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One of the major – and complicating - characteristics of the antique Middle East is the interconnection between the Semitic and Greco-Roman cultures. The current volume brings together studies which relate to the multi-cultural traditions of papyrus writing, with special attention regarding the linguistic, literary, and cultural features of these, often documentary texts.

Originally presented at a conference in honour of the retirement of Professor Baruch A. Levine, Skirball Professor Emeritus of Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies (New York University).

Important for students of the Greco-Roman world and the Near East in Late Antiquity. ... Read more

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This volume covers, for the first time, the interaction of a major historical event with the development of the Egyptian Solar-Osirian theology. Pharaoh Ramesses II visited the sacred area of Abydos soon after his recognition of power at Luxor in Thebes. With him were many high officials, one of whom would be soon appointed to be the high Priest of Amun at Thebes, Nebwenenef. During his visit, the king stressed his personal relationship with his father, Seti I as well as ordering the completion of his temple. By analyzing certain passages within Ramesses' official account, the "Dedicatory Inscription", with others of Seti, a more nuanced appreciation of the growing theological system of Osirus plus Re, the sun god, comes to the fore. This significance of this is heightened when we remember that the king's account was exhibited in the portico of Seti I's temple. ... Read more

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During the 19th and 20th centuries a wealth of sites in Galilee from pre- and proto-history onwards become known, mainly through surveys. Making use of additional identification sources such as historical documents from the biblical until the Ottoman periods and pilgrims' travelogues of every faith, the author of this work has made an inventory of all ancient sites now known in Galilee. The book is divided into 32 regions, each represented by a map. Each map has its sites numbered. The accompanying lists explain all sites chronologically, and identify the names the sites have carried in subsequent periods. ... Read more

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This book deals with the agronomy of ancient Mesopotamia. It relies on theoriginal, yet hardly known, agronomic encyclopaedia: The "Book ofNabatean Agriculture" written by Qutama (end of Antiquity).The three parts of the book analyze the origin of the Mesopotamian school ofagriculture and its economic and agro-technical conceptions.The material is a considerable contribution to the history of theMesopotamian agriculture. It also contains the knowledge which was basic tothe establishment of the agronomic culture of Islam. Besides, the historiansof agronomy could, thanks to this new material, relate the Mesopotamiancontribution to the development of the science of agriculture. FR Ce livre traite de l'agronomie de la Mesopotamie antique. Il se base sur uneencyclopedie agronomique originale et tres peu connue: le `Livre del'Agriculture Nabateenne', ecrit par un auteur babylonien, Qutama, vers la finde l'Antiquite.Les trois parties de l'ouvrage etudient l'origine de l'ecole agronomiquemesopotamienne et ses conceptions economiques et agro-techniques.L'ensemble de la matiere constitue un apport considerable pour l'histoire del'agriculture mesopotamienne. On peut egalement y trouver la richesse d'unsavoir qui a ete a l'origine de la fondation de la culture agronomique del'Islam.En outre, les historiens de l'agronomie pourront, grace a ce materielnouveau, integrer la contribution mesopotamienne au progres de la scienceagricole.CURRIC.Mohammed El Faiz, Doctorat d'Etat (1987) en economie, Universite deCasablanca, est professeur d'Histoire Economique a l'Universite de Marrakech.Il a publie des articles et collabore a des ouvrages consacres aux themes del'agronomie mesopotamienne et musulmane. ... Read more

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A Journey to Palmyra originates from the desire to remember Delbert R. Hillers, who greatly contributed with his work to Palmyrene studies. However, it is not meant just as a memorial volume, but as a research tool. It contains thirteen papers by scholars in the field of Palmyrene studies and Semitics focusing on different aspects of Palmyrene history, social history, art, archaeology and philology, with publication of newly discovered inscriptions. It offers a state-of-the-art discussion on several issues pertaining to the field of Palmyrene studies, and illustrates methodologies to be employed in order to increase our knowledge of the complex and multifaceted culture of ancient Palmyra and of neighbouring areas.

Readership: Scholars and students - undergraduates and graduates - in the field of Semitics, Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology and Art, Biblical Studies, and all those interested in the history of ancient Palmyra. ... Read more

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This book examines modes of economic contribution in the ancient world, chiefly through taxes, tribute and gifts. The interdisciplinary approach supplies the basis for economic terminology,taking into account the specific cultural context and the correlation between modern and ancient termini. ... Read more

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Through published works and in the classroom, Irene Winter served as a mentor for the latest generation of scholars of Mesopotamian visual culture. The contributions to this volume in her honor represent a cross section of the state of scholarship today. ... Read more

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This volume consists of philological and literary studies written by the author between the years 1967 and 2005 pertaining to the elucidation and explication of various aspects of the narrative, legal, prophetic, and wisdom genres of Biblical literature, with a major emphasis on the textual analysis of themes, idioms, terminology, and lexemes with the aid of Akkadian and Ugaritic source material. ... Read more

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"The Furniture from Tumulus MM" is a study of the furniture from the largest tomb at Gordion, Turkey, excavated in 1957 by the University of Pennsylvania Museum. The tomb dates to the eighth century BC and is thought to be the burial of the great Phrygian king Midas or his father. The objects, initially misunderstood, are now identified as nine tables, two serving stands, two stools, a chair, and an open log coffin. Three pieces are ornately carved and inlaid with religious symbols and complex geometric motifs. The wooden objects from Gordion are now recognized as the most important collection of well preserved wooden artifacts excavated from the Near East. Included in this volume are new photographs, reconstruction drawings, and eight scientific/technical appendices. ... Read more

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This collection of twelve papers, dedicated to Professor Israel Finkelstein, deals with various aspects concerning the archaeology of Israel and the Levant during the Bronze and Iron Ages. Although the area under discussion runs from southeastern Turkey (Alalakh) down to the arid zones of the Negev Desert, the main emphasis is on the Land of Israel. This collection provides the most recent evaluation of a number of thorny issues in Israeli archaeology during the Bronze and Iron Ages and specifically addresses chronology, state formation, identity, and agency. It offers, inter alia, a fresh look at the burial practices and iconography of the periods discussed, as well as a re-evaluation of the subsistence economy and settlement patterns. This book is finely illustrated with more than sixty original drawings. ... Read more

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Neo-Assyrian religious imperialism was expressed by punitive measures such as "godnapping", and by the geographical focus and extent of the material support the Assyrians lavished on favoured polities. This work is devoted to Neo-Assyrian religious imperialism. ... Read more

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In numerous ambitious expeditions Shalmaneser III of Assyria (859-824 BC) laid the foundation of the subsequent remarkable military advance to the west of the Neo-Assyrian empire. While systematically scrutinizing and analyzing all accounts of these western campaigns, Shigeo Yamada not only discusses the historiographical problems encountered (together with their impact on the jigsaw of ninth century Ancient Near East history), but also offers new results, and a historical reconstruction. The book includes an appendix on the new edition of the Kurkh Monolith, based on the author's collation. ... Read more

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From our vantage point ancient Egyptian civilization, with its strictly hierarchic organization, can appear static through its three-thousand-year history. In his concise and authoritative introduction to that distant culture, a renowned Egyptologist reveals the turbulent events beneath the rigid facade. Erik Hornung begins his account by taking a brief look at the prehistoric era in Egypt. He then focuses on political events during the period beginning with the reign of "Menes" and closing with the conquest by Alexander the Great. Building on insights drawn from the civilization's surviving texts and monuments, he also describes significant cultural developments, such as changes in burial customs and the building of the Great Pyramids and Sun Temples.Originally published in German, this important and highly useful survey has been revised throughout for its publication in English. In addition, the English version features over fifty illustrations, an updated bibliography, a glossary, and a chronological table. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Review of Hornung's 'Ancient Egypt'
This is a respectable introduction to the history of ancient Egypt. Hornung presents prose that is sincerely interested into the story of Egypt. He carefully outlines the political history of the civilization, dynasty to dynasty. I didn't notice any moments of awkward translation.

Very Satisfied!
My order came very quickly and it is in great condition. The book is a great introduction to Egyptology.

Political history
Far from discrediting Professor Hornung's mastery of the subject, I regret to say that this book is only a straightforward and very traditional political history of the successions of dynasties and pharaohs, with occasional hints on developments in art. Being an introductory work, I find it sad that it lacks mention of basic traits of economy and social life in the Egyptian world, as well as a clearer treatment of the state of sources (very common in the most recent general works). Also, the Intermediate Periods are squeezed at the end of the chapters, whose titles end up hinting at a continuity between the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms - the chapter on the Late Period seems even a bit rushed (btw, it accepts uncritically the very old and outdated theory of the "Sea Peoples" being a single factor of destruction in 1200BC). The Oxford History of Egypt is much more comprehensive, and I'd recommend it instead of this book.

EXCELLENT HISTORY BOOK
Extremely well translated by American Egyptologist David Lorton, Hornung's book covers the history of Ancient Egypt from its Archaic to its Late Periods. It provides a concise description of important events throughhistorical facts. A thorough yet brief explanation of political,economical, social, literary and artistical changes of Ancient Egyptiansociety leads to the development of the kingdoms. Black and whitephotographs, an excellent bibliography and a glossary explaining commonlyused Egyptological terms accompany the main body. Recommended forprofessionals and amateurs. ... Read more

Product Description
Volume I

CONTENTS

Preface. Book The First. The Ancient History Of The Egyptians. Part The First. Description of Egypt.

Chapter I.

Thebais.

Chapter II.

Middle Egypt, or Heptanomis.

Chapter III.

Lower Egypt. Part The Second. Of the Manners and Customs of the Egyptians.

Chapter I.

Concerning The Kings And Government.

Chapter II.

Concerning the Priests And Religion Of The Egyptians.

Chapter III.

Of The Egyptian Soldiers And War.

Chapter IV.

Of Their Arts And Sciences.

Chapter V.

Of Their Husbandmen, Shepherds, and Artificers.

Chapter VI.

Of The Fertility Of Egypt. Part The Third. The History of the Kings of Egypt. Book The Second. The History Of The Carthaginians. Part The First. Character, Manners, Religion, Government. Part The Second. The History of the Carthaginians.

Chapter I.

The Foundation of Carthage.

Chapter II.

The History of Carthage. Book the Third. The History of the Assyrians.

Chapter I.

The First Empire of the Assyrians.

Chapter II.

The Second Assyrian Empire, both of Nineveh and Babylon.

Chapter III.

The History of the Kingdom of the Medes.

Chapter IV.

The History of the Lydians. Maps. Footnotes ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

"Textbook-ish"
Lindsay Allen's book offers an illustrated overview of the Persian Empire, in connection with a recent British Museum exhibit. While university-level students and professionals are sure to get a lot out of it, I'm not sure that it would be a first choice for the general reader. The author's writing style is rather academic, and she is very cautious in drawing conclusions from the available evidence. She would like to treat the numerous Greek accounts skeptically, and rely more on a Persian-centric view of events, but the ancient records are unavoidably skewed towards the Greek point of view, which kind of frustrates her program. This is all quite appropriate in a scholarly book, but seems less likely to inspire a wider audience.

There did not seem to be any explicit linkages from the book to the museum exhibit; no doubt many of the objects illustrated in the book were also exhibited, but there would be no way of knowing this just from reading the book.

Readers may also want to know that the book's focus is on the political history of the Achaemenid Dynasty, from Cyrus to Alexander. There are some references to Achaemenid art and religion, but culture is not a primary emphasis of the book. As one who is very interested in ancient Egypt, though, I did appreciate the book's inclusion of several examples that illustrate the incorporation of Egyptian themes into the art of the Persian empire following on Cambyses' conquest of Egypt in 526 BC. [erratum: on p.35, the Apis bull dedication to Cambyses is 524 BC, not 324 BC as in the text].

In summary, and despite the book's marketing, I think it will mostly appeal to students and specialists in the history of the Ancient Near East (four stars), rather than to general readers (three stars).

readable, visually pleasing, well-organized companion volume to a TV series on the Persian Empire
For most Westerners, the Persian Empire was an Asiatic historical area conquered by the Macedonian Alexander the Great. But in this companion to a British Museum exhibition based on unprecedented loans from the National Museum of Iran and other major museum sources of Persian antiquities, Allen presents the Persian Empire in its own right, as the Roman Empire or the British Empire are in the history books. Besides working at the British Museum, the author has also worked at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. The many objects of the exhibition that are pictured are supplemented by photographs of the remains of monuments and buildings, landscape photographs, maps, and works of art to evince the high level of political and artistic accomplishments. Allen presents the Empire by a history defined mostly by the succession of rulers until the conquest combined with a cultural appreciation of the art work, architecture, religious ideas, political order, and pattern of growth and decay.

Iran
This is a well researched book, the reserach is focused on archaeology, which is used on academic field. The main intention of this book is bring to light Achaemenid, "Hakha maneshe an" dynasty. Saddly, this dynasty is ended by Alexandar invasion of Iran. ... Read more

Product Description
Writings from the cultures of biblical times supplement theOld Testament in documenting the history of the ancient Near East. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Amendments
I have had a good experience with Sand Dollar Sales. The people who who run the business are very fair and nice people.

Best anthology for the money
Gives insight into ancient thought and religion in the Middle East.Most comprehensive volume I've come across.

A useful compendium of original source material
I obtained this volume of translations of Ancient Near Eastern texts and pictures along with its companionVolume I - An Anthology of Texts and Pictures which was first published in 1958.This volume, which was published in 1975,includes translations of more recently discovered material selected from the 1969 anthologyof Supplementary Texts and Pictures Relating to the Old Testament.

This volume contains72 texts and about 110 black and white photographs of artefacts from variousand states and cities ofAncient Near East.The documents include myths, laws, treaties, inscriptions, hymns, letters, wisdom literature etc, from Egypt, and from the Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, and later periods of Mesopotamia.

The format is similar to that of Volume I with cross references to the ANET text number.Translations have been made by 13 eminent scholars, most of whom have provided some explanation of the content and meaning of the texts they have translated.In general, however,there are fewer notes than in Volume I, and no cross references to illustration number or to any biblical passages.

I found the translations to be generally quite readable, but, in the same way as for Volume I,they definitely had to be read with full care and concentration to understand them, and some, being somewhat fragmentary, are rather more difficult to follow than others.In reading the texts, I was, of course completely dependent upon the translations and the interpretations of the scholars themselves.In particular, I found the comments and notes by Professor S N Kramer on the various Sumerian Texts to be most helpful.

I am happy to have read this book and its companion, because they have given me some direct insight into the cultures of the Ancient Near East.Whether it is better to obtain the larger parent anthologies is, I think, a matter of whether you are prepared over US$250 for the latest editions of these two volumes( ISBN 0691035032 for the texts, and ISBN 0691035024 for the pictures). But if these smaller volumes are anything to go by, then they are probably worth it.

I didn't want to spend that much on this subject at this stage of my studies. So for the moment, I have decided to be selective aboutnext set oftexts to read, and as a next step, will be studying Volume II and III of Miriam Lichtheim's translations of Egyptian texts, and William L Moran's translations of the Amarna Letters.

A useful compendium of original source material
I bought this book along with its companion:Volume II - A New Anthology of Texts and Pictures,because it was time for me to see for myself what the the original sources had to say about the Ancient Near East.

This volume, which first was published in 1958 contains over 70 ancient texts and about 280 black and white photographs of artefacts from the Ancient Near East.The ancient documents include those from Mesoptamia, Egypt, Canaan, Israel, Assyria from the period about 2500BCE to about 500BCE.The editor states that the selection of texts was made from the point of view of relevance to the biblical Old Testament, having been taken from the original larger anthologies of texts (ANET) and pictures (ANEP) which were originally published in 1955 and 1954 respectively.

The texts themselves have cross references to the original text number, the relevant illustration number, and the specific biblical passages where there seems to be some point of contact, The translations were made by 11 eminent scholars, all of whom have provided an explanation of the content and meaning of the texts which they have translated, as well as providing useful notes on aspects of the text which might require clarification

I found the translations to be generally quite readable, but they definitely had to be read with full care and concentration to understand them.Some, being somewhat fragmentary, are rather more difficult to follow than others.In reading the texts, I was, of course completely dependent upon the translations and the interpretations of the scholars themselves, but at least I am now starting to have a fuller understanding of the cultures of the Ancient Near East.

3 of the 18 Egyptian texts in the book were included inMiriam Lichtheim's Ancient Egyptian LiteratureVolume 1: The Old and Middle Kingdoms, and I noticed that the translations in this book had been somewhat shortened.Except for a difference in style, however, I did not notice any significant differences and found itvery interesting to compare the two translations.

All in all, I am very happy to have read this book, which will probably serve me as a useful reference from now on.As so much work has been done on ancient text translations in the 35 years since the two parent volumes were published, and the price of these full anthologies was in excess of US$250, I am glad I chose to buy the shortened versions.That is not to say that I won't buy them sometime in the future, but in the meantime, I want to be selective about the next set oftexts to read, and have decided, as a next step, to read Volume II and III of Miriam Lichtheim's translations of Egyptian texts, and William L Moran's translations of the Amarna Letters

A Stimulating Resource
Volume II or "The Ancient Near East" is a good companion to Volume I, containing mythic, legal, and monumental information from the Middle East Bronze and Iron Ages. It really puts youback there to read actual letters and contracts, or to see the developments in poetic, narrative and visual arts. The only real problem is the lack of consistent dating infomation, particularly for the artwork. It makes it difficult to form a conceptual picture if things are presented in what appears to be a random order. ... Read more

Product Description
Looking at what evidence exists for the care of the elderly in the Ancient Near East, this text investigates how the various cultures countered this problem. It studies the strategies used when there was no son at hand to "honour father and mother", and examines legal texts, testaments and other sources for evidence. In a testament, for example, the testator can assure his maintenance; in other cases a dowry or other gift may take care of a surviving widow; a "son" could be installed by adopting a wealthy adult person, or a slave set free under the condition of serving the manumitter until his death. Unmarried women appointed "daughters" for the same purpose. The role of the "public sector" (in this case the temple or palace) in taking care of the destitute remains a matter for debate in this study. All regions with rich source materials are covered: Egypt, ancient Sumer, the Old Babylonian and Neo-Babylonian peiods in the history of Mesopotamia, the Old Assyrian colonies in Anatolia and Emar. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Ayn Rand recommendation?
Many years ago I bought this book because it was recommended by some adherent of Ayn Rand. This person published a list of rational books to read.
I believe the persons name was "Kelly" but I could be wrong.
Anyhow this is a GREAT BOOK!!! Fantastic in understanding the evolution of human thought on the devine. [Irrational but great].

I would really like a referral to that list of books.

An examination into Mythopoeic truth
The collection of essays in this book are by far brilliant examinations with fit evidence. It is great for the reader interested in Ancient religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia, it provides fundamental views on ancient mans perspective of the world, gods, and himself from myth. This is not a text book, nor a history book but it does provide adequate literary evidence and footnotes. I wish I had read this before studying ancient philosophy, it would have greatly helped my understanding of the mind of these ancients. It's amazing to read about the development of mans theories through mythopoeic tales. Well worth it for the Philosophy-, religion- or ancient studies - student. Or if you really enjoy myths, find out how man came about with these stories. Covers Egyptian, Babylonian and Assyrian (in some detail) and Mesopotamian thought and myth.

Pretty Helpful
I used this as one of my references for a course in Jewish Studies.It was very helpful for a basic overview of some Near Eastern thought patterns. ... Read more

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For almost a century scholars have been perplexed by Cypro-Phoenician (or Black-on-Red) pottery. In this study, Dr Nicola Schreiber's research, together with her own work in the field, resolves the pottery's origin and provides an assessment of the chronology of the region. ... Read more