The classical Greek civilization is the cornerstone of Western civilization today. The Greeks invented and developed everything from logic and democracy to rhetoric, drama, and philosophy. "Empire of Ancient Greece, Revised Edition" chronicles the remarkable legacy of the Greeks, as well as the diversity of their societies - from the thriving democracy of Athens to the militarism of Sparta to the oligarchy of Thrace. It explores the conditions that made it possible for the ancient Greeks to develop a culture that set the foundation for our intellectual lives today, and explains why Greek power eventually declined.
Empire of Ancient Egypt (Great Empires of the Past)
A great civilization that grew up around the Nile River, ancient Egypt had sophisticated irrigation systems that held back the desert, writing and recordkeeping that tracked every event in the region, and some of the greatest architects and engineers the world has ever seen. This revised edition of "Empire of Ancient Egypt" sorts through the myths of popular culture and contradictory historical evidence to give a clear, detailed picture of the life and history of the ancient Egyptians.
Though the Incas left no written records of their great civilization, the archaeological remains and accounts of Spanish conquistadors and priests paint a picture of a well-ordered, vast empire. In the mountains of Peru and Ecuador, traces of Inca culture remain today in the road system that winds through the Andes, where people practice a religion that mixes the Catholicism of the Spanish conquerors with the animism of the Inca. Living in small homes and storehouses that date back to Inca times, these people have been celebrating traditional festivals and market days for more than 800 years.
Under the leadership of Chinggis Khan and his descendants in the 13th century, the Mongols quickly built an empire that stretched from Korea to eastern Europe - the largest continuous area of land ever controlled by one ruling family. The rise of the Mongols marked the last major clash between nomadic and sedentary cultures. They united Eurasia in a truly international trading system, encouraged new forms of communication, and demonstrated the value of religious tolerance at a time when religious differences often led to wars.
Empires of Medieval West Africa: Ghana, Mali, and Songhay (Great Empires of the Past)
Beginning about 1200 CE, the Mali, Songhay, and Ghana empires spread their sequential influence across the western horn of Africa, making advances in trade, language, culture, and economy. Influenced heavily by Islam in their later periods, these empires flourished and grew under a series of powerful leaders, including one, Mansa Musa, whose skills were celebrated in European capitals.
