archaeology. He specializes in the social context of Scandinavian burials in the early Viking Age and has wider interests in Viking Age Britain and Ireland, particularly early settlement activity. Gareth Williams is Curator of early medieval coins at the British Museum. He has worked extensively on warfare, coinage, wealth and exchange, and towns in the Viking Age. Gareth was also lead curator of the British Museum exhibition Vikings: life and legend.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book tells the fascinating story of one of archaeology's icons, from its creation in the second century BC, to its discovery in 1799 during Napoleon's Egyptian campaign, to the subsequent race to decipher its hieroglyphic text.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMade from Bronze with eyes inlaid with glass pupils set in metal rings, the 'Meroe Head' is a magnificent portrait of Julius Caesar's great nephew and adopted heir Augustus (63 BC-AD 14).

Read more less

Book SynopsisTaking us on an incredible journey across centuries and galaxies, accompanied by his characteristic wit, Professor Luke O'Neill explains how it all began, how it all will end and everything in between. Readers will benefit from Luke's insatiable curiosity for life when they dive into this ultimate journey through life and death.Among many fascinating facts, you'll discover the science behind how we got to be so smart, why sex with a caveman was a good idea, the science of finding love, why we follow religions, and how robots will become part of everyday life. Humanology is a humbling reminder that we're just a small speck in a big universe so sit back and embrace the adventure.A man who can explain 4.2 billion years of life on Earth and make me laugh at the same time sheer genius.' Pat Kenny, Newstalk

Read more less

Book SynopsisCentring on the reign of the emperor Augustus, volume four is pivotal to the series, tracing of the changing shape of the entity that was ancient Rome through its political, cultural and economic history.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSurveys the current debates in modern literature and provides a wide selection of translated sources.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscovered in 1811, Bignor is one of the richest and most impressive villas in Britain, its mosaics ranking among the finest in north-western Europe. Now, after 200 years, the remarkable story of Bignor Roman Villa is told in full in this beautifully illustrated book.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe first completely new and authoritative popular book on Roman Bath since 1984Trade Review"A fascinating read packed full of remarkable revelations.""Throughout Roman Bath Davenport eloquently tells the story of the town of Aquae Sulis and unpacks a series of new and surprising discoveries that have been made over the last forty years.""This is a book which can be enjoyed at many levels and readers who already know Bath well are likely to find as much to interest them as those who are new to the history of the city. The author’s knowledge of Aquae Sulis is unsurpassed and his enthusiasm for this fascinating period in Bath’s history shine through the pages of this informative volume." -- Graham Barton"For anyone who is trying to get to grips with Roman Bath, this book provides an excellent and useful starting point, and provides signposts to key sources." -- John Richards"Peter Davenport has been heavily involved with the archaeology of Roman Bath for over 40 years. He arrived to assist Barry Cunliffe in the excavation of the temple precinct beneath the Pump Room and the nearby sacred spring." -- John Richards

Read more less

Book SynopsisSacrifice, like death, is one of the great taboo subjects of modern society. The notion that human sacrifice, murder most horrid and even cannibalism could be considered a most holy act is almost inconceivable. Yet the evidence for human sacrifice in north-west Europe, deriving from both archaeology and the testimony of Classical writers of the first centuries BC/AD, has to be confronted. This is the challenge of this original, but often disturbing, book. Brings together a wealth of archaeological, anthropological and historical evidence that has not been previously available is a valuable asset to scholars.Trade ReviewA very ambitious book, set fair to become a bestseller. * Journal of the British Archaeological Association *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the early settlers after the last Ice Age, and the myth and ritual that surrounds that prehistoric period, Fiona Watson charts the evolution of the Scottish people - as Scots, Picts and Angles - and their interaction with the world abroad, from invasions by the Romans and Vikings and the medieval wars of independence with England right through to Devolution.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe authoritative and accessible look at life in Roman Britain begins with a brief overview of the province in its historical context. The book then concentrates on the social history of the 400 years of Roman occupation with thematically arranged chapters on fucisign on administration; life in the army; religion; recreation; housing; food and drink; personal lifestyle; and art and decoration. Drawing on both the latest archaeological evidence and testimony from classical writers. the author recreates the lifestyles of those who lived in this part of a once great empire. With over 100 illustrations of sites, artefacts and reconstructions, and a comprehensive further reading section, this book will appeal to anyone interested in the Roman Period in Britain.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPeople have lived in Scotland for at least 10,000 years. Yet, for the first 9000 of these years, no recognisable concept of ''Scotland'' even existed. Most books on Scottish history dispose of these nine millennia in a brief introduction, before moving on to the more familiar kings, queens, barons and battles of medieval Scotland. Ian Armit tells the story of Scotland''s earliest history by concentrating on 100 of the most exciting and accessible monuments, which he places firmly in their wider context. Armed with full information on ''How to get there'', the reader is encouraged to go out and discover the wealth of this archaeological evidence that can be seen all over Scotland - Neolithic chambered tombs and stone circles, Bronze Age rock carvings and hut circles, Iron Age hillforts and brochs, Roman forts, Pictish symbol stones, early Christian crosses and Viking graves. The book includes regional itineraries, a guide to museums and heritage attractions, and an archaeological glossary.Trade Review"'More than just a manual for the heritage tourist... a most attractive and stimulating handbook.' --Antiquity 'It's not just the writing which is attractive; the whole book has been carefully planned.... a marvellous job.' -- Historic Scotland 'For a work so obviously by an academic, it is eminently accessible to the general reader.' -- Scottish Daily Mail; 'The best introduction so far to Scottish brochs.' - Current Archaeology"

Read more less

Book SynopsisBy the middle of the sixth century the Byzantine emperor ruled a mighty empire that straddled Europe, Asia and North Africa. Within 100 years, this powerful empire had been cut in half. Two centuries later the Byzantine empire was once again a power to be reckoned with, and soon recovered its position as the paramount East Mediterranean and Balkan power, whose fabulous wealth attracted Viking mercenaries and central Asian nomad warriors to its armies, whose very appearance on the field of battle was sometimes enough to bring enemies to terms. No book has ever attempted a survey of Byzantine wars, and few accounts of Byzantine battles have ever been translated into a modern language. This book will provide essential support for those interested in Byzantine history in general as well as a useful corrective to the more usual highly romanticised views of Byzantine civilisation.Trade Review"'Compelling' HISTORY TODAY; 'Belongs in every library of Byzantine and medieval history' SPECULUM."

Read more less