Ancient history Books

Book SynopsisA detailed, fully illustrated overview of Julius Caesar''s Gallic Wars, one of the most important conflicts of the ancient world.Julius Caesar was one of the most ambitious and successful politicians of the late Roman Republic and his short but bloody conquest of the Celtic tribes led to the establishment of the Roman province of Gaul (modern France). Caesar''s commentaries on his Gallic Wars provide us with the most detailed surviving eye-witness account of a campaign from antiquity. In this book, respected Roman military historian Kate Gilliver makes use of this account and other surviving evidence to consider the importance of the Gallic Wars in the context of the collapse of the Roman Republic and its slide toward civil war.Updated and revised for the new edition, with full-colour maps and new images throughout, this accessible introduction provides an important reference resource for the academic or student reader as well as those with a general interest

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Book SynopsisThe scale and organisation of the Roman army was unprecedented in the ancient Western world. This book tells the story of everyday aspects of the army in the heyday of the Roman Empire from life in a tent to the food soldiers consumed and explains its hierarchy, roles, equipment and place in a vast multiethnic society divided between citizens and subjects. Everything the best history books can be: erudite, entertaining and eloquent.' Terry Deary, author of Horrible Histories Splendidly direct, clear and jargon free You are unlikely to find a clearer or more comprehensive account' Classics for All The Roman army has been immortalised in heroic art and screen epics, but what was life really like for an ordinary soldier? This book explores everyday life in the army including the experiences of women and enslaved people through a range of rare objects and testimonies. These include letters from Apion and Terentianus, young Egyptian soldiers writing home to their families; the tomTable of ContentsForewords Timeline and map Introduction 1. Enlisting 2. A soldier’s remains 3. Ranks and roles 4. Aristocracy and the army 5. Dressing for battle 6. Camp and campaign 7. Fort life 8. Soldiers in society Glossary Rulers of the Roman Empire Notes Bibliography Lenders Picture credits Acknowledgements Index

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

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Book SynopsisCleopatra''s palace shimmered with onyx and gold but was richer still in political and sexual intrigue. Though her life spanned fewer than forty years, it reshaped the contours of the ancient world. Famous long before she was notorious, Cleopatra has gone down in history for all the wrong reasons. Stacy Schiff boldly separates fact from fiction to rescue the magnetic queen whose death ushered in a new world order, a generation before the birth of Christ. Rich in detail, epic in scope, Schiff''s is a luminous reconstruction of a dazzling life.Trade ReviewUnder [Schiff's] pen, the mirage of Cleopatra shimmers down the deserts of time and suddenly stands before us, in new and thrilling sharp focus ... full of well researched context and much learned speculation -- Jan Moir * Daily Mail *We see a great queen painted in dazzling colours in the twilight of a dazzling kingdom ... new life is breathed into an indisputably authentic icon * Sunday Times *An inspired combination of carefully parsed texts, new research and pulse-quickening descriptive writing ... formidable and spellbinding achievement * Guardian *[Schiff] has done her homework and writes elegantly and wittily, creating truly evocative word pictures. * Independent *Schiff has produced a highly literary, imaginative, coherent narrative, "restoring context" to the sources she delves into in an intelligent way. Her writing is energetic, evocative... She also has an unerring nose for what is interesting * Daily Telegraph *

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

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Book SynopsisAn accessible illustrated introduction to the history of sites located across the iconic location of Hadrian's Wall.

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Book SynopsisCharts Spartas rise from provincial village to regional superpower.

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Book SynopsisGabriele Esposito presents an overview of the history, organization and equipment of the military forces deployed by the nomadic peoples of the Eurasian steppes during the period from the appearance of the Huns in Eastern Europe to the death of Genghis Khan. Each chapter is devoted to a different group that played a prominent military role during Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Starting with the Huns of Attila, whose migration was one of the key factors behind the fall of the Roman Empire, he moves on to the Avars, who established a large state in Eastern Europe that contested with Charlemagne's Frankish Empire. Chapter three covers the Magyars, who terrorized most of Europe during the tenth century before creating the Kingdom of Hungary. Next are the Bulgars, who became the worst enemies of the Byzantine Empire in the Balkans but also created a flourishing state in the Volga region of Russia. The Khazars and the Alans share a chapter, as do the Pechenegs and Cumans-Kipchaks, while the

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Book SynopsisMarcus Aurelius first action as Roman Emperor was to appoint his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus, as his co-emperor, even though he is often depicted as a wastrel. The author analyses why Verus succeeded against the Parthians where other emperors, before and after him, failed

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Book SynopsisThe Third Roman-Macedonian War was a disaster for Macedon, a defeat leading to the end of that kingdom's independence. This is usually attributed to an innate superiority of the Roman legionary tactics over the Macedonian system. Graham Wrightson, on the other hand, argues that the blame lies entirely with Perseus, the last king of Macedon. He analyses the whole war, following the primary source accounts and focusing on Perseus’ military decisions and his battlefield strategies. It confirms the prevailing view of the sources that Perseus was too hesitant and non-committal in his early conduct of the war. More significantly it argues that Perseus mishandled the Macedonian army when it comes to combined-arms tactics by adopting a defensive posture, particularly at the final battle of Pydna. The Macedonian military system based on a slow sarissa phalanx is suited entirely to an offensive battle plan coordinating a frontally irresistible phalanx in the centre and a rapid heavy cavalry attack on one wing. Most importantly, though, Perseus refused to spend money to hire 10,000 Gallic horsemen and the lack of cavalry cost him the initiative and the victory. This is a fascinating and thoroughly researched study of these dramatic events that adds fresh insight to the question of the legion's supposed supremacy over the phalanx.

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Book SynopsisFrom the daily life of slaves and citizens to the importance of sport and Olympic Games, this is an absorbing account of every aspect of Greek society. Discover the glory that was Greece and how the people of Athens and Sparta lived and worked during this cultural peak of world history. Explore the myths and legends and the revolutionary innovations by Euclid, Ptolemy and Archimedes in technology, medicine and science.

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Book SynopsisThere is plenty of information about military dress in Roman Britain and the rest of the Roman Empire, but the evidence for civilian dress has not been comprehensively looked at since the 1930s. In this richly illustrated survey, Alexandra Croom describes the range and style of clothing worn throughout the Western Empire and shows how fashions changed between the first and the sixth centuries. After a short introduction to the evidence (from archaeology, art and literature), and to the manufacture of clothing and its use in status display, she systematically treats male and female dress, looking at the tunic, toga (for men), mantle (for women) and cloaks; underwear, footwear and specialist wear; hats, hairstyles and jewellery. The book concentrates on the clothing work in the Mediterranean region, but includes a section on provincial fashions. A fine and varied corpus of illustrations (including colour plates) helps to bring the everyday world of the Roman Empire to life.

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Book SynopsisThe great Norse Myths are among the most dramatic and unforgettable stories in all human history. These fascinating, fantastical tales have inspired centuries of art, culture and literature, including the storytelling of Tolkien, Neil Gaiman, George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones, Wagner's Ring Cycle and Marvel Comics.The Norse Myths takes us on a thrilling journey through the Norse cosmos, from the creation of the world to Ragnarok, the final world-destroying conflict; via the Nine Worlds, and the exploits of the mighty gods and goddesses - mystical Odin, malicious Loki, mighty Thor and more - and their quarrel with the giants. Bringing to life the magical world of monsters and mythical creatures, The Norse Myths also introduces the adventures of humankind: folk heroes and tricksters; Sigmund's great battle in the Volsung Saga; the exploits of Kings and Princes; Viking exploration and settlement of new lands including Iceland, Greenland, America; and Viking life in the Mediterranean and the East. As well as a treasure trove of these epic stories of heroism and cruelty, squabbles and seductions, The Norse Myths is a comprehensive study of their origins, survival and interpretations - as academically important as it is exhilarating.

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Book SynopsisEurope is, in world terms, a relatively minor peninsula attached to the Eurasian land mass, yet it became one of the most innovative regions on the planet. This title sees Europe not in terms of states and shifting land boundaries, but as a geographical niche particularly favoured in facing many seas.Trade Review"When history is written in this way, conventional priorities are overthrown. . . . An admirable distillation of an enormous amount of evidence—full of what is beautiful, interesting and true."—James Fenton, The Sunday Times (London)"Colorfully weaves history, geography archaeology and anthropology into a mesmerizing tapestry chronicling the development of Europe. . . . Richly told, Cunliffe's tale yields a wealth of insights into the earliest days of European civilization."—Publishers Weekly(starred review)"Vibrant. . . . Europe Between the Oceans is eminently readable [and] synthesizes major themes in archaeology and history. . . . One of the most accessible discussions available."—Cheryl Ward, International Journal of Maritime History"Nothing less than a masterwork, a gloriously sweeping survey of the early history of Europe drawn by a scholar and archaeologist at the very peak of his powers. . . . Magnificent. . . . Beautifully illustrated and simply written. . . . There are hundreds of examples of great erudition and innovative thinking in this wonderful book, but its chief pleasure is the sheer sweep of the thing, its confidence—born of a lifetime of study—its brio and its crystal-clear thinking."—Alistair Moffat, The Scotsman"Barry Cunliffe’s latest book represents the synthesis of half a century studying the archaeology of Europe … He has established a pre-eminent reputation for mastery of a huge corpus of Europe-wide data, and an ability to construct panoramic overviews of past epochs. His latest book is his most ambitious so far. . ."—Current Archaeology, No. 229"The scope of Professor Cunliffe’s new book is staggering . . . the text is liberally sprinkled with beautifully reproduced photographs and colour-coded maps – a wonderfully clear accompaniment . . . essential introductory reading . . . a wonderful overview. . . . Few scholars could seriously have attempted to write a work covering such a vast expanse of time and space, let alone have succeeded so admirably in condensing the great mass of information into a book that is such a manageable and rewarding read."—James Beresford, Minerva"To somebody like myself, who enjoys big history (and prehistory), this supplies it with a vengeance. . . . The author is one of our greatest living archaeologists, writing at the height of his powers and with decades of accumulated knowledge brought into play. The result is a cascade of maps, illustrations and (above all) vivid, informed, assured prose."—History Today"[An] impressive study. . . . It is a scholarly tale told in enjoyable prose and capably illustrated with excellent maps and relevant artefacts in colour."—Good Book GuideWinner of the 2008 PROSE Award for Excellence in the World History & Biography/Autobiography category, sponsored by the Association of American PublishersTop Seller in European History as compiled by YBP Library Services (2009)"Cunliffe has written an extraordinary book, which is the culmination of a lifetime’s research and thinking about early European history. This is archaeology that truly is history, a definitive account of early Europe from its beginnings to medieval times that draws effortlessly on a myriad of sources. Archaeologists, general readers, and historians alike will delight in this historical tapestry."—Brian Fagan, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of The Long Summer"Cunliffe provides an enthralling history of Europe from end of the last ice age to the brink of global exploration, an extraordinary story told with unsurpassed knowledge and insight."—Steven Mithen, author of After the Ice: A Global Human History 20,000-5000 BC"A fluent and authoritative overview from one of our best known and most respected archaeological writers highlighting the formative influence of contacts, coasts and rivers on the development of European societies from earliest times."—Chris Scarre, University of Durham, editor of The Human Past"An astonishment: a transformation of prehistoric and early Europe from a minor outpost of the five continents into a restless and influential maritime member of an expanding world. Provocative but persuasive."—Aubrey Burl, author of A Guide to the Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany"This is a truly remarkable book. . . . It is immensely readable and totally authoritative. . . . No one could read this book, one of its distinguished author's finest achievements, without pleasure and profit. Simply put, it is excellent: original, exciting and a delight to read."—Roger Collins, author of Visigoth Spain, 409-711 and Early Medieval Europe, 300-1000

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate visual guide to Samurai history and culture! The Samurai are continuously celebrated as the greatest warriors the world has ever seen. They ruled Japan for centuries, finally uniting the nation after a prolonged period of brutal war and bloodshed. Though famed for their loyalty, honor, and chivalry, they could also be treacherous, bloodthirsty, and merciless.This book tells the story of their rise and eventual demise through carefully curated images, both historical and contemporary, with an engaging and authoritative text by Gavin Blair—a noted commentator on all things Japanese. It exposes the myths surrounding the Samurai and reveals their many secrets, while examining their enduring influence on global culture in anime, manga, books, and video games. Gorgeously illustrated with color prints, paintings, and photos throughout, this book features detailed chapters on: The rise of the Japanese warrior class and how they established their grip on political power Rival clans, legendary Samurai, the unification of warlord states, and famous female Samurai Samurai "tools of the trade"—swords, bows, spears, guns, castles, and armor The cult of Bushido, the fabled warrior's code The transformation of Samurai into cultured "gentlemen" warriors, poets, and aristocrats Their legacy in modern world literature, media, film, and popular culture And so much more! A foreword by leading Samurai historian Alexander Bennett, the celebrated translator of works such as The Complete Musashi and Hagakure, introduces readers to these fascinating warriors, who continue to captivate modern audiences.Trade Review"The book presents a fascinating account of the historical role of the samurai in the military, political and social development of Japan; of their unique status in Japanese cinema, TV and other media; and of the enduring effects of their legacy on contemporary Japanese life." -- Acumen, the magazine of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan"The major draw of the book is the colorful visuals that bring the text to life. Containing over 250 paintings, photos and illustrations, the book widens its potential audience to include young children and people who are not strong readers, as well as tapping into the interests of those who are drawn to samurai history and culture through visual media such as anime or gaming." --The Japan Times

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Book SynopsisGorgeous Collector's Edition. Ancient Rome began as a village of humble dwellings on the Palatine and grew to be one of the mightiest and most successful empires of human history, before collapsing in the West under invasions of barbarian nations attracted by Rome's wealth and land, over a thousand years later. The legacy of Rome continues in the languages of modern Europe, in the calendar and the alphabet we use, and in the religion called Christianity which remains the dominant faith throughout the Western world. In this book you'll find thrilling stories of the legendary founding of Rome, its conquest of Italy and its victory over the Carthaginians, the rise of the Republic and the Empire, the recruitment and training of men for the legions, how the city's aqueducts worked, the destruction of Rome in the Great Fire, and the extraordinary lives of the most famous Caesars. Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully designed introduction to the treasure details the most significant pieces contained within it and explores the circumstances of its burial, discovery and excavation, as well as its lasting legacy and fame.

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Book SynopsisIn this lively and very readable history of the Roman Empire from its establishment in 27 BC to the barbarian incursions and the fall of Rome in AD 476, Kershaw draws on a range of evidence, from Juvenal's Satires to recent archaeological finds. He examines extraordinary personalities such as Caligula and Nero and seismic events such as the conquest of Britain and the establishment of a 'New Rome' at Constantinople and the split into eastern and western empires. Along the way we encounter gladiators and charioteers, senators and slaves, fascinating women, bizarre sexual practices and grotesque acts of brutality, often seen through eyes of some of the world's greatest writers. He concludes with a brief look at how Rome lives on in the contemporary world, in politics, architecture, art and literature.

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Book SynopsisThe fascinating story of Republican Rome''s gruelling six-year campaign against the insurgent Numidian warlord, Jugurtha.Jugurtha, the adoptive son of Micipsa, king of the Numidians, was initially a much-respected ally of Rome, fighting gallantly alongside the Romans during the Numantine War in Iberia. Over the course of the campaign, however, the ambitious and hot-headed Jugurtha fell in with more unsavoury company, who urged him to stage a coup d'etat and wrest control of Numidia from the legitimate heirs to the throne. Although he was warned not to consort with some of Rome's more crooked governing elites, this advice fell on deaf ears, beginning a civil war. Rome's response was to decide on war to punish Jugurtha for his acts of aggression. Among the commanders proving their worth against this formidable opponent would be Quintus Metellus and Caius Marius.Here, classical historian Dr Nic Fields narrates the events of a bruising six-year campaign against the wily, elusive Jugurtha. He explores how Roman military performance was hampered by petty rivalries, knee-jerk partisanship, and grubby jostling between commanders. With photographs and artwork bringing the clashes in North Africa to life, the maps and diagrams provide context for this lengthy campaign. The war constituted an important stage in the Roman subjugation of North Africa, and the rise of the empire.

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Book SynopsisOur prehistoric ancestors used flint tools every day; they were of vital importance for cutting and scraping, used for hunting, preparing food, making clothing and building shelters, and their remnants are scattered around the countryside.Unearthing such a find is a magical moment a direct link to events thousands of years before but how do you identify the piece of flint you find out in the field? Is it only a lump of flint, or did it really have an important function as a tool prized by our ancestors? And how old is it, exactly?In Flint Tools Field Guide, archaeologist and flint knapper Robert Turner opens a window into prehistoric archaeology, using hand-drawn illustrations and photographs to explain how to identify tools and their uses, as well as approximate their age. This is an important insight into how people lived and worked so many years ago.

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Book SynopsisToday we know the Slavic people from their countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, including Ukraine and Russia across to Poland and South to Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Their origins are similar to the Celts and the Visigoths, coming into history from 600CE, as part of the many tribes who attacked the edges of the Roman Empire.

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Book SynopsisThe 13th-century magical treatise Ars Notoria offers a secret account of the angel Pamphilius revealing the sacred magic to King Solomon by which he gained his famed wisdom and learning, thereby expanding upon the biblical narrative in which Solomon received a vision of God. Solomon’s writings were transmitted to the first-century philosopher, Apollonius of Tyana, who provided a commentary entitled the Golden Flowers (Flores Aurei), which is contained within Ars Notoria. The magical text presents a complete system of angelic magic consisting of prayers addressed to angels, using figures called notae, for the purpose of acquiring scholastic and heavenly knowledge. Due to its rising popularity among university students, the magical ritual was reworked time and again, producing five treatises, dating from the 13th to 15th centuries; The Work of Works (Opus Operum), the Book of Flowers of Heavenly Teaching composed by the French Benedictine monk named John of Morigny, The Short Art (Ars Brevis), the abridged version attributed to Thomas of Toledo, and The Pauline Art (Ars Paulina), thereby establishing an entire notorial art tradition. In this new and complete translation of Ars Notoria, based on Julien Veronese’s critical Latin edition, translator Matthias Castle presents the classic magical text, both short and long versions, including four of the later treatises. Castle explains how these theurgic ritual practices were performed, giving special attention to all the original pictorial figures (notae), and how the art of memory relates to angelic magic. Providing practical instruction, extensive commentary, and in-depth background research and annotations, Ars Notoria: The Notory Art of Solomon is an essential sourcebook on angelic magic for scholar and magician alike.Trade Review“This is one of the most important books on medieval magic to be published in many years. Enormously popular for decades, Ars Notoria was adapted and mutated into many versions, making it very challenging to understand. It is exciting to see an expert translation based on Véronèse’s reliable critical edition of the Latin versions and other primary texts. Matthias Castle’s tome is massive but worth every penny for its encyclopedic but lucid treatment of the many elements, such as the angelology, magical figures, rituals, art of memory, and liberal arts. Given the significant impact Ars Notoria had on later magical texts, including the Key of Solomon and Sworn Book of Honorius, Castle’s edition should be valuable to scholars and practitioners alike.” * Joseph H. Peterson, author, translator, and creator of the Esoteric Archives website *“One of the lost treasures of medieval occultism, the Ars Notoria is a system of Solomonic angelic magic used by students and scholars to attain knowledge of the arts and sciences. Matthias Castle has done an exemplary job in translating the original texts and setting out all the details of the notory art for today’s scholars and practitioners of magic.” * John Michael Greer, coauthor and cotranslator of The Complete Picatrix: The Occult Classic of Astrol *“This volume offers readers for the first time an English translation of this important work of image magic, based on the best available critical edition. Readers can count on a combination of readability and accuracy, and the book represents a substantial contribution by rendering this text accessible to a new audience of students and practitioners alike.” * David Porreca, Ph.D., associate professor and codirector of the medieval studies undergraduate progr *“Offers a methodical foundation for understanding and exploring the various manuscripts of the Ars Notoria tradition and its historical contexts. Richly illustrated with a wide evidentiary range of the Ars Notoria’s sacred diagrams, figures, sigils, and seals from across the manuscript corpus and presenting section-by-section close readings of the prayerful and conjurational texts in question, this book furnishes those enamored of the notory art a deeper understanding of its peculiar prayers and protocols. This work should provide all those interested in medieval angelology, manuscript illumination, grimoiric conjuration, and visual cultures of sacred art a valuable historical resource for understanding and engaging with these most pious and pedagogical of grimoiric traditions.” * Alexander Cummins, Ph.D., historian and coauthor of An Excellent Booke of the Arte of Magicke *Table of ContentsA Note on the TranslationAcknowledgments The History, Art, Ritual, and Method of the Ars NotoriaBy Matthias CastleI The Mythical and Material Story of the Ars Notoria II Elements of the Ars Notoria III The Knowledge of the Ars Notoria IV The Art of Memory V Analysis of the Figures VI The Complete Ritual Procedures Ars Notoria Version A 1 Flores Aurei Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 2 [Fragmented Supplements] Ars Nova Novem Termini The Specials Addendum 3 Notae Supplement Version A Ars Notoria Version B 4 Glosses and Variations Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Ars Nova Novem Termini 5 Notae Supplement Version B Branches of the Ars Notoria Tradition6 Opus Operum (Work of Works) 7 Ars Brevis (Short Art) 8 Ars Notoria Abbreviata (Abridged Notory Art According to Thomas of Toledo) 9 Ars Paulina (Pauline Art [of Seven Figures]) AppendicesA1 Manuscripts and Editions A2 Magical Figures of the Ars Notoria A3 Authorship of the Ars Notoria A4 Medieval Computations of Time A5 The Enlightened Work from the Wisdom of Solomon A6 Works Attributed to Apollonius A7 Works Attributed to Solomon A8 Annotated Bibliography of Medieval Scholarship Bibliography Index of Prayers General Index

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Book SynopsisHow new is atheism?Long before the Enlightenment sowed seeds of disbelief in a deeply Christian Europe, atheism was a matter of serious public debate in the Greek world. But history is written by those who prevail, so the lively free-thinking voices of antiquity were mostly suppressed. Tim Whitmarsh brings to life the origins of the secular values at the heart of the modern state, and reveals how atheism and doubt, far from being modern phenomena, have intrigued the human imagination for thousands of years.

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Book Synopsis''A stunning, clear-sighted history of ancient Egypt'' Sunday TimesThe extraordinary history of Ancient Egyptian civilization - from its earliest origins to the creation of its greatest monument - from specialist John RomerThis exceptional book draws on a lifetime of research and thought to recreate the previously untold story of how a civilization which began with handfuls of semi-itinerant fishermen settled, spread and created a rich, vivid, strange civilization that had its first culmination in the pharaoh Khufu building the Great Pyramid.The book immerses the reader in the fascinating world of archaeological evidence, the process by which this long vanished world has gradually re-emerged and the rapidly changing interpretations which these breathtaking but entirely enigmatic remains have been subjected to. Whether he is writing about the smallest necklace bead or the most elaborate royal tomb, John Romer conveys to the reader a remarkable sense of how to understand a people so like ourselves and yet in so many ways eerily different.Trade ReviewScholarly, passionate and exquisitely written ... a stunning, clear-sighted history of ancient Egypt -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *It is not easy to enliven prehistory while simultaneously respecting limited archaeological evidence and avoiding novelistic pitfalls. But Romer manages it ... After a long wait, we have an up-to-date, stimulating account of the birth of what may turn out to be the world's oldest civilization -- Andrew Robinson * Nature *His physical descriptions are superb ... a book to be read and thought about -- John Ray * Financial Times *Romer carries the reader along effortlessly on a lengthy, complex yet immensely satisfying journey -- Joyce Tyldesley * BBC History *

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Book SynopsisThis definitive, multi-volume history of the world''s first known state reveals that much of what we have been taught about Ancient Egypt is the product of narrow-minded visions of the pastDrawing on a lifetime of research, John Romer chronicles the history of Ancient Egypt from the building of the Great Pyramid through the rise and fall of the Middle Kingdom: a peak of Pharaonic culture and the period when writing first flourished. He reveals how the grand narratives of nineteenth and twentieth-century Egyptologists have misled us by portraying a culture of cruel monarchs and chronic war. Instead, based in part on discoveries of the past two decades, this extraordinary account shows what we can really learn from the remaining architecture, objects and writing: a history based on physical reality.Trade ReviewEvocative and passionate ... [Romer] has a command of material and of language that makes this a fascinating tale ... Magisterial -- Anthony Sattin * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisFor the first time, this volume by two leading historians offers a comprehensive study of drawing lots as a central institution of ancient Greek society. Drawing lots expressed an egalitarian mindset that guided selection, procedure, and distribution by lot and was eventually introduced for polis governance, a Greek innovation that appears to be of increasing relevance today. The authors explore the egalitarian, horizonal, mindset expressed in using the lot instead of a top-down vision of authority and sovereignty. Drawing lots presupposed equality among participants deserving equal portions and was used for distributing land, inheritance, booty, sacrificial meat, selecting individuals, setting turns, mixing and reorganizing groups, and divining the will of the gods. Lot-oracles were used for divination; otherwise, the gods guarded the justice of the procedure but only rarely determined the outcome. It was a self-evident method broadly and ubiquitously applied. Drawing lots would crystallize community boundaries and emphasize its sovereignty. The book further investigates the transposition of the drawing of lots to the governance of the polis. The implied egalitarianism of the lot often conflicted with top-down perceptions of society and the values of inequality, status, and merit. Drawing lots was introduced into oligarchies and democracies at an uneven pace and scale. Its wide use in the democracy of classical Athens was an exceptional case, eye-catching both in antiquity and today. The book concludes with a discussion about the meaning of the Greek examples for drawing lots today and the increasing interest in using random selection in politics as a possibility for modern democracies around the world. The appendix surveys the Greek vocabulary of lottery practices.

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

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

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

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Book SynopsisHow did the Romans handle risk, from uncertainty about food supply and dangerous travel to survival itself? Modern risk studies view the ancients as dominated by fate, but the reality was different. A range of techniques, from dream interpretation and oracles to logistics and law, all served to control risk.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; 1. Risk and uncertainty; 2. A world full of risks; 3. A risk culture; 4. Risk management; 5. Moral hazards: constructing risk; 6. Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisDr Simon Elliott describes eight of the greatest, most decisive of the Roman Empire of the first to third centuries. The list includes battles fought from the highlands of Scotland and the forests of Germany to the deserts of the Middle East. They show how the vaunted Roman legions adapted to extremes of terrain and climate as well as a wide array of very different foes, from the wild Caledonian tribes to the sophisticated, combined-arms armies of Sassanid Persia with their war elephants and superb cavalry. Some of the battles even pit the Roman legions against their own kind in brutal civil wars.After an introductory chapter on the Imperial Roman army, detailing its organization, equipment, tactics and doctrine, the author moves on to describing each battle in detail. He sets the strategic context and background of the chosen engagement before analysing the size and composition of the opposing forces, also detailing the nature of the enemy faced. The manoeuvres leading up to the battl

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Book SynopsisOnly full-length English biography of Varus.

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Book SynopsisCovers the period of Rome's greatest expansion, from an Italy-only state to master of the Mediterranean World.

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Book SynopsisThe most authoritative history of Roman Britain ever published for the general reader.

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Book SynopsisAn illustrated history of the best Roman sites and artefacts to be found in Britain, for anyone wanting to discover the Roman past.Trade Review'Wanting the perfect Roman day out? Novice or nerd, this is the book to take. Factual, friendly, punchy and practical, Denise and Mike have written the best guide to finding Britannia. It just begs you to get out there to look and learn!' -- Lindsey Davis, Top Ten bestselling author'An absolute must-buy for everyone interested in Roman Britain’ -- Ben Kane, Top Ten bestselling author

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Book SynopsisPacked with insights and the practicalities of ancient warfare, Hughes has written a lively and detailed account of Belisarius' remarkable career.

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Book SynopsisThis is high drama played out on a stage that spanned from Greece and Egypt to India, full of plots, poisoning, treachery, incest, murder, rebellion and conquest.

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Book SynopsisThe Brienne/Beaumonts, a noble family originally from Champagne, spread across Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean in the Middle Ages. Their story begins with John de Brienne (c. 1175/78-1237), who was the emperor of Constantinople, became king of Jerusalem by marriage, and claimed the throne of a kingdom in modern-day Turkey called Armenian Cilicia. His life, his children and his grandchildren's lives were remarkably international.His daughters were born in Italy and what is now Lebanon; one of his sons, who grew up in Constantinople, France and Spain, was the stepfather of the king of Scotland; one of his grandchildren was the king of Germany, Italy and Sicily; and several other grandchildren settled in England, where one married a Scottish heiress and was the great-grandfather of a king of England and an English-born queen of Portugal.The Beaumonts tells the story of the places where the Brienne/Beaumont family settled and held influence between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries

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Book Synopsis'A book of ideas [...] Strathern ably guides us through these moments of glory.' -- The Times ***Great cities are complex, chaotic and colossal. These are cities that dominate the world stage and define eras; where ideas flourish, revolutions are born and history is made.Through ten unique cities, from the founding of ancient capitals to buzzing modern megacities, Paul Strathern explores how urban centres lead civilisation forward, enjoying a moment of glory before passing on the baton.We journey back to discover Babylonian mathematics, Athenian theatre and intellectual debate, and Roman construction that has lasted millennia. We see Constantinople evolve into Istanbul, revolutionary sparks fly in Enlightenment Paris, and the railways, canals and ships that built Imperial London. In Moscow men build spaceships while others starve, New York's skyscrapers rise up to a soundtrack of jazz, Mumbai becomes home to immense wealth and poverty, and Beijing's economic transformation leads the way.Each city has its own distinct personality, and Ten Cities that Led the World brings their rich and diverse histories to life, reminding us of the foundations we have built on and how our futures will be shaped.

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Book SynopsisThe Picts were an ancient nation who ruled most of northern and eastern Scotland during the Dark Ages. Despite their historical importance, they remain shrouded in myth and misconception. Absorbed by the kingdom of the Scots in the ninth century, they lost their unique identity, their language and their vibrant artistic culture. Amongst their few surviving traces are standing stones decorated with incredible skill and covered with enigmatic symbols - vivid memorials of a powerful and gifted people who bequeathed no chronicles to tell their story, no sagas to describe the deed of their kings and heroes. In this book Tim Clarkson pieces together the evidence to tell the story of this mysterious people from their emergence in Roman times to their eventual disappearance.Trade Review 'Very interesting and very readable' * Facts and Fiction *'A valuable resource' * Scottish Genealogist *

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