Synopses & Reviews
This
Companion provides a comprehensive introduction to key topics in the study of ancient history.
Comprising more than 40 essays by leading international scholars, this volume moves beyond a conventional focus on Greece and Rome and provides coverage of the many cultures within the ancient Mediterranean. Examining a diverse range of material, from ancient texts and archaeology to contemporary research on gender and sexuality, the Companion explores the problems, approaches, and major themes in the study of ancient history.
An essential resource for any student of ancient history, this authoritative overview reflects the most recent and exciting scholarship in the field.
Review
The quality of the presentation is high; maps, a timeline, and indices are provided and will be of help to new students of the discipline. (Bryn Mawr Classical Review, April 2010)
Review
“Yet, however unsatisfactory the definition of Ancient History may be (seen from the angle of an Assyriologist, an Egyptologist, or an Iranologist), the appearance of this well-edited, wide ranging and most interesting volume is a felicitous event, proving that under the reign of Wikipedia there is still need to replace the dethroned Pauly-Wissowa with general studies of the highest quality. Assyriologists, Egyptologists, and Iranologists will certainly find much useful material here for them as well.” (
Scripta Classica Israelica, 2012)
"The quality of the presentation is high; maps, a timeline, and indices are provided and will be of help to new students of the discipline. (Bryn Mawr Classical Review, April 2010)
Synopsis
This
Companion provides a comprehensive introduction to key topics in the study of ancient history.
- Examines the forms of evidence, problems, approaches, and major themes in the study of ancient history
- Comprises more than 40 essays, written by leading international scholars
- Moves beyond the primary focus on Greece and Rome with coverage of the various cultures within the ancient Mediterranean
- Draws on the latest research in the field
- Provides an essential resource for any student of ancient history
About the Author
Andrew Erskine is head of Classics at University of Edinburgh. He has held an Alexander von Humboldt fellowship at the University of Munich. His publications include A Companion to the Hellenistic World (Blackwell, 2003), Troy between Greece and Rome: Local Tradition and Imperial Power (2001), and The Hellenistic Stoa: Political Thought and Action (1990).
Table of Contents
List of Figures
List of Maps
Notes on Contributors
Preface
Abbreviations, Reference Works
Abbreviations and Glossary, Ancient Authors
Timeline
1. Personal Perspectives: Josiah Ober (Stanford University), Peter Derow (Wadham College), Andrea Giardina (Istituto Italiano di Scienza Umane), Neil McLynn (Corpus Christi College), and Kathryn Welch (the University of Sydney)
Part I: Evidence:
2. Historiography: John Marincola (Florida State University)
3. Epigraphical Cultures of the Classical Mediterranean: Greek, Latin, and Beyond: Gregory Rowe (the University of Victoria)
4. Papyrology: Alan K. Bowman (Brasenose College)
5. Numismatics: A. R. Meadows (the American Numismatic Society)
6. Archaeology and Ancient History: Stephen L. Dyson (the State University of New York)
7. Oratory: Catherine Steel (the University of Glasgow)
8. Ancient History Through Ancient Literature: Tim Whitmarsh (Corpus Christi College)
Part II: Problems and Approaches:
9. Ancient History Today: J. A. North (UCL)
10. Political History: Robert Morstein-Marx (the University of California)
11. Economic and Social History: Neville Morley (the University of Bristol)
12. Ethnicity and Culture: Edward Herring (the National University of Ireland)
13. Population and Demography: Walter Scheidel (Stanford University)
14. Writing Women into History: Amy Richlin (the University of California)
15. Interpreting Myth: Carol Dougherty (Wellesley College)
16. Environmental History: Robert Sallares (University of Manchester)
Part III: People and Places:
17. The Near East: Maria Brosius (the University of Newcastle)
18. Egypt under the Pharaohs: John Ray (the University of Cambridge)
19. The Jews: Gideon Bohak (Tel Aviv University)
20. The Greeks: Thomas Harrison (the University of Liverpool)
21. Asia Minor: Peter Thonemann (Wadham College)
22. Rome: Christer Bruun (University of Toronto)
23. Italy beyond Rome: Kathryn Lomas (University College London)
24. North Africa: Josephine Crawley Quinn (Worcester College)
25. The Iberian Peninsula in the Roman Period: A. T. Fear (the University of Manchester)
26. The “Celts”: Constanze Witt (the University of Texas)
Part IV: Encountering the Divine:
27. Religion: Mark Humphries (Swansea University)
28. The Emergence of Christianity: John Curran (The Queen’s University of Belfast).
Part V: Living and Dying:
29. The Family: Mary Harlow (the University of Birmingham) and Tim Parkin (University of Manchester)
30. Food: John Wilkins (the University of Exeter)
31. Eros: Love and Sexuality: James Davidson (the University of Warwick)
32. Housing: Lisa C. Nevett (the University of Michigan)
33. Entertainment: David Potter (the University of Michigan)
34. Education: Jason König (the University of St. Andrews)
35. Medicine: Helen King (the University of Reading)
36. Death: David Noy (the Open University)
Part VI: Economy:
37. The Mediterranean and the History of Antiquity: R. Bruce Hitchner (Tufts University)
38. Ancient Economies: John Davies (Liverpool University)
39. Labor: Free and Unfree: Peter Fibiger Bang (the University of Copenhagen)
40. The Countryside: Robert Witcher (Durham University)
41. Finance and Resources: Public, Private, and Personal: Paul Millett (Cambridge University; Downing College)
42. Ancient Technology: Tracey Rihll (Swansea University)
Part VII: Politics and Power:
43. Structures: Hans Beck (McGill University)
44. Citizenship: Andrew Lintott (King’s College)
45. Law: Elizabeth A. Meyer (the University of Virginia)
46. Warfare: Louis Rawlings (Cardiff University)
Part VIII: Repercussions:
47. The Impact of Antiquity: Rosamond McKitterick (Sidney Sussex College)
48. Ancient History and National Identity: Andrew Erskine (the University of Edinburgh)
49. University’s Ancient World: Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones (the University of Edinburgh))
Bibliography
Index