History of Western Civilization 6TH Edition

Renowned historian William H. McNeil provides a brilliant narrative chronology of the development of Western civilization, representing its socio-political as well as cultural aspects. This sixth edition includes new material for the twentieth-century period and completely revised bibliographies. An invaluable tool for the study of Western civilization, the Handbook is an essential complement to readings in primary and secondary sources such as those in the nine-volume University of Chicago Readings in Western Civilization.

Illustrations

Preface

To the Student

Part I: Western Civilization in World History

A. Background of Classical Civilization

    1. Old Stone Age

    2. Neolithic Age

    3. River Valley Civilizations

    4. The Diffusion of Urban Civilization

    5. The Ancient Oriental Empires

B. Independent Civilized Traditions

Suggestions for Further Reading for Part I

Chronological Table for Part I

Part II: Classical Civilization

A. The Greek City States

    1. Geographical Setting

    2. Formation of the City States

    3. Greek Expansion to 510 B.C.

    4. The Fifth Century: Rise and Overthrow of the Athenian Empire

    5. The Fourth Century. Rise of Macedon

Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, A

Chronological Table for Part II, A

B. The Hellenistic Kingdoms

    1. Political Changes

    2. Economic Development

    3. Social Structure

    4. Cultural Development

Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, B

Chronological Table for Part II, B

C. The Roman Republic: Unification of the Mediterranean

    1. Peoples of Western Europe

    2. The Roman Republic: Conquest of Italy

    3. Roman Conquest of the Mediterranean Basin

    4. Internal Development of Rome

    5. Decay of Republican Government

    6. Roman Society

Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, C

Chronological Table for Part II, C

D. The Roman Empire

    1. The Augustan Age

    2. The Principate after Augustus

    3. Military Despotism and Anarchy

    4. The Autocratic Empire

Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, D

Chronological Table for Part II, D

E. The Byzantine Empire and Civilization

Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, E

Chronological Table for Part II, E

F. Successor Kingdoms in the West

    1. Introduction

    2. The First Wave of Invasion

    3. The Early Carolingian Period

    4. Renewed Invasions and Collapse of the Carolingian Empire Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, F

Chronological Table for Part II, F

G. The Arab World

Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, G

Chronological Table for Part II, G

Part III: European Civilization

(C. A.D. 900-Present)

A. Geographical Setting of European Civilization

    1. Transfer of the Center of Civilization

    2. Transport and Communication

    3. Climate and Vegetation

    4. Mineral Resources

B. Western Christendom, 900-1500

    1. Revival of Civilization, 900-1050

    2. The High Middle Ages, 1050-1270

    3. The Waning of the Middle Ages, 1270-1500

Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III, B

Chronological Table for Part III, B

C. The Modern World, 1500-Present

    1. ReJormation and Religious Wars, 1500-1660

Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III, C-l

Chronological Table for Part III, C-l

    2. Absolutism and Aristocracy, 1660-1789

Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III, C-2

Chronological Table for Part III, C-2

    3. Liberal, Nationalist and Industrial Europe, 1789-1914

Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III. C-3

Chronological Table for Part III, C-3

    4. An Era of Wars and Revolutions, 1914-75

Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III, C-4

Chronological Table for Part III, C-4

Conclusion

Index