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Ancient Syria: A Three Thousand Year History
Syria has long been one of the most trouble-prone and politically volatile regions of the Near and Middle Eastern world. This book looks back beyond the troubles of the present to tell the 3000-year story of what happened many centuries before. Trevor Bryce reveals the peoples, cities, and kingdoms that arose, flourished, declined, and disappeared in the lands that now constitute Syria, from the time of it's earliest written records in the third millennium BC until the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian at the turn of the 3-4th century AD.
Across the centuries, from the Bronze Age to the Rome Era, we encounter a vast array of characters and civilizations, enlivening, enriching, and besmirching the annals of Syrian Hittite and Assyrian Great Kings; Egyptian pharaohs; Amorite robber-barons; the biblically notorious Nebuchadnezzar; Persia's Cyrus the Great and Macedon's Alexander the Great; the rulers of the Seleucid empire; and an assortment of Rome's most distinguished and most infamous emperors. All swept across the plains of Syria at some point in her long history. All contributed, in one way or another, to Syria's special, distinctive character, as they imposed themselves upon it, fought one another within it, or pillaged their way through it.
But this is not just a history of invasion and oppression. Syria had great rulers of her own, native-born Syrian luminaries, sometimes appearing as local champions who sought to liberate their lands from foreign despots, sometimes as cunning, self-seeking manipulators of squabbles between their overlords. They culminate with Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, whose life provides a fitting grand finale to the first three millennia of Syria's recorded history. The conclusion looks forward to the Muslim conquest in the 7th century in many ways the opening chapter in the equally complex and often troubled history of modern Syria.
Across the centuries, from the Bronze Age to the Rome Era, we encounter a vast array of characters and civilizations, enlivening, enriching, and besmirching the annals of Syrian Hittite and Assyrian Great Kings; Egyptian pharaohs; Amorite robber-barons; the biblically notorious Nebuchadnezzar; Persia's Cyrus the Great and Macedon's Alexander the Great; the rulers of the Seleucid empire; and an assortment of Rome's most distinguished and most infamous emperors. All swept across the plains of Syria at some point in her long history. All contributed, in one way or another, to Syria's special, distinctive character, as they imposed themselves upon it, fought one another within it, or pillaged their way through it.
But this is not just a history of invasion and oppression. Syria had great rulers of her own, native-born Syrian luminaries, sometimes appearing as local champions who sought to liberate their lands from foreign despots, sometimes as cunning, self-seeking manipulators of squabbles between their overlords. They culminate with Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, whose life provides a fitting grand finale to the first three millennia of Syria's recorded history. The conclusion looks forward to the Muslim conquest in the 7th century in many ways the opening chapter in the equally complex and often troubled history of modern Syria.
394 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 20, 2018
I have to say this is one of the best non-fiction books I’ve read so far this year. I was aware previously of Trevor Bryce’s status as a well-respected scholar in his field (ancient Anatolia and the Levant), but this is the first time I had actually got around to reading one of his books. I can see that reputation is well-deserved. Bryce manages that rarity; to combine scholarly professionalism, quality of research, and intelligently thorough examination of the subject, with a smooth, engaging writing style that never bores or confounds. This book could easily be enjoyed by both scholars and the layman alike. Bryce has set himself a considerable task here, taking on about three-thousand years or so of ancient history in Syria; in fact his remit often goes beyond that as he must explain events elsewhere in order to fully illuminate proceedings in Syria. Despite a very tangled and complex history, not to mention frustratingly fragmentary sources, Bryce does an excellent job of clarifying three millennia of history in the region.
9 out of 10
January 4, 2017
I'm becoming a bit of a fan of Trevor Bryce, who's an Australian, writing prolifically on the Ancient Near East / Western Asia, including areas, such as Syria, that haven't had a lot in the way of dedicated books (this only has one predecessor, in the 90s). He writes fluently, I'd say he's semi-popular in style, that is, he crosses that frontier between scholarly and general audience -- no-one need to be afraid to pick him up.
December 12, 2023
Trevor Bryce, specialist in istoria Orientului Antic, e unul din acei foarte rari autori care nu doar ca stiu sa povesteasca Istoria, ci o fac provocand si zambete.
Punand mult accent pe izvoarele scrise, totusi folosind si sursele arheologice, modul in care Bryce trece prin istoria Syriei antice, este unul cat se poate de dinamic, de readable.
Plina de detalii, de multe ori comice, si ele folosite pentru a ilustra cate o idee, cartea a fost o experienta cat se poate de relaxanta (pe cat de relaxant poate parea notatul si chinuitul intelegerii atator date).
In ce priveste ceea ce se leaga mai degraba de subiect si de dimensiunile lui si adica faptul ca aproape 4000 de ani de istorie sunt prezentati in mai putin de 400 de pagini. Asta inseamna ca orice cauza si efect e prezentata schitat, in linii mari, ceea ce e perfect pentru non-expertul ce vrea sa treaca relativ repede sau sa foloseasca cartea pentru a-si sustine argumentele impotriva prietenilor.
Punand mult accent pe izvoarele scrise, totusi folosind si sursele arheologice, modul in care Bryce trece prin istoria Syriei antice, este unul cat se poate de dinamic, de readable.
Plina de detalii, de multe ori comice, si ele folosite pentru a ilustra cate o idee, cartea a fost o experienta cat se poate de relaxanta (pe cat de relaxant poate parea notatul si chinuitul intelegerii atator date).
In ce priveste ceea ce se leaga mai degraba de subiect si de dimensiunile lui si adica faptul ca aproape 4000 de ani de istorie sunt prezentati in mai putin de 400 de pagini. Asta inseamna ca orice cauza si efect e prezentata schitat, in linii mari, ceea ce e perfect pentru non-expertul ce vrea sa treaca relativ repede sau sa foloseasca cartea pentru a-si sustine argumentele impotriva prietenilor.
March 12, 2015
You know I read this book because it was sort of research related and I'm trying to cram my brain with all things Syria and I was mightily surprised to find how excellent the book actually is! You know the old saying "lecturers usually are rubbish researchers and vice verse". It's not often you find a clearly written, highly erudite, thoroughly researched and fascinating read. Now I'm being a bit parochial here because the writer, Trevor Bryce, is a fellow Australian, but gods-honest-truth-Mum I didn't realize that until after I picked it out. But Bryce really is one of those rare talents, a serious historian who can actually write. There aren't too many people around these days who can do this, bringing to vivid life the history of Syria, 5000 years ago through the time of the Seleucids. There are also a few Australianisms in there that only another Australian would understand which, for my mind are a pure delight, but it is good to see a serious scholar sticking to his roots when it comes to writing and doing so proudly yessir! To explain one, Bryce uses the term "tail-enders" to round off the Seleucid succession, an cricketing terms that any Australian schoolboy worth his salt would instantly understand. He also uses the expression "God gave them the go..." as in the go ahead to proceed. Very funny. But laughs aside, this is a serious book covering 3000 BC to the arrival of Islam and Bryce leaves no stone unturned. Names old ancient city-states may make the eyes glaze over from time to time but stick with it and be rewarded....
April 24, 2021
Great introduction to Ancient Syria
July 17, 2025
Brilliant book on Ancient Syria. Syria spent most of it's time in the shadow of Mesopotamia, Persia & Egypt, but rose to brilliance with Antioch of Seleucid times and with the (short lived) Palmyrene empire. Syria really hits its stride as the origin land of Christianity and as a world power in the Umayyad times. Prof Bryce's book stops with Roman Syria, but I so wish the book covered the time period up to the fall of the Umayyads. The book is very well written. Thoroughly enjoyable.
May 26, 2021
The intro to this book makes it clear what it is and why it is written as it is. He covers much of the history of the region very well from this perspective and does a good job keeping Syria at the centre despite the fact it is the trampling ground of empires for much of its history. The author's knowledge of the Hittites offered some very valuable insights.
There are however some very obvious errors. Most notably the casual mention of a contradiction in the Bible related to the death of Jehoiakim. It doesn't take much scratching to realize that the term in 2 Kings that Jehoiakim slept with his fathers does not mean he was accorded a traditional burial. This is reading into the text what is not present so the claim is bunk. It would be wise for the author to consult experts (clearly he is not) before making such obvious and basic errors.
There are however some very obvious errors. Most notably the casual mention of a contradiction in the Bible related to the death of Jehoiakim. It doesn't take much scratching to realize that the term in 2 Kings that Jehoiakim slept with his fathers does not mean he was accorded a traditional burial. This is reading into the text what is not present so the claim is bunk. It would be wise for the author to consult experts (clearly he is not) before making such obvious and basic errors.
May 21, 2025
Well researched and extremely informative. I enjoyed it, but it may not be the best book for someone new to Ancient Near Eastern History.
The first half of the book covers history prior to Alexander and the second half after. That second half is a far easier and quicker read than the first half. In the beginning of the book, you're reading about a litany of powerful city-states and small kingdoms in Syria that rose and fall, plus invasions from outsiders like the Hittites, Babylonians, Egyptians, and Assyrians. This part may be difficult if you don't already have a familiarity with some of those early city states. This would actually be a great follow-up read to Amanda Podany's "Sewers, Scribes, and Kings". If you've already read something like that, you'll probably get more out of the first half of the book and be less confused.
The first half of the book covers history prior to Alexander and the second half after. That second half is a far easier and quicker read than the first half. In the beginning of the book, you're reading about a litany of powerful city-states and small kingdoms in Syria that rose and fall, plus invasions from outsiders like the Hittites, Babylonians, Egyptians, and Assyrians. This part may be difficult if you don't already have a familiarity with some of those early city states. This would actually be a great follow-up read to Amanda Podany's "Sewers, Scribes, and Kings". If you've already read something like that, you'll probably get more out of the first half of the book and be less confused.
November 11, 2021
Recommend it for anyone interested in Ancient history and especially the Middle East. Syria is one of the most important territories in the world and its history is crucial for understanding the birth of the main civilizations including those that affected today's European world.
The author have also a good book on Hittites: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
The author have also a good book on Hittites: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
September 12, 2015
If one wants to know why Syria and SW Asia is the way it is now, one MUST read this book. An outstanding background to today's world of the Middle East.
February 22, 2025
Very detailed but reads like a story which is great for someone who wants to learn but not feel like it’s a textbook
January 30, 2024
When you are the crossroads of the ancient Near Eastern world, you’re going to experience a lot of drama. And empires.
That’s probably the most concise way of explaining the history presented in Ancient Syria: A Three Thousand Year History by Trevor Bryce.
The period in question at its greatest extent is around 2600 BCE to 730 CE; the author’s primary focus is from 2300 BCE to around 280 CE. The author chronicles the Bronze Age kingdoms of Ebla and Mari, the influence of Mesopotamian empires and Mitanni, the Hittites, the Egyptian Empire of its New Kingdom, the collapse of the Bronze Age and the Syro-Hittite kingdoms which arose in the Early Iron Age, and then the litany of empires: Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek - primarily Seleucid but some Ptolemaic, and then, of course, the Romans. The author also highlights the rise and fall of Palmyra. The rest of Roman and Byzantine Syria is quickly covered in what amounts to an afterword.
If you’re looking for the “great man” approach to history, and an expansive overview over a large region and time, then this work will do very well for you. A particular strength is the detail in which the author covers the Seleucid Empire; normally it is passed over quickly in favor of Rome.
The two main challenges I have with the work involve geography and focus.
“Syria” is a nebulous being. The very term itself expresses the challenge: “Syria” is the Greek rendering of Assyria, and the Greeks were coming of age and exploring their world right at the time the Assyrian Empire was fading and would ultimately collapse. If anything, the greatest reminder of the Assyrian Empire is how it would give its name to a wide swath of its western holdings.
But that’s the problem: “Syria” was only part of the “Assyrian Empire.” Those from the areas between Anatolia and the Assyrian heartland would resent being given the name of the people who overcame and oppressed them.
It would seem “Syria” is really the area the Greeks and Romans considered “Syria,” roughly between Anatolia and the Euphrates, and at some times, all the way down to Egypt. Such is why Israelite and Jewish history are also considered in this work.
But in the process eastern areas of modern Syria get short shrift; the Parthians and Sassanids are only discussed inasmuch as they are influencing the story of the Seleucid and Roman territories of Syria.
Beyond this, as a “great man” history, the last we hear much about “Syrians” themselves are…in the days of Assyria. There’s a lot of great information about the various Syrian states before the Assyrians in this work, but once we get to Assyrian dominance, the story now becomes all about the people who ruled over Syria and the Syrians. Discussion of religion is almost non-existent; what might be known about ancient Syrian cultures or societies will not be found here.
Thus this work is good for what it is: a political history of “Syria” as conceived of by the Seleucids and Romans, projected back in history to the Early Bronze Age and extending to the fall of Palmyra with a coda regarding everything up to the days of the Islamic conquest. But to learn more about ancient Syrians, one will have to look elsewhere.
That’s probably the most concise way of explaining the history presented in Ancient Syria: A Three Thousand Year History by Trevor Bryce.
The period in question at its greatest extent is around 2600 BCE to 730 CE; the author’s primary focus is from 2300 BCE to around 280 CE. The author chronicles the Bronze Age kingdoms of Ebla and Mari, the influence of Mesopotamian empires and Mitanni, the Hittites, the Egyptian Empire of its New Kingdom, the collapse of the Bronze Age and the Syro-Hittite kingdoms which arose in the Early Iron Age, and then the litany of empires: Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek - primarily Seleucid but some Ptolemaic, and then, of course, the Romans. The author also highlights the rise and fall of Palmyra. The rest of Roman and Byzantine Syria is quickly covered in what amounts to an afterword.
If you’re looking for the “great man” approach to history, and an expansive overview over a large region and time, then this work will do very well for you. A particular strength is the detail in which the author covers the Seleucid Empire; normally it is passed over quickly in favor of Rome.
The two main challenges I have with the work involve geography and focus.
“Syria” is a nebulous being. The very term itself expresses the challenge: “Syria” is the Greek rendering of Assyria, and the Greeks were coming of age and exploring their world right at the time the Assyrian Empire was fading and would ultimately collapse. If anything, the greatest reminder of the Assyrian Empire is how it would give its name to a wide swath of its western holdings.
But that’s the problem: “Syria” was only part of the “Assyrian Empire.” Those from the areas between Anatolia and the Assyrian heartland would resent being given the name of the people who overcame and oppressed them.
It would seem “Syria” is really the area the Greeks and Romans considered “Syria,” roughly between Anatolia and the Euphrates, and at some times, all the way down to Egypt. Such is why Israelite and Jewish history are also considered in this work.
But in the process eastern areas of modern Syria get short shrift; the Parthians and Sassanids are only discussed inasmuch as they are influencing the story of the Seleucid and Roman territories of Syria.
Beyond this, as a “great man” history, the last we hear much about “Syrians” themselves are…in the days of Assyria. There’s a lot of great information about the various Syrian states before the Assyrians in this work, but once we get to Assyrian dominance, the story now becomes all about the people who ruled over Syria and the Syrians. Discussion of religion is almost non-existent; what might be known about ancient Syrian cultures or societies will not be found here.
Thus this work is good for what it is: a political history of “Syria” as conceived of by the Seleucids and Romans, projected back in history to the Early Bronze Age and extending to the fall of Palmyra with a coda regarding everything up to the days of the Islamic conquest. But to learn more about ancient Syrians, one will have to look elsewhere.
August 17, 2020
There are so some great gems but there are ways of writing history which are exciting and page turning, and ways which are dull. This was dull. I was trying to figure out why and I think the focus is way too narrow: battles from 3000 years ago, whether won or lost, are not as interesting to read about as the cultural and religious impact of various empires. I think he ended the book just where things were getting interesting: the advent of Islam. Missed opportunity to over some insight into how Syria's history effected that story.
October 2, 2025
All in all it is a quite comprehensive overview of Syria up until modern times. I wish that it covered a little more up to the present.
After reading this, in addition to the histories of the empires (Egypt, Mesopotamia) and other lands in and around the Middle East, it seems to me that both Syria and Palestine/Israel were more of a crossroads between the empires.
After reading this, in addition to the histories of the empires (Egypt, Mesopotamia) and other lands in and around the Middle East, it seems to me that both Syria and Palestine/Israel were more of a crossroads between the empires.
October 28, 2019
Im glad the Palmyrene Empire got its own section or otherwise this would have just been a tale of provincial woe after the bronze age.
March 11, 2023
This was a fun read. Learned a lot about syria.
Want to read
July 14, 2023DS 96.2 B79 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2024
It was a well-written documentation which managed to connect all the complexities going on in and around Syria during its history in an engaging way. For the purposes of my reading however, some chapters had too much detail that was almost “filler” in my eyes. But I also see how these details created “mini stories” of the numerous realities that took place, which is part of what I found engaging in some chapters. As someone who has never fully delved into the world history timeline of these eras, it gave me a great access point to continue researching periods on my own and furthering the historical connections external of this book. But I find myself still longing for more detailed recounts of Syria itself throughout these times.
January 10, 2016
History told as "one darn thing after another." If that puts you off as much as it does me, perhaps Kevin Butcher's Roman Syria and the Near East will be more to your liking.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews