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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Top Ancient History eBooks

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Talking Classics - Mary Beard Cover Art

Talking Classics

Talking Classics The Shock of the Old by Mary Beard

The incomparable Mary Beard is back, and she’s talking all things classics. Why the ongoing fascination with the ancient world? This witty, approachable book asks why—for better or (sometimes) worse—antiquity continues to exert such a powerful hold on the contemporary imagination. Recalling a formative childhood encounter with a four-thousand-year-old piece of bread in a museum, Beard introduces the idea of thauma , or wonder, that kick-started a lifetime engaging with classics. It was not the canonical “greats” of ancient literature and art that initially drew her in, she confesses, but rather the more intimate, messy, and humdrum evidence of daily life in the remote past. Confronting the uses and abuses of symbols of the ancient world, Beard reminds us that the traditions and “masterpieces” of Greece and Rome have certainly been politicized, but they belong to neither the left nor the right. Happily, no one owns the past. She warns us not to let a sense of reverence or overfamiliarity dampen the “shock of the old,” arguing that one of the most important things that classics teach us is how to grapple with complicated and controversial things. “The Greeks and Romans are long dead, they cannot answer back, and you can say what you like about them,” she reminds readers. “The simple fact that classics belong to none of us can offer a safe space to argue about the most difficult debates we face now.” Beard welcomes everyone into classics. “It is not compulsory to be excited by the ancient world,” she writes. “But it can be a shame not to be.” This charming, sharp, and readable book from one of the world’s most entertaining classicists offers something for both new and established fans of classics, bringing new wonder and curiosity to even the most ancient of ideas.  

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Ten Caesars - Barry Strauss Cover Art

Ten Caesars

Ten Caesars Roman Emperors from Augustus to Constantine by Barry Strauss

Bestselling classical historian Barry Strauss delivers “an exceptionally accessible history of the Roman Empire…much of Ten Caesars reads like a script for Game of Thrones” ( The Wall Street Journal ) —a summation of three and a half centuries of the Roman Empire as seen through the lives of ten of the most important emperors, from Augustus to Constantine. In this essential and “enlightening” ( The New York Times Book Review ) work, Barry Strauss tells the story of the Roman Empire from rise to reinvention, from Augustus, who founded the empire, to Constantine, who made it Christian and moved the capital east to Constantinople. During these centuries Rome gained in splendor and territory, then lost both. By the fourth century, the time of Constantine, the Roman Empire had changed so dramatically in geography, ethnicity, religion, and culture that it would have been virtually unrecognizable to Augustus. Rome’s legacy remains today in so many ways, from language, law, and architecture to the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. Strauss examines this enduring heritage through the lives of the men who shaped it: Augustus, Tiberius, Nero, Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus, Diocletian, and Constantine. Over the ages, they learned to maintain the family business—the government of an empire—by adapting when necessary and always persevering no matter the cost. Ten Caesars is a “captivating narrative that breathes new life into a host of transformative figures” ( Publishers Weekly ). This “superb summation of four centuries of Roman history, a masterpiece of compression, confirms Barry Strauss as the foremost academic classicist writing for the general reader today” ( The Wall Street Journal ).

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Alexander the Great - Robin Lane Fox Cover Art

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great by Robin Lane Fox

Tough, resolute, fearless, Alexander was a born warrior and ruler of passionate ambition who understood the intense adventure of conquest and of the unknown. When he died in 323 BC aged thirty-two, his vast empire comprised more than two million square miles, spanning from Greece to India. His achievements were unparalleled - he had excelled as leader to his men, founded eighteen new cities and stamped the face of Greek culture on the ancient East. The myth he created is as potent today as it was in the ancient world. Robin Lane Fox's superb account searches through the mass of conflicting evidence and legend to focus on Alexander as a man of his own time. Combining historical scholarship and acute psychological insight, it brings this colossal figure vividly to life.

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Twelve Caesars - Mary Beard Cover Art

Twelve Caesars

Twelve Caesars Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern by Mary Beard

From the bestselling author of SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome , the fascinating story of how images of Roman autocrats have influenced art, culture, and the representation of power for more than 2,000 years What does the face of power look like? Who gets commemorated in art and why? And how do we react to statues of politicians we deplore? In this book—against a background of today’s “sculpture wars”—Mary Beard tells the story of how for more than two millennia portraits of the rich, powerful, and famous in the western world have been shaped by the image of Roman emperors, especially the “Twelve Caesars,” from the ruthless Julius Caesar to the fly-torturing Domitian. Twelve Caesars asks why these murderous autocrats have loomed so large in art from antiquity and the Renaissance to today, when hapless leaders are still caricatured as Neros fiddling while Rome burns. Beginning with the importance of imperial portraits in Roman politics, this richly illustrated book offers a tour through 2,000 years of art and cultural history, presenting a fresh look at works by artists from Memling and Mantegna to the nineteenth-century American sculptor Edmonia Lewis, as well as by generations of weavers, cabinetmakers, silversmiths, printers, and ceramicists. Rather than a story of a simple repetition of stable, blandly conservative images of imperial men and women, Twelve Caesars is an unexpected tale of changing identities, clueless or deliberate misidentifications, fakes, and often ambivalent representations of authority. From Beard’s reconstruction of Titian’s extraordinary lost Room of the Emperors to her reinterpretation of Henry VIII’s famous Caesarian tapestries, Twelve Caesars includes fascinating detective work and offers a gripping story of some of the most challenging and disturbing portraits of power ever created. Published in association with the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

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Lost Worlds - Patrick Wyman Cover Art

Lost Worlds

Lost Worlds How Humans Tried, Failed, Succeeded, and Built Our World by Patrick Wyman

" Lost Worlds convinces us of the value of slowing down to recognize the tremendous diversity of the human past. But he presses hard against the conclusion that there was any direction or pattern behind its complexity." —The Wall Street Journal “A spellbinding tour de force!” —Walter Scheidel, author of What Is Ancient History? “This is non-fiction storytelling at its finest.” —Eric H. Cline, author of 1177 B.C. The creator of the hit podcast Tides of History offers a new look at humanity’s deep past, showing us how our world was built not by inevitability, but by trial and error on a global scale. There’s a familiar story about us humans: we went from hunting and gathering to farming, wandering bands to villages and cities, clans and chieftains to states and kings. But Lost Worlds offers a new narrative of humanity’s deep history. Here beloved podcast host Patrick Wyman focuses on the 10,000-year span between the end of the Ice Age and the decline of the Bronze Age—the period when civilization as we understand it emerged, introducing social hierarchies, urbanism, complex political organizations, and the written word. In this nuanced retelling, human progress is no longer a straight march from caves to cities: Farming didn’t always replace foraging, villages didn’t automatically spark agriculture, and cities didn’t necessitate rigid hierarchies. For thousands of years, humans merely improvised. By the end of the Bronze Age, the world had become unrecognizable: mammoths and giant sloths replaced by cattle and sheep, scattered nomadic bands replaced by millions living in cities, and farming on nearly every continent. Wyman argues that the rise of states and steady food production wasn’t inevitable, but rather, the outcome of countless choices that reshaped the planet and made us who we are today. Combining cutting-edge science with gripping storytelling, Lost Worlds explores: A Sweeping New History of the Ancient World: Discover how early societies rose, adapted, and collapsed across thousands of years of human history. The Archaeology Revolution: Ancient DNA, climate science, and new excavation methods are revealing how prehistoric people lived, migrated, and fought. From Ice Age Hunters to Early Civilizations: Follow the dramatic transformation that led from nomadic foragers to farming, cities, and powerful states. Why Societies Rise—and Fall: Learn how climate change, migration, population growth, and conflict shaped the fate of early civilizations.

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The Quest of the Historical Jesus - Albert Schweitzer Cover Art

The Quest of the Historical Jesus

The Quest of the Historical Jesus by Albert Schweitzer

In this broad survey of the efforts to establish, amend, or deny the historical Jesus, Albert Schweitzer presents the history of a debate about what mattered most to millions of people: If God had entered human history, what could history tell about it? Throughout the course of this heated and prolonged dispute, one retelling of the life of Jesus followed another, enjoying -- in Schweitzer's phrase -- "the immortality of revised editions." Lesser writers might consider differences of opinion as signs of a hopeless enterprise, but Schweitzer instead finds immense value in the differences. Approaches and conclusions may differ, he concludes, but the quest for the historical Jesus has provided ample testimony to the importance of the effort and the rewards of the experience.

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The Storm Before the Storm - Mike Duncan Cover Art

The Storm Before the Storm

The Storm Before the Storm The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic by Mike Duncan

From the creator of the award-winning podcast series The History of Rome and Revolutions comes the "remarkably engaging" ( Washington Post ) history of the bloody battles, political machinations, and human drama that set the stage for the fall of the Roman Republic. The Roman Republic was one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of civilization. Beginning as a small city-state in central Italy, Rome gradually expanded into a wider world filled with petty tyrants, barbarian chieftains, and despotic kings. Through the centuries, Rome's model of cooperative and participatory government remained remarkably durable and unmatched in the history of the ancient world. In 146 BC, Rome finally emerged as the strongest power in the Mediterranean. But the very success of the Republic proved to be its undoing. The republican system was unable to cope with the vast empire Rome now ruled: rising economic inequality disrupted traditional ways of life, endemic social and ethnic prejudice led to clashes over citizenship and voting rights, and rampant corruption and ruthless ambition sparked violent political clashes that cracked the once indestructible foundations of the Republic. Chronicling the years 146-78 BC, The Storm Before the Storm dives headlong into the first generation to face this treacherous new political environment. Abandoning the ancient principles of their forbearers, men like Marius, Sulla, and the Gracchi brothers set dangerous new precedents that would start the Republic on the road to destruction and provide a stark warning about what can happen to a civilization that has lost its way.

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Soldier of Rome: Nova Era - James Mace Cover Art

Soldier of Rome: Nova Era

Soldier of Rome: Nova Era by James Mace

A new age has dawned for Rome. Following the brief reign of Emperor Nerva, Marcus Ulpius Trajan inherits the mantle of Caesar. A revered general and statesman, the senate a people of Rome greet his rise with an optimism not seen since the reign of Vespasian. Tiberius Artorius Castus, whose tenure with the Vigiles of Rome is ending, is summoned by Trajan to the Rhine. The emperor offers him a return to active service with the newly raised Equites Singulares Augusti, more commonly known as the Imperial Horse Guards. Rome eagerly awaits the arrival of its new, charismatic Caesar, yet Trajan must first secure the Rhine and Danube frontiers. He musters a division for an expedition against the Marcomanni in retribution for their invasion in support of the Pannonia Revolt, six years prior. For Tiberius, the campaign offers a chance at redemption, as the Imperial Horse Guards accompany Trajan across the Danube, into the land of his endless nightmares.

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The Story of the Jews, - Simon Schama Cover Art

The Story of the Jews,

The Story of the Jews, Finding the Words 1000 BC-1492 AD by Simon Schama

In this magnificently illustrated cultural history—the tie-in to the PBS and BBC series The Story of the Jews —Simon Schama details the story of the Jewish experience, from their beginnings as an ancient tribal people to the opening of the New World in 1492. It is a story like no other: an epic of endurance against destruction, of creativity in oppression, joy amidst grief, the affirmation of life against the steepest of odds. This epic of world history spans the millennia and the continents—from India to Andalusia and from the bazaars of Cairo to the streets of Oxford. It takes you to unimagined places: to a Jewish kingdom in the mountains of southern Arabia; a Syrian synagogue glowing with radiant wall paintings; the palm groves of the Jewish dead in the Roman catacombs. And its voices ring loud and clear, from the severities and ecstasies of the Bible writers to the love poems of wine bibbers in a garden in Muslim Spain. In The Story of the Jews, the Talmud burns in the streets of Paris, massed gibbets hang over the streets of medieval London, a Majorcan illuminator redraws the world; candles are lit, chants are sung, mules are packed, ships loaded with spice and gems founder at sea. And a great story of Jewish history unfolds. Not—as often imagined—of a culture apart, but of a Jewish world immersed in and imprinted by the peoples among whom they have dwelled, from the Egyptians to the Greeks, from the Arabs to the Christians. Which makes the story of the Jews everyone’s story, too. Ancient and Medieval History: From a surprising Jewish kingdom in the mountains of southern Arabia to the burning of the Talmud in the streets of Paris. Art and Culture: Discover a Syrian synagogue glowing with radiant wall paintings, love poems from Muslim Spain, and the work of a Majorcan illuminator who redrew the world. Stories of Resilience: An epic of endurance against destruction, of joy amidst grief, and the affirmation of life against the steepest of odds. Companion to the PBS/BBC Series: Go deeper into the magnificently illustrated cultural history seen in the acclaimed documentary series, The Story of the Jews .

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The Greek Histories - Mary Lefkowitz & James Romm Cover Art

The Greek Histories

The Greek Histories The Sweeping History of Ancient Greece as Told by Its First Chroniclers: Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, and Plutarch by Mary Lefkowitz & James Romm

From the leading scholars behind The Greek Plays , a collection of the best translations of the foremost Greek historians, presenting a sweeping history of ancient Greece as recorded by its first chroniclers “Just the thing to remind us that human history, though lamentably a work in progress, is always something we can understand better.”—Sarah Ruden, translator of The Gospels and author of The Face of Water The historians of ancient Greece were pioneers of a new literary craft; their work stands among the world’s most enduring and important legacies and forms the foundation of a major modern discipline. This highly readable edition includes new and newly revised translations of selections from Herodotus—often called the “father of history”—Thucydides, Xenophon, and Plutarch, the four greatest Greek innovators of historical narrative. Here the reader will find their most important, and most widely taught, passages collected in a single volume. The excerpts chart the landmark events of ancient Greece and provide a comprehensive account of the entire classical Greek age.  From the start the Greek historians demonstrated how broad and varied historical writing could be and brought their craft beyond a mere chronicle of past events. This volume explores each author’s interest in religion, leadership, character, and the lessons of war. How, for instance, should readers interpret Herodotus’ inclusion of speeches and dialogues, dreams, and oracles as part of the “factual” record? What did Thucydides understand about human nature that (as he said) stays constant throughout time? How did Plutarch frame historical biography as a means of depicting the moral qualities of great men?  Complete with introductions to the works of each historian, footnotes providing context and explaining obscurities, maps, and an appendix on the Greek conduct of war, this volume is an invaluable resource for students and passionate readers of history alike.

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Women & Power - Mary Beard Cover Art

Women & Power

Women & Power A Manifesto by Mary Beard

New York Times Bestseller One of the Guardian's "100 Best Books of the 21st Century" — "A modern feminist classic." From the internationally acclaimed classicist and New York Times best-selling author comes this timely manifesto on women and power. At long last, Mary Beard addresses in one brave book the misogynists and trolls who mercilessly attack and demean women the world over, including, very often, Mary herself. In Women & Power, she traces the origins of this misogyny to its ancient roots, examining the pitfalls of gender and the ways that history has mistreated strong women since time immemorial. As far back as Homer’s Odyssey, Beard shows, women have been prohibited from leadership roles in civic life, public speech being defined as inherently male. From Medusa to Philomela (whose tongue was cut out), from Hillary Clinton to Elizabeth Warren (who was told to sit down), Beard draws illuminating parallels between our cultural assumptions about women’s relationship to power—and how powerful women provide a necessary example for all women who must resist being vacuumed into a male template. With personal reflections on her own online experiences with sexism, Beard asks: If women aren’t perceived to be within the structure of power, isn’t it power itself we need to redefine? And how many more centuries should we be expected to wait?

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Pax Romana - Adrian Goldsworthy Cover Art

Pax Romana

Pax Romana War, Peace and Conquest in the Roman World by Adrian Goldsworthy

The leading ancient world historian and author of Caesar presents "an engrossing account of how the Roman Empire grew and operated" ( Kirkus ). Renowned for his biographies of Julius Caesar and Augustus, Adrian Goldsworthy turns his attention to the Roman Empire as a whole during its height in the first and second centuries AD. Though this time is known as the Roman Peace, or Pax Romana , the Romans were fierce imperialists who took by force vast lands stretching from the Euphrates to the Atlantic coast. The Romans ruthlessly won peace not through coexistence but through dominance; millions died and were enslaved during the creation of their empire.   Pax Romana  examines how the Romans came to control so much of the world and asks whether traditionally favorable images of the Roman peace are true. Goldsworthy vividly recounts the rebellions of the conquered, examining why they broke out, why most failed, and how they became exceedingly rare. He reveals that hostility was just one reaction to the arrival of Rome and that from the outset, conquered peoples collaborated, formed alliances, and joined invaders, causing resistance movements to fade away.

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Iamblichus on the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians - Iamblichus Cover Art

Iamblichus on the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians

Iamblichus on the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians The Complete Text by Iamblichus

The Syrian philosopher Iamblichus is famous for his accounts of ancient religious traditions: this book contains Thomas Taylor's translations of his commentaries regarding Egypt, Assyria and Chaldea. Containing many references to the mystical philosophies of the ancients, Iamblichus' writings are considered early accounts of theurgic traditions for their description of magical rituals and ceremonies. His descriptions hold clues to the origins and development of religious thought—particularly pagan ideas regarding burial, the afterlife, and the transition of the soul from matter to spirit. Taylor is keen to replicate the veneration and respect which Iamblichus had for earlier traditions: both author and translator share a devotion to Neoplatonist thought, and it is in the spirit of these philosophical ideas that these insights upon antiquity are presented in English.-Print ed.

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Historia de los griegos - Indro Montanelli Cover Art

Historia de los griegos

Historia de los griegos by Indro Montanelli

Historia de los griegos constituye una obra inteligente y rigurosa que devuelve la condición de seres de carne y hueso a los grandes personajes de la cultura griega. Indro Montanelli, reconocido especialista en el tema, ofrece una visión casi periodística de la vida política y sociocultural del mundo griego, y permite conocer una serie de hechos y circunstancias hasta ahora mantenidas en segundo plano por la Historia tradicional. Montanelli convierte a Homero, Sócrates, Pitágoras, Pericles y otros muchos personajes históricos helenos en protagonistas de una narración apasionante que lleva al lector de viaje al nacimiento de las grandes disciplinas artísticas y humanísticas de la civilización occidental, así como de los grandes mitos que todavía hoy siguen siendo el referente de nuestra cultura. A caballo entre la narración y un riguroso libro de historia, esta obra -igual que su predecesora, Historia de Roma - es un auténtico referente para varias generaciones de lectores que, a través de sus páginas, descubrieron la vida cotidiana de los hombres que forjaron nuestra civilización. «He llamado a este libro Historia de los griegos, porque ésta es una historia de hombres, y no tanto una historia de un pueblo, de una nación o de un estado.» Indro Montanelli

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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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Ancient Egypt - Light Of The World, Volume 1 - Gerald Massey Cover Art

Ancient Egypt - Light Of The World, Volume 1

Ancient Egypt - Light Of The World, Volume 1 by Gerald Massey

No one ever understood the mythology and Ritual of Ancient Egypt so well as Gerald Massey since the time of the Ancient Philosophers of Egypt. This book is one of the best when it comes down to Egyptian mythology, occultism and interpretation. It's a standard work no one wants to miss. Contents: Sign-Language And Mythology As Primitive Modes Of Representation. Totemism, Tattoo And Fetishism As Forms Of Sign-Language Elemental And Ancestral Spirits, Or The Gods And The Glorified. Egyptian Book Of The Dead And The Mysteries Of Amenta The Sign-Language Of Astronomical Mythology Egyptian Wisdom. The Drowning Of The Dragon The Sign-Language Of Astronomical Mythology (Part II) Horus Of The Double Horizon. The Making Of Amenta The Irish Amenta The Upper Mount Of Glory. Egyptian Wisdom And The Hebrew Genesis The Egyptian Wisdom In Other Jewish Writings

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Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves - Sarah Pomeroy Cover Art

Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves

Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves Women in Classical Antiquity by Sarah Pomeroy

"The first general treatment of women in the ancient world to reflect the critical insights of modern feminism. Though much debated, its position as the basic textbook on women's history in Greece and Rome has hardly been challenged."--Mary Beard, Times Literary Supplement. Illustrations.

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Discovering Buried Worlds - André Parrot Cover Art

Discovering Buried Worlds

Discovering Buried Worlds by André Parrot

In this classic work, the eminent archeologist recounts his historic excavations and the significant Biblical findings they revealed. French archeologist André Parrot led some of the most important digs of the twentieth century. In 1933, he began excavations on the right bank of the Euphrates River in present-day Syria. Uncovering numerous artifacts and architecture, he was able to identify the site as the Mesopotamian city of Mari. In this wide-ranging work, Parrot vividly chronicles his experiences, and shows how ancient discoveries can connect the biblical world to ours. In accessible and engaging prose, Parrot also discusses the history of archeological excavation and many of the civilizations we have learned about through the practice. He also delves into the ways archeological discovery has helped shed light on the Bible itself.

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SPQR - Mary Beard Cover Art

SPQR

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.

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Soldier of Rome: The Legionary - James Mace Cover Art

Soldier of Rome: The Legionary

Soldier of Rome: The Legionary by James Mace

In the year 9 A.D. three Roman legions under Quintilius Varus are betrayed by the Germanic war chief, Arminius, and destroyed in the forest known as Teutoburger Wald. Six years later, Rome is ready to unleash her vengeance. Emperor Tiberius sends his adopted son, Germanicus Caesar, across the Rhine with an army of forty-thousand imperial soldiers. They come not on a mission of conquest, but of annihilation. Within the ranks is a young legionary named Artorius, for whom the war offers a chance to avenge his slain brother. Deep within the forests of Germania, Arminius and his allies prepare to face the legions. Defeating the Romans will require all of his cunning, tactical savvy, and plenty of well-placed brute force. The Roman Empire holds its breath as Germanicus and Arminius face each other in the most savage conflict the world has seen in a generation; a conflict that will end in a holocaust of fire and blood.

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The Roman World War - Giusto Traina & Malcolm DeBevoise Cover Art

The Roman World War

The Roman World War From the Ides of March to Cleopatra’s Suicide by Giusto Traina & Malcolm DeBevoise

How the ruthless contest among Julius Caesar’s heirs ignited a global war that raged far beyond the borders of Rome The succession of civil wars that plagued the last years of the Roman Republic has often been portrayed as a settling of scores between Roman factions—Sulla against Marius, Caesar against Pompey, Octavian against Mark Antony—with foreign campaigns serving as a backdrop to the tragic spectacle. The Roman World War recasts the struggle for Rome as a global conflict that engulfed millions of non-Romans across Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. Shedding new light on the pivotal years spanning Caesar’s assassination in 44 BCE and the suicides of Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 30 BCE, Giusto Traina introduces readers to lesser-known figures such as the Cilician dynast Tarcondimotus, the king of the Moors Bogud, and the Armenian king Artawazd, men who influenced Rome’s politics and who played consequential roles in battles waged far beyond the borders of the Imperium Romanum . Traina demonstrates how the violence unleashed by Caesar’s death was a direct consequence of his expansionist plans. From Spain to Mesopotamia, peoples such as Berbers, Hispanics, Gauls, Greeks, Thracians, and Armenians were drawn into a global war in which the fate of Rome was tied to their own. A global, “connected” history that transforms our understanding of the Republic’s final years, The Roman World War demonstrates how foreign nations and peoples were not merely pawns in the Roman civil wars but active protagonists in a great power struggle that shook the ancient world for fourteen intense years.

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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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Complete Works of Thucydides - Thucydides Cover Art

Complete Works of Thucydides

Complete Works of Thucydides by Thucydides

Thucydides’ Complete Works primarily consist of The History of the Peloponnesian War, a detailed, analytical account of the conflict between Athens and Sparta (431–404 BCE). Unlike earlier historians, Thucydides emphasizes factual accuracy, political realism, and human nature’s role in history. His work covers key battles, strategic decisions, and influential speeches, including Pericles’ famous Funeral Oration and the Melian Dialogue, illustrating power struggles and moral dilemmas. He avoids myth and focuses on cause-and-effect analysis, shaping modern historiography. Though unfinished, his work remains a cornerstone of historical writing, political theory, and military analysis. Written in precise, sophisticated Greek, Thucydides' insights on war, politics, and human nature remain profoundly relevant today.

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The Twelve Caesars - Suetonius Cover Art

The Twelve Caesars

The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius

The Twelve Caesars - Suetonius . A translation into English by A. S. Kline . Published in entirety with in-depth name index. In the Twelve Caesars ( De Vita Caesarum ) Suetonius provides us with biographies of Julius Caesar and the eleven Roman Emperors who followed him. The work, probably written around 121AD in the reign of Hadrian, therefore covers the crucial and highly eventful period of Roman history from the end of the Republic to the reign of Domitian. Suetonius delved into the Imperial archives to research eyewitness accounts, obtain factual information, and compile related material to produce his summary, as well as gathering anecdotal and other evidence from writers and historians of the period. The work is dramatic, and packed with incident. It provides valuable information on the heritage, personal habits, physical appearance, lives and political careers of the protagonists, and mentions details that other sources do not. Suetonius is a major source of information on the life of Caligula, his uncle Claudius, and the heritage of Vespasian (the relevant sections of the Annals by Tacitus his contemporary being lost). Though often questioned regarding its ultimate reliability as history, the Twelve Caesars provides an unforgettable portrait of Rome under the early Emperors, and of the Emperors themselves This and other texts available from Poetry in Translation (www.poetryintranslation.com) .

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Moses and Monotheism - Sigmund Freud Cover Art

Moses and Monotheism

Moses and Monotheism by Sigmund Freud

The book consists of three essays and is an extension of Freud’s work on psychoanalytic theory as a means of generating hypotheses about historical events. Freud hypothesizes that Moses was not Hebrew, but actually born into Ancient Egyptian nobility and was probably a follower of Akhenaten, an ancient Egyptian monotheist. Freud contradicts the biblical story of Moses with his own retelling of events, claiming that Moses only led his close followers into freedom during an unstable period in Egyptian history after Akhenaten (ca. 1350 BCE) and that they subsequently killed Moses in rebellion and later combined with another monotheistic tribe in Midian based on a volcanic God, Jahweh. Freud explains that years after the murder of Moses, the rebels regretted their action, thus forming the concept of the Messiah as a hope for the return of Moses as the Saviour of the Israelites. Freud said that the guilt from the murder of Moses is inherited through the generations; this guilt then drives the Jews to religion to make them feel better.

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The War of the Three Gods - Peter Crawford Cover Art

The War of the Three Gods

The War of the Three Gods Romans, Persians, and the Rise of Islam by Peter Crawford

The War of the Three Gods is a military history of the Near and Middle East in the seventh century—with its chief focus on the reign of the Eastern Roman Emperor Heraclius (AD 610–641)—a pivotal and dramatic time in world history. The Eastern Roman Empire was brought to the very brink of extinction by the Sassanid Persians before Heraclius managed to inflict a crushing defeat on the Sassanids with a desperate, final gambit. His conquests were short-lived, however, for the newly converted adherents of Islam burst upon the region, administering the coup de grace to Sassanid power and laying siege to Constantinople itself, ushering in a new era. Peter Crawford skillfully narrates the three-way struggle between the Christian Roman, Zoroastrian Persian, and Islamic Arab empires, a period of conflict peopled with fascinating characters, including Heraclius, Khusro II, and the Prophet Muhammad himself. Many of the epic battles of the period—Nineveh, Yarmuk, Qadisiyyah and Nahavand—and sieges such as those of Jerusalem and Constantinople are described in as rich detail. The strategies and tactics of these very different armies are discussed and analyzed, while plentiful maps allow the reader to follow the events and varying fortunes of the contending empires. This is an exciting and important study of a conflict that reshaped the map of the world. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

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Nero - Anthony Everitt & Roddy Ashworth Cover Art

Nero

Nero Matricide, Music, and Murder in Imperial Rome by Anthony Everitt & Roddy Ashworth

A striking, nuanced biography of Nero—the controversial populist ruler and last of the Caesars—and a vivid portrait of ancient Rome “Exciting and provocative . . . Nero is a pleasure to read.”—Barry Strauss, author of The War That Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium The Roman emperor Nero’s name has long been a byword for cruelty, decadence, and despotism. As the stories go, he set fire to Rome and thrummed his lyre as it burned. He then cleared the charred ruins and built a vast palace. He committed incest with his mother, who had schemed and killed to place him on the throne, and later murdered her. But these stories, left behind by contemporary historians who hated him, are hardly the full picture, and in this nuanced biography, celebrated historian Anthony Everitt and investigative journalist Roddy Ashworth reveal the contradictions inherent in Nero and offer a reappraisal of his life. Contrary to popular memory, the empire was well managed during his reign. He presided over diplomatic triumphs, and his legions overcame the fiery British queen Boudica who led one of the greatest revolts Rome had ever had to face. He loved art, culture, and music, and he won the loyalty of the lower classes with fantastic spectacles. He did not set fire to Rome. In Nero , ancient Rome comes to life: the fire-prone streets, the deadly political intrigues, and the ongoing architectural projects. In this teeming, politically unstable world, Nero was vulnerable to fierce reproach from the nobility and relatives who would gladly usurp him, and he was often too ready to murder rivals. He had a vision for Rome, but, racked by insecurity, he perhaps lacked the stomach to govern it. This is the bloodstained story of one of Rome’s most notorious emperors: but in Everitt and Ashworth’s hands, Nero’s life is also a complicated, cautionary tale about the mettle required to rule.

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On Sparta - Plutarch Cover Art

On Sparta

On Sparta by Plutarch

Plutarch's vivid and engaging portraits of the Spartans and their customs are a major source of our knowledge about the rise and fall of this remarkable Greek city-state between the sixth and third centuries BC. Through his Lives of Sparta's leaders and his recording of memorable Spartan Sayings he depicts a people who lived frugally and mastered their emotions in all aspects of life, who also disposed of unhealthy babies in a deep chasm, introduced a gruelling regime of military training for boys, and treated their serfs brutally. Rich in anecdote and detail, Plutarch's writing brings to life the personalities and achievements of Sparta with unparalleled flair and humanity.

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La Guerra de los Judíos - Flavio Josefo Cover Art

La Guerra de los Judíos

La Guerra de los Judíos by Flavio Josefo

La guerra de los judíos es una obra literaria escrita en griego en el siglo I por el autor judeorromano Flavio Josefo. Se centra en la historia del antiguo Israel desde la conquista de Jerusalén por Antíoco IV Epífanes en el año 164 a. C. hasta el final de la Primera Guerra Judeo-Romana en el año 73 d. C. La obra fue escrita en un intervalo definido entre los años 75 y 79, ya que Josefo menciona en la misma obra la dedicación del Templo de la Paz en el año 75, así como que entregó una copia a Vespasiano, muerto en el 79. Originalmente fue escrita en arameo, el idioma materno de Josefo, siendo ésta una versión que no se ha conservado. La versión que ha llegado hasta nuestros días es una traducción al griego ático, en un estilo más clásico que el propio de la koiné, y supervisada por el propio autor; aunque Josefo era conocedor de la lengua y la cultura griegas, contó con la ayuda de colaboradores, como él mismo especifica en su Contra Apión. El hecho de que no escogiese el latín para traducir su obra puede fundarse en que éste no gozaba todavía de una amplia difusión en esa época, mientras que el griego suponía un vehículo más idóneo para transmitir su obra entre la comunidad judía de la zona oriental del Imperio, sumamente helenizada. También existe una traducción en antiguo eslavo eclesiástico que ha perdurado hasta la actualidad.

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History of the Peloponnesian War - Thucydides Cover Art

History of the Peloponnesian War

History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides

A thorough account of the war between Athens and Sparta by the historian who witnessed it. The Peloponnesian League, led by Sparta, and the Delian League, led by Athens, went to war in 431 BC. The conflict lasted more than two decades, and Thucydides, who served as an Athenian general, wrote its definitive history: an account remarkable for both its objectivity and its focus on the humanity of the war rather than any intervention by the gods. Though primarily a military history, this book also shines a great light on the political and social aspects of the ancient conflict, including its effect on civilians. Thucydides's work is a landmark of historical scholarship that makes the events of the fifth century BC come vividly to life.

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Constantine the Great - John B. Firth Cover Art

Constantine the Great

Constantine the Great by John B. Firth

An excellent history of the life and times of Constantine the Great, one of the most powerful and celebrated Roman Emperors in history. From his victory at the Milvian bridge to his rise to the imperial purple to his conversion and promotion of Christianity and founding of the New Rome in the east, Constantine was a pivotal figure in world history whose achievements were vast and storied.  Illustrated to enhance the reading experience. Contents include:  THE EMPIRE UNDER DIOCLETIAN  THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH  THE ABDICATION OF DIOCLETIAN AND THE SUCCESSION OF CONSTANTINE  CONSTANTINE AND HIS COLLEAGUES  THE INVASION OF ITALY  THE VISION OF THE CROSS AND THE EDICT OF MILAN  THE DOWNFALL OF LICINIUS  LAST DAYS OF PERSECUTION  CONSTANTINE AND THE DONATISTS  THE ARIAN CONTROVERSY  THE COUNCIL OF NICEA  THE MURDERS OF CRISPUS AND FAUSTA  THE FOUNDATION OF CONSTANTINOPLE  ARIUS AND ATHANASIUS  CONSTANTINE'S DEATH AND CHARACTER  THE EMPIRE AND CHRISTIANITY

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Julius Caesar - Ernle Bradford Cover Art

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar The Pursuit of Power by Ernle Bradford

The epic life story of the Roman statesman, military commander, and dictator, from the bestselling author of Thermopylae.   Born to Roman aristocracy in 100 BC, Julius Caesar became one of the most powerful men in history. He was a military genius, a fierce politician, and a brilliant writer and orator. When he formed an alliance with Pompey and Crassus, the triumvirate of officials took control of the Roman Republic. But Caesar's quest for power was only beginning.   As proconsul, he went to war against the Gallic tribes of the north, extending Roman territory into Gaul, Belgium, Germany, and Britain. When the Gallic Wars ended, the Roman senate called on Caesar to return to private life. But rather than relinquish his title, Caesar led his legion into a civil war that would spell the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire.   In this thrilling and thoroughly researched biography, Ernle Bradford cuts through the legends in order to present a truthful and nuanced portrait of a man whose pursuit of power knew no bounds.

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MEDITACIONES - Marco Aurelio - Marco Aurélio Cover Art

MEDITACIONES - Marco Aurelio

MEDITACIONES - Marco Aurelio by Marco Aurélio

Marco Aurelio Antonino (en latín: Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, conocido como Marco Aurelio, fue un emperador del Imperio romano desde el año 161 hasta el año de su muerte, en 180. Fue el último de los llamados Cinco Buenos Emperadores. La gran obra de Marco Aurelio, Meditaciones , escrita en griego helenístico durante las campañas de la década de 170, todavía está considerada como un monumento al gobierno perfecto. Se la suele describir como una obra escrita de manera exquisita y con infinita ternura, un tesoro filosófico. Estas reflexiones profundas, escritas como notas personales, ofrecen una visión íntima de los pensamientos de Marco Aurelio sobre la vida, el deber, la moral y la mortalidad. No estaban destinadas a la publicación, sino como un ejercicio de auto perfeccionamiento. Meditaciones es una brújula de sabiduría práctica que trasciende los siglos, inspirando a lectores en busca de orientación filosófica y consejos para una vida plena y significativa

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Soldier of Rome: Beyond the Frontier - James Mace Cover Art

Soldier of Rome: Beyond the Frontier

Soldier of Rome: Beyond the Frontier by James Mace

For twelve years a disgraceful pall has hung over the Roman Empire. Trouble along the Germanic frontier forced an abrupt end to Emperor Domitian's war against King Decebalus of Dacia. The terms were an embarrassment to Rome and a drain on the imperial coffers, with two million denarii paid to the Dacians every year. Now, a new Caesar is firmly ensconced upon the imperial throne. Emperor Trajan vows to subjugate the Dacians, humble their king, and restore honour to the Empire. A massive force numbering over 100,000 soldiers, one-third of the entire might of Rome, gathers along the Danube. It is the largest Roman army assembled in over a hundred years. Tiberius Artorius Castus has matured into his position as Deputy Prefect of the Imperial Horse Guards over the past three years. Still a young man, he is a world away from the naïve youth who first came to the capital nine years before. The Pannonian Revolt and loss of his legion hardened his soul. His tenure with the Vigiles of Rome improved his cunning. Any delusions of winning personal glory on the battlefield died long ago with his innocence. His duty as an imperial bodyguard is an immense honour, wrought with danger. He knows Trajan is a fighting Caesar, never one to shy away from battle. With war against Dacia inevitable, it is only a matter of time before Tiberius must once more draw his ancestral blade in defence of both Emperor and Empire.

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Ancient Egypt - Gerald Massey Cover Art

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt The Light of the World; its Mythology and Hieroglyphs - Both Volumes in One by Gerald Massey

Gerald Massey’s masterwork is presented to readers anew in this splendid new edition, which combines all twelve books plus the appendix into a single volume. A voracious student of Ancient Egypt, Massey’s enquiries deepened and widened as years went by. This work, standing at over half a million words, examines the importance of individual Egyptian Gods, and the significance of the hieroglyphic language. Rich in symbolism and meaning, it is through analysis that Massey demonstrates how each of the ancient Gods held bearing over every aspect of human life, strengthening and perpetuating Egypt’s traditions and culture for millennia. The relationship between Egypt’s spiritual lore and the astronomical science of the ancient world is duly explored, as is the influence which Egyptian belief wrought upon the Hebrews. We find that Biblical stories of the Old Testament, such as the deluge of Noah’s era, have a basis in Egyptian religion and knowledge. Controversially, the author demonstrates how aspects of the story of Jesus Christ have their roots in stories and writings dating thousands of years prior to his birth. Massey himself considered this lengthy and detailed book to be the sum of his researches, which spanned decades. As such it is storied and dense, yet filled with immense insights.

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Gerald Massey's Lectures - Gerald Massey Cover Art

Gerald Massey's Lectures

Gerald Massey's Lectures The Original Ten Lectures Upon Subjects of Egyptology, Gnosticism, and Christian Mythology by Gerald Massey

The ten original lectures by Gerald Massey are presented here complete - together they offer the reader profound and detailed accounts of ancient Egypt, early Christian myths, and Gnosticism. Although never a major figure in the scholarly establishment, Gerald Massey was a prolific author who spent his many years studying Ancient Egyptian history, society and hieroglyphics. Struck by what he perceived to be similarities between ancient Egyptian mythological lore, and the writings of Christianity, Massey authored these lectures as part of his attempts to draw comparisons.  The resulting lectures were delivered in London in the late 19th century. In them, Massey notes numerous similarities between the New Testament Gospels and the Book of Horus; the incidence of wise men, healing of the sick; resurrection; and the symbol of the cross occur in the earlier Egyptian texts. These and other instances led Massey to conclude that the story of Christ in the Gospels was at least partly inspired by the mythological lore of Ancient Egypt - and that Jesus Christ is, essentially, based upon the Egyptian God Horus.  Most modern scholars and historians of theology are dismissive of Massey's lectures, and the views of Massey remain obscure in the modern day. However, Gerald Massey took pride in noting the veracity of the hieroglyphic translations of his contemporaries in the British Museum, and the series of arguments he details in his lectures have since influenced other authors and intellectuals who found them of value.

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The History of Ancient Greece: 20 Essential Books - Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Arrian, Strabo, Plutarch, John Bagnell Bury, George Grote, Homer, Andrew Lang, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, E. Norman Gardiner, James Sir Donaldson, F. A. Wright, Alfred William Benn, H. A. Guerber, Albert Augustus Trever, Basil Edward Hammond, Ernest Arthur Gardner & E. M. Berens Cover Art

The History of Ancient Greece: 20 Essential Books

The History of Ancient Greece: 20 Essential Books History of the Peloponnesian War, Hellenica, Anabasis, The Conquests of Alexander the Great, Parallel Lives by Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Arrian, Strabo, Plutarch, John Bagnell Bury, George Grote, Homer, Andrew Lang, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, E. Norman Gardiner, James Sir Donaldson, F. A. Wright, Alfred William Benn, H. A. Guerber, Albert Augustus Trever, Basil Edward Hammond, Ernest Arthur Gardner & E. M. Berens

The History of Ancient Greece: 20 Essential Books is a monumental anthology that traverses the complex and rich expanse of ancient Greek civilization. From the eloquent narratives of epic poetry to rigorous historical treatises and philosophical discourses, this collection provides an unparalleled range of literary styles and genres. Key works such as the chronicles of Herodotus and Thucydides, character analysis of Plutarch, and Homeric epics, showcase the diversity and depth of Greek thought and historical documentation. This compendium stands not only as an essential reference for historical inquiry but also as a literary treasure trove that reflects the multifaceted glory of ancient Greece. The contributing authors, ranging from the renowned classical historians like Xenophon and Arrian to modern scholars such as John Bagnell Bury and George Grote, represent a broad spectrum of intellectual engagement with ancient Greek history. The anthology bridges historical epochs and cultural backgrounds, aligning with various literary and academic movements from classicism to modern historical research. Together, these voices coalesce to form a comprehensive and nuanced portrayal of ancient Greece, replete with cultural and intellectual diversity. For readers seeking an immersive historical experience, The History of Ancient Greece: 20 Essential Books offers a unique journey through time from multiple perspectives. This volume stands as a testament to the enduring significance of Greek civilization. It encourages readers to explore the interplay of different viewpoints and styles, enriching their understanding of one of the most influential eras in human history. Highly educational and profoundly insightful, this anthology is an indispensable resource for scholars, historians, and anyone passionate about the legacy of ancient Greece.

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Historia de Roma contada para escépticos - Juan Eslava Galán Cover Art

Historia de Roma contada para escépticos

Historia de Roma contada para escépticos by Juan Eslava Galán

Pocas civilizaciones son tan fascinantes como la romana, dos mil años después el legado de Roma es la base de la cultura occidental Hay pocos temas históricos universales con tanto interés bibliográfico o cinematográfico como la unión de los pueblos itálicos bajo la hegemonía del Imperio romano . Del mito fundacional de Rómulo y Remo hasta la disolución del imperio, esta Historia de Roma contada para escépticos reúne todos los ingredientes para convertirse en uno de los libros más exitosos de Juan Eslava Galán. Con la maestría que le caracteriza, Eslava no se limita a la narración cronológica de hechos históricos. Su objetivo es entretener, y para eso dota al relato de personajes ficticios que se mezclan con los emperadores, los soldados, las mujeres, los patricios y los gladiadores reales de la antigua Roma. Por supuesto, como marca de autor, no faltan los enredos de amor, las borracheras, y las motivaciones de poder o de sexo de unos personajes que, al final y por encima de todo, se mueven por pasiones humanas.

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Egyptian Mythology - Andrew Walsh Cover Art

Egyptian Mythology

Egyptian Mythology A Comprehensive Guide to Ancient Egypt by Andrew Walsh

EGYPTIAN MYTHOLOGY Ancient pyramids. Pharaohs and Gods. Mummies, myths, and magic. There is nothing quite like the wonders and mysteries of the ancient Egyptians. This ancient civilization lasted for over 3,000 years and in that time, became one of history's most powerful and iconic civilizations. Ancient Egypt is easily one of the most influential societies to ever exist in this world, so powerful that we still think about it and talk about it today. The rulers of Egypt were considered protectors of the people, and they served as divine liaisons between humanity and the many Gods that they worshipped. In this book, we will dive into this rich and fascinating world that may be long gone but is certainly not forgotten! Here Is A Preview Of What You'll Learn About Inside... Life In Ancient EgyptThe Different Egyptian GodsThe Heroes Of Egyptian MythologyThe Monsters Of Egyptian MythologyFamous Stories From Egyptian MythologySacrifices And Rituals In Ancient EgyptMuch, Much More!

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Rome and the Mediterranean - Livy Cover Art

Rome and the Mediterranean

Rome and the Mediterranean The History of Rome from its Foundation by Livy

Books XXXI to XLV cover the years from 201 b.c. to 167 b.c., when Rome emerged as ruler of the Mediterranean.

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Gilgamesh: The History and Mythology of the Sumerian King - History Titans Cover Art

Gilgamesh: The History and Mythology of the Sumerian King

Gilgamesh: The History and Mythology of the Sumerian King by History Titans

The name of Gilgamesh is one that resounds all over the world and has been well-known for thousands of years. Of all the most illustrious figures of history and human heritage, Gilgamesh also happens to be one of the most mysterious. This is because, in a way, there are two sides to Gilgamesh and two ways in which we approach his story. As far as official history is concerned, Gilgamesh was most likely an ancient Sumerian king who ruled the city-state of Uruk at some point between 2800 and 2500 BCE. In literature, folklore, and ancient traditions of Mesopotamia, Gilgamesh has become the subject of many legends and one of the most important heroes in Mesopotamian mythology. Gilgamesh's legendary life was a story of great triumphs, falls, loss, soul-searching, and a quest for meaning. It is a story that involves a great character arc since Gilgamesh's physical journey is matched only by the distance he had traveled toward growing as a ruler and as a man.

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Roman Crucifixion and the Death of Jesus - Woodrow Michael Kroll Cover Art

Roman Crucifixion and the Death of Jesus

Roman Crucifixion and the Death of Jesus by Woodrow Michael Kroll

The Roman practice of crucifixion was so abhorrent that even the Romans didn't talk about it. Yet their government practiced crucifixion for centuries. What drew the crowds to the killing fields to watch people die such torturous deaths? What enabled those elite soldiers in the Roman killing squads to crucify their victims with the precision and skill of a hospital surgeon? These and many other questions are answered in this book. Of the thousands of people who fell victim to "the most pitiable of deaths," one is much better known than all the others--Jesus of Nazareth. Most Christians know something of Jesus' crucifixion because of the Gospel narratives, but to enhance our appreciation of the Savior's death, we benefit by knowing more about Roman crucifixion. Roman Crucifixion and the Death of Jesus provides a deeper understanding of how, where, and why someone could be crucified and helps to inform us of Jesus' crucifixion. Armed with a better grasp of Roman crucifixion, we can more fully appreciate Jesus' pain, his purpose, and his prayers from Calvary's cross.

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Ancient Aliens: The Forbidden Origins of Humanity - Dr. Neil Bose Cover Art

Ancient Aliens: The Forbidden Origins of Humanity

Ancient Aliens: The Forbidden Origins of Humanity by Dr. Neil Bose

UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF HUMANITYS HIDDEN PAST What if everything you were taught about human origins is incomplete? What if advanced civilizations existed long before recorded history? What if we were never truly alone? Ancient Aliens The Forbidden Origins of Humanity takes you on a compelling journey through the most intriguing mysteries of our past. Blending archaeology mythology and unexplained evidence this book explores the possibility that extraterrestrial intelligence may have influenced the development of human civilization. Inside this book you will discover - Hidden clues buried within ancient monuments and megalithic structures - Unexplained technologies far ahead of their time - Ancient texts and myths that describe beings from the sky - Connections between distant civilizations with shared knowledge - Scientific anomalies that challenge conventional history From the Great Pyramid to Stonehenge from lost civilizations to advanced knowledge systems every chapter reveals patterns that raise profound questions about our true origins. This book is perfect for readers who - Are fascinated by ancient mysteries and lost civilizations - Question traditional historical narratives  - Enjoy thought provoking and controversial theories - Seek a deeper understanding of humanitys past Bold engaging and thought provoking this book challenges you to rethink history and consider a possibility that may change everything. Are you ready to explore the forbidden origins of humanity

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The Knights Hospitaller - Matthew Taylor Cover Art

The Knights Hospitaller

The Knights Hospitaller by Matthew Taylor

From humble beginnings as a hospital brotherhood in Jerusalem to centuries of power in the Mediterranean, the Knights Hospitaller forged a legacy of faith, courage, and intellect that shaped history. This definitive account explores the Order's rise as warriors of Christendom, their fortress stronghold on Malta, and their role in defending Europe against Ottoman expansion and piracy. Matthew Taylor delves deep into their military campaigns, diplomatic maneuvers, scientific innovations, and cultural achievements, revealing a complex institution that balanced spiritual devotion with strategic genius. Richly detailed and meticulously researched, The Knights Hospitaller traces the Order's triumphs and trials, from the Great Siege of Rhodes to the arrival of Napoleon, and examines their enduring influence on medicine, architecture, and European politics. For readers fascinated by history, military strategy, and the interplay of faith and power, this book offers a comprehensive and compelling portrait of one of the most extraordinary organizations in Western history.

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Athens and Sparta - Adrian Goldsworthy Cover Art

Athens and Sparta

Athens and Sparta The Rivalry That Shaped Ancient Greece by Adrian Goldsworthy

From an award-winning historian, the definitive history of classical Greece and the rivalry between its two greatest cities. “Packed with intrigue and the politics of empire, revolution, and war, this accessible history of a tangled relationship between nations might strike some readers, the author warns, as ‘uncomfortably relevant.’” — New York Times No period has more profoundly influenced the Western world than classical Greece, and at its center stood two cities: Athens and Sparta. Side by side, they beat the Persians, the only superpower of that age. Yet later, they spread conflict and destruction throughout the eastern Mediterranean, culminating in the horrors of the Peloponnesian War.  Athens and Sparta  tells the definitive history of the relationship between brutal, militaristic Sparta and brash, radically democratic Athens. Eminent historian Adrian Goldsworthy narrates their incredible rise to prominence and how they became allies, rivals, and enemies. Ultimately, Goldsworthy shows that Athens and Sparta were more than competitors vying for power. They were polar opposites in ideology and culture, both driven by the Greek longing to excel, who led radically different experiments in how to run a state.  A remarkable account of ancient Greece at its height, this is the tale of the two cities that helped build it—before almost tearing it apart. 

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Sparta - Andrew Bayliss Cover Art

Sparta

Sparta The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Superpower by Andrew Bayliss

A major new history of ancient Greece’s most iconic city-state. For thousands of years, the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta has been famed as the ultimate warrior society. The flowing crimson capes and bronze shields of Spartan warriors remain the enduring image of masculine bravery, austerity, and toughness; King Leonidas’s 300 soldiers at Thermopylae the quintessential example of courageous self-sacrifice in battle. But who were the Spartans, really—and how did they rise from a humble village in the Peloponnese to become the dominant military power of ancient Greece? In this landmark new history, renowned Sparta expert Andrew Bayliss delivers a strikingly clarifying, relentlessly complex portrait of a culture and people long shrouded in myth. Sifting masterfully through historical records and modern archaeological evidence, Bayliss traces the shifting alliances and volatile conflicts Spartans faced during the city-state’s evolution from a minor hamlet in the Peloponnese to the foremost power of ancient Greece. In vivid detail, Bayliss brings to life the excruciating training, rigid dietary habits, and extreme discipline that molded the warriors of history’s most renowned military power. He also lays bare lesser-known aspects of Spartan society that complicate its egalitarian reputation, including complex gender dynamics, stark wealth inequality, and its brutal exploitation of slave labor. With incisive analysis, Bayliss illuminates how the Spartans’ ruthless might, unparalleled military ambition, and singular exclusivity fueled their seemingly unstoppable rise—and how those same factors became their undoing. Enthralling and informative in equal measure, Sparta will stand for decades as the definitive history of one of antiquity’s most legendary civilizations—from its meteoric rise to its surprising downfall.

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Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea - Thomas Cahill Cover Art

Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea

Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea Why the Greeks Matter by Thomas Cahill

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The bestselling author of How the Irish Saved Civilization takes us on a journey through the landmarks of art and bloodshed that defined Greek culture nearly three millennia ago. “A triumph of popularization: extraordinarily knowledgeable, informal in tone, amusing, wide ranging, smartly paced.” — The New York Times Book Review In the city-states of Athens and Sparta and throughout the Greek islands, honors could be won in making love and war, and lives were rife with contradictions. By developing the alphabet, the Greeks empowered the reader, demystified experience, and opened the way for civil discussion and experimentation—yet they kept slaves. The glorious verses of the Iliad recount a conflict in which rage and outrage spur men to action and suggest that their “bellicose society of gleaming metals and rattling weapons” is not so very distant from more recent campaigns of “shock and awe.” And, centuries before Zorba, Greece was a land where music, dance, and freely flowing wine were essential to the high life. Granting equal time to the sacred and the profane, Cahill rivets our attention to the legacies of an ancient and enduring worldview.

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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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1177 B.C. - Eric H. Cline Cover Art

1177 B.C.

1177 B.C. The Year Civilization Collapsed: Revised and Updated by Eric H. Cline

A bold reassessment of what caused the Late Bronze Age collapse In 1177 B.C., marauding groups known only as the "Sea Peoples" invaded Egypt. The pharaoh's army and navy managed to defeat them, but the victory so weakened Egypt that it soon slid into decline, as did most of the surrounding civilizations. After centuries of brilliance, the civilized world of the Bronze Age came to an abrupt and cataclysmic end. Kingdoms fell like dominoes over the course of just a few decades. No more Minoans or Mycenaeans. No more Trojans, Hittites, or Babylonians. The thriving economy and cultures of the late second millennium B.C., which had stretched from Greece to Egypt and Mesopotamia, suddenly ceased to exist, along with writing systems, technology, and monumental architecture. But the Sea Peoples alone could not have caused such widespread breakdown. How did it happen? In this major new account of the causes of this "First Dark Ages," Eric Cline tells the gripping story of how the end was brought about by multiple interconnected failures, ranging from invasion and revolt to earthquakes, drought, and the cutting of international trade routes. Bringing to life the vibrant multicultural world of these great civilizations, he draws a sweeping panorama of the empires and globalized peoples of the Late Bronze Age and shows that it was their very interdependence that hastened their dramatic collapse and ushered in a dark age that lasted centuries. A compelling combination of narrative and the latest scholarship, 1177 B.C. sheds new light on the complex ties that gave rise to, and ultimately destroyed, the flourishing civilizations of the Late Bronze Age—and that set the stage for the emergence of classical Greece.

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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.