Ancient Empires

Fülszöveg

Lavishly illustrated, meticulously researched, and clearly written, Ancient Empires presents a panoramic sweep of 3,000 years of history. Within the pages of this magnificent book, the reader will relive the drama and excitement of bygone civilizations. He will meet warriors, kings, mystics—the men and women who shaped their times—Alexander the Great, who conquered half the known world; Hammurabi, who gave Babylon the world's first legal code; Cleopatra, for whom Marc Antony gambled—and lost—an empire; Buddha, who proposed a unique solution to man's suffering; Spartacus, who dared to challenge mighty Rome.
The story of the rise and fall, the achievements and setbacks of these vanished peoples is told in this volume through a detailed look at sixteen major events— each a "milestone" in its impact on the ancient world and its continuing effect on the modern world. From the creation of the first political state in Egypt in 3000 b.c. to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in... Tovább

Fülszöveg

Lavishly illustrated, meticulously researched, and clearly written, Ancient Empires presents a panoramic sweep of 3,000 years of history. Within the pages of this magnificent book, the reader will relive the drama and excitement of bygone civilizations. He will meet warriors, kings, mystics—the men and women who shaped their times—Alexander the Great, who conquered half the known world; Hammurabi, who gave Babylon the world's first legal code; Cleopatra, for whom Marc Antony gambled—and lost—an empire; Buddha, who proposed a unique solution to man's suffering; Spartacus, who dared to challenge mighty Rome.
The story of the rise and fall, the achievements and setbacks of these vanished peoples is told in this volume through a detailed look at sixteen major events— each a "milestone" in its impact on the ancient world and its continuing effect on the modern world. From the creation of the first political state in Egypt in 3000 b.c. to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in a.d. 70—the reader will learn about significant moments in the history of man.
Well-known events—the Exodus of the Jews, Hannibal's crossing of the Alps, the crucifixion of Jesus—have been approached with fresh viewpoints and penetrating interpretations. The chapters on less familiar events—the Aryan invasion of India, the eruption of the island of Santorin—have been written in a manner that dramatically reveals why they are turning points in man's development. Linking each "milestone" to the next is a two-page section that gives the reader a summary of other important historical trends.
Supplementing the text are some 350 magnificent illustrations—one-third in full colour—that capture the spirit of the ancient continued on back flap
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world. Numerous maps, charts, and diagrams are included to highlight the narrative. On almost fevery page, modern photographs are juxtaposed with illustrations of monuments, coins, gems, paintings, statuary, ruins, mosaics and pottery
The sixteen essays, written especially for this volume, are the contributions of an international panel of distinguished scholars. Each is a specialist in his field, a writer who has the unique ability to translate scholarly material into a lively, informative essay. Among the contributors are Leonard Cottrell, J. W. Parkes, Marcel Brion, Peter Green and Michael Grant.
The Editor of the volume, S. G. F. Brandon, was Professor of Comparative Religion at the University of Manchester and a leading authority on ancient civilizations. Among Professor Brandon's books—acclaimed for both their scholarship and readability—are The Trial of Jesus of Nazareth and Religion in Ancient History.

Ancient Empires is the first book in the Reader's Digest's multivolume series, Milestones of History. Through a comprehensive study of two hundred "milestones" of man's past, the volumes encompass the entire sweep of history—from decisive battles and treaties to developments in the arts—from momentous discoveries to remarkable advances in science and technology. This beautifully illustrated library forms a virtual encyclopedia of world history.
Forthcoming volumes in the series include: The Fires of Faith, a.d. 312-1204 Dawn of a New Era, 1209-1402 Expanding Horizons, 1415-1516 Reform and Revolt, 1517-1600
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