The Ancient Mediterranean World: From the Stone Age to A.D. 600

by Robin W. Winks and Susan P. Mattern-Parkes

Book Overview

What is a city, and what forms did urbanization take in different times and places? How do peoples and nations define themselves and perceive foreigners? Questions like these serve as the framework for The Ancient Mediterranean World: From the Stone Age to A.D. 600. This book provides a concise overview of the history of the Mediterranean world, from Paleolithic times through the rise of Islam in the seventh century A.D. It traces the origins of the civilizations around the Mediterranean--including ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, Greece, and Rome--and their interactions over time.
The Ancient Mediterranean World goes beyond political history to explore the lives of ordinary men and women and investigate topics such as the relationships between social classes, the dynamics of the family, the military and society, and aristocratic values. It introduces students not only to the ancient texts on which historians rely, but also to the art and architecture that reveal how people lived and how they understood ideas like love, death, and the body. Numerous illustrations, chronological charts, excerpts from ancient texts, and in-depth discussions of specific art objects and historical methods are included. Text boxes containing primary source materials examine such diverse subjects as warfare in early Mesopotamia, sculpting the body in classical Greece, the young women of Sappho's chorus, and early descriptions of the Huns. Combining excellent chronological coverage with a clear, concise narrative, The Ancient Mediterranean World is an ideal text for undergraduate courses in ancient history and ancient civilization.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195155637
• ISBN13: 9780195155631
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Ancient World Textbook

I am using this book for a history course that I will take (and help teach) in the Fall Semester 2009. It is well-written, very concise. I found the graphics very helpful also. My only disappointment was having a question for the authors that I could not "ask." Robin Winks is now deceased and I don't think Susan Parkes is at UGA any longer. So I was not able to send along my question about the Mesopotamians. Dr. Dolores L. Sparrow

Good Intro of Hellenism and Roman Period

This book covers four broad areas of ancient history: non-Greek eastern Mediterranean civilizations, the Greek world, the Roman world, and late antiquity. It's a very ambitious project, especially since this is a slim volume (some 200 odd pages). I found only the Greek and Roman sections to be sufficiently detailed to make it worth reading. The other two sections were way too superficial and brief. I mean, how do you adequately cover the Hittites in two pages or the rise of Islam in a page? Why even mention them at all? That being said, I thought for an introductory work, the Greek and Roman sections were full of interest and engaging analysis. I think the authors were smart to focus on broad themes rather than a blow by blow chronological account. Overall, I would recommend this book, but only for its Greek and Roman histories.

Awesome Customer Care!

I had not recieved my book and I was beginning to worry b/c I am taking one of the most challenging classes this semester! Well, I emailed the seller of the book and they sent a reassuring email letting me know the book was on its way. I was really happy and I appreciated the very friendly email from the seller. Thanks so much! The book got here in record time!!

Excelllent introduction to the Mediterranean civilizations

I recently purchaed this book. I find a good introduction to the Ancient Mediterranean world. Though I wish that the authors gave more information about ancient Egypt. I can now go on to more detailed history books on Egypt, Rome and Greece.

A must for anyone developing an interest in ancient history

?A good history, very readable. The authors appear to be atheists or agnostics. They to put a lot of credence into the theory of evolution. An interesting note concerning their treatment of the life of Jesus is that they note that He performed miracles. They present this as if they are reporting history without trying to come up with alternative explanations for the miracles. This may be exactly what the first century Jewish historian Josephus did when he recorded the miracles of Jesus. They are neither affirming or denying, just reporting what was believed. In all, I found the book enjoyable to read through and it is one that will be read many times in the future.