Best Selling Ancient History Book on Apple Books

Chart of the top 50 most popular and best selling ancient history ebooks at the Apple Books.

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History Ebook Best Sellers

Top Ancient History eBooks

1

How to Survive in Ancient Rome - L. J. Trafford Cover Art

How to Survive in Ancient Rome

How to Survive in Ancient Rome by L. J. Trafford

What you'd need to know if you time-traveled to Ancient Rome—from local customs to clothing to religion to housing to food. Imagine you were transported back in time to Ancient Rome and you had to start a new life there. How would you fit in? Where would you live? What would you eat? Where would you go to have your hair done? Who would you go to if you got ill, or if you were mugged in the street? All these questions, and many more, are answered in this new how-to guide for time travelers. This lively and engaging twist on ancient history reveals how to deal with the many problems and new experiences you would face—and thrive in this strange new environment.

2

Jews vs. Rome - Barry Strauss Cover Art

Jews vs. Rome

Jews vs. Rome Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire by Barry Strauss

A new history of two centuries of Jewish revolts against the Roman Empire, drawing on recent archeological discoveries and new scholarship by leading historian Barry Strauss. Jews vs. Rome is a gripping account of one of the most momentous eras in human history: the two hundred years of ancient Israel’s battles against Rome that reshaped Judaism and gave rise to Christianity. Barry Strauss vividly captures the drama of this era, highlighting the courageous yet tragic uprisings, the geopolitical clash between the empires of Rome and Persia, and the internal conflicts among Jews. Between 63 BCE and 136 CE, the Jewish people launched several revolts driven by deep-seated religious beliefs and resentment towards Roman rule. Judea, a province on Rome’s eastern fringe, became a focal point of tension and rebellion. Jews vs. Rome recounts the three major uprisings: the Great Revolt of 66–70 CE, which led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, culminating in the Siege of Masada, where defenders chose mass suicide over surrender; the Diaspora Revolt, ignited by heavy taxes across the Empire; and the Bar Kokhba Revolt. We meet pivotal figures such as Simon Bar Kokhba but also some of those lesser-known women of the era like Berenice, a Jewish princess who played a major role in the politics of the Great Revolt and was improbably the love of Titus—Rome’s future emperor and the man who destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. Today, echoes of those battles resonate as the Jewish nation faces new challenges and conflicts. Jews vs. Rome offers a captivating narrative that connects the past with the present, appealing to anyone interested in Rome, Jewish history, or the compelling true tales of resilience and resistance.

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SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome - Mary Beard Cover Art

SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome

SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard

New York Times Bestseller A New York Times Notable Book Named one of the Best Books of the Year by the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, Foreign Affairs, and Kirkus Reviews Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award (Nonfiction) Shortlisted for the Cundill Prize in Historical Literature Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize (History) A San Francisco Chronicle Holiday Gift Guide Selection A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice Selection A sweeping, "magisterial" history of the Roman Empire from one of our foremost classicists shows why Rome remains "relevant to people many centuries later" (Atlantic). In SPQR, an instant classic, Mary Beard narrates the history of Rome "with passion and without technical jargon" and demonstrates how "a slightly shabby Iron Age village" rose to become the "undisputed hegemon of the Mediterranean" (Wall Street Journal). Hailed by critics as animating "the grand sweep and the intimate details that bring the distant past vividly to life" (Economist) in a way that makes "your hair stand on end" (Christian Science Monitor) and spanning nearly a thousand years of history, this "highly informative, highly readable" (Dallas Morning News) work examines not just how we think of ancient Rome but challenges the comfortable historical perspectives that have existed for centuries. With its nuanced attention to class, democratic struggles, and the lives of entire groups of people omitted from the historical narrative for centuries, SPQR will to shape our view of Roman history for decades to come.

4

Ghost on the Throne - James Romm Cover Art

Ghost on the Throne

Ghost on the Throne The Death of Alexander the Great and the Bloody Fight for His Empire by James Romm

Alexander the Great, perhaps the most commanding leader in history, united his empire and his army by the titanic force of his will. His death at the age of thirty-two spelled the end of that unity. The story of Alexander’s conquest of the Persian empire is known to many readers, but the dramatic and consequential saga of the empire’s collapse remains virtually untold. It is a tale of loss that begins with the greatest loss of all, the death of the Macedonian king who had held the empire together. With his demise, it was as if the sun had disappeared from the solar system, as if planets and moons began to spin crazily in new directions, crashing into one another with unimaginable force. Alexander bequeathed his power, legend has it, “to the strongest,” leaving behind a mentally damaged half brother and a posthumously born son as his only heirs. In a strange compromise, both figures—Philip III and Alexander IV—were elevated to the kingship, quickly becoming prizes, pawns, fought over by a half-dozen Macedonian generals. Each successor could confer legitimacy on whichever general controlled him. At the book’s center is the monarch’s most vigorous defender; Alexander’s former Greek secretary, now transformed into a general himself. He was a man both fascinating and entertaining, a man full of tricks and connivances, like the enthroned ghost of Alexander that gives the book its title, and becomes the determining factor in the precarious fortunes of the royal family. James Romm, brilliant classicist and storyteller, tells the galvanizing saga of the men who followed Alexander and found themselves incapable of preserving his empire. The result was the undoing of a world, formerly united in a single empire, now ripped apart into a nightmare of warring nation-states struggling for domination, the template of our own times.

5

Emperor of Rome - Mary Beard Cover Art

Emperor of Rome

Emperor of Rome Ruling the Ancient World by Mary Beard

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Best Books of 2023: New Yorker, The Economist, Smithsonian Most Anticipated Books of Fall: Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, TODAY, Literary Hub, and Publishers Weekly "A vivid way to re-examine what we know, and don’t, about life at the top.... Emperor of Rome is a masterly group portrait, an invitation to think skeptically but not contemptuously of a familiar civilization." —Kyle Harper, Wall Street Journal A sweeping account of the social and political world of the Roman emperors by “the world’s most famous classicist” (Guardian). In her international bestseller SPQR, Mary Beard told the thousand-year story of ancient Rome, from its slightly shabby Iron Age origins to its reign as the undisputed hegemon of the Mediterranean. Now, drawing on more than thirty years of teaching and writing about Roman history, Beard turns to the emperors who ruled the Roman Empire, beginning with Julius Caesar (assassinated 44 BCE) and taking us through the nearly three centuries—and some thirty emperors—that separate him from the boy-king Alexander Severus (assassinated 235 CE). Yet Emperor of Rome is not your typical chronological account of Roman rulers, one emperor after another: the mad Caligula, the monster Nero, the philosopher Marcus Aurelius. Instead, Beard asks different, often larger and more probing questions: What power did emperors actually have? Was the Roman palace really so bloodstained? What kind of jokes did Augustus tell? And for that matter, what really happened, for example, between the emperor Hadrian and his beloved Antinous? Effortlessly combining the epic with the quotidian, Beard tracks the emperor down at home, at the races, on his travels, even on his way to heaven. Along the way, Beard explores Roman fictions of imperial power, overturning many of the assumptions that we hold as gospel, not the least of them the perception that emperors one and all were orchestrators of extreme brutality and cruelty. Here Beard introduces us to the emperor’s wives and lovers, rivals and slaves, court jesters and soldiers, and the ordinary people who pressed begging letters into his hand—whose chamber pot disputes were adjudicated by Augustus, and whose budgets were approved by Vespasian, himself the son of a tax collector. With its finely nuanced portrayal of sex, class, and politics, Emperor of Rome goes directly to the heart of Roman fantasies (and our own) about what it was to be Roman at its richest, most luxurious, most extreme, most powerful, and most deadly, offering an account of Roman history as it has never been presented before.

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The Roman Barbarian Wars - Ludwig Heinrich Dyck Cover Art

The Roman Barbarian Wars

The Roman Barbarian Wars The Era of Roman Conquest by Ludwig Heinrich Dyck

"A great book that summarizes pieces of Roman military history that are often not mentioned or difficult to find sources for . . . an entertaining read."— War History Online   As Rome grew from a small city state to the mightiest empire of the west, her dominion was contested not only by the civilizations of the Mediterranean, but also by the "barbarians"—the tribal peoples of Europe. The Celtic, the Spanish-Iberian and the Germanic tribes lacked the pomp and grandeur of Rome, but they were fiercely proud of their freedom and gave birth to some of Rome's greatest adversaries. Romans and barbarians, iron legions and wild tribesmen clashed in dramatic battles on whose fate hinged the existence of entire peoples and, at times, the future of Rome. Far from reducing the legions and tribes to names and numbers, The Roman Barbarian Wars: The Era of Roman Conquest reveals how they fought and how they lived and what their world was like. Through his exhaustive research and lively text, Ludwig H. Dyck immerses the reader into the epic world of the Roman barbarian wars.   "I was reminded, as I picked up this superb book, of that magnificent scene from Gladiator when they unleashed hell on the Barbarian hordes at the beginning of the film. Dyck has produced a book that celebrates the brilliance of the Roman commanders and of Rome itself from its foundation to its eventual demise."—Books Monthly   "Dyck's details of ancient battles and the people involved provide as much sword-slashing excitement as any fictional account."— Kirkus Reviews "His vivid prose makes for a gripping read."—Military Heritage

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Fingerprints of the Gods - Graham Hancock Cover Art

Fingerprints of the Gods

Fingerprints of the Gods The Evidence of Earth's Lost Civilization by Graham Hancock

Could the story of mankind be far older than we have previously believed? Using tools as varied as archaeo-astronomy, geology, and computer analysis of ancient myths, Graham Hancock presents a compelling case to suggest that it is. Graham Hancock is featured in Ancient Apocalypse, a Netflix original docuseries. “A fancy piece of historical sleuthing . . . intriguing and entertaining and sturdy enough to give a long pause for thought.”— Kirkus Reviews In Fingerprints of the Gods, Hancock embarks on a worldwide quest to put together all the pieces of the vast and fascinating jigsaw of mankind’s hidden past. In ancient monuments as far apart as Egypt’s Great Sphinx, the strange Andean ruins of Tihuanaco, and Mexico’s awe-inspiring Temples of the Sun and Moon, he reveals not only the clear fingerprints of an as-yet-unidentified civilization of remote antiquity, but also startling evidence of its vast sophistication, technological advancement, and evolved scientific knowledge.   A record-breaking number one bestseller in Britain, Fingerprints of the Gods contains the makings of an intellectual revolution, a dramatic and irreversible change in the way that we understand our past—and so our future.   And Fingerprints of God tells us something more. As we recover the truth about prehistory, and discover the real meaning of ancient myths and monuments, it becomes apparent that a warning has been handed down to us, a warning of terrible cataclysm that afflicts the Earth in great cycles at irregular intervals of time—a cataclysm that may be about to recur.   “Readers will hugely enjoy their quest in these pages of inspired storytelling.”— The Times (UK)

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Persian Fire - Tom Holland Cover Art

Persian Fire

Persian Fire by Tom Holland

A “sweeping popular account” ( The Seattle Times ) of how Athens and Sparta withstood an assault from the Persian Empire in the cradle of Western civilization, from the acclaimed author of Rubicon and co-host of the hit podcast The Rest Is History “Excellent. . . . There is an even handedness in Holland’s treatment of both Greek and Persian cultural riches that is rare in popular accounts of these wars.” — The Sunday Times (London) In the fifth century B.C., a global superpower was determined to bring truth and order to what it regarded as two terrorist states. The superpower was Persia, incomparably rich in ambition, gold, and men. The terrorist states were Athens and Sparta, eccentric cities in a poor and mountainous backwater: Greece. The story of how their citizens took on the Great King of Persia, and thereby saved not only themselves but Western civilization as well, is as heart-stopping and fateful as any episode in history. Tom Holland’s brilliant study of these critical Persian Wars skillfully examines a conflict of critical importance to both ancient and modern history.

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Mythology (75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition) - Edith Hamilton & Jim Tierney Cover Art

Mythology (75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition)

Mythology (75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition) Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton & Jim Tierney

This deluxe edition of the world's most beloved, bestselling classic on Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology is stunningly illustrated with specially commissioned full-color plates and a beautiful gold-bordered pages.  Since its original publication in 1942, Edith Hamilton's Mythology has sold millions of copies throughout the world and established itself as a perennial bestseller. For nearly 80 years, readers have chosen  Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes above all other books to discover the enchanting world of Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology -- from Odysseus's adventure-filled journey to Odin's effort to postpone the final day of doom. This deluxe, hardcover edition is illustrated throughout with specially commissioned, original artwork and beautifully illustrated lineages, making it a true collector's item.

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A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - Emma Southon Cover Art

A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Murder in Ancient Rome by Emma Southon

An entertaining and informative look at the unique culture of crime, punishment, and killing in Ancient Rome In Ancient Rome, all the best stories have one thing in common—murder. Romulus killed Remus to found the city, Caesar was assassinated to save the Republic. Caligula was butchered in the theater, Claudius was poisoned at dinner, and Galba was beheaded in the Forum. In one 50-year period, 26 emperors were murdered. But what did killing mean in a city where gladiators fought to the death to sate a crowd? In A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum , Emma Southon examines a trove of real-life homicides from Roman history to explore Roman culture, including how perpetrator, victim, and the act itself were regarded by ordinary people. Inside Ancient Rome's darkly fascinating history, we see how the Romans viewed life, death, and what it means to be human.

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The Fall of the Roman Empire - Peter Heather Cover Art

The Fall of the Roman Empire

The Fall of the Roman Empire A New History of Rome and the Barbarians by Peter Heather

The death of the Roman Empire is one of the perennial mysteries of world history. Now, in this groundbreaking book, Peter Heather proposes a stunning new solution: Centuries of imperialism turned the neighbors Rome called barbarians into an enemy capable of dismantling an Empire that had dominated their lives for so long. A leading authority on the late Roman Empire and on the barbarians, Heather relates the extraordinary story of how Europe's barbarians, transformed by centuries of contact with Rome on every possible level, eventually pulled the empire apart. He shows first how the Huns overturned the existing strategic balance of power on Rome's European frontiers, to force the Goths and others to seek refuge inside the Empire. This prompted two generations of struggle, during which new barbarian coalitions, formed in response to Roman hostility, brought the Roman west to its knees. The Goths first destroyed a Roman army at the battle of Hadrianople in 378, and went on to sack Rome in 410. The Vandals spread devastation in Gaul and Spain, before conquering North Africa, the breadbasket of the Western Empire, in 439. We then meet Attila the Hun, whose reign of terror swept from Constantinople to Paris, but whose death in 453 ironically precipitated a final desperate phase of Roman collapse, culminating in the Vandals' defeat of the massive Byzantine Armada: the west's last chance for survival. Peter Heather convincingly argues that the Roman Empire was not on the brink of social or moral collapse. What brought it to an end were the barbarians.

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Soldier of Rome: Empire of the North - James Mace Cover Art

Soldier of Rome: Empire of the North

Soldier of Rome: Empire of the North by James Mace

It's been forty years since the Roman conquest of southern Britannia. The hostile western regions are at last subdued and twenty years have passed since the cataclysmic Iceni Rebellion in the east. With tribal kingdoms assimilating into Roman culture and the province at relative peace, Imperial Governor Gnaeus Julius Agricola turns his attention north. The once-allied, now hostile Kingdom of Brigantes is divided between factions loyal to Rome and those of the usurper king, Venutius. Following a series of raids, and compelled to flee from imperial retribution, Venutius seeks the aid of a Caledonian chieftain named Calgacus. Calgacus hopes to use a conflict with the Empire to seal his claim as high king of the northern highlands. In the southern coastal city of Portus Adurni, Gaius Artorius Armiger's term as governor-mayor is coming to an end. Ten years have passed since Gaius' last campaign during the Siege of Jerusalem. Ever the soldier, a summons to Londinium leaves him with an intriguing proposition. Knowing his reputation as a military leader, Governor Agricola offers Gaius a return to active service with command of the legendary cavalry regiment Indus' Horse. Despite trepidation about leaving his wife and children and the lingering effects of old battle injuries, Gaius Artorius dons his armour once more as a soldier of Rome.

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The Romans and Their World - Brian Campbell Cover Art

The Romans and Their World

The Romans and Their World A Short Introduction by Brian Campbell

A concise and accessible account of one of the largest, longest-lasting, and most influential empires in world history, ancient Rome.    This one-volume history of the Roman world begins with the early years of the republic and carries the story nearly a thousand years forward to 476, when Romulus Augustus, the last Western Roman emperor, was deposed. Brian Campbell, respected scholar and teacher, presents a fascinating and wide-ranging introduction to Rome, drawing on an array of ancient sources and covering topics of interest to readers with little prior background in Roman history as well as those already familiar with the great civilization.   Campbell explores several themes, including the fall of the republic, the impact of colorful and diverse emperors on imperial politics, the administrative structure of empire, and the Roman army and how warfare affected the Roman world. He also surveys cultural and social life, including religion and the rise of Christianity. Generously enhanced with maps and illustrations, this book is a rich and inspiring account of a mighty civilization and the citizens who made it so.   "A lucid survey of Roman history." —Adam Kirsch, New Yorker   "One of the great joys of Campbell's unfailingly readable account is the readiness with which it returns to the Roman record, drawing on ancient sources to give a lively and immediate feel for Roman life and culture." —Michael Kerrigan, Scotsman   "[Campbell] masterfully discusses military affairs (as expected from this scholar) . . . Excellent translations of ancient sources enliven the text. . . . Rare will be the scholar who also does not learn from Campbell." —P.B. Harvey Jr., Choice

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Annals - Tacitus & Cynthia Damon Cover Art

Annals

Annals by Tacitus & Cynthia Damon

A compelling new translation of Tacitus' Annals , one of the greatest accounts of ancient Rome, by Cynthia Damon. Tacitus' Annals recounts the major historical events from the years shortly before the death of Augustus to the death of Nero in AD 68. With clarity and vivid intensity Tacitus describes the reign of terror under the corrupt Tiberius, the great fire of Rome during the time of Nero and the wars, poisonings, scandals, conspiracies and murders that were part of imperial life. Despite his claim that the Annals were written objectively, Tacitus' account is sharply critical of the emperors' excesses and fearful for the future of imperial Rome, while also filled with a longing for its past glories. This new Penguin Classics edition also includes chronologies, notes, appendices, a genealogy and an introduction discussing Tacitus's life and his approach to history.

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The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire - Edward Gibbon Cover Art

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume 1 by Edward Gibbon

In judging the 'The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' it should carefully be observed that it falls into two parts which are heterogeneous in the method of treatment. The first part, a little more than five-eighths of the work, supplies a very full history of 460 years (A.D. 180–641); the second and smaller part is a summary history of about 800 years (A.D. 641–1453) in which certain episodes are selected for fuller treatment and so made prominent. To the first part unstinted praise must be accorded; it may be said that, with the materials at the author's disposition, it hardly admitted of improvement, except in trifling details. But the second, notwithstanding the brilliancy of the narrative and the masterly art in the grouping of events, suffers from a radical defect which renders it a misleading guide. The author designates the story of the later empire at Constantinople (after Heraclius) as "a uniform tale of weakness and misery," a judgment which is entirely false; and in accordance with this doctrine, he makes the empire, which is his proper subject, merely a string for connecting great movements which affected it, such as the Saracen conquests, the Crusades, the Mongol invasions, the Turkish conquests. He failed to bring out the momentous fact that up to the 12th century the empire was the bulwark of Europe against the East, nor did he appreciate its importance in preserving the heritage of Greek civilization. He compressed into a single chapter the domestic history and policy of the emperors from the son of Heraclius to Isaac Angelus; and did no justice to the remarkable ability and the indefatigable industry shown in the service of the state by most of the sovereigns from Leo III. to Basil II. He did not penetrate into the deeper causes underlying the revolutions and palace intrigues. His eye rested only on superficial characteristics which have served to associate the name "Byzantine" with treachery, cruelty, bigotry and decadence. It was reserved for Finlay to depict, with greater knowledge and a juster perception, the lights and shades of Byzantine history. Thus the later part of the Decline and Fall, while the narrative of certain episodes will always be read with profit, does not convey a true idea of the history of the empire or of its significance in the history of Europe. It must be added that the pages on the Slavonic peoples and their relations to the empire are conspicuously insufficient; but it must be taken into account that it was not till many years after Gibbon's death that Slavonic history began to receive due attention, in consequence of the rise of competent scholars among the Slavs themselves. This is volume one out of twelve.

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Roman Aristocrats in Barbarian Gaul - Ralph Whitney Mathisen Cover Art

Roman Aristocrats in Barbarian Gaul

Roman Aristocrats in Barbarian Gaul Strategies for Survival in an Age of Transition by Ralph Whitney Mathisen

A study of the collapse of Roman rule in ancient Gaul and the shift to Germanic power. Skin-clad barbarians ransacking Rome remains a popular image of the "decline and fall" of the Roman Empire, but why, when, and how the Empire actually fell are still matters of debate among students of classical history. In this pioneering study, Ralph W. Mathisen examines the "fall" in one part of the western Empire, Gaul, to better understand the shift from Roman to Germanic power that occurred in the region during the fifth century AD. Mathisen uncovers two apparently contradictory trends. First, he finds that barbarian settlement did provoke significant changes in Gaul, including the disappearance of most secular offices under the Roman imperial administration, the appropriation of land and social influence by the barbarians, and a rise in the overall level of violence. Yet he also shows that the Roman aristocrats proved remarkably adept at retaining their rank and status. How did the aristocracy hold on? Mathisen rejects traditional explanations and demonstrates that rather than simply opposing the barbarians, or passively accepting them, the Roman aristocrats directly responded to them in various ways. Some left Gaul. Others tried to ignore the changes wrought by the newcomers. Still others directly collaborated with the barbarians, looking to them as patrons and holding office in barbarian governments. Most significantly, however, many were willing to change the criteria that determined membership in the aristocracy. Two new characteristics of the Roman aristocracy in fifth-century Gaul were careers in the church and greater emphasis on classical literary culture. These findings shed new light on an age in transition. Mathisen's theory that barbarian integration into Roman society was a collaborative process rather than a conquest is sure to provoke much thought and debate. All historians who study the process of power transfer from native to alien elites will want to consult this work. "I can warmly recommend Mathisen's latest book to all students of the western provinces in Late Antiquity. It is a well-planned, well-presented, lucid and illuminating work that confidently gathers together ideas that Mathisen and other scholars . . . have been floating for the last few years, and takes them to a very satisfying conclusion. In brief, Mathisen provides an excellent summary of recent research in his field . . . enlivened by his own interpretation of a number of important issues." ― International Journal of the Classical Tradition

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The Ecclesiastical History - Eusebius Cover Art

The Ecclesiastical History

The Ecclesiastical History Complete 10 Book Edition: The Early Christianity: From A.D. 1-324 by Eusebius

Eusebius's 'The Ecclesiastical History' is a significant work that provides a comprehensive account of the early Christian Church, spanning from the time of Jesus Christ to the fourth century AD. Written in a clear and concise style, the book offers detailed insights into the growth and development of Christianity, including important events, key figures, and theological debates. Eusebius's meticulous research and objective approach make this work a valuable source for scholars and historians studying early Christianity. The book is also notable for its inclusion of numerous original sources and citations, providing readers with a well-rounded understanding of the historical context in which the Christian faith emerged and spread. Eusebius, known as the 'Father of Church History,' was a prominent Christian bishop and historian living in the fourth century AD. His deep knowledge of Christian tradition and commitment to preserving historical records influenced his decision to write 'The Ecclesiastical History.' Scholars and readers interested in early Christian history and theology will find this book an essential read, shedding light on the formative years of the Christian Church and its enduring impact on Western civilization.

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Memento Mori - Peter Jones Cover Art

Memento Mori

Memento Mori What the Romans Can Tell Us About Old Age and Death by Peter Jones

In this revealing and entertaining guide to how the Romans confronted their own mortality, Peter Jones shows us that all the problems associated with old age and death that so transfix us today were already dealt with by our ancient ancestors two thousand years ago. Romans inhabited a world where man, knowing nothing about hygiene let alone disease, had no defences against nature. Death was everywhere. Half of all Roman children were dead by the age of five. Only eight per cent of the population made it over sixty. One bizarre result was that half the population consisted of teenagers. From the elites' philosophical take on the brevity of life to the epitaphs left by butchers, bakers and buffoons, Memento Mori ('Remember you die') shows how the Romans faced up to this world and attempted to take the sting out of death.

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Greek Mythology: A Concise Guide to Ancient Gods, Heroes, Beliefs and Myths of Greek Mythology - Hourly History Cover Art

Greek Mythology: A Concise Guide to Ancient Gods, Heroes, Beliefs and Myths of Greek Mythology

Greek Mythology: A Concise Guide to Ancient Gods, Heroes, Beliefs and Myths of Greek Mythology by Hourly History

Greek Mythology is an enormous field of study and a brief guide is a daunting task for any writer. The myths have a way of entwining one with another, and it is difficult to present a coherent story line without feeling one has omitted the best part of the story.  Inside you will read about… • What Is A Myth? • The Sources Of Greek Mythology • The Creation Of The Universe And The Gods • What Of Man? What Of Woman? • The Greek Pantheon • The Trojan War • The Influence Of Greek Drama • Two Greek Mortal Heroes In Mythological Tales Discover the captivating world of Greek mythology, filled with mighty gods, heroic mortals, and epic adventures. From Zeus and Athena to Hercules and the Trojan War, these timeless tales have shaped literature and culture for centuries. Perfect for mythology lovers and curious minds alike. Get your copy today and journey into the legends of ancient Greece!

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Rubicon - Tom Holland Cover Art

Rubicon

Rubicon The Last Years of the Roman Republic by Tom Holland

A vivid historical account of the social world of Julius Caesar’s Rome as it moved from republic to empire, from the acclaimed author of Dynasty and co-host of the hit podcast The Rest Is History “A fascinating picture of Roman city life . . . In every aspect of this story, Holland expertly makes the Romans, so alien and yet so familiar, relevant to us.”— Los Angeles Times “Stunning . . . Holland keeps his narrative moving at chariot-race speed.”— Newsday In 49 B.C., the seven hundred fifth year since the founding of Rome, Julius Caesar crossed a small border river called the Rubicon and plunged Rome into cataclysmic civil war. Tom Holland’s enthralling account tells the story of Caesar’s generation, witness to the twilight of the Republic and its bloody transformation into an empire. From Cicero, Spartacus, and Brutus, to Cleopatra, Virgil, and Augustus, here are some of the most legendary figures in history brought thrillingly to life. Combining verve and freshness with scrupulous scholarship, Rubicon is not only an engrossing history of this pivotal era but a uniquely resonant portrait of a great civilization in all its extremes of self-sacrifice and rivalry, decadence and catastrophe, intrigue, war, and world-shaking ambition.

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The Misunderstood Jew - Amy-Jill Levine Cover Art

The Misunderstood Jew

The Misunderstood Jew The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine

New Testament scholar Amy-Jill Levine has dedicated her career to facilitating greater interfaith dialogue by helping Christians and Jews understand the Jewishness of Jesus. In The Misunderstood Jew, Levine argues that liberal Christians misunderstand Judaism in general and the New Testament in particular, removing Jesus from his Jewish context and unwittingly promoting hatred of Jews. In addition, she charges Jews with willful ignorance of Jesus and his message. This book is designed to provoke honest dialogue about how Christians and Jews should understand Jesus, the Gospels, and our New Testament heritage. Amy-Jill Levine is Professor of New Testament Studies and Religion, Gender, and Sexuality at Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, TN. Levine has been awarded grants from the Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the American Council of Learned Societies. She has been interviewed by Diane Sawyer on ABC’s “20/20” and on NBC’s “Dateline,” has been a featured expert on several CNN, A&E, and Discovery Channel specials, has been interviewed on NPR and quoted in Time, Newsweek, US News & World Report, and the New York Times. “Amy-Jill Levine combines brilliant scholarship with a keen historic consciousness to produce this powerful and provocative book. Calling Christians and Jews alike to move beyond their shallow and distorting stereotypes of each other, The Misunderstood Jew will open a new chapter in both religious understanding and mutual appreciation.” – John Shelby Spong, author of Liberating the Gospels: Reading the Bible with Jewish Eyes

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Killing Jesus - Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard Cover Art

Killing Jesus

Killing Jesus A History by Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard

Millions of readers have thrilled to bestselling authors Bill O'Reilly and historian Martin Dugard's Killing Kennedy and Killing Lincoln , page-turning works of nonfiction that have changed the way we read history. The basis for the 2015 television film available on streaming. Now the iconic anchor of The O'Reilly Factor details the events leading up to the murder of the most influential man in history: Jesus of Nazareth. Nearly two thousand years after this beloved and controversial young revolutionary was brutally killed by Roman soldiers, more than 2.2 billion human beings attempt to follow his teachings and believe he is God. Killing Jesus will take readers inside Jesus's life, recounting the seismic political and historical events that made his death inevitable - and changed the world forever.

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Sparta's First Attic War - Paul Anthony Rahe Cover Art

Sparta's First Attic War

Sparta's First Attic War The Grand Strategy of Classical Sparta, 478–446 B.C. by Paul Anthony Rahe

A "provocative, intriguing and cogently argued" exploration of the collapse of the Spartan-Athenian alliance (David Stuttard,  Classics for All ).   During the Persian Wars, Sparta and Athens worked in tandem to defeat what was, in terms of relative resources and power, the greatest empire in human history. For the decade and a half that followed, they continued their collaboration until a rift opened and an intense, strategic rivalry began.   In a continuation of his series on ancient Sparta, noted historian Paul Rahe examines the grounds for their alliance, the reasons for its eventual collapse, and the first stage in an enduring conflict that would wreak havoc on Greece for six decades. Throughout, Rahe argues that the alliance between Sparta and Athens and their eventual rivalry were extensions of their domestic policy, and that the grand strategy each articulated in the wake of the Persian Wars and the conflict that arose in due course grew out of the opposed material interests and moral imperatives inherent in their different regimes.   Praise for the series   "Persuasive." — New York Times Book Review "[Rahe] has an excellent eye for military logistics." — Wall Street Journal

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Misquoting Jesus - Bart D. Ehrman Cover Art

Misquoting Jesus

Misquoting Jesus The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why by Bart D. Ehrman

When consulting the New Testament, most people today assume they are reading the very words that Jesus spoke or St. Paul wrote. And yet, for almost 1,500 years manuscripts were copied by hand by scribes — often untrained — who were deeply influenced by the theological and political disputes of their day. Mistakes and intentional changes continue to plague biblical scholars, who must determine which words, phrases, or stories are the most likely to be accurate. In Misquoting Jesus, author Bart D. Ehrman presents the fascinating history of where and why changes were made in our earliest surviving biblical manuscripts. These changes continue to have a dramatic impact on widely-held beliefs concerning the divinity of Jesus, the Trinity, and the divine origins of the Bible itself. For the first time, leading Bible scholar Ehrman reveals the many early variations of our cherished biblical stories and discusses why only certain versions of those stories qualify for publication in the Bibles we read today. Bart D. Ehrman chairs the department of religious studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. A leading authority on the early Church and the life of Jesus, he is the author of twenty books and lives in Durham, N.C. “[Ehrman’s] absorbing story, fresh and lively prose, and seasoned insights into the challenges of recreating the texts of the New Testament ensure that readers might never read the Gospels or Paul’s letters the same way again.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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Ancient Egypt - DK Cover Art

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt The Definitive Visual History by DK

Discover the intimate details of life under the pharaohs--and their extraordinary legacy--in this fascinating e-guide to Egypt's ancient civilization. Encompassing 3,000 years and 31 Egyptian dynasties, from the time of Narmer to Cleopatra, this fresh appraisal of ancient treasures helps you navigate the political intrigues and cultural achievements of the Ancient Egyptians, from the Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza to the Great Library and Lighthouse of Alexandria. You'll meet pharaohs such as King Tutankhamun--whose mummified remains and lavish grave goods reveal so much about the society and its beliefs--as well as influential women such as Hatshepsut and Nefertiti, and warriors including Alexander the Great. Lavish photographs reveal the exquisite craftsmanship of their scribes, artists, and metalworkers, and the tomb paintings and relief carvings that captured the everyday life of farmers, artisans, soldiers, and traders in exquisite detail. Exclusive CGI reconstructions use the latest scientific information to recreate the finest tombs, temples, and pyramids. Beautifully illustrated, and unparalleled in scope, Ancient Egypt is the perfect ebook for anyone with an interest in ancient civilizations and Egyptology.

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Babylon - Paul Kriwaczek Cover Art

Babylon

Babylon Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization by Paul Kriwaczek

Civilization was born eight thousand years ago, between the floodplains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, when migrants from the surrounding mountains and deserts began to create increasingly sophisticated urban societies. In the cities that they built, half of human history took place. In Babylon, Paul Kriwaczek tells the story of Mesopotamia from the earliest settlements seven thousand years ago to the eclipse of Babylon in the sixth century BCE. Bringing the people of this land to life in vibrant detail, the author chronicles the rise and fall of power during this period and explores the political and social systems, as well as the technical and cultural innovations, which made this land extraordinary. At the heart of this book is the story of Babylon, which rose to prominence under the Amorite king Hammurabi from about 1800 BCE. Even as Babylon's fortunes waxed and waned, it never lost its allure as the ancient world's greatest city. Engaging and compelling, Babylon reveals the splendor of the ancient world that laid the foundation for civilization itself.

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The Bloodlines of The Elite and The History of The Illuminati - Archangel Metatron Cover Art

The Bloodlines of The Elite and The History of The Illuminati

The Bloodlines of The Elite and The History of The Illuminati by Archangel Metatron

The following is an understandable, detailed, and summarized timeline of events and people which have been proven scientifically, archaeologically, genetically and historically. It is time you all wake up and see the world for what it truly is. Please know this was not written    in order to attack any personal beliefs, but rather to let you know what is really going on. You have been lied to. We, The Anonymous Charity are no writers, merely researchers. You must open your mind and free yourself from the brainwashing control they have put you under, if you are to continue this. You must realize that what you know is simply not true and these broadcasts and the evidence brought forth here will challenge and discredit most, if not everything that you believe. It will hurt your feelings. You will want to be defensive and not try to listen to the content. It will make you angry. You will start to understand and your eyes will begin to open. It will make you act. You will know the truth and you will understand that freedom is only obtained when we speak the truth. Your life is about to change. Welcome to The Collective HQ. Let's begin with the very structure of the group of people we will discuss. The structure beings with DNA. The Blood.

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Serpent in the Sky - John Anthony West Cover Art

Serpent in the Sky

Serpent in the Sky The High Wisdom of Ancient Egypt by John Anthony West

John Anthony West's revolutionary reinterpretation of the civilization of Egypt challenges all that has been accepted as dogma concerning Ancient Egypt. In this pioneering study West documents that: Hieroglyphs carry hermetic messages that convey the subtler realities of the Sacred Science of the Pharaohs. Egyptian science, medicine, mathematics, and astronomy were more sophisticated than most modern Egyptologists acknowledge. Egyptian knowledge of the universe was a legacy from a highly sophisticated civilization that flourished thousands of years ago. The great Sphinx represents geological proof that such a civilization existed. This revised edition includes a new introduction linking Egyptian spiritual science with the perennial wisdom tradition and an appendix updating West's work in redating the Sphinx. Illustrated with over 140 photographs and line drawings.

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Ancient Egypt: History in an Hour - Anthony Holmes Cover Art

Ancient Egypt: History in an Hour

Ancient Egypt: History in an Hour by Anthony Holmes

Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour. Learn about the Egyptian gods, mummification and how the Egyptians built the only wonder of the ancient world still standing – the Pyramids of Giza. Exploring the historic rise of Egyptian civilization and its continued influence on the world today, Ancient Egypt in an Hour is an excellent companion to a mysterious and enthralling period of history. Know your stuff: discover ancient Egypt in just one hour. Reviews ‘If the past is a foreign country, History in an Hour is like a high-class tour operator, offering delightfully enjoyable short breaks in the rich and diverse continent of our shared past’ Dominic Sandbrook ‘The practice of History is ever-evolving, and the History In An Hour idea brings it back up to date for the digital age’ Andrew Roberts, Bookseller ‘This is genius’ MacWorld.com About the author After a career in the management of international engineering companies, Anthony Holmes retired in 2000 and from that time he has concentrated on writing books and articles, mainly in the field of history.

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The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt - Toby Wilkinson Cover Art

The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt

The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt by Toby Wilkinson

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Magisterial . . . [A] rich portrait of ancient Egypt’s complex evolution over the course of three millenniums.”— Los Angeles Times   NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • Publishers Weekly   In this landmark volume, one of the world’s most renowned Egyptologists tells the epic story of this great civilization, from its birth as the first nation-state to its absorption into the Roman Empire. Drawing upon forty years of archaeological research, award-winning scholar Toby Wilkinson takes us inside a tribal society with a pre-monetary economy and decadent, divine kings who ruled with all-too-recognizable human emotions. Here are the legendary leaders: Akhenaten, the “heretic king,” who with his wife Nefertiti brought about a revolution with a bold new religion; Tutankhamun, whose dazzling tomb would remain hidden for three millennia; and eleven pharaohs called Ramesses, the last of whom presided over the militarism, lawlessness, and corruption that caused a political and societal decline. Filled with new information and unique interpretations, The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt is a riveting and revelatory work of wild drama, bold spectacle, unforgettable characters, and sweeping history.   “With a literary flair and a sense for a story well told, Mr. Wilkinson offers a highly readable, factually up-to-date account.”— The Wall Street Journal   “[Wilkinson] writes with considerable verve. . . . [He] is nimble at conveying the sumptuous pageantry and cultural sophistication of pharaonic Egypt.”— The New York Times

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The Trojan War - Eric H. Cline Cover Art

The Trojan War

The Trojan War A Very Short Introduction by Eric H. Cline

The Iliad, Homer's epic tale of the abduction of Helen and the decade-long Trojan War, has fascinated mankind for millennia. Even today, the war inspires countless articles and books, extensive archaeological excavations, movies, television documentaries, even souvenirs and collectibles. But while the ancients themselves believed that the Trojan War took place, scholars of the modern era have sometimes derided it as a piece of fiction. Combining archaeological data and textual analysis of ancient documents, this Very Short Introduction considers whether or not the war actually took place and whether archaeologists have really discovered the site of ancient Troy. To answer these questions, archaeologist and ancient historian Eric H. Cline examines various written sources, including the works of Homer, the Epic Cycle (fragments from other, now-lost Greek epics), classical plays, and Virgil's Aeneid. Throughout, the author tests the literary claims against the best modern archaeological evidence, showing for instance that Homer, who lived in the Iron Age, for the most part depicted Bronze Age warfare with accuracy. Cline also tells the engaging story of the archaeologists--Heinrich Schliemann and his successors Wilhelm Dörpfeld, Carl Blegen, and Manfred Korfmann--who found the long-vanished site of Troy through excavations at Hisarlik, Turkey. Drawing on evidence found at Hisarlik and elsewhere, Cline concludes that a war or wars in the vicinity of Troy probably did take place during the Late Bronze Age, forming the nucleus of a story that was handed down orally for centuries until put into final form by Homer. But Cline suggests that, even allowing that a Trojan War took place, it probably was not fought because of Helen's abduction, though such an incident may have provided the justification for a war actually fought for more compelling economic and political motives. About the Series: Oxford's Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects--from Islam to Sociology, Politics to Classics, Literary Theory to History, and Archaeology to the Bible. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume in this series provides trenchant and provocative--yet always balanced and complete--discussions of the central issues in a given discipline or field. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of the subject in question, demonstrating how the subject has developed and how it has influenced society. Eventually, the series will encompass every major academic discipline, offering all students an accessible and abundant reference library. Whatever the area of study that one deems important or appealing, whatever the topic that fascinates the general reader, the Very Short Introductions series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable.

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The Writing of the Gods - Edward Dolnick Cover Art

The Writing of the Gods

The Writing of the Gods The Race to Decode the Rosetta Stone by Edward Dolnick

The fast-paced and “engrossing account” ( The New York Times Book Review ) of “one of the greatest breakthroughs in archaeological history” ( The Christian Science Monitor ): two rival geniuses in a race to decode the writing on one of the world’s most famous documents—the Rosetta Stone. The Rosetta Stone is one of the most famous objects in the world, attracting millions of visitors to the British museum every year, and yet most people don’t really know what it is. Discovered in a pile of rubble in 1799, this slab of stone proved to be the key to unlocking a lost language that baffled scholars for centuries. Carved in ancient Egypt, the Rosetta Stone carried the same message in different languages—in Greek using Greek letters, and in Egyptian using picture-writing called hieroglyphs. Until its discovery, no one in the world knew how to read the hieroglyphs that covered every temple and text and statue in Egypt. Dominating the world for thirty centuries, ancient Egypt was the mightiest empire the world had ever known, yet everything about it—the pyramids, mummies, the Sphinx—was shrouded in mystery. Whoever was able to decipher the Rosetta Stone would solve that mystery and fling open a door that had been locked for two thousand years. Two brilliant rivals set out to win that prize. One was English, the other French, at a time when England and France were enemies and the world’s two great superpowers. Written “like a thriller” ( Star Tribune , Minneapolis), The Writing of the Gods chronicles this high-stakes intellectual race in which the winner would win glory for both himself and his nation. A riveting portrait of empires both ancient and modern, this is an unparalleled look at the culture and history of ancient Egypt, “and also a lesson…in what the human mind does when faced with a puzzle” ( The New Yorker ).

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Sparta: Rise of a Warrior Nation - Philip Matyszak Cover Art

Sparta: Rise of a Warrior Nation

Sparta: Rise of a Warrior Nation by Philip Matyszak

This cultural history of Ancient Sparta chronicles the rise of its legendary military power and offers revealing insight into the people behind the myths.   The Spartans of ancient Greece are typically portrayed as macho heroes: noble, laconic, totally fearless, and impervious to pain. And indeed, they often lived up to this image. But life was not as simple as this image suggests. In truth, ancient Sparta was a city of contrasts.   We might admire their physical toughness, but Spartans also systematically abused their children. They gave rights to female citizens that were unmatched in Europe until the modern era, meanwhile subjecting their conquered subject peoples to a murderous reign of terror. Though idealized by the Athenian contemporaries of Socrates, Sparta was almost devoid of intellectual achievement.   In this revealing history of Spartan society, Philip Matyszak chronicles the rise of the city from a Peloponnesian village to the military superpower of Greece. Above all, Matyszak investigates the role of the Spartan hoplite, the archetypal Greek warrior who was feared throughout Greece in his own day and has since become a legend. The reader is shown the man behind the myth; who he was, who he thought he was, and the environment which produced him.

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The Complete Josephus Collection - Titus Flavius Josephus Cover Art

The Complete Josephus Collection

The Complete Josephus Collection Antiquities of the Jews, Autobiography of Josephus, An Extract Out Of Josephus's Discourse To The Greeks Concerning Hades, and The Wars of the Jews by Titus Flavius Josephus

Titus Flavius Josephus (37 – circa 100) was a 1st-century Roman-Jewish historian and hagiographer of priestly and royal ancestry who recorded Jewish history, with special emphasis on the 1st century AD and the First Jewish–Roman War which resulted in the Destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. He has been credited by many as recording some of the earliest history of Jesus Christ outside of the gospels, this being an item of contention among historians. Josephus was a law-observant Jew who believed in the compatibility of Judaism and Graeco-Roman thought, commonly referred to as Hellenistic Judaism. His most important works were The Jewish War (c. 75 AD) and Antiquities of the Jews (c. 94 AD).  Antiquities of the Jews recounts the history of the world from a Jewish perspective for a Roman audience. These works provide valuable insight into 1st century Judaism and the background of Early Christianity. In the first 10 volumes, Josephus follows the events of the historical books of the Hebrew Bible beginning with the creation of Adam and Eve. The second 10 volumes continue the history of the Jewish people beyond the biblical text and up to the Jewish War. Josephus also wrote an autobiography of his life, which was so distinguished that the Romans awarded him citizenship.  Josephus's Discourse to the Greeks concerning Hades is a short work published in the translation of Josephus by William Whiston. Erroneously attributed to the Jewish since at least the 9th century, it is now believed to be (at least in its original form) the work of Hippolytus of Rome. This work describes the author's views on the afterlife against the prevailing view of the "Greeks" (i.e., the Greco-Romans) of his day. He asserts that "Hades is a place in the world not regularly finished; a subterraneous region, wherein the light of this world does not shine; from which circumstance, that in this region the light does not shine, it cannot be but there must be in it perpetual darkness . This region is allotted as a place of custody for souls, in which angels are appointed as guardians to them, who distribute to them temporary punishments, agreeable to every one's behavior and manners." There are many references to the New Testament throughout the "Discourse". The Jewish War , also referred to in English as The Wars of the Jews and The History of the Destruction of Jerusalem , is a description of Jewish history from the capture of Jerusalem by the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 164 BC to the fall and destruction of Jerusalem in the First Jewish–Roman War in AD 70. The book was written around 75 A.D. It was later translated into Greek, probably under the supervision of Josephus himself. Josephus’ work remains one of the only accounts of the First Jewish-Roman War.

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Rome and Jerusalem - Martin Goodman Cover Art

Rome and Jerusalem

Rome and Jerusalem The Clash of Ancient Civilizations by Martin Goodman

A magisterial history of the titanic struggle between the Roman and Jewish worlds that led to the destruction of Jerusalem. Martin Goodman—equally renowned in Jewish and in Roman studies—examines this conflict, its causes, and its consequences with unprecedented authority and thoroughness. He delineates the incompatibility between the cultural, political, and religious beliefs and practices of the two peoples and explains how Rome's interests were served by a policy of brutality against the Jews. At the same time, Christians began to distance themselves from their origins, becoming increasingly hostile toward Jews as Christian influence spread within the empire. This is the authoritative work of how these two great civilizations collided and how the reverberations are felt to this day.

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A Year in the Life of Ancient Egypt - Ann Rosalie David Cover Art

A Year in the Life of Ancient Egypt

A Year in the Life of Ancient Egypt by Ann Rosalie David

An overview of daily life in ancient Egypt, its society, and culture. Based on years of prestigious academic work, Professor Rosalie David cleverly presents every aspect of life in ancient Egypt through the lives of various characters, all based on mummies from the Manchester Museum whom Professor Rosalie David has led the study of. Characters hail from all walks of life, including royalty, nobles, officials, craftsmen and peasants, allowing us an insight into absolutely every aspect of everyday, ritual and religious life in ancient Egypt. The book provides an overview of the many dynasties and kingdoms of ancient Egypt before beginning to tell the story of the lives of one family. All three seasons of inundation, planting and growing, and harvesting are covered as well as all ritual and religious events, including birth and death. The book is extremely easy to read and digest, however, the attention to detail and the vivid picture of life which we are able to build makes it clear that this book has been written by one of the leading authorities in Egyptology and mummy research.

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The Complete Livy - Livy Cover Art

The Complete Livy

The Complete Livy The History of Rome - "Ab Urbe Condita Libri" by Livy

"The History of Rome", or "Ab Urbe Condita Libri" is a monumental history of Ancient Rome written in Latin around 27 BC by the historian Titus Livius, known in English as Livy. The work covers the time from the story of Aeneas and the mythologized founding of Rome in 753 BC, up to Livy's own time in the reign of the Emperor Augustus. Only about 25% of the original massive work survives - but that which does provides an unparalleled insight into the Roman World.

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The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians - Sir E. A. Wallis Budge Cover Art

The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians

The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians by Sir E. A. Wallis Budge

This is an electronic edition of the complete book complemented by author biography. This book features a table of contents linked to every chapter. The book was designed for optimal navigation on the Kindle, PDA, Smartphone, and other electronic readers. It is formatted to display on all electronic devices including the Kindle, Smartphones and other Mobile Devices with a small display.

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The Grand Strategy of Classical Sparta - Paul Anthony Rahe Cover Art

The Grand Strategy of Classical Sparta

The Grand Strategy of Classical Sparta The Persian Challenge by Paul Anthony Rahe

> "Powerfully illustrates . . . that this regime determined the character and limits of Sparta's domestic and foreign policy." (Susan D. Collins,  The Review of Politics) More than 2500 years ago a confederation of small Greek city-states defeated the invading armies of Persia, the most powerful empire in the world. In this meticulously researched study, historian Paul Rahe argues that Sparta was responsible for the initial establishment of the Hellenic defensive coalition and was the most essential player in its ultimate victory. Drawing from an impressive range of ancient sources, including Herodotus and Plutarch, the author veers from the traditional Atheno-centric view of the Greco-Persian Wars to examine from a Spartan perspective the strategy that halted the Persian juggernaut. Rahe provides a fascinating, detailed picture of life in Sparta circa 480 B.C., revealing how the Spartans' form of government and the regimen to which they subjected themselves instilled within them the pride, confidence, discipline, and discernment necessary to forge an alliance that would stand firm against a great empire, driven by religious fervor, that held sway over two-fifths of the human race.  "[Rahe] has an excellent eye for military logistics . . . crisp and persuasive." — The Wall Street Journal "Intensely well-researched and well-balanced." —Steve Donoghue,  The National "Masterful." —Joseph Bottum,  Books and Culture "A serious scholarly endeavor." —Eric W. Robinson,  American Historical Review "This brilliant revisionist study . . . reminds us how Sparta . . . saved Western freedom from the Persian aggression—and did so because of its innate courage, political stability, and underappreciated genius." —Victor Davis Hanson, author of  The Other Greeks   "Full of keen understandings that help explain Spartan policy, diplomacy, and strategy." —Donald Kagan, author of  The Peloponnesian War

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The Military Institutions of the Romans - Flavius Vegetus Renatus Cover Art

The Military Institutions of the Romans

The Military Institutions of the Romans by Flavius Vegetus Renatus

De Re Militari (Military Institutions of the Romans) is a work by Flavius Vegetius Renatus to the Emperor of Rome. It was written to present and explain the methods and practices which brought Rome to the height of its power and glory. Vegetius emphasized the selection, training, and discipline of soldiers. He also discussed strategy, tactics, and logistics.  De Re Militari was the premier guide in Europe on all matters military through the Middle Ages. To this day, it is one of the most influential military works of all time.

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Soldier of Rome: March to Oblivion - James Mace Cover Art

Soldier of Rome: March to Oblivion

Soldier of Rome: March to Oblivion by James Mace

In 89 A.D., following a failed insurrection by the governor of Upper Germania, the disgraced Legio XXI, Rapax, is dispatched to Pannonia, on the River Danube. The legion is purged of its senior officers; Emperor Domitian appoints the venerable Lucius Flavius Silva as the new commanding legate. Silva was a revered general. During his previous command, twenty years prior, he famously captured the Herodian Fortress of Masada at the end of the Great Jewish Revolt. Three years later a young staff tribune, Tiberius Artorius Castus, arrives at the legion's fortress of Carnuntum on his first duty posting. Idealistic if a touch naïve, he aspires to live up to the martial legacy of the Artorians who came before him. Acting as his chief mentor is Centurion Primus Ordo Gavius Lucifer. A decorated veteran who rallied a band of loyalists during the Germania revolt in support of Emperor Domitian, he is one of the only senior officers to survive the legion's subsequent purging. Within months of Tiberius' arrival, indigenous Marcomanni and Quadi tribesmen openly rebel, supported by thousands of their kinsmen from north of the Danube. Aiding them is a large contingent of Rhoxolani heavy cavalry, led by a Sarmatian general who survived Roman crucifixion and now seeks revenge against the Empire. Cut off from the rest of the province, Legio XXI finds itself in a bitter struggle for survival. The emperor orders his best general, Marcus Ulpius Trajan from Hispania with a large army to crush the rebellion and save the embattled legion. Knowing that reinforcements must travel more than a thousand miles on a trek that will take months, Silva orders Legio XXI make its' stand against their overwhelming adversaries. They either march to victorious redemption or the cold embrace of oblivion.

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The Mad Emperor - Harry Sidebottom Cover Art

The Mad Emperor

The Mad Emperor Heliogabalus and the Decadence of Rome by Harry Sidebottom

What happens when you put the Roman Empire in the hands of a teenage boy? Discover the scandalous life and times of Rome's worst emperor. 'Buy the book; it's very entertaining.' David Aaronovitch, The Times On 8 June 218 AD, a fourteen-year-old Syrian boy, egged on by his grandmother, led an army to battle in a Roman civil war. Against all expectations, he was victorious. Varius Avitus Bassianus, known to the modern world as Heliogabalus, was proclaimed emperor. The next four years were to be the strangest in the history of the empire. Heliogabalus humiliated the prestigious Senators and threw extravagant dinner parties for lower-class friends. He ousted Jupiter from his summit among the gods and replaced him with Elagabal. He married a Vestal Virgin – twice . Rumours abounded that he was a prostitute. In the first biography of Heliogabalus in over half a century, Harry Sidebottom unveils the high drama of sex, religion, power and culture in Ancient Rome as we’ve never seen it before. ***** A Financial Times , BBC History and Spectator Book of the Year 'Combining the pace of a novelist, the training of a scholar and the instincts of a true historian, this is a wonderful exploration of the Roman world under its strangest emperor.' Adrian Goldsworthy, author of Pax Romana 'The decadence, debauchery and sexual promiscuity that marked the adolescent’s time on the imperial throne make for a rollicking read.' Daily Mail 'Ancient history was never less dry than in Harry Sidebottom’s superbly entertaining and always scholarly account of the reign of Heliogabalus... There is something for every reader: sex, politics, scandals and a compelling portrait of imperial society and culture.' Financial Times

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Easy Lessons in Egyptian Hieroglyphics - E. A. Wallis Budge Cover Art

Easy Lessons in Egyptian Hieroglyphics

Easy Lessons in Egyptian Hieroglyphics by E. A. Wallis Budge

Written by perhaps the most prolific, erudite Egyptologist of the 20th century, this solid guide to hieroglyphics remains the standard introduction. Budge gives the history of hieroglyphic writing, its evolution into hieratic and demotic scripts, and the fascinating tale of its decipherment by Young, Champollion, Åkerblad, and others.

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Roman Republic at War - Don Taylor Cover Art

Roman Republic at War

Roman Republic at War A Compendium of Battles from 502 to 31 B.C. by Don Taylor

Descriptions of every significant battle fought by the Roman Republic between 480 and 31 BC—and most of the minor ones too: "Amazing" ( Books Monthly ).   The information in each entry of this remarkable book is drawn exclusively from ancient texts in order to offer a brief description of each battle based solely on the information provided by the earliest surviving sources that chronicle the event.   This approach provides the reader a concise foundation of information to which they can then confidently apply later scholarly interpretation presented in secondary sources, achieving a more accurate understanding of the most likely battlefield scenario. In writing the battle descriptions, the author has not sought to analyze the evidence contained in the surviving accounts, nor embellish them beyond that which was necessary to provide clarity to the modern reader. He allows the original writers to speak for themselves, presenting the reader with a succinct version of what the ancient chroniclers tell us of these dramatic events. It is an excellent first-stop reference to the many battles of the Roman Republic.   "An indispensable reference guide for any student of the Roman military." — The NYMAS Review

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Aetius - Ian Hughes Cover Art

Aetius

Aetius Attila's Nemesis by Ian Hughes

"The history of Aetius' life and his dealings with Attila . . . [and] of the (western) Roman Empire throughout the pivotal fifth century." — Ancient Warfare Magazine   In AD 453, Attila—with a huge force composed of Huns, allies, and vassals drawn from his already-vast empire—was rampaging westward across Gaul (essentially modern France), then still nominally part of the Western Roman Empire. Laying siege to Orleans, he was only a few days march from extending his empire from the Eurasian steppe to the Atlantic. He was brought to battle on the Catalaunian Plain and defeated by a coalition hastily assembled and led by Aetius. Who was this man that saved Western Europe from the Hunnic yoke?   Aetius is one of the major figures in the history of the late Roman Empire and his actions helped maintain the integrity of the West in the declining years of the Empire. During the course of his life he was a hostage, first with Alaric and the Goths, and then with Rugila, king of the Huns. His stay with these two peoples helped to give him an unparalleled insight into the minds and military techniques of these "barbarians" which he was to use in later years to halt the depredations of the Huns.   Ian Hughes assesses Aetius' fascinating career and campaigns with the same accessible narrative and analysis he brought to bear on Belisarius and Stilicho.   "A lively, often insightful account of the declining years of Roman power in the West which will be of interest to students of Roman history, the onset of the Dark ages and early Byzantine history." —The New York Military Affairs Symposium

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Greece Against Rome - Philip Matyszak Cover Art

Greece Against Rome

Greece Against Rome The Fall of the Hellenistic Kingdoms 250–31 BC by Philip Matyszak

The acclaimed ancient world historian examines the centuries-long decline of Greek powers in the face of the growing Roman threat. Towards the middle of the third century BC, the Hellenistic kingdoms were near their peak. In terms of population, economy and military power, each was vastly superior to Rome, not to mention in fields such as medicine, architecture, science, philosophy and literature. But over the next two and a half centuries, Rome would eventually conquer these kingdoms while adopting so much of Hellenistic culture that the resultant hybrid is known as 'Graeco-Roman'. In Greece Against Rome , Philip Matyszak relates this epic tale from the Hellenistic perspective. At first, the Romans appear to be little more than another small state in the barbarian west as the Hellenistic powers are consumed by war amongst themselves. It is a time of assassinations, double crosses, dynastic incest, and warfare. By the time they turn their attention to Rome, it is already too late .

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ANCIENT CANAANITES:The Civilization of Canaan Before the Israelites - History Titans Cover Art

ANCIENT CANAANITES:The Civilization of Canaan Before the Israelites

ANCIENT CANAANITES:The Civilization of Canaan Before the Israelites by History Titans

Canaan is the name of the large and wealthy country located in the Levant region. The name Canaan exists in most of the ancient texts, and there is no scholarly agreement on where the name comes from or what it means. In the Bible, this land was named after the grandson of Noah,This book is going to take you through the history of Ancient Canaanites and their culture. First, you will be introduced into a brief history of early life in ancient times. Next, you will start to learn about the way of life of ancient Canaanites.

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Eros - Stella Kalogeraki Cover Art

Eros

Eros Love-Life In Ancient Greece by Stella Kalogeraki

Gods and heroes full of weaknesses fall in love and ‘suffer’ just like mortals. Humans are captives of primordial passion, but free to express it and channel it at will. Worshippers of the beautiful, of the ‘good’, of the comely, they live, teach, learn and fall in love without pausing for breath, without respite, all within a single framework - a ‘totality’ that is complete, and primarily qualitative. Philosophers deep in their musings, ‘seeking’ love, pleasure, true happiness…Women in seclusion, but mistresses of the most fundamental microcosm, marriage and the family. Women free to offer their bodies in an exchange or for payment, within a strictly defined legal framework. Temple prostitutes, courtesans, concubines, harlots, native or foreign, of little culture, of great culture, powerful women, not so powerful women - with clear and designated roles, they participate actively in the fabric of society. And above all - artists, sculptors, painters, and vase-painters ‘observe’ and ‘record’, their eyes and their tools capturing erotic moments of the present, historical sources of the future…

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Civil War - Lucan & Susan H. Braund Cover Art

Civil War

Civil War by Lucan & Susan H. Braund

This new translation in free verse conveys the full force of Lucan's writing and his grimly realistic view of the subject. The Introduction sets the scene for the reader unfamiliar with Lucan and explores his relationship with earlier writers of Latin epic, and his interest in the sensational. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

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The House of Seleucus: All Volumes - Edwin Robert Bevan Cover Art

The House of Seleucus: All Volumes

The House of Seleucus: All Volumes by Edwin Robert Bevan

The House of Seleucus, by noted historian Edwin Robert Bevan, chronicles the history of the Seleucid Empire, founded by Seleucus I Nicator following the death of Alexander the Great. Heraklion Press has included a linked table of contents.