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Mediterranean Civilizations (Human Story)
Describes the civilizations of the Mediterranean region from the Mycenae in 1400 B.C. to the collapse of the Byzantium empire in 1453. Focuses on the cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome.
77 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1985
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December 7, 2023
This series is slightly different from the usual French historical tradition for young readers where great attention is given to the word, always written with great skill and very little interest in good illustrations, representations and reproduction of artifacts and monuments.
The author is the highly regarded Jean-Pierre Adam (head of the Bureau d’Architecture Antique de Paris), but the very good art by Michaël Welply is what really distinguishes this book, that even today is a really fine introduction to the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean and how they evolved.
Naturally this work provide concise and interesting information of the Greek, Hellenistic and Roman civilizations; but it also provide interesting perspectives on Minoan, Mycenaean, Phoenician, Etruscan, Celtic and Scythian civilizations, and how they influenced (and were influenced) the latter Mediterranean civilizations.
You’ll find great information regarding facts such as Celtic barrel construction; Roman boarding at sea battles using corvus; the role of women and children in Greek and Roman societies; how to create a bronze statue; among many, many other curious facts. All that while you learn in a chronological basis the evolution of the different civilizations that settled and thrived in the Mediterranean area.
The considerable number of mistakes makes it less valuable as a learning experience. From bad interpretation of Seneca’s description of the games (describing individuals condemned to die “damnati ad gladii” as gladiators, which is nonsense), to silly statements such as the 300000 slaves living in Athens or naming “hoplon” to the shield of the hoplite (instead of “Aspis”; hoplon was the entire panoply), among many other issues such as those; it damages the product that otherwise is a fine example of history for young readers.
The author is the highly regarded Jean-Pierre Adam (head of the Bureau d’Architecture Antique de Paris), but the very good art by Michaël Welply is what really distinguishes this book, that even today is a really fine introduction to the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean and how they evolved.
Naturally this work provide concise and interesting information of the Greek, Hellenistic and Roman civilizations; but it also provide interesting perspectives on Minoan, Mycenaean, Phoenician, Etruscan, Celtic and Scythian civilizations, and how they influenced (and were influenced) the latter Mediterranean civilizations.
You’ll find great information regarding facts such as Celtic barrel construction; Roman boarding at sea battles using corvus; the role of women and children in Greek and Roman societies; how to create a bronze statue; among many, many other curious facts. All that while you learn in a chronological basis the evolution of the different civilizations that settled and thrived in the Mediterranean area.
The considerable number of mistakes makes it less valuable as a learning experience. From bad interpretation of Seneca’s description of the games (describing individuals condemned to die “damnati ad gladii” as gladiators, which is nonsense), to silly statements such as the 300000 slaves living in Athens or naming “hoplon” to the shield of the hoplite (instead of “Aspis”; hoplon was the entire panoply), among many other issues such as those; it damages the product that otherwise is a fine example of history for young readers.
Displaying 1 of 1 review