Product Description

This is a unique and comprehensive introduction to the ancient Mediterranean and its three major civilizations, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It reveals a fascinating picture of the deep links between the cultures across the Mediterranean and explores the ways in which these civilizations continue to be influential to this day.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #488938 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-18
• Released on: 2003-02-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 654 pages

From Library Journal
With this volume, Freeman (The Ancient Greeks, Oxford Univ., 1996) has written a useful introduction to three significant ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean littoral. While some may question the inclusion of Egyptian civilization in a volume largely surveying classical civilization, the author persuasively presents Egypt and the ancient Near East as strong influences, if not precursors, of classical civilization. Although most recent volumes of the ancient world have been anthologies (e.g., The Oxford History of the Classical World, Oxford Univ., 1986), with different specialists responsible for contributing chapters, Freeman elected to consult various specialists in ancient history when composing his work but assumes sole responsibility for the final presentation. Acknowledging that ancient studies are not free of controversies, the author unfortunately does not feel that a survey volume of this type is the right forum in which to air them. Still, this work is a useful introduction to the ancient Mediterranean civilizations. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.?Robert J. Andrews, Duluth P.L., Minn.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
This massive work on the ancient Mediterranean world, Egypt, Greece and Rome, by Charles Freeman, is a delightfully well written and researched work. It is an introductory book that makes a solid textbook. The author has worked with an advisory committee of experts, including some very promitent British scholars, such as A. Cameron, A. Kuhrt, and R. Whitehouse./Mark W. Chavalas/Journal of World History 1998.

Ingram
Covering more than four thousand years of ancient history, from the early Egyptians to the dawn of Byzantium, an illustrated introduction to the Mediterranean's three major civilizations examines their links and traces their influence up to the present day. UP.