Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
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What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?)
Diana wrote: "Africa Adorned
This is a book that can be a strictly decorative 'coffee-table book' or can be read for its wonderful content.
I'm working on a review, but it's an indis..."
Hi Diana,
As I'm getting away with stretching the boundaries of 'Off Topic' may I drag you into the question Terri has been helping me out with. I'm fairly clear the Ancient Egyptians produced bronze. Did they produce brass?
They must have had access to copper for the bronze but did they have sources of zinc? Have you read the extent of their trade with India and did this include metal ingots?
James wrote: "Did they produce brass?..."
Short answer: no. Not until Roman times.
Long answer is being sent to you since I don't want to get on Her Aussieness' bad side
Short answer: no. Not until Roman times.
Long answer is being sent to you since I don't want to get on Her Aussieness' bad side
James,I think you may have missed this post. The post before the Sahel message I posted.
Terri Wrote:
I shall check for you, James.
It isn't too off topic yet and being the 'what are you reading' thread it is more for this kind of discussion. Where people can post the books they are reading and other people can ask them about it and discuss related topics.
Terri wrote: "It isn't too off topic yet and being the 'what are you reading' thread it is more for this kind of discussion. Where people can post the books they are reading and other people can ask them about it and discuss related topics..."
Well, whether James missed it, I certainly did. So I herewith and with great dispatch seek to avert Her Aussieness' wrath by posting my response:
Here's some information. (I don't consult Wikipedia except, maybe, to check something extremely general). These should help you.
...and what the heck are you doing straying into Egypt?
Overview - by a professor of Carnegie-Mellon University
http://neon.mems.cmu.edu/cramb/Proces... (interesting article)
And there is this:
http://www.archive.org/stream/ancient...
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN METALLURGY.
BY
Major H. GARLAND,
O.B.E., M.C., F.C.S., ]VJ. Inst. Metals,
Late Superintendent of Laboratories at the "Citadel," Cairo,
AND
C. 0. BANNISTER, M.Eng., A.R.S.M., F.I.C,
Professor of MetallurCxY in the University of Liverpool.
32 ANCIENT EGYPTIAN METALLURGY.
...time. Old lead workings also exist at the Jasus Valley near the Red Sea.
The only other metal known to the early Egyptians was antimony, but it is improbable that they regarded it as a metal. A preparation of it was used for colouring the face round the eyes from the earliest times, and it is said that beads of it dating from about B.C. 800 have been unearthed, but it has never been found in any shape or form in which its metallic attributes were required.
Brass was unknown until Roman times. The articles of this alloy found in Egypt belonging to that period may probably have been introduced in the manufactured state. There are apparently no zinc ore deposits of econ- omic value in the country, although calamine occurs at Gebel Rusas in combination with galena and cerussite.
In view of the considerable quantities of manganese ores that exist in Sinai, and also seeing that they were used in the early days in the preparation of glazes, etc., no doubt the Egyptian metallurgists attempted the difficult task of reducing them so as to get the metal. No analyses of Egyptian bronze or copper that have been published show manganese as an ingredient or impurity.
Notwithstanding their different degrees of permanence, we possess to-day specimens of all the metals and alloys known to the ancient Egyptians. The metallurgist, in handling these relics, is seized with a desire to open them up, to pry into their internal constitution and composition, and to get what information he may from a means of investigation which, whilst educative, is unfortunately destructive : the archaeologist, on the other hand, touches each fragment almost with reverence ; his thoughts go back to some beautiful queen, with whom he has acquired a thorough post-mortem acquaintance, and visualises
Well, whether James missed it, I certainly did. So I herewith and with great dispatch seek to avert Her Aussieness' wrath by posting my response:
Here's some information. (I don't consult Wikipedia except, maybe, to check something extremely general). These should help you.
...and what the heck are you doing straying into Egypt?
Overview - by a professor of Carnegie-Mellon University
http://neon.mems.cmu.edu/cramb/Proces... (interesting article)
And there is this:
http://www.archive.org/stream/ancient...
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN METALLURGY.
BY
Major H. GARLAND,
O.B.E., M.C., F.C.S., ]VJ. Inst. Metals,
Late Superintendent of Laboratories at the "Citadel," Cairo,
AND
C. 0. BANNISTER, M.Eng., A.R.S.M., F.I.C,
Professor of MetallurCxY in the University of Liverpool.
32 ANCIENT EGYPTIAN METALLURGY.
...time. Old lead workings also exist at the Jasus Valley near the Red Sea.
The only other metal known to the early Egyptians was antimony, but it is improbable that they regarded it as a metal. A preparation of it was used for colouring the face round the eyes from the earliest times, and it is said that beads of it dating from about B.C. 800 have been unearthed, but it has never been found in any shape or form in which its metallic attributes were required.
Brass was unknown until Roman times. The articles of this alloy found in Egypt belonging to that period may probably have been introduced in the manufactured state. There are apparently no zinc ore deposits of econ- omic value in the country, although calamine occurs at Gebel Rusas in combination with galena and cerussite.
In view of the considerable quantities of manganese ores that exist in Sinai, and also seeing that they were used in the early days in the preparation of glazes, etc., no doubt the Egyptian metallurgists attempted the difficult task of reducing them so as to get the metal. No analyses of Egyptian bronze or copper that have been published show manganese as an ingredient or impurity.
Notwithstanding their different degrees of permanence, we possess to-day specimens of all the metals and alloys known to the ancient Egyptians. The metallurgist, in handling these relics, is seized with a desire to open them up, to pry into their internal constitution and composition, and to get what information he may from a means of investigation which, whilst educative, is unfortunately destructive : the archaeologist, on the other hand, touches each fragment almost with reverence ; his thoughts go back to some beautiful queen, with whom he has acquired a thorough post-mortem acquaintance, and visualises
Good. now I can read it too. :)
I had all these great plans to read last weekend but I had too much fun seeing the sites and fireworks in Victoria BC so I finished one book and I'm now reading
:)
I'm reading
right now. I hadn't read much about that particular English civil war though I do remember some of the names from history. I think I still prefer Mary Renault. I did find a copy of
. I'm very excited because it was recommended by a local used bookstore owner who knows my preferences, not just genre but author and therefore style. He has scored for me before with suggestions. I found it online, from a bookseller in St. Augustine (Florida) who I contacted about picking it up in person. He no longer owns a brick and mortar but arranged to leave it with a used bookstore in Old City in walking distance of the B&B (also my ancestral home) I'll be staying in. (I love Casa de Solana!) The seller and I have been chatting via email and he ended up giving me a discount and I pick it up Saturday! YAY!!Also doing a Los Floridanos Luncheon (group of descendants of the original Spanish colonists) and a Girls' Weekend while there. Hoping to arrive early enough to settle in on Friday (the 13th!!) and go on one of the ghost tours in the evening. I'm so hoping I don't end up chairing the Floridanos efforts for the 500th First Landing anniversary next year or the 450th anniversary of the City in 3 more years... I keep opening my fat mouth... ;)
Hi Crystal,I was wondering how you went with your used book stores and the Egyptian. That worked out so well. You not only had a chance to source this bo you wanted, but you also got to do some networking and meeting new people.
That Los Floridanos group sounds very cool. I guess it is like the Spanish version of the Mayflower hey? :-)
Am reading
a book about the American Civil War and came upon one of the saddest quotes ever " Lavinia gazed upon the lines of graves with shadowed eyes,'I saw so many of them die over the past days. There was so much courage, and so much pathos. How can I grudge them the little space they take up now, when their dreams and hopes once took up entire lifetimes, and their passing left other lives so empty?'
Yes, I guess it is! We had more than one ship, but only 2 families had members stay through the various "occupations" by other governments and can claim to be descended from the original Spanish settlers. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on The Egyption though. And, there's another used bookstore going out of business and having a massive sale this weekend in the old city. Guess where I'll be? lol With my TBR list!
Bobby wrote: "Am reading a book about the American Civil War and came upon one of the saddest quotes ever " Lavinia gazed upon the lines of graves with shadowed eyes,'I saw so many of th..."That is sad, Bobby. :(
Crystal wrote: "Yes, I guess it is! We had more than one ship, but only 2 families had members stay through the various "occupations" by other governments and can claim to be descended from the original Spanish s..."That is fascinating, it really is. We don't have anything like this in Australia.
Australians who were on the First Fleet are definitely proud of their heritage, whether they were a convict or free, but as far as I know, their is no exclusive get togethers or groups.
Hi Chris,I don't think I realised this was a series. I have heard of the first in the series. Ship of Rome.
Yes there is a third too called Master of Rome.
I admire those covers. They make me want to try the books. I probably won't read the series though because I'm not big on 'ship fiction'..for want of a better term. I like my fiction to be set on land. :-)
But unsurprisingly (I love naval fiction) I am very excited about this series and I'm waiting for my library to send me the first in the series.
I started
Last night. Since I liked the first in the series and many of you have said the series is good, I am hoping to enjoy this one too.
Am fully engrossed in
. Love a good Civil War tale.
Anne wrote: "I started
Last night. Since I liked the first in the series and many of you have said the series is good, I am hoping to enjoy this one too."Hope you like it Anne, Terri convinced me to read the rest of these books too. I read book 3-6 in two months at the end of last year. :)
Hee hee. I've got to be good for something around here. May as well be persuasion. :D
Great story...
. Sweet movie, as well!!
I'm not sure whether my kind of persuasion would be classed as friendly though. I feel it is more...ah...like being hit with a blunt object.
Just finished
!! Great read - history, culture, mystery set in 1660 Germany. Can't wait for the last of the Hangman's Daughter trilogy!
Dee wrote: "Just finished [bookcover:The Dark Monk: A Hangman's Daughter Tale]!! Great read - history, culture, mystery set in 1660 Germany. Can't wait for the last of the Hangman's Daughter trilogy!"Lots of people like these books it seems. Dawn and I even contemplated putting the first up as one of the group read nominations (for voting on in the Group Read polls) but too many people had read it. :-)
I have started our fellow member, Diana Wilder's book A Killing Among the Dead. I had planned to read another book of hers in july, but I decided to go with the smaller of the two as I have a buddy read with friends coming up soon.
Dawn wrote: "But unsurprisingly (I love naval fiction) I am very excited about this series and I'm waiting for my library to send me the first in the series."Hi Dawn,
My book, the Axe the Shield and the Triton spends quite a chunk of pages at sea on a Vandal Liburnian Galley involved in preying on Roman commerce. It was the part of the book that put Terri off as she'doesn't like ship stuff'.
If you do and would be interested in giving it a try I would be happy to send you a PDF copy ( if you don't already have it from when it was a Freebie)
I only suggest this as you indicated an interest in naval fiction and much of this book is spent at sea on a variety of vessels. ( AD 448-462 however, no broadsides or stern shots with carronades)
Bobby wrote: "Am fully engrossed in 
. Love a good Civil War tale."Have you read Bernard Cornwell's civil war books?
e.g. Rebel, or Battle Flag
I enjoyed them but he seems to have stopped writing them.
Tim wrote: "Bobby wrote: "Am fully engrossed in . Love a good Civil War tale."
Have you read Bernard Cornwell's civil war books?
e.g. Rebel, or Battle Flag
I enjoyed them but he see..."
Hm. That 'safeguard' bookcover you put in your quote, Tim, appears to pertain to a book about childraising. I understand that such endeavors can lead to a battleground, but is this maybe the wrong cover?
(Laughing, since I am extremely familiar with the book originally referred to and quoted.)
. Love a good Civil War tale."Have you read Bernard Cornwell's civil war books?
e.g. Rebel, or Battle Flag
I enjoyed them but he see..."
Hm. That 'safeguard' bookcover you put in your quote, Tim, appears to pertain to a book about childraising. I understand that such endeavors can lead to a battleground, but is this maybe the wrong cover?
(Laughing, since I am extremely familiar with the book originally referred to and quoted.)
Thought maybe Tim knew what I was reading and I didn't!!! I had to go check to make sure I was reading the right book. hahaha
Lol! Our poor Bobby got confused.
James wrote: "Hi Dawn,My book, the Axe the Shield and the Triton spends quite a chunk of pages at sea on a Vandal Liburnian Galley involved in preying on Roman commerce. It was the part of the book that put Terri off as she'doesn't like ship stuff'.
If you do and would be interested in giving it a try I would be happy to send you a PDF copy..."
Thanks James, I've printed it out and I will add it to my TBR, hopefully sooner rather than later. :)
I've just bought
by Giles Christian. His Raven Blood eye series is absolutely great, so I'm looking forward to getting into it.
I wasn't a big fan of his book Blood Eye. I do wonder if his latest offering has more pep in it's step.
Terri wrote: "I wasn't a big fan of his book Blood Eye. I do wonder if his latest offering has more pep in it's step."What are some of your favourites Terri? We seem to have different tastes in historical fiction books, but we may have some favourites in common.
Bernard Cornwell and Robert Low are my absolute favourites. I have quite a few second tier faves like Steven Pressfield and Manda Scott.I don't know about us having different tastes though, chris. I found Raven blood Eye like watching paint dry. But other than that I think we share some commonalities. :-)
Hey Chris. :-) You should 'compare books with me' via my profile. I think we have more in common than you realise.
Your first two are very high on my list, in fact Bernard Cornwellis my all-time favour historical fiction author. I will look at your profile to see who else we have in common.
Hi TerriYou were dead right I looked at some of the books on your profile and we do share a lot of favourites. Not just in HF, but also in areas like crime. I must start organising my books into shelves it seems to make things much easier for someone else looking at what you like.
Cheers
Chris
Yes, shelves are a handy thing. Even just for yourself. When I need to find something. A book to match a certain mood, or to recommend to someone etc.. I find it easy to put my finger on them when I have 'micro shelves' (for want of a better term).Example. When there are only shelves like non fiction, historical fiction on our profiles and someone wants a book rec on say a Saxons in Briatin, I would have to scroll through a lot of books if I only had a Hist Fict shelf. With the micro shelves, I can click directly on my Britian History - fiction shelf and there they all are. :-)
I have spent the last few days not reading a thing. In a couple days though, I will be starting Five Years to Freedom: The True Story of a Vietnam POW with some buddies.
Killing RommelIt may be that I have wandered off the topic WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW. Where are the comments from 1-9-12 through today? Somebody pick me up and put me in the right place if I have erred. I have been known to err once or twice in my lifetime. I bought KILLING ROMMEL because I am a boomer baby and had many relatives fighting WWII.
Linda wrote: "t may be that I have wandered off the topic WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW. Where are the comments from 1-9-12 through today? Somebody pick me up and put me in the right place if I..."I'm sorry Linda but I have no idea what you are refering to here, if you clarify I will try and answer. :)
Dawn wrote: "I had all these great plans to read last weekend but I had too much fun seeing the sites and fireworks in Victoria BC so I finished one book and I'm now reading :)"Interesting. It was in a bookshop in Victoria BC that I bought my copy of The Saxon Chronicle. That engendered my interest in the dark ages and started me on the road that led to my writing hobby.
That is awesome. I love Victoria and I want to retire there.....I have another 30 years before I get to do that though. :)Lots of British expats around Victoria too.
The Whale Road... Okay, I'm a convert. Only on p.18 but I know how much I like the writing. I like his similes, I like his figure-out-what's-happening way of beginning.I'm under oath not to buy books, and what did I do this morning? Loaded up with an order for Oathsworns, and while I'm off the wagon, why not make the acquaintance of Uhtred too? I've heard a lot about Uhtred in this group.
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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This is a book that can be a strictly decorative 'coffee-table book' or can be read for its wonderful content.
I'm working on a review, but it's an indispensable.