The Fall of Constantinople - The Ottoman Conquest of Byzantium
Byzantium was the last bastion of the Roman Empire following the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It fought for survival for eight centuries until, in the mid-15th century, the emperor Constantine XI ruled just a handful of whittled down territories, an empire in name and tradition only. This lavishly illustrated book chronicles the history of Byzantium, the evolution of the defenses of Constantinople and the epic siege of the city, which saw a force of 80,000 men repelled by a small group of determined defenders until the Turks smashed the city's protective walls with artillery.
Water Technology in the Middle Ages - Cities, Monasteries and Waterworks after the Roman Empire
Focusing attention on gravity-fed water-flow systems in medieval cities and monasteries, Water Technology in the Middle Ages: Cities, Monasteries, and Waterworks after the Roman Empire challenges the view that hydraulic engineering died with the Romans and remained moribund until the Renaissance. Roberta Magnusson explores the systems' technologies -- how they worked, what uses the water served -- and also the social rifts that created struggles over access to this basic necessity.
In A.D. 327, a Roman galley barely escapes a pirate attack with its extraordinary cargo. In 1916, a British warship mysteriously explodes in the middle of the North Sea. In the present day, a cluster of important mosques in Turkey and Egypt are wracked by explosions. Does anything tie them together? NUMA director Dirk Pitt is about to find out, as Roman artifacts discovered in Turkey and Israel unnervingly connect to the rise of a fundamentalist movement determined to restore the glory of the Ottoman Empire, and to the existence of a mysterious "manifest," lost long ago, which if discovered again...just may change the history of the world as we know it.
Taboo, Magic, Spirits - A Study of Primitive Elements in Roman Religion
A study of primitive elements in Roman religion, this deals with such topics as witchcraft, taboo, incantations, magic, and the superstitions that affected every part of everyday life. Thoroughly well-researched, while avoiding being 'heavy' reading. Many will find this interesting reading as the sections on prayer, blood sacrifices and raising the hands sets the contextual backdrop for much of the New Testament.
Living in Ancient Rome covers the period from 753 BCE to 476 CE, focusing on a time set during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. It examines the day-to-day lives of ancient Romans, from the senatorial order to the plebeians and slaves. The structures of government and society are explained, as well as the relationships between families and family members. Particular attention is paid to the contribution of Roman society, including the Roman calendar, aqueducts, and new craft and building techniques. With timelines, maps, detailed photography, and full-color illustrations, Living in Ancient Rome is an engaging reference for teenagers and young adults that brings the ancient world to life.
