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A Brief Guide to Classical Civilization (Brief History of)
 
 

A Brief Guide to Classical Civilization (Brief History of) [Kindle Edition]

Stephen Kershaw
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

Print List Price: £8.99
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Product Description

Product Description

A general introduction to the classical world from its origins to the fall of the Roman Empire.

The book focuses on questions of how we know about Classical civilization from archaeology and history; deals with the Mycenaean era and the world of Myth and Epic in Homer's Iliad & Odyssey; gives an outline of Greek history in the 5th & 4th Centuries BC; looks at Greek social life and the alternative model of Sparta, and considers the achievements of the Greeks in their art and architecture, tragedy and comedy.

Turning to Rome, it engages with Roman history, the Roman Epic tradition, the fascinating features of Roman social life, analyses Roman satire, explores the urban environment in Pompeii and Herculaneum, and concludes with the End of Rome.

About the Author

Stephen Kershaw wrote his PhD under Richard Buxton, arguably the leading scholar on Greek myth in the world. He has taught Classics in numerous establishments, including Oxford University Department for Continuing Education and Warwick University. He runs the European Studies Classical Tour for Rhodes College and the University of the South.

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 1064 KB
  • Print Length: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Robinson (19 Jan 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B004JMZD84
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #73,267 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent: lucid and straight forward overview 31 May 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a good introduction to the classical world. It is clear and straightforward and provides a good jumping off point for further investiagtions if you are so inclined otherwise it provides a good grounding in the era.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Brief but deep 10 April 2012
By W. Rodick TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Kindle Edition
Ours is not the first 'civilization.' That may be an obvious statement but it is one important for any human to be able to say to itself. 'A Brief Guide to Classical Civilization' is an authoritative examination of that word 'civilization' from the Minoan palaces of Knossos roughly 1900 BCE to the fall of Rome 410 CE.

Stephen Kershaw does not simply cover the major events, times and dates but goes into detail in respect of how people were in any particular time. Whilst I enjoyed reading how war was such a part of life I could also understand how such far away times resonate exactly with history as it has unfolded in my lifetime. And how radically different they once were. Marriage, slavery, sex, working conditions; all are relayed in Kershaw's coherent narrative.

Of special interest to me was the stark contrast of civilizations that were the Athenian and Spartan ways of living. Side by side, in the same time period. The Athenian free-traders and dynamic creativity as opposed to the rigid upbringing of men in Sparta: 'they almost completely rejected economic activity.' Their inability to adapt was their downfall.

For those, like me, who have wondered about ancient times but have not really known where to start in respect of getting a hook on the period of time I heartily recommend 'A Brief Guide to Classical Civilization.' The analysis of pottery, text, architecture is careful to understand how people treated each other in any given 'civilization.' For less than a pound in the spring Kindle Sale (ending April 12) it is great value for money. You will read it right through.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Brief Guide to Classical Civilization 13 May 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a well written and easy to read book. I like the way history, legends and archaeological facts are used, which make this an enjoyable read. This brief guide is suitable for anyone whether you know anything about the Classical ancient past or not. It makes me want to go on holiday to check out the places talked about!
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