Sources in Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations: Documents, Maps, and Images
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Author Description
From the author of the best-selling Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations: From Prehistory to 640 CE, Second Edition (2015), Sources in Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations: Documents, Maps, and Images is both a stand-alone sourcebook and a companion reader.FEATURES133 lengthy primary sources in translation, 14 maps, and 133 illustrations give equal coverage to the Near East, Greece, Roman Republic and Empire, and Late AntiquityRather than simply presenting undigested snippets of text, Sources in Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations provides fully annotated, longer text excerpts, edited for readability, sense, consistency, and flowEvery chapter opens with a full-page map that sets the sources in geographical context, and each document is accompanied by a related image and commentary that establish its authorship, historical context, and significanceIncludes two chapters on topics not covered in any other sourcebook: "Accounts of the Creation of the Universe, Humans, and the Flood" and "Civilization beyond the Near East, Greece, and Rome"
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates the historical, cultural, and social development of ancient Mediterranean civilizations through a curated collection of primary source materials. Author Ralph W. Mathisen, a specialist in late antiquity, compiles a comprehensive reader designed to bridge the gap between textbook narratives and original historical evidence. The work argues that understanding the ancient world requires direct engagement with contemporary documents, visual artifacts, and geographical data, rather than relying solely on secondary interpretation. By providing annotated excerpts and contextual commentary, the text facilitates a deeper analysis of the Near East, Greece, and Rome.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- 133 primary source documents in translation covering Near Eastern, Greek, Roman, and Late Antique history
- 14 full-page geographical maps to provide spatial context for historical events
- 133 visual illustrations paired with specific documents to enhance thematic understanding
- Specialized chapters on creation myths and civilizations outside the traditional Mediterranean core
Scope Limits
- The collection focuses primarily on the Mediterranean basin and its immediate periphery, excluding extensive coverage of contemporary civilizations in East Asia or the Americas.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and educators frequently note the pedagogical utility of the book's annotated, longer-form excerpts compared to the fragmented snippets found in other sourcebooks. It is widely regarded as a foundational resource for undergraduate courses in ancient history due to its balanced integration of textual and visual evidence.
Page Count:
608
Publication Date:
2016-09-15
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190280913
ISBN-13:
9780190280918
History
Reference
Mediterranean History
Ancient History
Primary Sources