The Great Empires of the Ancient East (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Egypt, Phoenicia, The Kings of Israel and Judah, Babylon, Parthia, Chaldea, Assyria, Media, Persia, Sasanian Empire & The History of HerodotusBy George Rawlinson
Length145h
About this audiobook
The Great Empires of the Ancient East presents a sweeping study of the civilizations that dominated the Near Eastern world before the rise of Greece and Rome, examining their political institutions, military power, religion, art, and social customs. Rawlinson's method combines chronological narrative with antiquarian description, drawing on classical authors, biblical testimony, monumental remains, and the nineteenth century's emerging knowledge of cuneiform cultures. Its prose is expansive, authoritative, and morally interpretive, characteristic of Victorian historical writing: the empires appear not merely as dynastic sequences but as successive experiments in imperial organization, each marked by distinctive achievements and structural weaknesses. The book thus belongs to the tradition of grand civilizational history, while also reflecting the period's effort to reconcile textual scholarship with archaeology. George Rawlinson (1812–1902), an Anglican clergyman, Oxford scholar, and influential historian of the ancient world, wrote within a scholarly culture increasingly attentive to Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, and their relationship to the biblical record. His translation and commentary on Herodotus, together with his engagement with contemporary archaeological discoveries, equipped him to interpret Eastern antiquity for a broad educated readership. Religious conviction and classical training alike shaped his interest in the rise and decline of empires. This book will reward readers interested in ancient history, comparative empire, biblical studies, and the intellectual history of archaeology. Though some judgments reflect Victorian assumptions and should be read critically, Rawlinson's panoramic vision, rich descriptive detail, and sustained effort to connect scattered evidence make the work an illuminating introduction to the political and cultural imagination of the ancient East.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreHistory
Length145 hrs
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 15, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1The Great Empires of the Ancient East (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Egypt
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6I. The Land of Egypt.
7II. The People of Egypt.
8III. The Dawn of History.
9IV. The Pyramid Builders.
10V. The Rise of Thebes to Power, and the Early Theban Kings.
11VI. The Good Amenemhat and His Works.
12VII. Abraham in Egypt.
13VIII. The Great Invasion—The Hyksôs or Shepherd Kings—Joseph and Apepi.
14IX. How the Hyksôs were Expelled from Egypt.
15X. Thothmes I., The First Great Egyptian Conqueror.
16XI. Queen Hatasu and Her Merchant Fleet.
17XII. Thothmes the Third and Amenhotep the Second.
18XIII. Amenhotep III. And His Great Works—The Vocal Memnon.
19XIV. Khuenaten and the Disk-Worshippers.
20XV. Beginning of the Decline of Egypt.
21XVI. Menephthah I., The Pharaoh of the Exodus.
22XVII. The Decline of Egypt Under the Later Ramessides.
23XVIII. The Priest-Kings—Pinetem and Solomon.
24XIX. Shishak and His Dynasty.
25XX. The Land Shadowing With Wings—Egypt Under the Ethiopians
26XXI. The Fight Over the Carcase—Ethiopia v. Assyria.
27XXII. The Corpse Comes to Life Again—Psamatik I. and His Son Neco.
28XXIII. The Later Saïte Kings.—Psamatik II., Apries, and Amasis.
29XXIV. The Persian Conquest.
30XXV. Three Desperate Revolts.
31XXVI. A Last Gleam of Sunshine—Nectanebo I.
32XXVII. The Light Goes Out in Darkness.
33Phoenicia
34Preface
35Chapter I—The Land
36Chapter II—Climate and Productions
37Chapter III—The People—Origin and Characteristics
38Chapter IV—The Cities
39Chapter V—The Colonies
40Chapter VI—Architecture
41Chapter VII—Æsthetic Art
42Chapter VIII—Industrial Art and Manufactures
43Chapter IX—Ships, Navigation, and Commerce
44Chapter X—Mining
45Chapter XI—Religion
46Chapter XII—Dress, Ornaments, and Social Habits
47Chapter XIII—Phoenician Writing, Language, and Literature
48Chapter XIV—Political History
491. Phoenicia, before the establishment of the hegemony of Tyre.
502. Phoenicia under the hegemony of Tyre (B.C. 1252-877)
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