Product Description

The rich and extensive floodplain of the River Nile can claim to be the cradle of one of the earliest and most spectacular civilizations of antiquity. Ancient Egypt: a social history presents a fresh and innovative perspective on the ancient societies which flourished in the Nile Valley from the Predynastic period to the conquest by Alexander the Great. From the introduction of a subsistence economy through the establishment of the first agricultural communities to the development of urban centres and the political state, this volume traces the process of political, social and economic change. The emphasis on the social and economic aspects of Egyptian society and the integration of archaeological and historical data mark a new departure in Egyptian studies.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #312179 in Books
• Published on: 1983-09-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 464 pages

Review
‘[The book] provides an excellent treatment of Egyptian history for the period before it was absorbed into the Graeco-Roman world.’ Ancient Society

‘No one interested in ancient Egypt can afford to ignore this book. The general reader will find much of interest presented in an extremely readable fashion. The specialist will revel in the accumulation of biographical citations and the thoughtful juxtaposition of conflicting theories.’ Archaeology

‘The fifty-nine figures, some of them highly unusual, consisting of the line drawings, listings and maps, add to the exceptional nature of this book.’ Choice

Customer Reviews

Ancient Egypt: A Struggle for students
This book was placed on my student reading list for a course I do in Egyptology. However, as a student needing to read vast amounts on Egypt this book was not easy reading. It was informative, but a definate struggle to get through. That is to say it is not a good quick reference guide but it is OK- if one has the time and energy for a new, social insight into Ancient Egypt.

More than Pharaohs
Don't read this book if you just want a list of pharaohs and what they did (or said they did).
Don't read this book if you want to read a lot of generalisations about ancient Egypt, most of which don't stand up to much scrutiny.

Do read this book if you want to understand the 'real' history of ancient Egypt, where the underlying reasons for famous events are explored, and the evidence carefully balanced, by leading scholars in the field.