Ancient history Books

Book SynopsisCleopatra had the rare distinction of connecting three great cultures. She was born of an ancient Greek dynasty that stretched back to the time of Alexander the Great, and as the last Pharaoh of Egypt she ruled before the once mighty kingdom became a vassal state under the all-powerful Roman Empire in the first century BCE. She is regarded as an astute, resilient leader who survived at a time of male domination, with her fame also as a wily lover of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony forever immortalized by Plutarch''s Lives and through them, in the plays of William Shakespeare. This new book provides a riveting insight into this famous leader, with a new introduction and fascinating, curated primary and secondary texts.FLAME TREE 451: From myth to mystery, the supernatural to horror, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds,

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

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Book SynopsisWe see the Green Man half-hidden on the walls of many of our old churches, a face surrounded by leaves. This beautifully illustrated and well-researched Pitkin Guide looks at this fascinating creature, its history, and where to find him. Look out for more Pitkin Guides on the very best of British history, heritage and travel.

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The Roman conquests of Macedonia in the 2nd century BC led directly to the extension of their authority over the troublesome tribes of Thrace to the south of the Danube. But their new neighbour on the other side of the mighty river, the kingdom of the Dacians, was to pose an increasing threat to the Roman empire. Inevitably this eventually provoked Roman attempts at invasion and conquest. It is a measure of Dacian prowess and resilience that several tough campaigns were required over more than a century before their kingdom was added to the Roman Empire. It was one of the Empire's last major acquisitions (and a short-lived one at that). Dr Michael Schmitz traces Roman involvement in the Danube region from first contact with the Thracians after the Third Macedonian War in the 2nd century BC to the ultimate conquest of Dacia by Trajan in the early years of the 2nd Century AD. Like the other volumes in this series, this book gives a clear narrative of the course of these wars, explaining how the Roman war machine coped with formidable new foes and the challenges of unfamiliar terrain and climate. Specially-commissioned colour plates bring the main troop types vividly to life in meticulously-researched detail.

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Book SynopsisMore than a century has passed past since German archeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered the treasures of Bronze Age Mycenae. The richly decorated artefacts of the entombed warriors, whose bodies still lay in their graves, confirmed that Homer's epic The Iliad was based upon true events, and that the Achaeans described in his poems probably did exist. Through a combined study of the mythical tradition, archeological findings and written sources, this fascinating addition to the Warrior series explores the evolution of warfare in the Bronze Age Greek world. Covering weaponry, clothing, helmets and body armour, it provides a richly illustrated guide to the warriors who have shone from the pages of Homer's poem for almost three millennia.Table of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Appearance and equipment On campaign Belief and belonging Experience of battle After the battle Collecting/Museums/Re-enactment Bibliography Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisTo paraphrase L.P. Hartley, “The past is a different country.” Stan L Abbott sets out to explore the visible clues to our mysterious past from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages: stone circles. Cumbria boasts more of these monuments than any other English county. Here, our tallest mountains are ringed by almost fifty circles and henges, most of them sited in the foothills or on outlying plateaux. Were these the earliest such monuments in Britain, placing Cumbria at the heart of Neolithic society? And what traces of that society remain today in the roads we travel, the food we eat, the words we speak, our work and play? By observing and comparing many sites in Cumbria and beyond, and researching many sources, a greater understanding emerges. Were some circles built for ritualistic purposes, or perhaps astronomical? Were they burial sites? Or were they just places for people to meet? Illustrated with linocut illustrations by artist Denise Burden, Ring of Stone Circles follows the search for the hidden stories these monuments guard – and might reveal if we get to know them.Trade Review'An energetic and informed historical adventure shining a light on Neolithic Cumbria.' -- Emily Atherton, Editor, Cumberland and Westmorland Herald

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Book SynopsisThe historical adventure book Under Wellington's Command: A Tale of the Peninsular War was written by G. A. Henty. The Peninsular War (18071814), a crucial fight in the Napoleonic Wars, is the main subject of this historical fiction novel, which is in that genre. The narrative chronicles the experiences of a young British soldier who enlists in the army and is commanded by the illustrious General Wellington. Henty transports readers on an exciting and action-packed journey set against the background of the war with vivid writing and scrupulous attention to historical accuracy. The main character endures the rigors of military service, participates in combat, faces difficulties in strategy, and makes friends with other troops. Readers are given a glimpse into the historical era and the bravery of troops who fought in the Peninsular War because to Henty's literary style, which often includes aspects of patriotism, bravery, and adventure. Fans of historical fiction and military exploits will find Under Wellington's Command to be a captivating read since it highlights Henty's proficiency in historical research.

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Book SynopsisThe discovery of ancient Egypt and the development of Egyptology are momentous events in intellectual and cultural history. The history of Egyptology is the story of the people, famous and obscure, who constructed the picture of ancient Egypt that we have today, recovered the Egyptian past while inventing it anew, and made a lost civilization comprehensible to generations of enchanted readers and viewers thousands of years later. This, the second of a three-volume survey of the history of Egyptology, explores the years 1881–1914, a period marked by the institutionalization of Egyptology amid an ever increasing pace of discovery and the opening of vast new vistas into the Egyptian past. Wonderful Things affirms that the history of ancient Egypt has proved continually fascinating, but it also demonstrates that the history of Egyptology is no less so. Only by understanding how Egyptology has developed can we truly understand ancient Egypt.Trade Review"Thompson offers a well written, informed, and at times exciting account of the exceptional accomplishments of the individuals and institutions that pioneered the field of Egyptology. Jaromir Malek's informed foreword offers a critical context for unfolding the Egyptological undertaking."—Choice"Wonderful Things is a remarkable achievement: a scholarly work packed with facts but one which is also genuinely readable. It is ambitious in its scope and detail. To follow the growth of an arcane but also a highly romantic branch of learning becomes in Thompson's book something close to an adventure. The author successfully conveys his infectious enthusiasm for the subject but writes with a degree of detachment that allows him to be refreshingly and occasionally almost ruthlessly trenchant and critical."— Jaromir Malek, from the foreword "An incisive anatomy of a discipline that challenges our all too familiar assumptions about how Egyptology came to be."— Stephanie Moser "[A] monumental achievement"—Donald M. Reid, Journal of the American Oriental Society"The definitive reference tool for anyone interested in the development of this academic discipline. "— Morris Bierbrier "Jason Thompson has written what is by far the best history of Egyptology yet. Filled with fascinating facts and characters, Thompson's book is comprehensive and eminently readable and certain to become the standard history of the field for many years to come."— Kent Weeks "At last a definitive history, which does justice not only to the major players but to lesser lights as well…immensely valuable."— Brian Fagan, author of The Rape of the Nile "Remarkably thorough and yet refreshingly readable, this action-packed history of Egyptology is driven by some extraordinary characters—mostly men but some notable women—who needed to learn everything they could about the culture, land, and language of ancient Egypt. As much a study of European colonialism in Egypt as a historiography of seventeenth- to nineteenth-century scholarship, this volume is an absolute necessity for anybody with an interest in pharaonic Egypt."— Kara Cooney "Wonderful Things is not only a definitive study of the early history of Egyptology, but an entrancing read. . . He wears his scholarship lightly, which makes this beautifully crafted book a joy for the general reader."— Current World Archaeology "By any standards, this book is a remarkable achievement."— Antiquity "It's not often that I find a book in which I can confidently state that I found something interesting on nearly every page. And as one who likes to consider himself an historian of archaeology, I learned much. Anyone with a serious interest in Egyptology surely will benefit from reading Wonderful Things.” — Donald P. Ryan, KMT "A book that the Egyptological world and, surely, the world at large was waiting for for a long time. It fills a gap that was getting bigger as time passed by."— André J. Veldmeijer, PalArch "A comprehensive and thoroughly-researched work, in which a huge quantity of data has been synthesized and expounded. . . . The book is a mine of information and succeeds in being both authoritative and highly readable."— John H. Taylor, ASTENE Bulletin "Wonderful Things deserves to become the essential resource for decades to come."— Rosalind Janssen, Egyptian Archaeology "While Wonderful Things would be an entertaining and informative read for any interested person, it should be considered essential reading for every Egyptologist and aspiring Egyptologist."— Melinda Nelson-Hurst, JARCE "An essential and very worthy addition to the shelves of every Egyptologist, professional or dedicated amateur."— Peter A. Clayton, Ancient EgyptTable of ContentsChronological Outline of Ancient Egyptian History ix Maps xPreface xiii1. The Golden Age 12. Akhenaten Lives! 253. The Seven Hathors 494. New Horizons 655. Greco-Roman Egypt 836. Loret’s Interlude 1017. The Return of Maspero 1118. New Players in the Game 1319. The Berlin School and Its Rivals 15110. Egyptology Comes to America 19311. The United States Enters the Field 22712. Attention Turns South 25713. The Twilight of the Golden Age 281Notes 293Bibliography 325Index 355

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Book SynopsisThis engrossing book pits the legionaries of Imperial Rome against their Germanic and Sarmatian opponents in the 2nd century AD.Shortly after Marcus Aurelius came to power in AD 161, the Roman Empire was racked by a series of military crises. While unrest in Britain and a new war with Parthia were swiftly dealt with, the invasion of Roman territory by the Chatti and Chauci peoples heralded a resurgent threat from the empire's European neighbours. Soon the Marcomanni and the Quadi, as well as the Dacians and the Sarmatian Iazyges, would attack the Romans in a series of savage conflicts that continued until AD 175 and would see the first invasion of Roman Italy since the beginning of the 1st century BC.In this book, the two sides' objectives, weapons and equipment and fighting styles are assessed and compared in the context of three featured battles: Carnuntum (170), where a Roman legion was vanquished and Italy invaded; the Battle on the Ice' (172), where the RTable of ContentsIntroduction The Opposing Sides Carnuntum, AD 170 The Battle on the Ice, AD 172 The Miracle of the Rain, AD 174 Analysis Aftermath Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThis is the first full-scale reference grammar of Classical Greek in English in a century. The first work of its kind to reflect significant advances in linguistics made in recent decades, it provides students, teachers and academics with a comprehensive yet user-friendly treatment. The chapters on phonology and morphology make full use of insights from comparative and historical linguistics to elucidate complex systems of roots, stems and endings. The syntax offers linguistically up-to-date descriptions of such topics as case usage, tense and aspect, voice, subordinate clauses, infinitives and participles. An innovative section on textual coherence treats particles and word order and discusses several sample passages in detail, demonstrating new ways of approaching Greek texts. Throughout the book numerous original examples are provided, all with translations and often with clarifying notes. Clearly laid-out tables, helpful cross-references and full indexes make this essential resourcTable of ContentsPreface; Abbreviations, symbols, editions; On terminology; Part I. Phonology and Morphology: 1. The signs and sounds of Classical Greek; 2. Introduction to nominal forms; 3. The article; 4. Nouns; 5. Adjectives and participles; 6. Adverbs; 7. Pronouns; 8. Correlative pronouns and adverbs; 9. Numerals; 10. The dual: nominal forms; 11. Introduction to verb forms; 12. The present; 13. The aorist: active and middle; 14. The aorist: passive; 15. The future: active and middle; 16. The future: passive; 17. The perfect (and future perfect): introduction; 18. The perfect: active; 19. The perfect: middle-passive; 20. The future perfect; 21. The dual: verb forms; 22. Principal parts; 23. Word formation; 24. Accentuation; 25. Ionic and other dialects; Part II. Syntax: 26. Introduction to simple sentences; 27. Agreement; 28. The article; 29. Pronouns and quantifiers; 30. Cases; 31. Prepositions; 32. Comparison; 33. The verb: tense and aspect; 34. The verb: mood; 35. The verb: voice; 36. Impersonal constructions; 37. Verbal adjectives; 38. Questions, directives, wishes, exclamations; 39. Introduction to complex sentences; 40. Introduction to finite subordinate clauses; 41. Indirect statements; 42. Indirect questions and indirect exclamations; 43. Fear clauses; 44. Effort clauses; 45. Purpose clauses; 46. Result clauses; 47. Temporal clauses; 48. Causal clauses; 49. Conditional clauses; 50. Relative clauses; 51. The infinitive; 52. The participle; 53. Overview of subordinate constructions; 54. Overview of moods; 55. Overview of the uses of ἄν; 56. Overview of negatives; 57. Overview of the uses of ὡς; Part III. Textual Coherence: 58. Introduction; 59. Particles; 60. Word order; 61. Four sample passages; Bibliography; Indexes.

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Book SynopsisThe appearance of Roman soldiers in the 3rd century AD has long been a matter of debate and uncertainty, largely thanks to the collapse of central control and perpetual civil war between the assassination of Severus Alexander in 235 and the accession of the great Diocletian in 284. During those years no fewer than 51 men were proclaimed as emperors, some lasting only a few days. Despite this apparent chaos, however, the garrisons of the Western Provinces held together, by means of localized organization and the recruitment of ''barbarians'' to fill the ranks. They still constituted an army in being when Diocletian took over and began the widespread reforms that rebuilt the Empire though an Empire that their forefathers would hardly have recognized. Fully illustrated with specially chosen colour plates, this book reveals the uniforms, equipment and deployments of Roman soldiers in the most chaotic years of the Empire.Table of ContentsIntroduction: the collapse of unity between 235 and 285 AD. * Chronology. * Military organization of the Western Provinces. * Distribution of the army in the West, from the Severans to Diocletian: legiones, auxilia and numeri . * The garrison of Rome. * Evidence for arms, armour, equipment and clothing, province by province: Aquitania, Belgica, Britannia, Gallia Lugdunensis, Gallia Narbonensis, Germania Inferior, Germania Superior, Raetia, Noricum, Pannonia, Dlmatia, Tarraconensis, Baetica, Lusitania, Africa Procunsularis, Mauretania Tingitana, Mauretania Cesriensis, the Alpes, Italica, Sicilia, Sardinia and Corsica. * Select Bibliography. * Plate commentaries

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewKent Flannery and Joyce Marcus have done a remarkable job in synthesizing the two key disciplines of social anthropology and archaeology, and their book represents a significant advance in our understanding of the evolution of complex societies. -- Peter Turchin * Times Literary Supplement *This is a work of profound importance… [It] yields insights into a multitude of societies in the recent and prehistoric past… Flannery and Marcus’s magnum opus… [This] is a deeply impressive achievement. -- Steven Mithen * London Review of Books *Extraordinarily erudite… It would be an excellent addition to collections on the rise of civilization or on how to use the data gathered by cultural anthropologists and archaeologists to understand broad patterns of social change. Professionals in the field will also benefit from this tour de force by two of archaeology’s most provocative scholars. -- L. L. Johnson * Choice *This provocative work, likely to become an important contribution to the literature of social and political anthropology, will be of interest both to scholars in the field and to anthropology and archaeology enthusiasts seeking understanding of the development and perpetuation of inequality in human societies. -- Elizabeth Salt * Library Journal *The origin of inequality is one of the most basic questions about human societies. We all arose from egalitarian hunter/gatherer ancestors. Why, then, do almost all of us poor peasants now tolerate affluent leaders, whether they are democratically elected presidents or military dictators? In this clear, readable survey, the distinguished archaeologists Kent Flannery and Joyce Marcus extract the answers by comparing the histories of societies over the whole world for the last 10,000 years. This book will become the standard account of long-term political evolution. -- Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography, University of California, Los Angeles, and Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel and CollapseBy carefully articulating and integrating archaeological and ethnographic data, Flannery and Marcus present a panoramic view of the development of particular cultures in various parts of the world. Moreover, in selecting case studies the authors have gone beyond the familiar examples so often cited in anthropology textbooks. The Creation of Inequality promises to be a landmark work. -- Robert L. Carneiro, Ph.D., Curator Emeritus and Professor Emeritus, Anthropology, Richard Gilder Graduate School at the American Museum of Natural HistoryFlannery and Marcus are two of the most distinguished anthropological archaeologists in the world. The Creation of Inequality distills two lifetimes of work on the origin and evolution of complex societies throughout the ancient world. This work brings much of this together in an eminently readable and fascinating way. -- Charles S. Stanish, Ph.D., Director, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, and Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles

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Book SynopsisAn authoritative and radical rethinking of the history of Ancient Britain and Ancient Ireland, based on remarkable new archaeological finds.British history is traditionally regarded as having started with the Roman Conquest. But this is to ignore half a million years of prehistory that still exert a profound influence. Here Francis Pryor examines the great ceremonial landscapes of Ancient Britain and Ireland Stonehenge, Seahenge, Avebury and the Bend of the Boyne as well as the discarded artefacts of day-to-day life, to create an astonishing portrait of our ancestors.This major re-revaluation of pre-Roman Britain, made possible in part by aerial photography and coastal erosion, reveals a much more sophisticated life in Ancient Britain and Ireland than has previously been supposed.Trade Review‘Written with pace and passion…immensely readable.’ Tom Holland, Daily Telegraph ‘It bounds along, wonderfully enlivened by Pryor’s earthy enthusiasm. If you want to be introduced painlessly to the fascinating debates surrounding our British past, then “Britain BC” is the book for you.’ Barry Cunliffe, New Scientist ‘Francis Pryor is a modern field archaeologist with a reputation second to none. He has written a book as successful and exciting as its ambition is huge…lucid and engaging.’ Alan Garner, The Times ‘There are enough curious facts, contentious theories and bizarre hypotheses here to hold the interest of anyone concerned with the unique and peculiar story of these islands.’ Independent on Sunday ‘Beautifully written, exciting and extremely good…an essential read.’ British Archaeology Praise for Francis Pryor’s television series ‘Britain BC’: ‘Fascinating…the evangelical Pryor paints a vivid portrait of pre-Roman society that tackles received wisdom about what was going on here in the Stone, Bronze and Iron ages.’ Daily Telegraph ‘Pryor leaps about the country at a cracking pace, his big personality making sure we never get bored by the scant and rarefied scraps that are his stock-in-trade.’ Observer

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Book SynopsisThe past, present and future of the world''s most popular and beloved pet, from a leading evolutionary biologist and great cat lover.Engaging and wide-ranging The Age of Cats is a readable and informed exploration of the wildcat that lurks within Fluffy' Washington PostWhy don't lions meow? Why does my cat leave a dead mouse at my feet? And why is a pet ocelot a bad idea?Jonathan B. Losos unravels the secrets of the cat using all the tools of modern technology, from GPS tracking (you'll be amazed where they roam) and genomics (what is your so-called Siamese cat, really?) to forensic archaeology. He tells the story of the cat's domestication (if you can call it that) and gives us a cat''s-eye view of the world today. Along the way we also meet their wild cousins, whose behaviours are eerily similar to even the sweetest of house cats.Drawing on his own research and life in his multi-cat household, Losos deciphers complex science and history and explores how selection, both natural and aTrade Review‘Excellent. Losos is an engaging and often funny guide who explains the science clearly and with nuance’ New Scientist ‘Losos is entertaining and anecdotal, learned and chatty … The book, surveying cats’ evolutionary history, behavioural habits and potential future, has a lovely cast list of felines wild and domestic, large and small’ Spectator ‘Cats are amazing. They fascinate and bewilder us … [The] cat stories detailed here will only heighten the reader's amazement. And Losos has done cats at least as proud as we imagine they pride themselves’ Science ‘A must-read’ Marc Bekoff, Psychology Today ‘Reaching back into the evolutionary history of the cat family, brought right up to date with the emergence of new breeds and hybrids, this fascinating book deserves to be on every cat-lover's nightstand’ John Bradshaw, author of Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet ‘If you have ever lived with a feline long enough to reach an accommodation, you’ve probably asked yourself: Am I training the cat, or is the cat training me? That question is a gateway to the labyrinth of fascinating riddles explored by Jonathan Losos – himself a lifelong ailurophile as well as an eminent evolutionary biologist – In this engaging and very smart book.’ David Quammen, author of Spillover and The Song of the Dodo ‘Fascinating, fun and full of facts, this thorough investigation will appeal to general readers and cat lovers alike’ Booklist ‘Not just another cat book, this enthusiastic study traces the evolution of the domesticated house cat from the African wildcat and explores the scientific questions it raises … A vivid, well-rounded treat for anyone interested in cats.’ Kirkus Reviews ‘Splendid … The surprising trivia … and stimulating scientific background shed light on what goes on in the minds of humans’ second-best friend’ Publisher’s Weekly

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Book SynopsisSome 66 million years ago, an asteroid some seven miles across slammed into the Earth, leaving a geologic wound over 50 miles in diameter. In the terrible mass extinction that followed, more than half of known species vanish seemingly overnight. But this worst single day in the history of life of Earth was as critical for us as it was for the dinosaurs, as it allowed for evolutionary opportunities that were closed for the previous 100 million years. In The Last Days of the Dinosaurs, Riley Black walks readers through what happened in the days, the years, the centuries and the million years after the impact. Life's losses were sharp and deeply felt, but the hope carried by the beings that survived sets the stage for the world as we know it now.

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Book SynopsisThis best-selling cookbook features a delicious collection of recipes from every strata of classical civilization, all accessible to the contemporary cook. Featuring step-by-step instructions, the modern cook will be able to tackle everything from simple meals and street food through to lavish banquets and wedding feasts with an authentic Ancient Greek and Roman flair.

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Book Synopsis''A brilliant concept, executed with enviable elegance'' Lucy Worsley''A gem of a book. Thanks to Daisy Dunn''s elegant and lively retelling of history, the women of the ancient world are restored to the centre of the story of classical antiquity. It was a joy to read.'' Peter FrankopanSpanning 3,000 years, from the birth of Minoan Crete to the death of the Julio-Claudian dynasty in Rome, a magisterial new history of the ancient world told, for the very first time, through women. For centuries, men have been writing histories of antiquity filled with warlords, emperors and kings. But when it comes to incorporating women aside from Cleopatra and Boudica, writers have been more comfortable describing mythical heroines than real ones. While Penelope and Helen of Troy live on in the imagination, their real-life counterparts have been relegated to the margins. In The Missing Thread, Daisy Dunn inverts this tradition and pu

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Book SynopsisTouraj Daryaee is Maseeh Chair in Persian Studies & Culture and the Director of the Dr. Samuel M. Jordan Center for Persian Studies at the University of California, Irvine. He works on the history of ancient and early medieval Iran and is the editor of the International Journal of Ancient Iranian Studies.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements List of Plates Map of the Sasanian Empire Sasanian Family Tree Prolegomena 1. The Political History of Iran and an-Iran 2. The Society of Iranshahr 3. Religions of the Empire: Zoroastrians, Manichaeans, Jews and Christians 4. Languages and Textual Remains of the Citizens 5. The Economy and Administration of Iranshahr Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTHE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER''Holland, who co-hosts the podcast The Rest Is History, is at his best when having fun with Rome''s bloody history'' The Times ''A book for lovers of traditional, grand sweep narrative history'' Sunday TimesThe definitive history of Rome''s golden age - antiquity''s ultimate superpower at the pinnacle of its greatnessThe Pax Romana has long been revered as a golden age. At its peak, the Roman Empire stretched from Scotland to Arabia, and contained perhaps a quarter of humanity. It was the wealthiest and most formidable state the world had yet seen.Beginning in 69AD, a year that saw four Caesars in succession rule the empire, and ending some seven decades later with the death of Hadrian, Pax presents a dazzling history of Rome at the height of its power. From the gilded capital to realms beyond the frontier, historian Tom Holland portrays the Roman EmpiTrade ReviewHolland, who co-hosts the podcast The Rest Is History, is at his best when having fun with Rome's bloody history. He has a novelist's vibrant writing style and turns a good phrase. Familiar elements of this period, such as the destruction of Pompeii, still feel fresh in his retelling and he avoids the temptation of so many joyless modern classicists to moralise about what rotters these Romans were with their slavery and their bloodshed and their lack of a proper safeguarding mission statement. He judges them purely by their own values -- Patrick Kidd * The Times *This is not an underexamined period of history, but Holland handles his material (his sources are primarily Roman: Pliny, Tacitus, Suetonius, Cassius Dio) with rigour and elan. He has a compelling narrative style and an eye for diverting detail. This is a book for lovers of traditional, grand sweep narrative history -- Gavanndra Hodge * Sunday Times *For all the years that have separated the publication of each book in his trilogy, Holland is a surprisingly consistent writer, one whose style you could recognise at a glance. There may be less back-stabbing and court intrigue in this book than in Rubicon and Dynasty; but in allowing us to tread the further reaches of empire through the eyes of the men holding the reins, Pax provides a deeper and more complex vista on Rome... a masterful blend of subtle politics and carnal colour -- Daisy Dunn * Sunday Telegraph *A sweeping, colourful history of Rome at its swaggering, superpower zenith by The Rest is History podcaster and bestselling author. Hail Caesar! Hail Tom Holland! -- Robbie Millen * The Times *A triumph... Holland has a talent for drawing out the character and concerns of the age, whilst neither omitting nor being overwhelmed by the facts and dates. His account of the eruption of Vesuvius is dramatic, moving and rivals the set-pieces of the classical historians * Independent *Holland is a master of immediacy... [a] fascinating time, skilfully sparked into life * Spectator *Holland's superb storytelling takes us right into this era as viewed from every standpoint, offering fresh insights into well-worn history * Observer *Masterful and engaging... The idea of death as the foundation of life, chaos as the foundation of order, war as the foundation of peace, is central to this outstanding book * Aspects of History *Pax is a superb conclusion to Holland's trilogy. There's no other historian who can bring the ancient world before the reader in all its sights, sounds and smells, its pomp, magnificence and martial glory, its strivings and sufferings and horror. Riveting from first page to last -- Christopher Hart * Daily Mail *A rich and fascinating period of history requires a companionable guide. Holland's erudite and irresistibly readable account amounts to a marvellous vademecum -- Llewelyn Morgan * History Today *The span of conflicts Mr Holland deals with in Pax, from Britain to modern Iran, showcases the breadth of his learning... One looks forward to many future deep dives with this remarkably gifted historian * Wall Street Journal *As ever, it is a pleasure to trail after Tom Holland, a loquacious, ebullient guide... full of Hollandesque phrasemaking that can both delight his readers and imprint history on our dull brains * Irish Examiner *A lucid account... Holland's feel for the lived experience of antiquity is one of the best features of the book * New York Times Book Review *Holland has an eye for an evocative anecdote. The chapter opening with the pen*s of a 90-year-old man being inspected in a court of law is a masterpiece. And his prose is superb. In one poetic passage he describes 'smoke drifting from the roofs of tenant farms; vineyards and orchards laden down with succulent fruit; herds of cattle lowing softly in the deepening twilight'. Rarely has the distant past seemed so vividly alive * Financial Times *A magnificent, richly detailed and always fluently readable book. He modulates the pace of his narrative excellently and I have read nothing which gives such a detailed and compelling account of the political and administrative life of the provinces and their relations with the imperial government. A better history for the general reader could not have been written * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisOffers economical, metrical translations that convey the range of effects of the playwright's verse, from the idiomatic speech of its dialogue to the high formality of its choral odes.Trade ReviewDiane Arnson Svarlien's body of work means a quantum leap forward in the vibrancy and immediacy of classical verse drama. I first learned of her work when I was searching, madly, for a translation of Medea for a production I had been hired to direct. I sought out every published version. I tried to track down any unpublished ones rumored to exist. All the others were wanting; her translation was revelatory. Merely read her translation of the play, then read another. You will sense the difference. This is particularly true if you are a practitioner of theatre. --Patrick Wang, Director of Diane Arnson Svarlien's Medea in its world premiere at the Stella Adler Studio, and of the feature film In the Family, nominated for a Best First Feature Independent Spirit Award.The excellent Introduction by Robin Mitchell-Boyask displays an admirable command of up-to-date scholarship and judiciously leaves controversial matters open to one's own interpretation. Arnson Svarlien's verse translation has both elegance and power--it reads well, not just to the eye, but (happily for the director and actors) also to the ear. --Ian Storey, Department of Classics, Trent UniversityMitchell-Boyask's Introduction gives the reader a lively and accessible overview of Euripides' life, the circumstances of the original performances, and critical debate on the three plays. Footnotes to the translations provide students with useful background without over-burdening the text. The translations themselves are lively, vigorous, colorful, and direct, while remaining very close to the Greek; I laughed out loud more than once when I realized that, yes, this was exactly what Euripides had said. Arnson Svarlien has also taken care with the meter. Iambic trimeter, the 'spoken' meter of Greek, has been represented with iambic pentameter in English; but even in the lyric passages, whose meters do not translate into English, responsion within odes has been preserved. Yet all of this attention to such details of meter and accuracy sacrifices nothing in clarity or pace. Arnson Svarlien's translations are an ideal introduction to Euripides for students with no Greek and little knowledge of the ancient world. They remind me of why I love Euripides. --Laurel Bowman, Department of Classics, University of VictoriaTable of ContentsIntroduction; Translator's Preface; Maps; Alcestis; Medea; Hippolytus.

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

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Book SynopsisThis analysis of the evidence shows that the end of the Roman era and birth of Anglo-Saxon rule was a drawn out process - much of the nuances has been lost over time. This insight into a neglected time in Britain's history offers an important re-evaluation of the period.

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Book SynopsisM. Porcius Cato (234–149 BC) remains legendary for his political and military career, his integrity and austere morality, his literary works, his pithy sayings, and his drive to define and to champion the Roman national character. This edition supplies all testimonia about, and all fragments by or attributed to him.

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Book SynopsisCleopatra. Nefertiti. Hatshepsut. All of them are ancient Egyptian female rulers who rose above their predominantly patriarchal societies to become controllers of a great empire. Missing from this list, however, is Sobekneferu, ancient Egypt’s first female ruler. Why was the reign of this powerful woman all but forgotten? Piecing together the lost history of the first female pharaoh, Andrew Collins presents the first comprehensive biography of Sobekneferu. Using every text and monument that concerns Sobekneferu and her time in power, he examines her achievements as ruler, the political and religious issues of her age, the temples and ruins associated with her, and her continuing impact on ancient Egypt after her reign. He explores her relationship with her brother Amenemhet IV, her sister Neferuptah, and their father Amenemhet III, regarded as one of the most beloved pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom. He examines Sobekneferu’s untimely end, the fate of her body, and the cult that developed in her name. Discussing Sobekneferu’s magical beliefs and practices, Collins shows how they centred on the crocodile god Sobek, the hippo goddess Neith, and the circumpolar stars of the night sky in which they were personified. He also reveals how the setting of the Crocodile Star (Eltanin), the brightest star in the constellation of Draco, aligns with Sobekneferu’s suspected pyramid. Examining the modern-day resurrection of Sobekneferu among the occultists and mystics of Victorian London, Collins shows how she is the true inspiration behind every ancient Egyptian female queen who comes back to life after her tomb is found--as featured first in Bram Stoker’s shocking 1903 novel The Jewel of the Seven Stars and later in several modern blockbuster movies. Revealing how Sobekneferu has left a lasting impact on culture and occulture through the ages despite being nearly erased from history, Collins shows how her continuing legacy is perhaps, ultimately, her true resurrection.Trade Review“Founded on robust academic rigor, in The First Female Pharaoh Andrew Collins has woven an impeccable tapestry that reveals the importance of women in leadership in millennia past, today, and in the future.” * Christopher Dunn, author of The Giza Power Plant and Lost Technologies of Ancient Egypt *“With his customary flair for unearthing the secrets of the ancient world, Andrew Collins’s study of the little-known female Egyptian pharaoh Sobekneferu is destined to become a classic. Her life and place in Egyptian history is presented engagingly and forensically, while the author’s own passion for the subject is clear on every page. This is an important book.” * Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince, authors of When God Had a Wife: The Fall and Rise of the Sacred Femi *“This new book by Andrew Collins, who I’ve known for more than forty years, deals with the story of the first female ruler in history. Sobekneferu was the last ruler of the Twelfth Dynasty in Egyptian history. More than two centuries later Hatshepsut became the second Egyptian queen. As always, Andrew Collins uses his historical knowledge, along with his deep imagination, to bring the story of Sobekneferu to life.” * Ahmed Osman, author of The Egyptian Origins of King David and the Temple of Solomon and The Lost Cit *“Finally, a long-overdue opus honoring one of history’s most enigmatic women—Sobekneferu. Andrew Collins has scoured historical records, archaeological discoveries, and scattered images of this mysterious yet powerful female ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt to piece together this first major overview of her Twelfth Dynasty reign as a queen and pharaoh.” * Ani Williams, harpist, singer, songwriter, author, sound therapist, and pilgrimage guide *"This is the first ever biography that has been written about this historical Egyptian figure. Collins meticulously pieces together the nearly lost history of Sobekneferu. He describes how under her ruler-ship Egypt survived a very dark period in its history known as the Second Intermediate Period and how it managed to become one of the most powerful and influential empires of the ancient world." * Brent Raynes, Alternate Perceptions Magazine *"Absolutely fascinating, impressively informative, expertly written, nicely illustrated, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, The First Female Pharaoh: Sobekneferu, Goddess of the Seven Stars by Andrew Collins will prove to be a prized and endearingly appreciated addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Egyptology collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the cult, magic, reign, and resurrection of the first female ruler in Egypt that The First Female Pharaoh is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99)." * Midwest Book Review *In The First Female Pharaoh: Sobekneferu, Goddess of the Seven Stars, author Andrew Collins (Göbekli Tepe: Genesis of the Gods, 2014) does rigorous archaeological detective work, analyzing a variety of statues and beads honoring Sobekneferu, in an effort to humanize her and unravel the mystery of her life and death. This book also has a historical whodunit vibe, as Collins explores possible political intrigues that may have led to her rise and fall. It’s amazing how much information can be gleaned about her from so few inscriptions and artifacts, and Collins walks the reader through each exhibit, clarifying its context. * Rachel McConnell, Musing Mystical *Table of ContentsForeword: History Is Made of Discoveries By Jan Summers Duffy AcknowledgmentsPreface: The Knowing of Sobekneferu PART 1 Discovering Sobekneferu 1 Female Pharaohs 2 Ruler of the Two Lands 3 Sobekneferu—The Story As We Know It 4 The Woman behind the Pharaoh 5 The Cult of Sobekneferu 6 Sobekneferu and the Heb Sed Mystery PART 2Road to Destiny 7 Sobekneferu in Canaan 8 The Vengeful Goddess9 Divine Right to Rule PART 3 Seeds of Destruction 10 The Sister of Sobekneferu11 The King’s Daughters 12 Fate of the Dynasty 13 Sibling Rivalry 14 Flawed Visions15 The Fall of Egypt PART 4Regicide 16 The Mystery of Queen Nitocris 17 Sobekneferu as Nitocris 18 Mother of Crocodiles 19 The Vengeance of Nitocris 20 The Death of Sobekneferu 21 Enemies of Sobekneferu PART 5 Faith 22 Joseph in Egypt23 The Heliopolitan Connection 24 When Sobekneferu Met Joseph25 Sobekneferu—The Asiatic Connection PART 6 Two Lands 26 Sobekneferu the Builder27 The Magnificent Labyrinth 28 At the Center of It All 29 Navel of the World PART 7 Ancestors 30 The Mystery of Mazghuna North31 Temple of the Crocodile 32 Place of the Ancestors 33 The Seven Snake Gods34 Sobekneferu’s Final Resting Place PART 8 Resurrection 35 Goddess of the Seven Stars 36 Servants of Sobek 37 Path of the Headless One 38 Typhonian Gnosis Appendix: Sobekneferu on Film and Television NotesBibliography Index

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Book SynopsisInside the Roman Legions aims to tell the story of the Roman soldier through a holistic, empathetic examination of what the experience of military service in the Middle Republic was really like. It traces real examples of soldiers described in the ancient sources to reveal how they travelled, how they were organized and what campaign objectives they faced. Specifically, the author follows the ordinary soldier Spurius Ligustinus, whose life is related by the historian Livy, as an example, detailing the experiences of his career. The book begins by discussing the young future soldier's background and what military values were conveyed to him through the prevailing culture of the time. It then follows him through a range of potential experiences, examining camp conditions and training with various types of weapons and armour, and proceeds to take the reader through the experience of fighting in a pitched battle step by step. It also addresses experiences that only some soldiers would have

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Book SynopsisThe KJV Word Study Reference Bible balances deep study of the biblical languages with clear application to help transform the way you live. Uncover a wealth of meaning in Scripture with more than 2000 Greek and Hebrew word studies.Bring the words of Scripture to life and discover the richness and significance of the original languages of the Word of God. The KJV Word Study Reference Bible includes in-text subheadings and 2,000 easy-to-use word studies with select Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek words explained in every chapter from Genesis to Revelation. By looking into these ancient texts, we are able to read scripture as it was originally written and passed on from generation to generation. In addition, this Bible’s Topic-by-Topic studies give a practical framework for understanding scripture, along with more hel

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This carefully researched book provides a thorough analysis . . . [as well as] a new perspective on the study of Muhammad and makes a significant contribution to the scholarly literature. Recommended." * CHOICE *"This book should be required reading for any scholar or graduate student of early Islam or Late Antiquity." * Journal of the American Academy of Religion *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgments The Caliphs, 632–809 Introduction: The Making of the Historical Muhammad PART I. BEFORE THE SIRAH-MAGHAZI LITERATURE 1. The Earliest Evidence Three Early Non-Muslim Testimonies to Muhammad Revisiting the Doctrina Iacobi The “Keys to Paradise” in Late Antique Religious Discourse The “Keys to Paradise” in Early Islamic Preaching The Doctrina Iacobi and the Historical Muhammad 2. Muhammad the Merchant The Earliest Depictions of Muhammad as a Merchant Muhammad’s Occupation in the Hadīth and Sīrah-Maghāzī Literature Muhammad as a Trader in Arabic Sources Muhammad and the Monk The Merchants of Mecca PART II. THE BEGINNINGS OF HTE SIRAH-MAGHAZI LITERATURE 3. The Beginnings of the Corpus The Umayyads and the Beginnings of the Sīrah-Maghāzī Tradition `Abd al-Malik ibn Marwān and `Urwah ibn al-Zubayr 4. The Letters of `Urwah ibn al-Zubayr The Chains of Transmission for `Urwah’s Letters A Translation of the Letters Attributed to `Urwah ibn al-Zubayr Letter 1. From the Persecutions in Mecca to the Hijrah to Yathrib Letter 2. Khadījah’s death and the Prophet’s marriage to `A'ishah Letter 3. The Battle of Badr Letter 4. On al-Hudaybiyah, a Gloss on Q. Mumtahinah 60:10–12 Letter 5. The Conquest of Mecca and al-Tāʾif Letter 6. On the Hums Letter 7. `A'ishah’s Accusers Letter 8. On Khuwaylah, the wife of Aws ibn al-Sāmit, a Gloss on Q. Mujādalah 58:1–4 Letter 9. On the Prophet’s Marriage to a Sister of al-Ash`ath ibn Qays 5. The Court Impulse Ibn Shihāb al-Zuhrī and the Umayyads The Corpus of Ibn Shihāb al-Zuhrī Ibn Ishāq and the Abbasids The Corpus of Ibn Ishāq PART III. LOCATING THE SIRAH-MAGHAZI LITERATURE IN LATE ANTIQUITY 6. Prophecy and Empires of Faith Prophecy and the Rhetoric of Empire The Vision of Heraclius Ibn Shihāb al-Zuhrī’s Christian Source Translatio Imperii in the Early Sīrah-Maghāzī Literature 7. Muhammad and Cædmon Cædmon’s Call and The Iqraʾ Narrative From Muhammad’s Call to Cædmon’s Call Mechanisms of Narrative Influence The Iqra' Narrative—Early, but not Historical Excursus: Alternative Accounts of Muhammad’s First Revelation Epilogue: The Future of the Historical Muhammad Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe last Ice Age, which came to an end about 12,000 years ago, swept the bands of hunter gatherers from the face of the land that was to become Britain and Ireland, but as the ice sheets retreated and the climate improved so human groups spread slowly northwards, re-colonizing the land that had been laid waste. From that time onwards Britain and Ireland have been continuously inhabited and the resident population has increased from a few hundreds to more than 60 million. Britain Begins is nothing less than the story of the origins of the British and the Irish peoples, from around 10,000BC to the eve of the Norman Conquest. Using the most up to date archaeological evidence together with new work on DNA and other scientific techniques which help us to trace the origins and movements of these early settlers, Barry Cunliffe offers a rich narrative account of the first islanders - who they were, where they came from, and how they interacted one with another. Underlying this narrative throughout is the story of the sea, which allowed the islanders and their continental neighbours to be in constant contact. The story told by the archaeological evidence, in later periods augmented by historical texts, satisfies our need to know who we are and where we come from. But before the development of the discipline of archaeology, people used what scraps there were, gleaned from Biblical and classical texts, to create a largely mythological origin for the British. Britain Begins also explores the development of these early myths, which show our ancestors attempting to understand their origins. And, as Cunliffe shows, today''s archaeologists are driven by the same desire to understand the past - the only real difference is that we have vastly more evidence to work with.Trade ReviewThere are clear and helpful illustrations, and there is enough information here to fill any semester-long course on the history of England, or rather Albion. * NJCSS Journal *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. In the Beginning: Myths and Ancestors ; 2. Britain Emerges: the Stage is Set ; 3. Interlude: Enter the Actors ; 4. Settlement Begins 10,000 - 4200 BC ; 5. New People, New Ideas 4200 - 3000 BC ; 6. Mobilizing materials: a New Connectivity 3000 - 1500 BC ; 7. Interlude: Talking to Each Other ; 8. The Productive Land in The Age of Warriors 1500 - 800 BC ; 9. Episodes of Conflict 800 - 60 BC ; 10. Interlude: Approaching the Gods ; 11. Integration: the Roman Episode 60 BC - AD 350 ; 12. 'Its Red and Savage Tongue', AD 350 - 650 ; 13. The Age of the Northmen AD 600 - 1100 ; 14. Of Myths and Realities: an epilogue ; A Guide to Further Reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisAn abridgement of Stanley Lombardo's translation of the "Odyssey". It offers more than half of the epic, including all of its best-known episodes and finest poetry, while providing concise summaries for omitted books and passages.

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Book SynopsisThe city of Rome is the largest archaeological site in the world, capital and showcase of the Roman Empire and the centre of Christian Europe.This guide provides: Coverage of all the important sites in the city from 800 BC to AD 600 and the start of the early middle ages, drawing on the latest discoveries and the best of recent scholarship Over 220 high-quality maps, site plans, diagrams and photographs Sites divided into fourteen main areas, with star ratings to help you plan and prioritize your visit: Roman Forum; Upper Via Sacra; Palatine; Imperial Forums; Campus Martius; Capitoline Hill; Circus Flaminius to Circus Maximus; Colosseum and Esquiline hill; Caelian hill and the inner via Appia; Lateran to Porta Maggiore; Viminal hill; Pyramid to Testaccio; the outer via Appia; other outlying sites; Museums and Catacombs. Introduction offering essential background to the history and culture of ancient Rome, placing the city in the context of the development of the empire, highlighting the nature of Roman achievement, and explaining how Rome came to be the largest city in the ancient world. Comprehensive glossaries of Rome''s building materials, techniques and building types, a chronological table of kings, emperors, and the early popes, information about opening times, references and suggestions for further reading and a detailed user-friendly index. For this new edition the original text has been extensively revised, adding over 20 more sites and illustrations, the itineraries have been re-organized and expanded to suit the many changes that have taken place in the past decade, and the practical information and references have been fully updated.Table of ContentsIntroduction ; Historical Overview ; Documentary Sources ; Glossary ; The Roman Forum ; The Upper Via Sacra ; The Palatine ; Imperial Forums ; Field of Mars (Campus Martius) ; Capitoline Hill ; Circus Flaminius to Circus Maximus ; Colosseum Valley and Esquiline Hill ; Caelian Hill and the inner Via Appia ; Lateran-Porta Maggiore ; The Viminal ; Pyramid-Testaccio ; Across the Tiber ; Parks of the Appia Antica ; Other Sites outside the Walls ; Museums ; Catacombs ; Chronological Table ; Opening Times and Charges ; References and Further Reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisPortrays Alexander as both a complex personality and a single-minded general, a man capable of such diverse expediencies as patricide or the massacre of civilians. In this title, the author describes his Alexander as the most brilliant (and ambitious) field commander in history.Trade Review"History leaps off the page in this passionate narrative." * Publisher's Weekly *"[The book] drives forward, clarified by Green's easy command of the material and saturated with his sense of that gorgeous, raging, brilliant time." * Kirkus Reviews *Table of ContentsForeword Preface to the 2013 Reprint Preface to the 1991 Reprint Preface and Acknowledgements List of Maps and Battle Plans Key to Abbreviations Table of Dates 1 Philip of Macedon 2 The Gardens of Midas 3 From a View to a Death 4 The Keys of the Kingdom 5 The Captain-General 6 The Road to lssus 7 Intimations of Immortality 8 The Lord of Asia 9 The Quest for Ocean 10 How Many Miles to Babylon? Appendix: Propaganda at the Granicus Notes and References Sources of Information Genealogical Table Index

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Book SynopsisA work of literary theory that draws on the writings of Demosthenes, Plato, Sappho, Thucydides, Euripides, and Aeschylus, among others, to examine and delineate the essentials of a noble style.Trade ReviewGrube's translation is a masterful work of scholarship, and is admirably accessible for the common reader.--Jeffrey Walker, Emory University

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Book SynopsisConfucius is one of the most humane, rational, and lucid of moral teachers, concerned not with arcane metaphysics, but with practical issues of life and conduct. What is virtue? What sort of life is most conducive to happiness? How should the state be ruled? What is the proper relationship between human beings and their environment? In this classic translation by Arthur Waley, the questions Confucius addressed two and a half millennia ago remain as relevant as ever.

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Book SynopsisDavid Wootton guides us through four centuries of Western thought to show how new ideas about politics, ethics, and economics stepped into a gap opened up by religious conflict and the Scientific Revolution. As ideas about godliness and Aristotelian virtue faded, theories about the rational pursuit of power, pleasure, and profit moved to the fore.Trade ReviewExplains how European thought came to abandon the old virtues and accept the ‘selfish system’ of utility…Wootton explicates complex social and political theories with admirable lucidity. -- Jeffrey Collins * Wall Street Journal *More relevant to our current political and cultural circumstance than any other I’ve read in the last four years…Truly wonderful. -- Lewis Lapham * The World in Time *Wootton presents the conceptual shift that gave birth to our life today in a book that is ambitious and impressive in its sweep…A gripping story of how ideas can change the world. -- John Gray * New Statesman *Wootton does not wish to take sides in the controversy between detractors and defenders of the Enlightenment: his purpose is rather to retrace the emergence of the intellectual and cultural revolution that radically transformed modern Western societies… Power, Pleasure, and Profit is an erudite book, full of learned asides. * Times Literary Supplement *This is decidedly not a traditional history of the Enlightenment as a philosophical or political project…Wootton’s Enlightenment ushered in a moral universe of unstoppable excess—one in which the pursuit of power, pleasure, and profit had no limit, for individuals or for societies…An unusual but fascinating foray into all the great themes of moral and political philosophy, from happiness to politics to commerce to love. -- James Chappel * Commonweal *His erudition is impressive and his range of inquiry is vast… Wootton traces the development of three interrelated notions that together, in his view, displaced the moral and religious inheritance bequeathed by classicism and Christianity. -- Darrin M. McMahon * Literary Review *Gripping…A fascinating story…The Enlightenment spawned a series of assumptions about what human beings are, why they do what they do, and what the good life looks like. We’re still hostage to those assumptions, whether we know it or not, and Wootton’s book asks us to consider the consequences. -- Sean Illing * Vox *In the brilliant, penetrating and amazingly erudite study by David Wootton…readers are treated to an engaging tour of the ‘Enlightenment paradigm’ gaining in the process a more profound understanding of our modern political economy and ethical situation…This book is essential reading for understanding the climate in which we still live and which is exported worldwide through neoliberalism and globalization. -- David Lorimer * Wall Street International *A work of exceptional merit. Wootton is one of the best intellectual historians in the Anglo-American world today. -- Steven Smith, Yale UniversityIn this deliciously written, stunningly erudite, and enchantingly combative book, one of our most free-spirited and original intellectual historians has helped us see the roots of the Enlightenment and thus our contemporary world with entirely new eyes. -- Stephen Holmes, New York UniversityFull of spirited engagement, Wootton’s writing exemplifies iconoclasm, imagination, and verve. -- Christopher Brooke, University of CambridgeWootton’s notion of modest, practical Aristoteilian-esque virtue in the face of limitless appetite is a compelling one, and he stakes his claims methodically and persuasively. -- Nicholas Cannariato * The Millions *Through the writings of great thinkers, Wootton describes the birth of a new concept of human nature during the years 1500 to 1800… Wootton demonstrates a consistent ability to make complex intellectual ideas approachable… A surprisingly lucid examination of a dramatic revolution in human thought. * Kirkus Reviews *Valuable as a wide-ranging…investigation into the philosophical revolution that made the modern Western world. * American Conservative *Erudite…Raises a number of timely ethical and historical questions for a world where the limitless pursuit of power and pleasure appears increasingly unsustainable. -- Anton M. Matytsin * Journal of Modern History *Engaging…The idea that we are driven by our remorseless quest for power, pleasure, and profit, Wootton argues, has come to dominate Western conceptions of politics and economics since the time of Niccolò Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, and Adam Smith, and has largely replaced previously important theories of Christian morality and Aristotelian ethics…A pleasure to read. -- K. Steven Vincent * European Legacy *

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The Age of the Silk Roads (c 200 BC- c 900 AD) shaped the course of the future. The foundation by the Han dynasty of an extensive network of interlinking trade routes, collectively known as the Silk Road, led to an explosion of cultural and commercial transactions across Central Asia that had a profound impact on civilization. In this second volume of his authoritative history of the region, Christoph Baumer explores the unique flow of goods, peoples and ideas along the dusty tracks and wandering caravan routes that brought European and Mediterranean orbits into contact with Asia. The Silk Roads, the author shows, enabled the spread across the known world of Christianity, Manichaeism, Buddhism and Islam, just as earlier they had caused Roman citizens to crave the exotic silk goods of the mysterious Far East. Tracing the rise and fall of empires, this richly illustrated book charts the ebb and flow of epic history: the bitter rivalry of Rome and Parthia; the lucrative mercantile empire of the Sogdians; the founding of Samarkand; and Chinese defeat at the Battle of Talas (751 AD) by the forces of Islam.

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Book SynopsisThe epic plains and arid deserts of Central Asia have witnessed some of the greatest migrations, as well as many of the most transformative developments, in the history of civilization. Christoph Baumer's ambitious four-volume treatment of the region charts the 3000-year drama of Scythians and Sarmatians; Soviets and transcontinental Silk Roads; trade routes and the transmission of ideas across the steppes; and the breathless and brutal conquests of Alexander the Great and Chinghiz Khan. Masterfully interweaving the stories of individuals and peoples, the author's engaging prose is richly augmented throughout by colour photographs taken on his own travels. For all the complexity of the history, Dr Baumer, a noted authority on Central Asia, never loses sight of the sweeping grandeur of its overall setting. Volume 1 focuses on the geography of the area now occupied by present-day Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, northern Afghanistan, western and central Mongolia and parts of southern Russia and northern China. Discussing the changing climates of the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Ages, the author explores subjects as diverse as glacial retreat; the invention of the wheel; the legendary Cimmerians and Amazons; Hellenism and Zoroastrianism; and the Oxus Treasure. Future volumes will explore the later historical periods of the region.Trade ReviewThe Age of the Steppe Warriors is as magnificent as it is magisterial ... the book is filled with images that are in turn fascinating, mysterious and dazzling. * The Asian Review of Books *A welcome addition to a slender regional literature. * CHOICE *This is a truly remarkable book ... It's the first of four volumes and in this - the first - the author has set himself a formidable standard. * Geographical *A gorgeous creation, with creamy paper, crisp design and perfect colour pictures ... this is more than an encyclopaedia. It's a cultural guidebook on a grand scale. * Literary Review *The book provides a superb introduction to the history of Central Asia ... a welcome addition to the growing literature on a relatively unknown part of the world until recently. * OCA Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe existence of an Indo-European linguistic family, allowing for the fact that several languages widely dispersed across Eurasia share numerous traits, has been demonstrated for several centuries now. But the underlying factors for this shared heritage have been fiercely debated by linguists, historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists. The leading theory, of which countless variations exist, argues that this similarity is best explained by the existence, at one given point in time and space, of a common language and corresponding population. This ancient, prehistoric, population would then have diffused across Eurasia, eventually leading to the variation observed in historical and modern times. The Indo-Europeans: Archaeology, Language, Race, and the Search for the Origins of the West argues that despite its acceptance and use by most researchers from different disciplines, such a model is inherently flawed. This book describes how, beginning in the late eighteenth century, EuropTrade ReviewWith this ambitious volume, Jean-Paul Demoule exposes and criticises the theoretical and methodological flaws inherent to the 'tree model,' which propounds that Indo-European languages and speakers dispersed and branched out from a unique point in space and time. An impressive display of historiographical knowledge stretching across several centuries and disciplines, including linguistics, archaeology, history of religions, biological anthropology, and politics. * Marc Vander Linden, Bournemouth University *A scholarly labour of many decades, Demoule's erudite but accessible treatment of the Indo-Europeans is indispensable reading for anyone interested in the relationship between language, archaeology, and biological anthropology. It is also a shrewd analysis of the slippage between science and mysticism that plagues its topic, from the seventeenth century down to the present day, exposing the roots of a tenacious, often dark undercurrent of thought about the origins and destiny of 'the West'. * David Wengrow, University College London *With this ambitious volume, Jean-Paul Demoule exposes and criticises the theoretical and methodological flaws inherent to the 'tree model,' which propounds that Indo-European languages and speakers dispersed and branched out from a unique point in space and time. An impressive display of historiographical knowledge stretching across several centuries and disciplines, including linguistics, archaeology, history of religions, biological anthropology, and politics. * Marc Vander Linden, Bournemouth University *A scholarly labour of many decades, Demoule's erudite but accessible treatment of the Indo-Europeans is indispensable reading for anyone interested in the relationship between language, archaeology, and biological anthropology. It is also a shrewd analysis of the slippage between science and mysticism that plagues its topic, from the seventeenth century down to the present day, exposing the roots of a tenacious, often dark undercurrent of thought about the origins and destiny of 'the West'. * David Wengrow, University College London *Table of ContentsPreface The official Indo-European hypothesis: the 12 canonical theses OVERTURE From the Renaissance to the French Revolution 1. The search for a long-anticipated discovery The Indo-European golden legend Uncertain inventors The search for an anticipated discovery A recurring discovery Why was Leibniz unable to publish in German? Schizophrenic Europeans The slow secularization of the world India, an alternative myth FIRST MOVEMENT (FROM 1814 TO 1903) All is resolved! 2. The invention of comparative grammar The search for origins On the superiority of (Indo-) European languages Comparative grammar, a German science? Colonialism as an understanding of history August Schleicher and the botany of languages The young Turks of comparative grammar Other possible models so soon? 3. From India to Germania, the return of the wheeled cradle The Indian cradle An ephemeral Earthly Paradise The return of the homeland Those who refused to repatriate the homeland From texts to objects Imaginary communities The rise of archeological excavations More primitive Bathing, kissing and chastity Linguistics of absence The return to Germania Pan-Germanism and anti-Semitism Occultist beliefs The ambiguities of official linguistics 4. The invention of "scientific racism" God and the polygenists The art of measuring skulls From divine right to nation The terrors of the "Count" de Gobineau A science of man? Who are the French? On the origins of the Aryans Are the Prussians German? The three positions of French anthropologists on the Indo-European question Moderation among German anthropologists Does "race" exist? The Count and the Aryan Sex, fantasies and racisms The first symptoms of political racism The mismeasure of man SECOND MOVEMENT (FROM 1903 TO 1945) Crimes and errors 5. From comparative grammar to linguistics: a language of leaders? The ambiguities of Ferdinand de Saussure Antoine Meillet, chief and master A language of chiefs Do you speak a "language of civilization"? An instinct for conquest and a love of wide open spaces Linguistic sentiment? Meillet versus Schuchardt The triumph of structural linguistics And what if there never had been an Original People? 6. From Aryan Pan-Germanism to Nazism The methods of archeology Kossinna's law The Kossinnian Indo-German narrative "A pre-eminently German discipline" Erasing the memory of Kossinna Nazism, one of the possible horizons for the Aryans The Atlantis of the Far North Sects and secret societies Hitler himself was not a believer The rallying of archeologists SS against SA, and the pillaging of conquered lands International cowardice and complicity 7. A circling cradle "Culture circles" of the European Neolithic Uncertain European chronologies Childish, not Childeish! Regarding the superiority of declensions Skulls and words The dominance of the Nordic theory Eminently respectable universities Weaknesses in the Nordic hypothesis A die-hard Asiatic cradle Excavations in central Asia A return to (Eastern) Europe The Pontic steppes endure Marxism and archeology Marr, Stalin and linguistics 8. Excesses and crimes of racial theories Ordinary racism and institutional racism The anthropological dead-end Genetics to the rescue Eugenics and scientific charlatanism The dreams of German geneticists From skulls to crimes And what of France? Those who collaborated THIRD MOVEMENT (FROM 1945 TO THE 3RD MILLENNIUM) All is re-resolved! 9. The Return of the Aryan, pagan, extreme right (from 1945 to the present) A truly "New" Right? The "magician" prodromes A view from the (extreme) right From Gobineau to Konrad Lorenz A re-armed extreme right The limits of "entryism" Contemporary "Aryan" ideology A racial "Que sais-je"? The "racist" International Close collaborations 10. From racial anthropology to biological anthropology The twilight of the "races" Medals and survivals From skulls to red blood cells A truly new synthesis? We have rediscovered the Indo-Europeans! Racism by means of psychology and IQ 11. What archaeology tells us today The first Europeans The Neolithic revolution Sedentary hunter-gatherers The rise of chiefdoms What happened on the steppes? From the Copper Age to the Bronze Age New power networks From proto-history to history The search for the Indo-Europeans 12. Archeology: What if the Indo-Europeans had always been there? A nebulous autochthony Paleolithic continuity? 13. Did the Indo-Europeans really come from Turkey? Ex oriente lux A new hypothesis? The language of the original Homeland From Indo-European to Indo-Hittite? Part of the family tree of all the world's languages? Concerning the difficulties of classification The linguistic impacts of agriculture? The return of Trubetzkoy A non-verifiable model How can we rid ourselves of the initial brief An incomplete critical approach 14. Did the Indo-Europeans really come from the Black Sea Steppes? A (very) old hypothesis From Vilnius to Los Angeles Initial cautiousness The return of the steppes Feminism and invaders A new demonstration? A unified and coherent theory? The horse, of course and the chariot, naturally! Warrior invasions or a vicious circle? And what of genetics? 15. From prehistory to history: the rediscovered routes taken by the Indo-Europeans? How do we prove a migration? The coming of the Greeks An early Bronze Age arrival Tiles, gray ware and princely tombs The arrival of the "Aryans" in India? The world of the steppes and national issues Invisible migrations and Kulturkugel The mysteries of the Tocharians Our ancestors, the Celts Romans and Italics Hittites and Anatolians Their ancestors, the Germani Slavs or Germani? 16. Georges Dumézil, a French hero A sense of the epic The three functions The original texts The "Dumézil affair" Occupation and occultism One College, two Academies and a New Right Trifunctionality and Indo-Europeanness By excess and by default Heritages and heredities The unavoidable detour into archeology Other mythologists? Dumézil and the myths 17. Linguistic reconstructions and models in the 21st century Discovering original sounds? What exactly are we reconstructing? Of roots and words Thinking in trees The tree of all the world's languages An apple, a hat and a car Measuring the speed of language evolution From the tree to the network 18. Words and things of the Indo-Europeans The dead-ends of linguistic paleontology Demonstration by absence From words to meaning Regarding Indo-Europeanness A primordial poetry? From words to things, and creating the "impression of reality" Indo-European, or universal? How to always be right FINALE AND 2ND OVERTURE 19. Models, counter-models, ideologies and errors of logic: are there any alternatives? How languages change Invisible conquerors and secular empires Cultures and ethnic groups Archeological culture as Nation State? Lessons from the barbarians Languages and material cultures Languages without frontiers The inadequacy of trees "No language is totally pure" Mixes and interferences Substrates, adstrates and superstrates Pidgins and creoles Sprachbund and the Balkan laboratory "Areal" linguistics The tools of sociolinguistics Epilogue An alternative vision: the 12 Indo-European antitheses Appendices 1. Simplified chronological table of the main archaeological cultures and civilizations in Eurasia (from - 300 000 BC to the present). 2. Dates of emergence of the major Indo-European languages. 3. August Schleicher's tree of the Indo-European languages. 4. The development of the Indo-European languages according to Gamkrelidze and Ivanov (1985). 5. A map of some of the solutions of the Indo-European homeland problem proposed since 1960. 6. Map of the main archaeological cultures defined in the 1930s. 7. The Indo-European migrations, after Gustav Kossinna. 8. The early historical distribution of the main Indo-European speaking peoples. 9. The neolithization of Europe. 10. The spread of Indo-European languages, after Colin Renfrew. 11. Spread of Indo-European people, after Marija Gimbutas' theories. 12. Map of the Chalcolithic cultures in the 5th millennium BC. 13. Map of the Chalcolithic cultures in the 4th millennium BC. 14. Map of the Chalcolithic cultures in the 3rd millennium BC. 15. Map of the Chalcolithic cultures in the 2nd millennium BC. 16. Comparative trees of human genes and language families. 17. The Indian linguistic area, after Colin Masica 18. Relationships between the Indo-European languages, after Paul Heggarty 19. Relationships between the Indo-European languages, after Alfred Kroeber Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisIn Diogenes the Cynic, Jean-Manuel Roubineau presents a moving and authoritative portrait of one of the most idealized and mocked intellectuals in antiquity.Trade ReviewAs terse and clear as its unsentimental subject could have wished * Thomas W. Hodgkinson, The Oldie *Diogenes the Cynic was a radical and a disruptive public intellectual of the best kind, challenging the conventions of his day and forcing people to rethink their values and life choices. In a fast-paced and entertaining narrative, this wide-ranging introduction to the ancient traditions about Diogenes sheds fresh light on the idea of philosophy as a way of life. The vigorous translation from Jean-Manuel Roubineau's original French is complemented by a hard-hitting foreword by classical scholar Phillip Mitsis. * Brad Inwood, author of Stoicism: A Very Short Introduction *Diogenes the Cynic was an ancient philosopher like no other who, as a consequence, has been mythologized for centuries. In this excellent new book--compact yet comprehensive--Roubineau carefully sifts through all the ancient evidence to separate fact from myth, shedding new light on many familiar stories and anecdotes. At last we can appreciate Diogenes in his historical context, while also gaining a clearer picture of his 'philosophy with no holds barred.' This should be required reading for anyone interested in ancient philosophy. * John Sellars, author of The Pocket Epicurean *The book is well produced and an effective and thought-provoking contribution to a somewhat underconsidered area of classical philosophy. * Classics for All *A rich, carefully woven historical tapestry out of which Diogenes' philosophical profile emerges more forcefully than in other recent accounts of his life. Roubineau has a gift for rendering the abstract in concrete forms; in his book we see and hear and even smell Diogenes in his natural habitat. * Times Literary Supplement *The Dangerous Life and Ideas of Diogenes the Cynic is a rich, carefully woven historical tapestry out of which Diogenes' philosophical profile emerges more forcefully than in other recent accounts of his life. * Costica Bradatan, TLS *A good, quick read about somebody who embodied his philosophy. * Nigel Warburton, Five Books *I don't think Diogenes had been given enough airtime until very recently, and now that's happening... [This] a good, quick read about somebody who embodied his philosophy. * Nigel Warburton, The Best Philosophy Books of 2023 *Table of ContentsForeword Introduction 1. Diogenes, Foreigner 2. Rich as Diogenes 3. Diogenes, or the Proper Use of the Body 4. Diogenes, Mentor Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisStonehenge is one of the world's most famous monuments. Who built it, how and why are questions that have endured for at least 900 years, but modern methods of investigation are now able to offer up a completely new understanding of this iconic stone circle. Stonehenge's history straddles the transition from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age, though its story began long before it was built. Serving initially as a burial ground, it evolved over time into a sacred place for gathering, feasting and building, and was remodelled several times as different peoples arrived in the area along with new technologies and customs. In more recent centuries it has found itself the centre of excavations, political protests and even conspiracy theories, embedding itself in the consciousness of the modern world. In this book Mike Parker Pearson draws on two decades of research, the results of recent excavations and cutting-edge scientific analyses to uncover many of the secrets that this prehistoric sTrade ReviewStartling in its detail, exciting in its broad historical implications and robust in its scientific evidence. -- Timothy R. Pauketat, Professor of Anthropology, University of Illinois, USACuts across boundaries of archaeology, history and history of science to reintroduce Stonehenge to the 21st century. -- Nena Galanidou, Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology, University of Crete, GreeceTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface 1. Investigating Stonehenge: How We Know What We Know 2. Before Stonehenge 3. The First Stonehenge 4. The Second Stonehenge 5. Stonehenge (Stage 3) in the Age of Copper 6. Stonehenge (Stage 4) in the Age of Bronze 7. Stonehenge (Stage 5) in the Age of Gold 8. After Stonehenge: The Age of Silence? 9. Stonehenge into the Modern Era 10. Druids, Free Festivals and Development Pressures: Stonehenge in Contention 11. Stonehenge: The Never-Ending Story Notes Chronology of the Building of Stonehenge Glossary Chronological dramatis personae of Deceased Authors, Personalities and Investigators of Stonehenge Further Reading Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive survey of Syriac Christianity from its origins in Hellenistic and ancient Near Eastern cultures to the presentTrade Review“In this extraordinarily learned and wide-ranging book, an entire lost world is brought into the light. The Syriac World reminds us of the vigor and diversity that made up the culture and religion of the Middle East from Late Antiquity until today.”—Peter Brown, author of Through the Eye of a Needle“This is a marvelous gem of a book. In one short volume, we are given three thousand years of history. Readers will learn an enormous amount about Syriac literature and the history of Middle Eastern Christianity. This book is a small classic.”—Jack Tannous, author of The Making of the Medieval Middle East“The authors have provided a wonderfully readable, and beautifully illustrated, guide to the various aspects of the Syriac world: the narrative is exceptionally well informed, and the attention paid to material culture is particularly welcome. This is a book that every self-respecting library ought to have.”—Sebastian Brock, author of An Introduction to Syriac Studies“The Syriac World is a fine piece of scholarship, and a truly valuable contribution to the literature on Christian history. The authors present a picture of the Syriac world that is at once authoritative and attractive to the non-specialist reader.”—Philip Jenkins, author of Crucible of Faith: The Ancient Revolution That Made Our Modern Religious World

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Book SynopsisIn the days of Egyptian antiquity, many of the gods were abstract concepts rather than the actual anthropomorphic god-pictures familiar to us today. Many of the later fully-morphed deities were originally theological concepts represented by a distinctive hieroglyph, very similar to the correspondences used in modern ritual magic. As the need for a controlling religion grew, so did the spiritual need for more tangible forms on which to focus the common people's devotions. The common man's mind dwelt on the concrete, not the abstract, and so the gods took on those strange but easily recognisable animal-human shapes to satisfy the religious-teaching-by-pictures demands of less scholarly folk. The images recorded in tomb paintings, bas-relief and statuary were intended to represent living forms of the gods themselves, or Pharaoh as a god. There was a simple reason behind this. Egyptian life, magic and religion were inextricably intertwined, one could not, and did not exist, without the oth

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Book SynopsisWhen the dying Alexander the Great was asked to whom he bequeathed his vast empire, he supposedly replied to the strongest. There ensued a long series of struggles between his generals and governors for control of these vast territories. Most of these Diadochi, or successors, were consummate professionals who had learnt their trade under Alexander and, in some cases, his father Philip. This second volume studies how they applied that experience and further developed the art of war in a further four decades of warfare. This is a period rich in fascinating tactical developments. The all-conquering Macedonian war machine developed by Philip and Alexander was adapted in various ways (such as the addition of war elephants) by the different successors according to their resources. Siege and naval warfare is also included.

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Book SynopsisWarrior, mighty builder and statesman, over the course of his 67-year-long reign (1279-1212 BCE), Ramesses II achieved more than any other pharaoh in the three millennia of ancient Egyptian civilization. Drawing on the latest research, Peter Brand reveals Ramesses the Great as a gifted politician, canny elder statesman, and tenacious warrior. With restless energy, he fully restored the office of Pharaoh to unquestioned levels of prestige and authority, thereby bringing stability to Egypt. He ended almost seven decades of warfare between Egypt and the Hittite Empire by signing the earliest international peace treaty in recorded history. In his later years, even as he outlived many of his own children and grandchildren, Ramesses II became a living god and finally, an immortal legend. Brand paints with authoritative knowledge and colourful details a compelling portrait of this legendary Pharaoh who ruled over Imperial Egypt during its Golden Age.Trade Review“Dr Brand’s book is well and authoritatively written, with an excellent choice of illustrations, mainly in colour. It is to be wholeheartedly recommended, and will certainly become the standard English language work on Rameses II for the foreseeable future.” Aidan Dodson, Egyptian Archaeology Issue 63 Autumn 2023Table of ContentsPreface List of Figures Abbreviations Chronology Map of Egypt and Nubia Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Rise of the Ramessides: The Reigns of Ramesses I and Sety I Chapter 3: Crown Prince Ramesses and His Career under Sety I Chapter 4: The Early Reign of Ramesses II Chapter 5: The Battle of Kadesh Chapter 6: Great of Victories: Ramesses II's Later Wars Chapter 7: All the King's Wives: Ramesses II's Royal Women Chapter 8: The Royal Children and their Ideological Role Chapter 9: The Path to Peace: International Diplomacy and the End of the Egyptian-Hittite Conflict Chapter 10: The Silver Treaty: The Egyptian-Hittite Peace Accords Chapter 11: Peace and Brotherhood: Diplomatic Relations Between the Egyptian and Hittite Courts Chapter 12: A Time of Wonders: The Earliest Royal Jubilees of Ramesses II and the First Hittite Marriage Alliance Chapter 13: Ramesses the Great God Chapter 14: Rich in Years: Monumental Construction and Hittite Relations during the Jubilee Period Chapter 15: Twilight of the Great God: Ramesses II's Last Years and His Descendants Chapter 16: Afterlife: The Legacy of Ramesses II Glossary Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisIdentifies and contextualises a new work within the Animal Apocalypse, dated to the dawn of the First Jewish Revolt.

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Book SynopsisIn the middle of the third century, a girl was born on the north-eastern frontier of the Roman empire. Eighty years later, she died as Flavia Iulia Helena, Augusta of the Roman world and mother of the first Christian emperor Constantine, without ever having been married to an emperor herself. In Helena Augusta: Mother of the Empire, Julia Hillner traces Helena''s story through her life''s peaks, which generated beautiful imperial artwork, entertaining legends as well as literary outrage. But Helena Augusta also pays careful attention to the disruptions in Helena''s life course and in her commemoration--disruptions that were created by her nearest male relatives. Hillner shows that Helena''s story was not just determined by the love of a son or the rise of Christianity. It was also--like that of many other late Roman women--defined by male violence and by the web of changing female relationships around her, to which Helena was sometimes marginal, sometimes central and sometimes ancillary. Helena Augusta offers unique insight into the roles of imperial women in Constantinian self-display and in dynastic politics from the Tetrarchy to the Theodosian Age, and it also reminds us that the late Roman female life course, even that of an empress, was fragile and non-linear.Trade ReviewUsing tools developed for feminist historiography, Hillner has retrieved the historical mother of Constantine the Great from the realm of legend. Her reconstruction is engaging, filled with shrewd insight, and well-grounded in ancient sources. She is especially good at using material culture to lead into deeper discussions. Instead of the saintly Helena who discovered the True Cross, we now have a living, breathing person who can teach us a great deal about the history of women in the fourth century. * H. A. Drake, author of A Century of Miracles: Christians, Pagans, Jews and the Supernatural, 312-410 *In many respects this is a great book and a fascinating read...It will rapidly become the standard monograph on Helena. The book's greatest value, however, lies in how Hillner explains the role of Tetrarchic and Constantinian women in dynastic politics. * Jan Willem Drijvers, University of Groningen, Plekos *In many respects this is a great book and a fascinating read. It does a much better job than previous studies of outlining Helena's life against the background and in the context of political and dynastic entanglements during the Tetrarchy and the reign of Constantine. It will rapidly become the standard monograph on Helena. * Stefan Vranka, Plekos *This is a very rich and rewarding...book...Offer[s] much to those interested in Roman women and Roman history, those interested in female power, its contingencies and limits. * Journal of Roman Studies *The study represents a significant advancement in understanding the history of the fourth century AD. Additionally, the study stands out for its meticulous examination of all available literary sources and previous research, as well as for its careful and clear statements on the historical issues of the Constantinian era. Furthermore, the study excels in its precise examination of the archaeological evidence, which is often used as the starting point for individual chapters. Another strength of the work is Hillner's keen focus on the regional contexts of the presentation of imperial female roles and functions... With this research approach, the author consolidates her detailed network and communication analysis, which, as mentioned, proves to be highly productive for the Constantinian era. * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Abbreviations Timeline of the Constantinian, Valentinian and Theodosian Dynasties Dramatis Personae Family Tree Maps Introduction: Writing Helena The Case for (Chronological) Biography Writing Helena's Life Forwards: Of Places, Gaps and Relationships Helena, Dynasty, and Power Part I: Extra (c. 248-c.289) Chapter 1: On the Frontiers Demographics Helena and the 'Crisis of the Third Century' Meeting Constantius Chapter 2: Weather Eye on the Horizon Legalities Helena at Naissus and Salona Helena's Tetrarchy Part II: Off-Stage (c. 289-c. 317) Chapter 3: Sister Act Lost Girl: Theodora Fausta's Nose Pruning the Tree Waiting in the Wings, Becoming Christian? Chapter 4: The Necklace Affair The Tomb at %Sarkamen Divine Mothers The Augusta in the East Fair Game: Empresses as Prey Part III: Centre-Stage (c.317-c.329) Chapter 5: Keeping Up Appearances The Road to Thessalonica: A Wedding, a Conspiracy, and a War The Augusta-Double Fausta, Super Star Chapter 6: Roman Holiday Palace Life Helena and Constantine's Churches in Rome New Look Chapter 7: Four Deaths and an Anniversary Murders in the Family Becoming Genetrix Chapter 8: From Here to Eternity The Travelling Empress: Conflicting Portraits Helena, the Pilgrim? On the Road A New Jezebel Empresses in the Holy Land Part IV: Curtain and Encores (c.329-c. 600) Chapter 9: Burying an Empress Final Honours Rebranching the Tree Coming Through Slaughter Chapter 10: Silence of the Empress Extending Helena: Constantina Burying Empresses, One More Time Countering Helena: Justina Chapter 11: New Model Empress Ambrose's Helena Reviving Helena's Look: Flaccilla and Thermantia Reviving Helena in Action Emulating Helena: Galla Placidia and Eudocia A 'New Helena' in Name: Pulcheria Being Helena: Radegund Epilogue Ancient Sources Modern Studies Index

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