Product description
Review
‘In the original Italian edition of this work, Liverani defined and applied, with the touch of a master, the criteria for proper historical writing as it relates to the ancient Near East. This English version will extend the reach of a classic to the much wider audience it deserves.’ – Giorgio Buccellati, Professor Emeritus, University of California, USA
‘Mario Liverani’s classic text is as unusual in its ambitious chronological scope as in its clarity of vision: from the Neolithic to the emergence of the Persian Empire, his analysis of the history of the Middle East is firmly focused on the interplay between society, economy and ideology. And yet, the vast learning is lightly worn and the volume offers a hugely enjoyable and eye-opening read for novice and expert alike. A must have for anyone with an interest in world history.’ – Karen Radner, University College London, UK
‘The English translation of Mario Liverani’s Antico Oriente: Storia, Società, Economia is a welcomed addition to the publishing world and Routledge has truly done us a great service in making this project possible. Since its appearance in 1988, Antico Oriente has become the introduction to the ancient Near East … The author breezes through an astonishing amount of data and material with ease, and he makes it accessible to the scholarly and general public alike. This is a wonderful book, which will make readers fall in love with the wonders of the ancient Near East, and at the same time provide them with a firm grasp on the methodological problems one faces when dealing with such a complex but fascinating world.’ – Alhena Gadotti, Towson University, USA
“Masterfully integrating textual and archaeological sources, the author weaves a fascinating, enlightening historical narrative, focusing throughout on the interplay among politics, society, economy, ideology, and the environment. Accessible not only to scholars but also to students and general readers, this volume will undoubtedly be highly valued both as a work to read cover to cover and as a reference to consult on specific topics. Summing Up: Essential.” –W Kotter, Weber State University, USA in CHOICE
“Liverani, the translator Soraia Tabatabai, and Routledge have gifted us with an excellent tool for the continued reconstruction and education of the ancient Near East in English…The Ancient Near East provides an exemplary treatment of historiographic erudition..” –C. Jay Crisostomo, University of California, Berkeley, USA
About the Author
Mario Liverani is Professor of Ancient Near East History at the Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Hans-Jörg Begrich –
The Ancient NEAR EAST
An absolutely abundant and invaluable information about the ancient Near East.An important corner stone to the solution of the overall world puzzle of power.
robert englehardt –
100 pages in and really enjoying it
After 30 years of being a dentist, I am still drawn back to a college course of “Ancient Cities” which has always captured my imagination. I read history of all time periods and love it all but I always seem to end up back at the beginning. I still recall my archaeology professor in 1983 showing slides (real slides then) at showing lamassu telling us all that these “clearly border on the fantastic.” I don’t recall any quotes from chemistry.I seem to get stuck between texts that are too simple and research papers that are very esoteric and super specialized.I am 100 pages into this book and it fits a happy medium thus far. As the author suggests in the intro- this book is too long to be ideally suited for a semester college course and not appropriate for research scholar really either- which leaves something beautiful for most of the rest of us-searching to escape the noise of today- to discover something greater. It is still difficult to read about trends of civilization over centuries and millennium to understand the hardships our ancestors withstood. I am finding the book is good at discussing trends over time and changes in terms I can largely understand. This book is very good at elucidating what is known, what is conjecture and what are questions to consider. This book should be a hardback as it is a seminal work and will remain on most bookshelves until it is dug up at some point in the distant future. Best wishes.
Doricini –
Pricey, but still worth it.
Yes, this tome cost forty plus dollars but I never considered that an issue. I spent nearly 5 months reading this book; normally by that time I would have become bored with the subject and moved on to something else. And yes this book provides a general overview of the Middle East but it also provides just enough detailed information that if you find something interesting you won’t go wondering off looking for another source to fill your need.
Mark D. Hornbogen –
Well written account of ANE history.
This is a very well written account of the ancient near east through time. Full of details and easy to read. I am still reading it.
Veli Voipio –
Good overview
Very detailed and objective general text about that area and time period.