Routledge Library Editions: The Ancient World – serie

Routledge Library Editions: The Ancient World is a collection of 35 previously out-of-print titles that examine many aspects of life in various ancient civilizations. Books look at the histories of the Greek and Roman worlds, the politics and philosophy of Athens, religion in ancient Greece, and other aspects of these early European societies: education, art and literature. Contacts between empires and barbarians are discussed, as well as economics and trade across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Near East. One volume analyses ancient rituals in India; others look at patronage and religion across the world.

Ancient Greek Religion (1948) looks at the religious beliefs and practices of classical Greece. Completely different to the religions as practiced today, the religion of ancient Greece had no creed, nothing like a code or system of morality that worshippers had to adhere to; nor was there a system of ecclesiastical authority. These fundamentally different facets are examined, and the picture of ancient religion is clarified and expanded.

Ancient Greek Religion (1948) looks at the religious beliefs and practices of classical Greece. Completely different to the religions as practiced today, the religion of ancient Greece had no creed, nothing like a code or system of morality that worshippers had to adhere to; nor was there a system of ecclesiastical authority. These fundamentally different facets are examined, and the picture of ancient religion is clarified and expanded.

Gods and Heroes of the Greeks (1957) looks at the chief stories of Ancient Greece and how they influenced European literature for centuries. It accounts the later development of these stories, in and out of the Greek world.

Gods and Heroes of the Greeks (1957) looks at the chief stories of Ancient Greece and how they influenced European literature for centuries. It accounts the later development of these stories, in and out of the Greek world.

Greek and Roman Gold and Silver Plate (1966) examines the history of ancient plate in the period from the Bronze Age to the fifth century A.D. It describes in detail the development of gold and silver plate throughout this long period, and looks at the civilizations where this complicated craft flourished.

Greek and Roman Gold and Silver Plate (1966) examines the history of ancient plate in the period from the Bronze Age to the fifth century A.D. It describes in detail the development of gold and silver plate throughout this long period, and looks at the civilizations where this complicated craft flourished.

Roman Britain (1935) is Franzero’s personal but no less well-researched study of the history of Roman Britain, from conquest to withdrawal, and the archaeology that remains to this day – some of it a great deal more impressive than many would suppose.

Roman Britain (1935) is Franzero’s personal but no less well-researched study of the history of Roman Britain, from conquest to withdrawal, and the archaeology that remains to this day – some of it a great deal more impressive than many would suppose.

Seers, Shrines and Sirens (1965) surveys the history of Greek religion during the great formative and revolutionary era of the sixth century BC. It treats, among other subjects, the rise to prominence of the Delphic oracle, the growth of religious festivals and mysteries, the worship of Dionysus, including the development of the drama and appearance of the Orphic and Pythagorean sects. The sixth century was above all a time when prophets, supermen and sibyls flourished and their impact is discussed in detail.

Seers, Shrines and Sirens (1965) surveys the history of Greek religion during the great formative and revolutionary era of the sixth century BC. It treats, among other subjects, the rise to prominence of the Delphic oracle, the growth of religious festivals and mysteries, the worship of Dionysus, including the development of the drama and appearance of the Orphic and Pythagorean sects. The sixth century was above all a time when prophets, supermen and sibyls flourished and their impact is discussed in detail.

The Universities of Ancient Greece (1912) examines Greek education in the Classical world, from the pre-Alexandrian times to the last three centuries B.C. ‘Universities’ are defined as congregations of professors and students, as well as the organized bodies at places such as Alexandria (at the Museum), the Capitolium at Constantinople, at Athens and Antioch.

The Universities of Ancient Greece (1912) examines Greek education in the Classical world, from the pre-Alexandrian times to the last three centuries B.C. ‘Universities’ are defined as congregations of professors and students, as well as the organized bodies at places such as Alexandria (at the Museum), the Capitolium at Constantinople, at Athens and Antioch.

The studies collected in Science in the Early Roman Empire (1986) represent key research done on the Elder Pliny – an important and difficult figure whose Natural History forms a valuable compendium at a fixed historical point in time of ancient science. Its subsequent influence was enormous, remaining the most comprehensive scientific encyclopaedia even until the Renaissance. The chapters seek to locate Pliny in his social and intellectual milieu, to survey his approach to particular sciences such as astronomy, mineralogy, botany and pharmacopoeia. Two chapters consider the response in the Renaissance to his work.

The studies collected in Science in the Early Roman Empire (1986) represent key research done on the Elder Pliny – an important and difficult figure whose Natural History forms a valuable compendium at a fixed historical point in time of ancient science. Its subsequent influence was enormous, remaining the most comprehensive scientific encyclopaedia even until the Renaissance. The chapters seek to locate Pliny in his social and intellectual milieu, to survey his approach to particular sciences such as astronomy, mineralogy, botany and pharmacopoeia. Two chapters consider the response in the Renaissance to his work.

The Ancient Explorers (1929) examines the motives of ancient exploration by the different civilizations of the time, the primary of these being the Greeks and the Romans, and looks at the means of travel at their disposal. The book uses both historical records and modern archaeological discoveries to piece together the important journeys that expanded the known worlds of the ancient peoples.

The Ancient Explorers (1929) examines the motives of ancient exploration by the different civilizations of the time, the primary of these being the Greeks and the Romans, and looks at the means of travel at their disposal. The book uses both historical records and modern archaeological discoveries to piece together the important journeys that expanded the known worlds of the ancient peoples.

Life and Thought in the Greek and Roman World (1961) aims to provide a brief but comprehensive outline sketch of Greek and Roman civilization. It describes the geographic, political and social background of that civilization, and sets forth its main achievements in the fields of language and literature, scholarship and education, science and philosophy, art and religion. The authors have endeavoured throughout to present Greek and Roman civilization as an organic whole.

Life and Thought in the Greek and Roman World (1961) aims to provide a brief but comprehensive outline sketch of Greek and Roman civilization. It describes the geographic, political and social background of that civilization, and sets forth its main achievements in the fields of language and literature, scholarship and education, science and philosophy, art and religion. The authors have endeavoured throughout to present Greek and Roman civilization as an organic whole.

Education in Ancient Rome (1977) examines the development, structure and role of education from the third century B.C. to the time of Trajan, a period which saw great changes in Roman society. It provides a historical background, showing the effects upon the educational system of Rome’s transition from an agricultural community to a great metropolis, tracing the development of primary, grammar and rhetoric schools, and discussing the standards of upbringing and education. The book then looks at the physical conditions of teaching – accommodation, equipment, discipline, the economic position of teachers, the fee-paying system, and the part played by the Roman State. Finally, it gives a full appraisal of the standard Roman teaching programme.

Patronage in Ancient Society (1989) examines a subject central to the society of the ancient Mediterranean, bringing together the interests of ancient historians and sociologists, using ancient societies, and particularly Roman society, as the focus for their studies. In its comparative approach and its historical range this volume constitutes an important contribution to the study of patronage.

The Ancient City of Athens (1953) contains both definite reports of the actual discoveries in the excavations which revolutionised previous topographical views of Athens, and articles and discussions to which these new discoveries gave rise. It is a comprehensive examination of the main topography and major monuments of the ancient city.

Economic Structures of the Ancient Near East (1985) is a political economy of antiquity which applies the universal conclusions of theoretical economics to the interpretation of economic life. The first part of the book shows that the analysis of transaction costs – that is, the resources used up in exchanging ownership rights including costs of communication and of designing and enforcing contracts – provides numerous insights into the structure of the ancient economy. The role of temples as centres of commerce, inculcation of professional standards by gods, elevation of technology to the status of divine gift, religious syncretism and fetishism and many more seemingly exotic practices are comprehended as elements in a strategy to cope with high transaction costs by increasing the stock of what might be called trust capital. It is shown that similar considerations lie behind the ubiquity of diversified, multinational family firms, the prominent entrepreneurial role of high-born women, the prominence within the contractual process of publicly performed conventional gestures and recitations, and the intrusion of gifts, friendship, and other manifestations of personal economics into exchange relationships. The book goes on to examine carefully, and then reject, the view of economic historian Karl Polanyi and others that the ancient Near East lacked true markets for consumer goods and productive factors. The direct evidence of market exchange (local and long distance), occupational specialisation, supply-demand determined prices, investment in material and human capital, production for the market, and other ‘modern’ traits is uneven with respect to place and time, but nevertheless abundant. The requisite market functions demanded by Polanyi, including a market for labour (slave and free) and elaborate credit and investment markets, can be seen plainly from very early times. Finally, the book deals with the impact on the ancient Near Eastern economy of changes in economic incentives and of changes in economic policy. It becomes evident that ancient economies were capable of making profound alterations in order to take advantage of new economic opportunities. It is also shown that the ancient Near East was not static, as is usually asserted: periods of pervasive economic regulation by the state are interspersed with lengthy periods of relatively unfettered market activity and growth.

Town and Country in Roman Britain (1964) is a study of the effects of Roman rule on the lowland zone of Britain and of the relationship between town and country. The author places the Romano-British towns and villas in their economic and political setting, and discusses their origin and development with the aid of current scholarship and archaeological evidence.

The Roman Villa in Britain (1969) is a comprehensive examination of Roman villas in Romano-Britain in a series of essays by six specialists. H.C. Bowen, well-known for his work on early field systems, examines the evidence for the native Celtic agriculture which was practised in pre-Roman Britain and continued to form the basis of the country’s economy after the conquest. The ground plans of the villas, and their implications, are discussed by Sir Ian Richmond, while David Smith considers the mosaic pavements, both as implications of the wealth of their owners and as evidence for the existence of distinct local schools of mosaicists; Joan Liversidge deals with internal decoration and furnishing. A.L.F. Rivet reflects on the social and economic implications of the changing fortunes of the villas, and Graham Webster discusses the future of villa studies from the standpoint of the modern excavator.

Wine in the Ancient World (1957) examines wine in all its forms in, primarily, ancient Greece and Rome. It looks at the origins of wine, its production, transportation and consumption, and its changing status through the centuries.

Athens and the Greek Miracle (1948) is a work of interpretation, poetic in character rather than scientific or historical, that attempts to penetrate some of the primary causes of this unique Athenian culture, to evoke its past spirit in the modern world.

In Ancient Cosmologies (1975) nine eminent scholars seek to answer the question, what was the shape of the universe imagined by those ancient peoples to whom all modern knowledge of geography and astronomy was inaccessible? How did the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Jews, Indians, Chinese, Arabs, Greeks and Norsemen conceive the form of the cosmos which accommodated not only the known face of the earth and the visible heavenly bodies but also those other worlds which it was deemed necessary to locate comprehensibly in space – the realms of the dead, both blessed and damned, and the countries inhabited by gods and demons?

Religion in Ancient History (1969) includes 25 essays on comparative religion, covering the origin of religion, and studies of the religions of the peoples of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Israel, Greece and Iran. It also includes essays on key ideas such as creation, death, time, the soul, and the judgement of the dead, and studies of figures like Osiris, Akhenaten, Job and Zarathustra. The book also deals extensively with religious ideas, men and events in the first three centuries A.D. and the spread of early Christianity.