Blackwell Sourcebooks in Ancient History – serie

This sourcebook presents a wealth of material relating to every aspect of Roman spectacles, especially gladiatorial combat and chariot racing. Draws on the words of eye-witnesses and participants, as well as depictions of the games in mosaics and other works of art.Offers snapshots of "a day at the games" and "the life of a gladiator".Includes numerous illustrations.Covers chariot-races, water pageants, naval battles and wild animal fights, as well as gladiatorial combat.Combines political, social, religious and archaeological perspectives.Facilitates an in-depth understanding of this important feature of ancient life.

This source book presents new translations of the most important ancient writings on the life and legacy of Alexander the Great. Provides comprehensive coverage of Alexander, from his family background to his military conquests, death and legacy.Includes substantial extracts of texts written by historians, geographers, biographers and military writers.A general introduction and introductions to each chapter set the sources in context.Also includes a bibliography of modern works, visual sources and a map of Alexander's expedition.

This source book presents new translations of the most important ancient writings on the life and legacy of Alexander the Great. Provides comprehensive coverage of Alexander, from his family background to his military conquests, death and legacy.Includes substantial extracts of texts written by historians, geographers, biographers and military writers.A general introduction and introductions to each chapter set the sources in context.Also includes a bibliography of modern works, visual sources and a map of Alexander's expedition.

This book presents new translations of Mesopotamian and ancient Near Eastern historiographic texts, providing the reader with the primary sources for the history of the ancient Near East. A primary source book presenting new translations of Mesopotamian and ancient Near Eastern historiographic texts, and other related materials.Helps readers to understand the historical context of the Near East.Covers the period from the earliest historical and literary texts (c.2700 B.C.) to the latest Hellenistic historians who comment on ancient Near Eastern history (c.250 B.C.)Texts range from the code of Hammurabi to the Assyrian royal inscriptions.A detailed commentary is provided on each text, placing it in its historical and cultural context.Maps, illustrations and a chronological table help to orientate the reader.

This book presents new translations of Mesopotamian and ancient Near Eastern historiographic texts, providing the reader with the primary sources for the history of the ancient Near East. A primary source book presenting new translations of Mesopotamian and ancient Near Eastern historiographic texts, and other related materials.Helps readers to understand the historical context of the Near East.Covers the period from the earliest historical and literary texts (c.2700 B.C.) to the latest Hellenistic historians who comment on ancient Near Eastern history (c.250 B.C.)Texts range from the code of Hammurabi to the Assyrian royal inscriptions.A detailed commentary is provided on each text, placing it in its historical and cultural context.Maps, illustrations and a chronological table help to orientate the reader.

Greek and Roman SlaveriesSlavery was foundational to Greek and Roman societies, affecting nearly all of their economic, social, political, and cultural practices. Greek and Roman Slaveries offers a rich collection of literary, epigraphic, papyrological, and archaeological sources, including many unfamiliar ones. This sourcebook ranges chronologically from the archaic period to late antiquity, covering the whole of the Mediterranean, the Near East, and temperate Europe.Readers will find an interactive and user-friendly engagement with past scholarship and new research agendas that focuses particularly on the agency of ancient slaves, the processes in which slavery was inscribed, the changing history of slavery in antiquity, and the comparative study of ancient slaveries.Perfect for undergraduate and graduate students taking courses on ancient slavery, as well as courses on slavery more generally, this sourcebook's questions, cross-references, and bibliographies encourage an analytical and interactive approach to the various economic, social, and political processes and contexts in which slavery was employed while acknowledging the agency of enslaved persons.

The scholarly community has become increasingly aware of the differences between Roman myths and the more familiar myths of Greece. Early Rome: Myth and Society steps in to provide much-needed modern and accessible translations and commentaries on Italian legends.This work examines the tales of Roman pre-and legendary history, discusses relevant cultural and contextual information, and presents author biographies. This book offers updated translations of key texts, including authors who are often absent from classical mythology textbooks, such as Dionysius of Halicarnassus and Servius. Editor Jaclyn Neel debunks the idea that Romans were unimaginative copyists by spotlighting the vitality and flexibility of Italian myth — particularly those parts that are less closely connected to Greek tales, such as the story of Caeculus of Praeneste. Finally, by calling attention to the Italian rather than Roman nature of the collection, this book suggests that Roman culture was broader than the city itself. This important work offers: Up-to-date and accessible translations of Roman and Italic legends from authors throughout antiquityExamination of compelling tales that involve the Roman equivalent of Greek “heroes”Unique view of the strength and plasticity of Roman and Italic myth, particularly the parts less closely connected to familiar Greek talesIntelligent discussion of relevant cultural and contextual informationArgument that Roman culture reached far beyond the city of RomeFresh and readable, Early Rome: Myth and Society offers essential reading for students of ancient Rome as well as those interested in Roman and Greek mythology.

The scholarly community has become increasingly aware of the differences between Roman myths and the more familiar myths of Greece. Early Rome: Myth and Society steps in to provide much-needed modern and accessible translations and commentaries on Italian legends.This work examines the tales of Roman pre-and legendary history, discusses relevant cultural and contextual information, and presents author biographies. This book offers updated translations of key texts, including authors who are often absent from classical mythology textbooks, such as Dionysius of Halicarnassus and Servius. Editor Jaclyn Neel debunks the idea that Romans were unimaginative copyists by spotlighting the vitality and flexibility of Italian myth — particularly those parts that are less closely connected to Greek tales, such as the story of Caeculus of Praeneste. Finally, by calling attention to the Italian rather than Roman nature of the collection, this book suggests that Roman culture was broader than the city itself. This important work offers: Up-to-date and accessible translations of Roman and Italic legends from authors throughout antiquityExamination of compelling tales that involve the Roman equivalent of Greek “heroes”Unique view of the strength and plasticity of Roman and Italic myth, particularly the parts less closely connected to familiar Greek talesIntelligent discussion of relevant cultural and contextual informationArgument that Roman culture reached far beyond the city of RomeFresh and readable, Early Rome: Myth and Society offers essential reading for students of ancient Rome as well as those interested in Roman and Greek mythology.

A comprehensive collection of translated sources on the wars and world of Alexander's successors Successors to Alexander the Great brings together—for the first time in a single collection—the essential translated sources for the tumultuous period following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE. Spanning Greek, Latin, Persian Babylonian, Egyptian, and epigraphic materials, this volume provides direct access to a wide range of documents that illuminate the world and the wars of the Diadochi and the complex efforts to reassemble, rule, and redefine the fragments of Alexander's empire. Organized thematically and geographically, this book allows readers to explore the Successors' ambitions, alliances, propaganda, and political innovation across a sprawling and multi-ethnic landscape. Contextual commentary throughout helps readers navigate the fragmentary nature of source evidence, the biases of ancient authors, and the evolving concepts of legitimacy and kingship. With its thematic structure and source diversity, the book offers an ideal foundation for historical, literary, and historiographical inquiry into the Hellenistic world. The first unified, carefully curated, deeply contextualized collection of primary sources on the post-Alexander Hellenistic world, Successors to Alexander the Great: Features Greek, Latin, Persian, Babylonian, Egyptian, and epigraphic material spanning multiple traditions and viewpointsIncludes bibliographies with each chapter for ease of reference and deeper research engagementHighlights the complexity of succession politics, propaganda, and kingship after Alexander's deathIlluminates lesser-known figures and regions often excluded from traditional Hellenistic narrativesPromotes critical thinking and historiographical awareness through exposure to conflicting ancient perspectivesSupports interdisciplinary teaching on identity, authority, and empire-building in the ancient worldPresenting a single, coherent, and accessible narrative, Successors to Alexander the Great is ideal for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses on Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic world, and ancient Greek history. It supports degree programs in Classics, History, Ancient Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, and related disciplines, and serves as a vital reference for scholars, educators, and researchers.

This book presents in translation 175 of the most revealing documents that have survived on stone and papyrus from the Hellenistic period. Presents over 150 sources in translation. Captures the political, social, economic and religious dynamism of the Hellenistic kingdoms and cities. Covers the entire Hellenistic world, with extensive coverage of the Ptolemaic kingdom.

This book presents in translation 175 of the most revealing documents that have survived on stone and papyrus from the Hellenistic period. Presents over 150 sources in translation. Captures the political, social, economic and religious dynamism of the Hellenistic kingdoms and cities. Covers the entire Hellenistic world, with extensive coverage of the Ptolemaic kingdom.

This sourcebook presents a wealth of material relating to every aspect of Roman spectacles, especially gladiatorial combat and chariot racing. Draws on the words of eye-witnesses and participants, as well as depictions of the games in mosaics and other works of art.Offers snapshots of "a day at the games" and "the life of a gladiator".Includes numerous illustrations.Covers chariot-races, water pageants, naval battles and wild animal fights, as well as gladiatorial combat.Combines political, social, religious and archaeological perspectives.Facilitates an in-depth understanding of this important feature of ancient life.

With fresh, new translations and extensive introductions and annotations, this sourcebook provides an inclusive and integrated view of Greek history, from Homer to Alexander the Great. New translations of original sources are contextualized by insightful introductions and annotationsIncludes a range of literary, artistic and material evidence from the Homeric, Archaic and Classical AgesFocuses on important developments as well as specific themes to create an integrated perspective on the periodLinks the political and social history of the Greeks to their intellectual accomplishmentsIncludes an up-to-date bibliography of seminal scholarshipAn accompanying website offers additional evidence and explanations, as well as links to useful online resources

With fresh, new translations and extensive introductions and annotations, this sourcebook provides an inclusive and integrated view of Greek history, from Homer to Alexander the Great. New translations of original sources are contextualized by insightful introductions and annotationsIncludes a range of literary, artistic and material evidence from the Homeric, Archaic and Classical AgesFocuses on important developments as well as specific themes to create an integrated perspective on the periodLinks the political and social history of the Greeks to their intellectual accomplishmentsIncludes an up-to-date bibliography of seminal scholarshipAn accompanying website offers additional evidence and explanations, as well as links to useful online resources

Ancient Greek Religion: Historical Sources in Translation presents a wide range of documents relating to the religious world of the ancient Greeks from the earliest surviving literature to around the end of the fourth century BCE. Presents a wide range of documents relating to the religious world of the ancient Greeks, from the earliest surviving literature to around the end of the fourth century BCEProvides extensive background information for readers with no previous knowledge of classical studiesBrings together new and rare passages for comparison – with occasional new interpretations – to appeal to professionalsOffers a variety of less frequently examined material and looks at familiar texts in new waysIncludes the use of extensive cross-referencing to indicate the interconnectedness of different aspects of religious practice and thoughtIncludes the most comprehensive commentary and updated passages available in a single volume