A distinguished team of internationally renowned scholars surveys the great empires from 1600 BC to AD 500, from the ancient Mediterranean to China, in ten comprehensive chapters, taking in the empires of New Kingdom Egypt; the Hittites; Assyria and Babylonia; Achaemenid Persia; Athens; Alexander; Parthian and early Sasanian Persia; Rome; India; and Qin and Han China. Each chapter conveys the main narrative of events, their impact on ancient societies and the dominant rulers who shaped that history, from Ramesses II in Egypt to Chandragupta in India, from Rome's Augustus to China's Shi-huangdi.

Exploring the very nature of empire itself, the authors show how profoundly imperialism in the distant past influenced the 19th-century powers and the modern United States.

With 38 illustrations, 28 in colour

The compelling story of the world's greatest ancient powers

About the Author
Thomas Harrison is Professor of Ancient History at the University of St Andrews. He is the author of many books on the ancient world, most recently Interpreting Herodotus and Writing Ancient Persia.

Reviews
'A remarkable achievement ... an excellent introduction to an increasingly popular field of study' - Contemporary Review



Book Information
ISBN 9780500295885
Author Thomas Harrison
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint Thames & Hudson Ltd
Publisher Thames & Hudson Ltd
Weight(grams) 240g