A History of the Ancient World
by Chester G. Starr
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Reflecting five decades of teaching and research, and drawing on the most recent scholarship, the fourth edition of this widely-read history provides the same broad coverage, chronological framework, and absorbing literary style that distinguished previous editions. For the new edition, the chapters on early humankind, the section on the revolt of Bar Kochba, and the chapter describing the end of the Roman Empire in the west have been rewritten to incorporate the most recent scholarship, and show more bibliographies have been brought up to date throughout. A classic survey of history from the beginnings of humankind to the fall of the Roman Empire, Starr's A History of the Ancient World makes the latest scholarship available to the general reader in a lively and accessible way. show lessTags
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From the Paleolithic Age to the "decline" -- a word he wonderfully qualifies [709]-- of Rome. Specifically, from the pre-lower paleolithic australopithicenes of 5,000,000 BC and before, to the 3rd century AD.
Have to question his interpretation of the rise of Christianity, claims of "repeated rebellion" in Spain [493, 508] during the Republic, the view of the Jewish Revolt (led by Bar Kochba, who is not mentioned in the text but is curiously referenced in the cover). Excellent presentation of Hebrew history, noting that "Only sporadically, however, does archeological material bear specifically upon passages in the Old Testament itself" [162], that codification into "this great book of Judaism" [160].
Have to question his interpretation of the rise of Christianity, claims of "repeated rebellion" in Spain [493, 508] during the Republic, the view of the Jewish Revolt (led by Bar Kochba, who is not mentioned in the text but is curiously referenced in the cover). Excellent presentation of Hebrew history, noting that "Only sporadically, however, does archeological material bear specifically upon passages in the Old Testament itself" [162], that codification into "this great book of Judaism" [160].
This is an excellent overview of Western history until the medieval history. There are a few efforts to show what was happeneing in China and China, but not very much. The maps and bibliographies at the ends of the chapters are very good. Readable.
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37+ Works 1,636 Members
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1965
- Dedication
- To my wife Gretchen for her silver wedding anniversary
To my wife Gretchen in loving token of over four decades - First words
- Preface: All the men discussed in this book have long ben dead.
Scientists now speculate that the age of the earth is several billion years.
I -- The First Achievements of Man -- Scientists now speculate that the age of the earth is 4 1/2 billion years. History is concerned with only the last few moments, relatively speaking, of this immense span of time; for its ... (show all)province is the story of mankind. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Yet once the energies of this relatively tiny area were unleashed, its people were to spring forward; the history of modern times is largely of the impact of that spring on the rest of the globe.
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- 665
- Popularity
- 43,191
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.74)
- Languages
- English, Italian, Spanish
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 13
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 6
