Discover Ancient Civilizations

This book covers the highlights of ancient Rome, including the founding of Rome, mythology, Pompeii, and Roman law, among other topics. The book also focuses on Roman civilization, Roman religion, social life and customs. Everyday life is also featured in the book as well, including the bread and circuses, the trade guilds, the blood games, chariot races, the baths, theatre, poetry, and education.

This book provides an overview of the history of ancient Greece, beginning with the Minoans, Greek mythology, and Mycenae, and continuing to the advent of Rome. Greek philosophy, religion, daily life, love of sports, and art and architecture are also explored.

Readers will follow the story from the Egyptians' prehistoric origins to their conquest by the Persians, Greeks, and Romans. Begin the journey at Hatshepsut's tomb, Egypt's first woman pharaoh. Then explore the amazing pyramids at Giza, learn about the fascinating language of hieroglyphics, and the rise and fall of the mighty pharaohs.

Give your readers a history of ancient Persia, discussing the contributions of rulers from Cyrus to Darius as they expanded the boundaries of the empire. Over a period of almost 1,200 years, the ancient Persians learned to cultivate crops such as wheat and barley and to domesticate animals. They also demonstrated their talents for architecture and art by building enormous palaces, such as at the site of Persepolis, and introduced the idea of worshipping a single god.

Mesopotamia is often called the Cradle of Civilization and it is this region that is the focus of this book. Ancient Mesopotamia, centering on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, features the rise of city-states and innovations in agriculture. The people of Mesopotamia also developed complex systems of writing, architectural wonders, advancements in military tactics and weaponry, and some of the first recorded legal codes.

Confucius, the Great Wall, silk, oracle bones, writing, and paper are among the topics explored here. This book starts with Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi's life size terracotta army of soldiers, chariots, and horses. The photographs show the army as it looks today and in the broken disarray of its discovery. The following chapters deal with early development, early dynasties, the unification of China, and the achievements, gifts, and inventions of the ancient Chinese.