Civilization of the Ancient Mediterranean: Greece and Rome

A three-volume reference work of 97 original essays on the people, customs, government, religion, and arts of the ancient world, from 2000 B.C. to the fall of Rome in A.D.476. Structured to present a comparative rather than chronological study of Greek and Roman institutions and life. The essays are divided under thirteen general subject headings; the final essay is a discussion of the values derived from the reading of classical texts. Includes a chronology, 175 b&w photographs and line drawings, 11 maps, and a comprehensive subject index. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

This unparalleled reference work for the nonspecialist is characterized by accessibility, a broad range of topics covered, currency of information or theory, and authority of contributors. Only the second edition of the venerable Oxford Classical Dictionary ( 1972) is comparable, though it lacks adequate treatment of more recent concerns and is often too technical. For Greece, the new Oxford History of the Classical World ( LJ 1/15/87) is excellent, but it is much less complete; for Rome, there are Friedlander's and Paoli's works, both outdated. Even though these essays are meant for lay readers, the scholarliness of the contributors is striking. Each essay is accompanied by a helpful, current bibliography. There are no biographies as such, but key individuals are sketched under suitable topics. The excellent 128-page index also is uniquely valuable. James S. Ruebel, Iowa State Univ., Ames
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A three-volume reference work of 97 original essays on the people, customs, government, religion, and arts of the ancient world, from 2000 B.C. to the fall of Rome in A.D.476. Structured to present a comparative rather than chronological study of Greek and Roman institutions and life. The essays are divided under thirteen general subject headings; the final essay is a discussion of the values derived from the reading of classical texts. Includes a chronology, 175 b&w photographs and line drawings, 11 maps, and a comprehensive subject index. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.