Blackwell History of the Ancient World – serie

An innovative approach to the history of the First Persian Empire, offering an accessible historical narrative for students and general readers alikeA History of the Achaemenid Empire considers archaeological and written sources to provide an expansive, source-based introduction to the diverse and culturally rich world of ancient Achaemenid Persia. Assuming no prior background, this accessible textbook follows the dynastic line from the establishment and expansion of the empire under the early Achaemenid kings to its collapse in 330 BCE. The text integrates the latest research, key primary sources, and archaeological data to offer readers deep insights into the empire, its kings, and its people.Chronologically organized chapters contain written, archaeological, and visual sources that highlight key learning points, stimulate discussion, and encourage readers to evaluate specific pieces of evidence. Throughout the text, author Maria Brosius emphasizes the necessity to critically assess Greek sources—highlighting how their narrative of Achaemenid political historyoften depicted stereotypical images of the Persians rather than historical reality. Topics include the establishment of empire under Cyrus the Great, Greek-Persian relations, the creation of a Persian ruling class, the bureaucracy and operation of the empire, Persian diplomacy and foreign policy, and the reign of Darius III. This innovative textbook: Offers a unique approach to Achaemenid history, considering both archaeological and literary sourcesPlaces primary Persian and Near Eastern sources in their cultural, political, and historical context Examines material rarely covered in non-specialist texts, such as royal inscriptions, Aramaic documents, and recent archaeological findsFeatures a comprehensive introduction to Achaemenid geography, Greek historiography, and modern scholarship on the Persian WarPart of the acclaimed Blackwell History of the Ancient Worldseries, A History of the Achaemenid Empire is a perfect primary textbook for courses in Ancient History, Near Eastern Studies, and Classical Civilizations, as well as an invaluable resource for general readers with interest in the history of empires, particularly the first Persian empire or Iranian civilization.

BLACKWELL HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT WORLDA History of the Ancient Near East ca. 3000–323 BCFourth Edition “This marvelous book is a classic, and deservedly so. This new edition brings the history up to date with revelations from newly published cuneiform tablets and recent archaeological excavations.”—Amanda H. Podany, Professor of History, Cal Poly Pomona “An outstanding resource for studying the history of the ANE... It is remarkable to find a volume with this subject matter that is as clear and as engaging as what Van De Mieroop has offered here."—Kurtis Peters, RBECS Now in its fourth edition, A History of the Ancient Near East remains one of the most accessible introductions to the rich and complex history of the region available. Integrating original sources, up-to-date scholarship, and extensive supplementary materials, this popular textbook provides student-friendly coverage of the origins of the first cities in Mesopotamia, the growth of the Babylonian and Hittite kingdoms, and the rise of the Assyrian and Persian empires. With an easy-to-understand narrative style, noted historian and lecturer Marc Van De Mieroop guides students through the extraordinary multicultural civilizations of the ancient Near Eastern world. Clear and straightforward chapters describe a wide variety of political, social, and cultural developments, beginning from the invention of writing circa 3000 BC and ending with the conquests of Alexander the Great. This new edition is fully revised to reflect the latest developments in the field, including entirely new sections on recent archaeological discoveries and textual findings. Streamlined and improved chapters are complemented with detailed maps, historical timelines, images and illustrations, and an extensive and up-to-date bibliography. A History of the Ancient Near East ca. 3000–323 BC, Fourth Edition, is an ideal textbook for undergraduate and introductory graduate courses on archaeology or ancient Near Eastern history, as well as a valuable resource for general readers with an interest in the ancient world and the Bible.

A History of the Hellenistic World provides an engaging look at the Macedonian monarchies in the period following the reign of Alexander the Great, and examines their impact on the Greek world. Offers a clearly organized narrative with particular emphasis on state and governmental structuresMakes extensive use of inscriptions in translation to illustrate the continuing vitality of the Greek city states prior to the Roman conquestEmphasizes the specific Macedonian origins of all active participants in the creation of the Hellenistic worldHighlights the relationships between Greek city-states and Macedonian monarchies

A History of the Hellenistic World provides an engaging look at the Macedonian monarchies in the period following the reign of Alexander the Great, and examines their impact on the Greek world. Offers a clearly organized narrative with particular emphasis on state and governmental structuresMakes extensive use of inscriptions in translation to illustrate the continuing vitality of the Greek city states prior to the Roman conquestEmphasizes the specific Macedonian origins of all active participants in the creation of the Hellenistic worldHighlights the relationships between Greek city-states and Macedonian monarchies

A History of the Archaic Greek World offers a theme-based approach to the development of the Greek world in the years 1200-479 BCE. Updated and extended in this edition to include two new sections, expanded geographical coverage, a guide to electronic resources, and more illustrationsTakes a critical and analytical look at evidence about the history of the archaic Greek WorldInvolves the reader in the practice of history by questioning and reevaluating conventional beliefsCasts new light on traditional themes such as the rise of the city-state, citizen militias, and the origins of egalitarianismProvides a wealth of archaeological evidence, in a number of different specialties, including ceramics, architecture, and mortuary studies

Explore the entire history of the ancient Egyptian state from 3000 B.C. to 400 A.D. with this authoritative volumeThe newly revised Second Edition of A History of Ancient Egypt delivers an up-to-date survey of ancient Egypt's history from its origins to the Roman Empire's banning of hieroglyphics in the fourth century A.D. The book covers developments in all aspects of Egypt's history and their historical sources, considering the social and economic life and the rich culture of ancient Egypt.Freshly updated to take into account recent discoveries, the book makes the latest scholarship accessible to a wide audience, including introductory undergraduate students. A History of Ancient Egypt outlines major political and cultural events and places Egypt's history within its regional context and detailing interactions with western Asia and Africa. Each period of history receives equal attention and a discussion of the problems scholars face in its study. The book offers a foundation for all students interested in Egyptian culture by providing coverage of topics like: A thorough introduction to the formation of the Egyptian state between the years of 3400 B.C. and 2686 B.C.An exploration of the end of the Old Kingdom and First Intermediate period, from 2345 B.C. to 2055 B.C.An analysis of the Second Intermediate Period and the Hyksos between 1700 B.C. and 1550 B.C.A discussion of Greek and Roman Egypt between 332 B.C. and A.D. 395.Perfect for students of introductory courses in ancient Egyptian history and as background material for students of courses in Egyptian art, archaeology, and culture, A History of Ancient Egypt will also earn a place in the libraries of students taking surveys of the ancient world and those seeking a companion volume to A History of the Ancient Near East.

A sweeping historical account of the Later Roman Empire incorporating the latest scholarly research In the newly revised 3rd edition of A History of the Later Roman Empire, 284-700, distinguished historians Geoffrey Greatrex and Stephen Mitchell deliver a thoroughly up-to-date discussion of the Later Roman Empire. It includes tables of information, numerous illustrations, maps, and chronological overviews. As the only single volume covering Late Antiquity and the early Islamic period, the book is designed as a comprehensive historical handbook covering the entire span between the Roman Empire to the Islamic conquests. The third edition is a significant expansion of the second edition—published in 2015—and includes two new chapters covering the seventh century. The rest of the work has been updated and revised, providing readers with a sweeping historical survey of the struggles, triumphs, and disasters of the Roman Empire, from the accession of the emperor Diocletian in AD 284 to the closing years of the seventh century. It also offers: A thorough description of the massive political and military transformations in Rome’s western and eastern empiresComprehensive explorations of the latest research on the Later Roman EmpirePractical discussions of the tumultuous period ushered in by the Arab conquestsExtensive updates, revisions, and corrections of the second editionPerfect for undergraduate and postgraduate students of ancient, medieval, early European, and Near Eastern history, A History of the Later Roman Empire, 284-700 will also benefit lay readers with an interest in the relevant historical period and students taking a survey course involving the late Roman Empire.

This book presents a historical study of the Roman Empire in Late Antiquity from the accession of the emperor Diocletian 284 to the death of the emperor Heraclius in 641. The only modern study to cover the western and eastern empire and the entire period from 284 to 641 in a single volumeA bibliographical survey supports further study and researchIncludes chronological tables, maps, and charts of important information help to orient the readerDiscusses the upheaval and change caused by the spread of Christianity and the barbarian invasions of the Huns, Goths and FranksContains thematic coverage of the politics, religion, economy and society of the late Roman stateGives a full narrative of political and military eventsDiscusses the sources for the period

Outlining the major political and cultural events, A History of Ancient Egypt is an authoritative and accessible introduction to this fascinating ancient culture. An accessible chronological narrative that draws on a range of historical sourcesOffers an up-to-date survey of ancient Egypt’s history from its origins to its domination by the Roman EmpireConsiders social and economic life and the rich culture of ancient EgyptPlaces Egypt’s history within its regional context, detailing interactions with Asia and AfricaEngages students with various perspectives on a range of critical issues with the Key Debate section included in each chapterMakes the latest discoveries and scholarship accessible to a wide audience

This revised and expanded edition of the widely-praised A History of Byzantium covers the time of Constantine the Great in AD 306 to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Expands treatment of the middle and later Byzantine periods, incorporating new archaeological evidenceIncludes additional maps and photographs, and a newly annotated, updated bibliographyIncorporates a new section on web resources for Byzantium studiesDemonstrates that Byzantium was important in its own right but also served as a bridge between East and West and ancient and modern societySituates Byzantium in its broader historical context with a new comparative timeline and textboxes

Provides a new narrative history of the ancient world, from the beginnings of civilization in the ancient Near East and Egypt to the fall of ConstantinopleWritten by an expert in the field, this book presents a narrative history of Babylon from the time of its First Dynasty (1880-1595) until the last centuries of the city’s existence during the Hellenistic and Parthian periods (ca. 331-75 AD). Unlike other texts on Ancient Near Eastern and Mesopotamian history, it offers a unique focus on Babylon and Babylonia, while still providing readers with an awareness of the interaction with other states and peoples. Organized chronologically, it places the various socio-economic and cultural developments and institutions in their historical context. The book also gives religious and intellectual developments more respectable coverage than books that have come before it.A History of Babylon, 2200 BC – AD 75 teaches readers about the most important phase in the development of Mesopotamian culture. The book offers in-depth chapter coverage on the Sumero-Addadian Background, the rise of Babylon, the decline of the first dynasty, Kassite ascendancy, the second dynasty of Isin, Arameans and Chaldeans, the Assyrian century, the imperial heyday, and Babylon under foreign rule. Focuses on Babylon and BabyloniaWritten by a highly regarded AssyriologistPart of the very successful Histories of the Ancient World seriesAn excellent resource for students, instructors, and scholarsA History of Babylon, 2200 BC - AD 75 is a profound text that will be ideal for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses on Ancient Near Eastern and Mesopotamian history and scholars of the subject.

Provides a new narrative history of the ancient world, from the beginnings of civilization in the ancient Near East and Egypt to the fall of ConstantinopleWritten by an expert in the field, this book presents a narrative history of Babylon from the time of its First Dynasty (1880-1595) until the last centuries of the city’s existence during the Hellenistic and Parthian periods (ca. 331-75 AD). Unlike other texts on Ancient Near Eastern and Mesopotamian history, it offers a unique focus on Babylon and Babylonia, while still providing readers with an awareness of the interaction with other states and peoples. Organized chronologically, it places the various socio-economic and cultural developments and institutions in their historical context. The book also gives religious and intellectual developments more respectable coverage than books that have come before it.A History of Babylon, 2200 BC – AD 75 teaches readers about the most important phase in the development of Mesopotamian culture. The book offers in-depth chapter coverage on the Sumero-Addadian Background, the rise of Babylon, the decline of the first dynasty, Kassite ascendancy, the second dynasty of Isin, Arameans and Chaldeans, the Assyrian century, the imperial heyday, and Babylon under foreign rule. Focuses on Babylon and BabyloniaWritten by a highly regarded AssyriologistPart of the very successful Histories of the Ancient World seriesAn excellent resource for students, instructors, and scholarsA History of Babylon, 2200 BC - AD 75 is a profound text that will be ideal for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses on Ancient Near Eastern and Mesopotamian history and scholars of the subject.

A History of Greece: 1300‒30 BC, offers a comprehensive introduction to the foundational political history of Greece, from the late Mycenaean Age through to the death of Cleopatra VII, the last Hellenistic monarch of Egypt. Introduces textual and archaeological evidence used by historians to reconstruct historical events during Greece’s Bronze, Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periodsReveals the political and social structure of the Greek world in the late Mycenaean period (thirteenth century BC) through analysis of the Linear B tablets, the oldest surviving records in GreekFeatures numerous references to original source materials, including various fragmentary papyri, inscriptions, coins, and other literary sourcesProvides extensive coverage of the Hellenistic period, and covers areas excluded from most Greek history texts, including the Greek WestFeatures judicious use of illustrations throughout, and considers instructors’ teaching needs by structuring the later sections to facilitate teaching a parallel course in Roman HistoryBalances scholarship with a reader-friendly approach to create an accessible introduction to the political history of one of most remarkable ancient civilizations and sophisticated periods of world history

A History of Greece: 1300‒30 BC, offers a comprehensive introduction to the foundational political history of Greece, from the late Mycenaean Age through to the death of Cleopatra VII, the last Hellenistic monarch of Egypt. Introduces textual and archaeological evidence used by historians to reconstruct historical events during Greece’s Bronze, Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periodsReveals the political and social structure of the Greek world in the late Mycenaean period (thirteenth century BC) through analysis of the Linear B tablets, the oldest surviving records in GreekFeatures numerous references to original source materials, including various fragmentary papyri, inscriptions, coins, and other literary sourcesProvides extensive coverage of the Hellenistic period, and covers areas excluded from most Greek history texts, including the Greek WestFeatures judicious use of illustrations throughout, and considers instructors’ teaching needs by structuring the later sections to facilitate teaching a parallel course in Roman HistoryBalances scholarship with a reader-friendly approach to create an accessible introduction to the political history of one of most remarkable ancient civilizations and sophisticated periods of world history