According to the "Hebrew Bible", David rose from humble beginnings as a sheepherder in the hills of Bethlehem to become the ruler of the ancient kingdom of Israel and the founder of an empire that included not only the modern state of Israel, but parts of Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan as well. Courageous and conniving, pious and vengeful, warrior, poet, fugitive, and king, David is not only one of the most complex and fascinating figures in Hebrew scripture but also one of the ancient world's best-known leaders.
Ramses II, pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty, left an indelible mark on ancient Egypt. Often known as Ramses the Great, his reign was a golden age when political and cultural life thrived. He created spectacular monuments, including the magnificent Abu Simbel temples, the royal city of Piramses, and his mortuary temple Ramesseum. As a military leader, he expanded the Egyptian sovereignty from Nubia in the south to Syria in the west. Brilliant and ambitious, he forged with the Hittite Empire the first-ever peace treaty.
Here's a book for cat lovers, but those who prefer good hard science to the warm and fuzzy feline tomes. While very readable, not to mention beautifully and lavishly illustrated, The Big Cats and Their Fossil Relatives is a serious and intelligent look at how today's lions, tigers, and other cat species are linked to their ancient and extinct ancestors. The way cats have evolved over 25 million years, and the descriptions of feline behavior, both ancient and present, will intrigue animal lovers in general, and not just cat people.
Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself
From Buddhism, feng shui, and porcelain pottery to gunpowder, dynasties, and trade routes, this interactive activity guide explores the incredible ingenuity and history of ancient China with more than 20 hands-on projects. Comprehensive coverage of the ancient culture—everything from the daily lives of both the rich and poor to the history of architecture, dynasties, religion, trade, and science—are combined with step-by-step instructions for creating Chinese inventions with ordinary household materials.
Mythical Creatures (Mysteries, Legends, and Unexplained Phenomena)
Added by: englishcology | Karma: 4552.53 | Fiction literature | 23 January 2010
16
Legends and myths are full of impossible creatures and strange beasts, from the half-human, half-lion sphinx of ancient Egypt to fire-breathing dragons to mermaids in the oceans. Although stories of these creatures date back to the earliest history of humanity, they are no less fascinating or popular today as a steady stream of books, games, movies, television shows, and other media revisit their stories and reinterpret the myths. But what lies behind these myths and legends? Did these bizarre animals once exist in ancient times, inspiring the accounts and stories that have kept them alive?
