Akhenaten and Tutankhamen
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
Once Akhenaton came to power in fourteenth-century Egypt, life changed dramatically. He completely reformed the country's religion, and he replaced the traditional gods with a single god: Aton the sun god. His religious fervor went so far that he changed his own name to Akhenaton, meaning "beneficial to the Aton," from Amenhotep IV. His people were dissatisfied, and soon after his death, and with the rule of Tutankhamen, the country returned to its traditional deities. Although Tutankhamen is famously known for his lavish tombs, his short rule is also marked by the restoration of art and any temples damaged during Akhenaton's rule.
Ahmose I
Pharaoh Of The 18th Dynasty
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
Ahmose I, founder of the New Kingdom, came to a broken Egypt and expanded it to the largest size it would ever reach. Readers will learn about how the familial bonds of the women who eagerly and expertly guided the rulers of Thebes sustained him, as a lineage of war-making young men came of age on the throne. They will make connections between how modernizing and adjusting to a specific enemy enabled the Thebans to take on the previously dominant Hyksos, while thought-provoking sidebars describe topics like why naming is important, and what differentiates the factions that sought power.
Snefru
Pharaoh of the 4th Dynasty
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
If not for Snefru, the first pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty, most of the massive pyramids of Egypt would not exist, and no pharaoh would have ever been buried in one. Libya and Nubia would not have become the main sources of the forced labor that built these massive works, and the cattle from those defeated lands wouldn't have been their sustenance. The story of an Egypt that took what it wanted to build its name is one that Santillian and Thomas graciously bring to young readers.
Julius Caesar
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
One of the most revered, legendary, and nonetheless complicated figures from the history of Rome, Julius Caesar was a master politician and military genius. In this book, Caesar's life and impressive accomplishments are related within the historical context of the Roman Republic, already an incredible power by his time, transforming into an empire. It explores Caesar's role in this transformation, and his triumphs in war, illuminating the path of a leader both exalted and fear, and ultimately felled by his ambition.
Leonidas I
Warrior King of Sparta
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
In 480 BCE, 300 Spartan soldiers sacrificed themselves so that Greece would unite against the Persian invasion. This is the story of Leonidas I, the man who led them. Readers experience the rich culture of this ancient Greek city-state, a domain notorious for its intellectualism and diplomatic prowess. Readers will learn about how Leonidas I furthered democracy while maintaining the prosperity of his people, even in the face of adversity. Santillian and Macgregor Morris team up to prove that there is much more to Sparta than its magnificent military might.
Constantine
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
The rise of Constantine marked a pivotal and transformative time for the Roman Empire. Besides imposing many important changes to Rome's government and currency and a reorganization of civil and military spheres, Constantine is also well known for being the first Roman emperor to embrace and eventually convert to Christianity, a religion once oppressed and reviled by pagan Rome, and for shifting imperial power to the eastern part of the empire. In this book, the life of Constantine the Great, as he would become known as, is explored, analyzed, and enlivened via historical images of artworks and ancient Roman relics.
Solon
Athenian Statesman and Poet
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
A leader for the people, Solon would go down in history as the lawmaker who set the stage for Athens to become the first democratic state. Solon's incorruptible spirit, along with his oratorical skills and poetry, were a refreshing break from the tyrants of his time, whom the people of Greek city-states feared as they rose to power. Readers will benefit from an understanding of how an environment of political turmoil bred a new, more inclusive system of law when what existed wasn't working for the people, while eye-catching call-outs offer insights that position historical background in the present.
Pericles
Athenian Statesman and Patron of the Arts
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
The Golden Age of Athens was derived from the leadership of Pericles, politician extraordinaire. Readers will learn how one man moved his country to complete such works as building the Parthenon, Propylaea, and other projects, ending revolts against Athenian rule, leading Athens into the Peloponnesian War, and more, all while taking on various battles with domestic political rivals. This dynamic text utilizes call-outs to draw connections between ancient Athens and modern times and helps readers understand the landscape in which he led Athens to flourish.
Hatshepsut
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
The legacy of ancient Egypt has captivated historians, archaeologists, and the public at large for centuries. This includes the physical relics left behind, primary sources that serve as a window into the lives of the long-gone Egyptians, especially the pharaohs, kings elevated to the status of gods. Among the more intriguing pharaohs was Hatshepsut, perhaps the most powerful woman who led a nation up to that time. The story of how she possibly ruled in the guise of a male pharaoh is explored in this volume via an exploration of the artifacts and sites throughout Egypt that remain to tell her tale.
Alexander the Great
Macedonian King and Conqueror
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
The only time in which the known world was united under one empire was during the reign of Alexander the Great. This book tells of a triumphant life of war and carnage that was inspired by an upbringing that encouraged unending ambition. Readers will learn about how massive differences in managing the Macedonian and Persian armies resulted in a strikingly decisive outcome, while engaging call-outs situate Alexander the Great in history, describing the evolution of phalanx warfare, the treatment of ancient hostages, and the impact of founding Alexandria in Egypt.
Cicero
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
Marcus Tullius Cicero, who lived from 106 BCE to 43 BCE, was a man who wore many hats: Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, and writer. He became the greatest orator in Rome's history and penned countless books and letters throughout his life, including speeches, lectures, and philosophical and political pieces. He was also a poet, although little of his verse exists today. But Cicero's life was far from the quiet, docile existence of a writer who kept to himself. His speeches often raised the hackles of his opponents and others with whom he disagreed, and he was exiled from Rome at one point.
Nero
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
As the last descendant of the history-changing Julius Caesar, Nero more than made a name for himself. But his rule of ancient Rome, which lasted from 54 to 68 CE, is a story that is not so straightforward. His shocking and outright brutal behavior certainly stands out, whether it was the murder of his mother, his enjoyment of performance art at a time when such public performances were highly unusual, or his general disregard for his role as ruler when it came to running his government. But much of Nero's nasty reputation was not as straightforward as history might make it seem.
Cleopatra
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
Cleopatra is renowned as one of the most famous female leaders in all of history, but often her importance as the Macedonian dynasty's last queen is obscured by her reputation for a lavish life and her tumultuous, high-profile romances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Countless books, movies, plays, and operas have highlighted the drama and downplayed her keen political acumen and dedication to increasing Egypt's power. Cleopatra, who began ruling Egypt when she was only eighteen years old, was a witty, stimulating conversationalist who was able to use her charm and intelligence for the good of her country.
Ramses II
The Most Powerful Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
The name Ramses II evokes the epitome of ancient Egypt. But why was he the final ruler of the New Kingdom? And what was it that made him pursue peace when such treaties didn't exist? The life of Ramses II offers some particularly unique intrigues that appear in his many campaigns throughout the ancient world. Santillian and van Basten offer an expansive account of the many contributions Ramses II offered in his unusually long and active life, including leaving a legacy of being ancient Egypt's most prolific builder of monuments and temples, as he outlived most of his would-be heirs.
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
The height of the Roman Empire's power was during the reign of Hadrian. While endless predecessors and their rivals fought for expansion, Hadrian focused on sustaining his domain and his people's livelihood. Readers will learn how even such an internal focus can lead to tragedy, specifically by intersecting religion with absolute statesmanship, as the Bar Kokhbah Revolt demonstrated. Regardless, conducting massive city-building projects, fortifying the borders of the empire, and other feats christen Hadrian as the third of the Five Good Emperors. Santillian and Morgan's exhaustive research culminates in a comprehensive examination of all that Hadrian left in his wake.
Augustus
Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series
The transformation of Rome from a republic into an empire was one of the most pivotal changes of its era, affecting the course of history for the Mediterranean world. Born at the time of civil and political unrest that embroiled Rome leading up to and surrounding the death of Julius Caesar, the man born Gaius Octavius, or Octavian, was Caesar's great-nephew. This book relates how, through political maneuvering and military prowess, he would become Augustus, the first emperor of the new Roman Empire. The story of how he cemented Rome's power will be of interest to fans of Roman history and casual readers alike.