Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations

From Prehistory to 640 CE

Third Edition

Ralph W. Mathisen

• Presents an understanding of the ancient Mediterranean that emphasizes evolution and continuity, connections and causality, and cultural diffusion and cultural diversity
• Integrates material culture directly into an appreciation of how history is reconstructed
• Covers the full range of the ancient human experience in the Mediterranean, from the Paleolithic to the end of antiquity in the 7th century CE
• Includes an entire chapter that examines cultures outside the immediate margins of the ancient Mediterranean: Chapter 9: "Civilization beyond the Near East, Greece, and Rome (2300-31 BCE)"
• "Digging Antiquity": Illustrated features that discuss specific archaeological sites, many of which can still be visited
• Looking Back": Chapter summaries, followed by "Looking Ahead" sections that preview the following chapters
• "History Laboratory": Concise observations on how historians use different methodologies to interpret historical evidence and to debunk pseudoscience
• "Historical Controversy": Reflections that explore conflicting modern interpretations of ancient phenomena
• "A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words": Illustrations of distinctive material artifacts, accompanied by brief essays
• "Mysteries of History": Selections that address puzzling and intriguing aspects of the past
• "In Their Own Words": Extended quotations that exemplify each chapter's main themes
• Sticky Notes: Notes placed in the margins at key points that remind students of commonalities, patterns, or connections
• A stunning interior design featuring more than 200 maps and illustrations, including an eight-page color portfolio
• Oxford Learning Link at www.oup.com/he/mathisen-mediterranean3e provides digital learning resources for students (including chapter quizzes, flashcards, and videos) and a test-item file and PowerPoint lecture slides for instructors

New to this Edition:

• "Subversive Personalities," illustrated features that highlight the actions of people--particularly women, including Eve, Enheduanna, Akhenaton, Jezebel, Judith, Sappho, Hypatia, and Theodora--who challenged traditional institutions, beliefs, or social conventions
• "Cultural Encounters" features that focus on the Romans' engagements with other peoples
• New discussions of Göbekli Tepe, Old Europe, Sumerian dream interpretation, Buddhism, Artemisia, the temples in the Largo di Torre Argentina, recent scientific developments, and the Alamanni
• Expanded coverage of the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Scorpion kings and Egyptian trade, the Battle of Salamis, the history of Rome, and more

Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations

From Prehistory to 640 CE

Third Edition

Ralph W. Mathisen

Description

Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations

From Prehistory to 640 CE

Third Edition

Ralph W. Mathisen

Table of Contents

Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations

From Prehistory to 640 CE

Third Edition

Ralph W. Mathisen

Author Information

Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations

From Prehistory to 640 CE

Third Edition

Ralph W. Mathisen

Reviews and Awards