This new historical atlas - richly illustrated with photographs; artwork recreations and full-colour maps - explores the world's earliest civilisations from the first farming settlements of Mesopotamia; via Egypt; Greece and Rome; to the civilisations of the Far East; Europe and America. Informatively written; and ideal for both students and the general reader; it plots the rise and fall of empires; the nature of different societies and the evolution of technology.
#435073 in Books Wiley-Blackwell 2009-07-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.70 x .54 x 7.50l; 1.30 #File Name: 140518177X256 pages
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. The best for beginnersBy Joao Miguel OliveiraAncient Greek Religion by Jon D. Mikalson is the best book I have found for people just beginning their journey in Greek Religion studies. Its language is very simple and conveys subjects in a very interesting way; you'll want to read what comes next; which is something that many books on Greek Religion seem to miss.It covers sanctuaries and their primary components; come cults and a few myths as well as religious practices (ideas and interpretations are left aside) at both state; family and individual levels.It focus primarily in Athens; except for the cult of Dionysus at Thebes; Apollo at Delphi and Zeus at Olympia; and sometimes the author doesn't make it clear that he is referring to Athens; which may give people just beginning the wrong idea (for instance; in the family chapter he doesn't say that he is describing Athenian families and their practices and that; for example; at Sparta both family organization and practice was quite different).This is however a minor problem for an introductory book; which obviously focus on what is most widely known and discussed.It is also interesting that it has a chapter on religion in the Hellenistic period; something lacking from most books. However it fails to provide information on the Archaic; Dark and Bronze Age; which means it gives no clue to origin.However; since this is an introductory book; with a simple and understandable language; good structuring and; in my opinion; a good though not perfect selection of subjects; I think you should start by this. And if you are not starting; it still is an interesting reading and helps us getting back to the basics and organize information a lot better. Good for both scholars; people interested in the subject and modern practitioners of Hellenismos. Five stars!6 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Good StudyBy Ian A. MooneyA good textbook; well formatted and well researched.It is extremely approachable with a wide knowledge based.I highly suggest this book.My only regrets were that it didn't go as "in-depth" as I would have liked; and it seemed to be lacking in appendicies and idexes.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent Source!By Dylan M. NashAn excellent scholarly source on the Ancient Greek Religion.As a practitioner of Hellenismos; I found this book to be very interesting. Mr. Mikalson is a highly engaging writer; even with such a dense topic; the way he writes will certainly keep you reading. This book is on par with Burkert's "Greek Religion;" though it is better written; so that even someone who is just beginning to delve into the topic can understand it all.
