Asia is the home of magnificent ancient civilisations. From the ziggurats of Mesopotamia to the Indus Valley's carefully planned towns, from Hammurabi's first law code, to China's Han Dynasty, this fully illustrated book uncovers the oldest stories of the world's largest continent. The History of Ancient Asia encompasses Mesopotamia, Arabia and Turkey, across the continent to China and Japan, south to India and parts of Indonesia, and north to the steppes of Central Asia and the Arctic coast. It includes all the major events, personalities, artistic and social developments from early populations through the rise of complex societies and the birth of major religions.
Ancient Southeast Asia provides readers with a much needed synthesis of the latest discoveries and research in the archaeology of the region, presenting the evolution of complex societies in Southeast Asia from the protohistoric period, beginning around 500BC, to the arrival of British and Dutch colonists in 1600. Well-illustrated throughout, this comprehensive account explores the factors which established Southeast Asia as an area of unique cultural fusion. Miksic and Goh explore how the local population exploited the abundant resources available, developing maritime transport routes which resulted in economic and cultural wealth, including some of the most elaborate art styles and monumental complexes ever constructed. The book’s broad geographical and temporal coverage, including a chapter on the natural environment, provides readers with the context needed to understand this staggeringly diverse region. It utilizes French, Dutch, Chinese, Malay-Indonesian and Burmese sources and synthesizes interdisciplinary theoretical perspectives and data from archaeology, history and art history. Offering key opportunities for comparative research with other centres of early socio-economic complexity, Ancient Southeast Asia establishes the area’s importance in world history.
If you want to discover the captivating history of ancient Asia, then keep reading... Two captivating manuscripts in one book: Ancient China: A Captivating Guide to the Ancient History of China and the Chinese Civilization Starting from the Shang Dynasty to the Fall of the Han Dynasty Ancient Japan: A Captivating Guide to the Ancient History of Japan, Their Ancient Civilization, and Japanese Culture, Including Stories of the Samurai, Shōguns, and Zen Masters To understand present-day China, its politics, society, and culture in general, we have to go back to the beginnings of the Chinese civilization. In the first part of this book, you will be led on a journey through almost 2,000 years of Chinese history, showing you all the ups and downs of those ancient times, the sufferings and joys of the Chinese people, along with their greatest achievements and failures. Dynasties will change, people will be killed and born, art made and destroyed, but the Chinese civilization will prevail, rising from humble beginnings to an empire that at some points out shined any other in the world at that time. And yet it won't be only a tale of kings and queens, emperors and rulers. Of palaces and forts, of swords and shields. It will also tell a story of farmers and merchants, artisans and artists, philosophers and scientists. And hopefully by the end of this introductory guide, you will gain a sense of what, who, and how the Chinese civilization was made as great as it was and still is. From that, a better understanding of this amazing Far Eastern culture and its history should arise as well as a greater appreciation of its achievements and contributions to the world. And with a better knowledge of history, a clearer understanding of the world will come as well. In part 2 of this book, you'll learn all about ancient Japan. The Japanese progressed throughout the eras because of the emperor, but they also progressed despite him. These are people who never let go of their sacred history, and their story is told and retold in art, film, literature, and even graphic novels across the entire world. Terms such as shoguns, samurai, haiku, anime, and manga are familiar to many in the Western world today. Westerners also learn flower arranging, martial arts, meditation, and enjoy a variety of visual and digital art forms because of the unique culture of Japan. Here are just some of the topics covered in part 1 of this book: Chinese Lands and Birth of China Shang and Zhou Dynasties and the Rise of Royal Power Disintegration of Royal Power Birth of Imperial China Rise and Fall of the Han Dynasty Society of Ancient China The Ancient Chinese Culture Inventions and Innovations of the Ancient Chinese And much, much more! Here are just some of the topics covered in part 2 of this book: Origins of Imperial Japan and Its People Birth of Imperial Japan and Its Culture History of Classical Japan Early Medieval Japan Late Medieval Japan Japanese Society Warriors of Ancient Japan Religious Life in Japan Japanese Culture And much, much more! So if you want to learn more about ancient Asia scroll up and click the "add to cart" button!
A monumental history of Asia Minor from the Stone Age to the Roman Empire In this critically acclaimed book, Christian Marek masterfully provides the first comprehensive history of Asia Minor from prehistory to the Roman imperial period. Blending rich narrative with in-depth analyses, In the Land of a Thousand Gods shows Asia Minor’s shifting orientation between East and West and its role as both a melting pot of nations and a bridge for cultural transmission. Marek employs ancient sources to illuminate civic institutions, urban and rural society, agriculture, trade and money, the influential Greek writers of the Second Sophistic, the notoriously bloody exhibitions of the gladiatorial arena, and more. He draws on the latest research—in fields ranging from demography and economics to architecture and religion—to describe how Asia Minor became a center of culture and wealth in the Roman Empire. A breathtaking work of scholarship, In the Land of a Thousand Gods will become the standard reference book on the subject in English.
Travel into the past with this fascinating series. Each richly illustrated book opens up a different world, from ancient civilizations to the life among pirates. Kids will play ancient games, create pyramids, and hold lifelike ancient objects in their hands. - 3D details, convertible envelopes, hidden flaps, thermo-ink, magic candles, and puzzles - Colorful illustrations and interesting stories
Anyone who has seen the stunning ruins at Angkor, Bagan, or Barabudur will understand why Southeast Asia boasts so many Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage sites. But this is only part of an immense historical and cultural heritage, much of which is revealed in this guide that helps readers grasp the sites' value and comprehend the society in which they were created over a period of a thousand years. Covering the countries of Brunel, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam from the 1st through 15th centuries, Historical Dictionary of Ancient Southeast Asia explores the vast and complex history of the region through diagrams. It also includes hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entires on major and minor sites; significant figures; kingdoms and lesser entities they ruled; economic and social relations; and the artistic, cultural, and religious context of the time. Book jacket.
This groundbreaking book reexamines the Taiping and the Tonghak movements in 19th-century Asia. Providing an understanding of the movements as an expression, in part, of deeply rooted Asian spiritual ideas, the work also offers historical and philosophical reflections on what studies of Asian millenarianism can contribute to the comparative study of millenarianism.
Describes seven monumental ancient Asian architectural sites that still exist today, including the Great Wall of China, Angkor Wat, and Borobudur Temple.