Product Description

This book presents a clear, concise history of the extraordinary multicultural civilizations of the ancient Near East.

• Bestselling narrative of the complex history of the ancient Near East.
  
• Addresses political, social, and cultural developments.
  
• Contains in–depth discussion of key texts and sources, including the Bible and the Epic of Gilgamesh.
  
• Includes numerous maps, illustrations, and a selection of Near Eastern texts in translation.
  
• Integrates new research, and greatly expands the guides to further reading for this second edition.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #46805 in Books
• Published on: 2006-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Review
"There is no longer any possible excuse for any undergraduate curriculum in ancient history not to offer a course of Ancient Near Eastern history under the pretext that there would be no adequate, accessible, and affordable textbook." Scholia Reviews

Praise for second edition:

“The additions to this volume have only added to its immense worth as both a textbook and a scholarly volume.” Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Praise for the first edition:

"Marc Van De Mieroop′s introduction to the history of Iraq and the Asiatic Near East is suited to first–year undergraduates in ancient history, the archaeology of Western Asia and ancient Near Eastern studies generally, and to all others who need an up–to–date summary of what happened before the Greeks." Times Higher Education Supplement

"I do not know of any other handbook of similar size that can compete with Van de Mieroop′s book in philological competence, in historiographic method, and in expository clearness." Mario Liverani, in Orientalia

“This text deserves a place on the shelves of ancient historians and archaeologists, and it will certainly have pride of place in reading lists for courses in Mesopotamian history.” Norman Yoffee, University of Michigan

“As a textbook on Mesopotamian history, particularly the period from c.3000 BC to 612 BC, this book has no English–language equivalent … This should be standard reading, therefore, for all students and scholars in the field.” Bryn Mawr Classical Review

From the Back Cover
This revised edition of A History of the Ancient Near East ca. 3000–323 BC integrates new research from the rapidly developing field of ancient Near Eastern history and greatly expands the guide to further reading from the first edition. The book presents a clear, concise history of the extraordinary multicultural civilizations of the ancient Near East, their political and military events, and their cultures and societies. Beginning with the emergence of writing around 3000 BC, the narrative ranges from the origins of the first cities in Mesopotamia, through the growth of the Babylonian and Hittite kingdoms, to the Assyrian and Persian empires. It ends with the transformation of the ancient Near East by the conquests of Alexander the Great.

This accessible text is accompanied by numerous maps and illustrations, and contains a rich selection of Near Eastern texts in translation. Each chapter also includes key research questions or additional text references, such as passages on the use of the Bible as a historical source, excerpts from the Epic of Gilgamesh, or the Assyrian royal annals, intended to add an additional element of comprehension to the text.

About the Author
Marc Van De Mieroop has taught ancient Near Eastern studies at Columbia University, New York and now also teaches at the University of Oxford. He has written numerous books and articles including King Hammurabi of Babylon: A Biography (Blackwell, 2004).

Customer Reviews

Clear and comprehensive
This book covers over 3,000 years of history in the Ancient Near East, focusing primarily on the crucible of civilisation - Mesopotamia, the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The book covers the subject matter chronologically, dividing the history into three broad sections: City States (3500 BCE-1300 BCE), Territorial States (1300 BCE - 850 BCE) and Empires (850 BCE - 350 BCE). Within each section, key developments are outlined and assessed, providing the reader with a good, clear overview of developments in Sumer, Balbylonia, Assyria and (to a lesser extent) the surrounding territories of Syria, Anatolia, and Elam (north west Iran).

I have found it an invaluable introduction to a complex but extraordinarily important story, the details of which are still emerging fitfully from the ground.