Of all the civilizations that have ever existed, none have inspired as much wonder and awe as Ancient Rome. No society has replicated the achievements nor enjoyed the longevity that the Roman Empire did. This course explores the world of Ancient Rome as students investigate important events and key figures of the epoch. The individual lectures will examine major themes while touching upon the fascinating details of Roman life, such as the Romans' intensely hierarchical social order. Along the way, numerous facts of cultural literacy, such as what it means to "cross the Rubicon", will be illuminated as listeners enjoy Frances Titchener's unique style and finesse.
China is one of the oldest civilizations in the world and more importantly the only ancient civilization in human history without any interruption. This book outlines the unique historical trajectory of Chinese civilization, covering a period that starts with the early Paleolithic Period about 2 million years ago and extends all the way to 2008 when China successfully hosted the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing. It sums up the characteristics of Chinese civilization and attempts to uncover the secrets behind the continuity and vitality of this densely populated ancient civilization despite thousand years of vicissitudes.
Music in Ancient Greece and Romeis a comprehensive introduction to the study of music from Homeric times to the Roman emperor Trajan. John G. Landels offers the first scholarly overview of the practical and performance elements of music, rather than the moral and aesthetic discussion typified by the works of Plato. Illustrated with transcriptions of surviving musical scores, diagrams and line-drawings of instruments and performers, the book explores the contexts in which music played a role, such as mythology and poetry.
The Rise and Fall of Soul and Self - An Intellectual History of Personal Identity
This book traces the development of theories of the self and personal identity from the ancient Greeks to the present day. From Plato and Aristotle to Freud and Foucault, Raymond Martin and John Barresi explore the works of a wide range of thinkers and reveal the larger intellectual trends, controversies, and ideas that have revolutionized the way we think about ourselves.The authors open with ancient Greece, where the ideas of Plato, Aristotle, and the materialistic atomists laid the groundwork for future theories. They then discuss the ideas of the church fathers and medieval and Renaissance philosophers, including St. Paul, Philo, Augustine, Aquinas, and Montaigne.
Sport and Recreation in Ancient Greece: A Sourcebook with Translations
Aimed at readers of all levels--from student to classics buff to serious scholars--this sourcebook looks at sport and recreation in ancient Greece through translated accounts of ancient Greek and Latin authors. It examines such diversions as the ancient Olympic Games, athletic clothing, women in sports, dining, dancing, and fishing. Sport and Recreation in Ancient Greece offers a wide range of topics geared to students' interests, new translations into readable English that facilitate their introduction to the subject, and a rich assortment of illustrations.
