The Ancient World: A Complete Guide to the Great Civilizations from Egypt and Sumer to the Romans and the Incas

by John Haywood

The great civilizations of the distant past never cease to impress us with their spectacular achievements. Ideas, writings, and works of art speak to us across tracts of time with an amazing freshness of imagination and workmanship. This book presents a vivid, multi-faceted portrait of these achievements, set within their historical context and embracing a global coverage, which includes ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, China and Pre-Columbian America. The Ancient World is the most accessible guide yet produced to the spiritual, cultural, technological, and artistic innovation that was a hallmark of these complex and fascinating societies. Organized chronologically, the text places special emphasis on the evidence still remaining. Detailed coverage is given to symbols, sacred texts, religious ceremonies, gods and goddesses, visions of the cosmos, and sacred sites - from the temple of Karnak and the Valley of the Kings to the sweeping majesty of the Great Wall of China. Sample entries Sumer and Akkad - the first civilizations along the Indus Valley of Mesopotamia; Egypt - from the pre-dynastic 'Scorpion King' to the Old Kingdom Pyramid Age to the glories of the New Kingdom; Minoan/Mycenean civilization - the first city states; the legend of Atlantis; Roman Republic - rise of Rome; wars with Carthage; golden age of the Republic; Parthian Empire - the Hellenistic counterweight to Roman expansion in the East; Qin Dynasty - unification of China and beginning of Imperial China; Mahajanapadas - the 'Great Kingdoms' of India; Inca Empire, Machu Picchu, El Dorado.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Archaeology, Middle East, Ancient History, Anthropology

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Boudewijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accessible guide to ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, China and Pre-Columbian America, which highlights their culture, religions and archeological sites.

[Apostate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an excellent survey of a large portion of the world's ancient civilizations. Haywood is fairly comprehensive; he doesn't just focus on the Mediterranean cultures, but provides chapters on Asia & the Americas as well. It is lavishly illustrated with color photos of sites & artifacts.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Really great overviews of all the major ancient civilizations of Europe, along with the Chinese and two from the America's- the Maya and the Incas. This book was a great reference when I took a Western Civ I course.