Discovering the Ancient Past: A Look at the Evidence - Softcover

Note: Each chapter includes "The Problem," "Sources and Methods," "The Evidence," "Questions to Consider," and "Epilogue." 1. The Need for Water in Ancient Societies (2000 B.C.-500 A.D.) The Evidence: Aerial Photograph of Pre-Roman City in Italy Major Ancient Levees Identifiable in LANDSAT Imagery Early Egyptian King Cutting an Irrigation Ditch, Drawn from Mace-head Carving, 3100 B.C.E. Shaduf Saqiya Archimedes' Screw Noria Sections from the Code of Hammurabi Referring to Irrigation, 1750 B.C.E. Vetruvius's Description of the Roman Aqueduct System, first century B.C.E. Suetonius's Description of the Water Projects Undertaken by Emperor Claudius (r 41-54 C.E.) Frontinus's Discussion of Rome's Water System, ca 100 C.E. Proclamation of Emperor Theodosius, 438 C.E. 2. Writing and Power: Defining World-Views (1750-200 B.C.E.) The Evidence: Excerpts from Atra-hasis Excerpts from Book 10 of the Rig Veda From the First Book of Moses, called Genesis From Yijing, Commentary on the Appended Judgments 3. Polytheism and Monotheism in the Fertile Crescent, ca 3000-500 B.C.E. The Evidence: The Ziggurat of Ur-Nammu, King of Ur, ca 2100 B.C.E. The Ziggurat of Ur-Nammu, King of Ur, ca 2100 B.C.E., As It Looked After Twentieth-Century Archaeological Excavation Work Creation of Man by the Mother Goddess Prayer to the Moon God, Nannar or Sin The Epic of Gilgamesh The Code of Hammurabi Creation, from Genesis 2:1-24 The Ten Commandments Selections from the Torah Selections from the Prophets The Book of Job 4. Representing the Human Form (2600 B.C.E.-600 C.E.) The Evidence: King Mycerinus and Queen Khamerernebti, from Funerary Temple near his Pyramid at Giza, ca 2600 B.C.E. Nebamum Hunting Birds, with his Wife and Servent, from his Tomb at Thebes, ca 1400 B.C.E. Statues of King Ramesses II and his Wife, Queen Nefertari, at Luxor, ca 1250 B.C.E. Wall Painting from Nerfertari's Tomb near Thebes, ca 1250 B.C.E. Anavyssos Kouros, Attica near Athens, ca 525 B.C.E. Peplos Kore, Athens, ca 530 B.C.E. Theseus and the Amazons, from an Attic Red-figured Krater, ca 440 B.C.E. Polykleitos, Doryphoros or "The Canon," ca 440 B.C.E. (Roman copy) Praxiteles, Aphrodite of Knidos, ca 340 B.C.E. (Roman copy) Yakshi, from a Pillar at the Great Stupa of Bharhut, ca 100 B.C.E. Standing Buddha, from Gandhara, ca 200 C.E. Preaching Buddha, from Sarnath, ca 475 C.E. Bodhisattva Vajrapani, Nepal, 6th or 7th century C.E. 5. The Ideal and Reality of Classical Athens The Evidence: Pericles' Funeral Speech, 430 B.C.E. The Melian Debate, 415 B.C.E. From Aristotle, The Politics An Unknown Suthor's View of Athenian Democracy From Xenophon, The Economist From Plato, The Republic Floor Plan of a House from Olynthus, 5th century B.C.E. The Athenian Agora, 4th century B.C.E. 6. The Equine Revolution (3700 B.C.E.-100 C.E.) The Evidence: Cave Painting, Lascaux, France, 15,000-10,000 B.C.E. Rock Painting, North Africa Scythian Frieze on Silver Amphora The Migrations of Horse-Breeding People in Asia and Europe Iranian-Style Royal Portrait from Sasanian-Type Silver Plate From Herodotus, The Persian Wars, 5th century B.C.E. Assyrian Horsemen, Relief from the Palace of Ninevah, ca 639 B.C.E. Felt Hanging Found at Pazyryk, Siberia, 5th century B.C.E. Parthian Mounted Archer, Etruscan Vase Chinese Pottery Figures, 3rd century B.C.E. Relief Tombstone of a Trooper of the Roman Auxiliary Cavalry Regiment Recruited in Noricum Toy Model of a Sumerian Wagon and Drawing of a Wheel from a Sumerian Cart, early 3rd millennium B.C.E. Drawing of a Caucasian Wagon and Cart, early 2nd millennium B.C.E. Roman wagon, from Roman Tombstone in Pannonia (in Modern Hungary) Anatolian Chariot, from Assyrian Seal, early 2nd millennium B.C.E. Egyptian Chariot, mid-2nd millennium B.C.E. Photograph of Gravesite from China's Shang Dynasty, ca 1700 B.C.E. Roman Triumphal Chariot Early Greek Clay Figurines Depicting a Plow Team and a Chariot 7. The Achievements of Augustus The Evidence: Decree Issued by Emperor Augustus, 4 B.C.E. Inscription from the City of Narbonne, 11 C.E. From Horace, Odes From Suetonius, Life of Augustus From Dio Cassius, Roman History From Tacitus, Annals From Augustus, Res Gestae Divi Augusti Roman Coin Issued 2 B.C.E. Roman Coin Issued 20-16 B.C.E. Arch of Augustus at Rimini. Main Roman Roads, 31 B.C.E.-14 C.E. Main Roman Roads at Their Greatest Extent, 180 C.E. 8. The Development of Orthodoxy in Early Christianity The Evidence: The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 24 The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 28 The Gospel of Mary Magdalene "The Wisdom of Jesus Christ" Description of the Ideas of Several Gnostic Thinkers, from Irenaeus of Lyon's Against Heresies The Apostle's Creed: Adapted from a Letter of St. Ambrose of Milan, 390 Description of the Ideas of Marcion, from Irenaeus of Lyons's Against Heresies The Muratorian Canon Clement of Rome, Letter to the Christians at Corinth Discussion of Succession from Irenaeus's Against Heresies Diescussion of Succession from Tertullian, Prescription Against the Heretics 9. Philosophy and Faith: The Problem of Ancient Suicide The Evidence: Plato, The Phaedo Epicurus on the Meaning of Death Epictetus on Ending Life The Death of Abimelech (Jedges 9:50-56) The Death of Samson (Judges 16:23:31) The Deaths of Saul and His Armor-Bearer (1 Samuel 31:1-13) The Death of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23) The Death of Zimri (1 Kings 16:18-19) The Death of Judas (Matthew 27:1-8) Josephus on Mass Suicide at Masada, 73 C.E. Saint Augustine, The City of God, Book I 10. Slave Law in Roman and Germanic Society The Evidence: Theodosian Code Selections from the Digest of Justinian's Code Selections from The Burgundian Code Selections from Salic Law Selections from Lombard Laws Laws of the Alamans Laws of Anglo-Saxon Kings 11. The Transformation of Christianity The Evidence: The Conversion of Constantine, early 4th century The Conversion of Clovis, 496 The Conversion of King Ethelbert, 597 From the Theodosian Code, 438 Conversion of Scandinavia, 996-997 Sermon by Pope Leo, 446 Edict of Emperor Valentinian III, 445 Letter of Pope Gelasius to the Emperor, late 5th century Prosper's Account of the Meeting Between Pope Leo and Attila the Hun, 455 Anonymous Account of the Meeting Between Pope Leo and Attila the Hun, 6th century Life of St. Bonitus, 7th century Life of St. Boniface, 8th century From the Life of St. Sturmi, 8th century

Incorporating the latest scholarship, this upper-level ancient history text guides students through the process of historical inquiry and exploration. Covering topics ranging from the need for water in ancient societies to the problem of ancient suicide, this narrative presents a balanced, cultural approach within a chronicle of historical events and evidence, thereby promoting critical thinking, sharpening analytical skills, and building student interest. This text offers a unique, multi-part pedagogical framework. Each chapter is organized by "The Problem," "Sources and Method," "The Evidence," "Questions to Consider," and the "Epilogue." Diverse primary source materials include documents, maps, art, city plans, and statistical data. At the end of each chapter, the central theme, or "problem," is tied to contemporary issues.