Detailed but lively, this book offers an introduction to the sources of evidence about ancient history. Hedrick has a keen sense of irony for the varying ways in which ancient and modern people read the same documents and he is an ideal guide to help us bridge the gap. If students are to "do" history, as opposed to "reading" it, they must learn how to engage with historical sources. This book introduces students to the chief disciplines, methods and sources employed in "doing" ancient history. It gives them a sense of the nature of evidence and its use in the reconstruction of the past, helping them to read a historical narrative with more critical appreciation; and it encourages them to consider the differences between their own academic experience of ancient sources – books, inscriptions, coins and the like – and the use of these same objects within the everyday life of ancient society. The author writes clearly, concisely and concretely, invoking ancient illustrations and modern parallels as appropriate.
"Sappho's Lyre", written by Diane J. Rayor, is sensationally crafted in chronological order to afford today's modern audience the ability to understand and appreciate the lyrics of ancient Greek poetry. This volume is significant as it includes the works of all the ancient women poets together in one book for the first time ever. Along with the works of the seventeen poets who composed various genres of lyric poetry over 2500 years ago, "Sappho's Lyre" includes an introduction and notes section to explain the characters as well as the history of events taking place during the time each of the poets' lyrics are composed. These poets use their lyrics and musical instruments as a way of communicating the events and feelings of the individuals and their communities during the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods. Diane Rayor does an extraordinary job of explaining in modern day language the growth and development of ancient poetry.
Kids discover the origin of ancient Greek theories, such as anatomy, geography, and democracy, and the ways they continue to influence modern-day thinking with the absorbing time lines, sidebars, and activities included in this guide. Profiles of more than two dozen famous historical figures explain how their inventions are used in the modern world and provide insight into the experimental nature of the Aegean people. Fifteen activities allow children to re-create some of the scientific discoveries while learning how to use scientific reasoning, develop theses, and find supporting evidence.
The first general introduction to Mesopotamia that covers all four of the area's major ancient civilizations-Sumer, Akkad, Assyria, and Babylonia. The eyes of the world are on Iraq and the surrounding region, witnessing conflict, chaos, and the effects of brutal dictatorship. But in ancient times, the civilizations that flourished there gave birth to some of humanity's most cherished achievements, including the written word, the city, the legal system, public education, and more. Ancient Mesopotamia: New Perspectives ranges from the region's cultural beginnings to its Persian "liberation," from simple farmers to mighty kings, from the marshy Gulf shores ard Arabian desert sands to the foothills of the Taurus and Zagros mountains.
This is a new introduction for readers who wish to know more about the science that is changing our world. There are wonderful and eclectic references to literature and the mythologies of ancient cultures.
