Ancient Cultures

More than 2,000 years ago, Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang Di was laid to rest in a tomb guarded by thousands of life-size clay statues of warriors and horse-drawn chariots. Some 1,000 years earlier, the tombs of Chinese emperors were not guarded by clay figures, but by the dead bodies of humans and animals sacrificed for the cause. All over the world, different cultures have conducted an amazing array of intriguing burial practices.

And Terah took Abram . . . and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees.’ The city Abraham left behind him - a city with good claims to being the oldest in the world - was rediscovered in 1854 by the then British Consul at Basra. But not until the end of World War I was serious excavation undertaken there. The results were so encouraging that four years later a joint British-American expedition, directed by the author of this book, worked on the site. The story of their discoveries made during years of work and covering the ...

During spring break, archaeology students Adam Andrews and Eva Lunes fly to the Yucatan to research Mayan pyramids, ruins, and myths. When their island guide, Enrique, offers to give them a private tour of Kukulkan’s Island, also called Snake Island, they seize the opportunity, as it has some of the most fantastic, least-seen ruins of all Mayan culture. When Eva and Adam arrive at Snake Island, they tour Kukulkan’s Pyramid and learn of the legend of the Forbidden Tree and its cursed fruit. Unfortunately, Adam and Eva also encounter a mysterious man who warns them to leave the island. ...

They call her "Victrix" now. Victory. But winning the highest honor ever bestowed upon a gladiatrix in Rome has earned Fallon more deadly enemies outside the arena than she ever faced within it. And it is those dearest to Fallon who will pay the price for her success. Now, Fallon and her warrior sisters are thrust into a vicious conflict with a rival gladiator academy, one that will threaten not only Fallon's heart - and her love for Roman soldier Cai - but the very heart of the Roman Empire.

The Dowager Duchess has decided to sell off the less important family possessions. Blotto and Twinks are dispatched to help the valuer. He spies some Egyptian artifacts and in some excitement rushes back to London, leaving Blotto and Twinks alone in the attic, where they are drawn to a sarchophagus decorated with hieroglyphs. Twinks starts to translate: "Anyone who desecrates this shrine will be visited by the Pharoah's curse..." - just as Blotto prises the lid off.

Prince Alexander's mind has been touched by an incomprehensible evil, even as his betrothed travels from afar to unite their kingdoms against a terrible darkness that threatens both realms: the Spirit Eaters. From the distant shores of Illyria to a small deserted island, the deadly consequences of Smoke Blood magic loom, and lost civilizations emerge to reveal the existence of a weapon that may do the impossible - kill the last living god.

Indulge in a delicious journey through the fascinating history and cultural significance of chocolate with 'Beyond the Wrapper'. From the sacred beverage of the gods to the modern-day chocolate creations that grace our social media feeds, this captivating nonfiction book takes you on a journey through the ages, exploring chocolate's fascinating evolution and cultural impact. Discover how the Olmec and Maya civilizations first cultivated the cacao plant and how the beverage of the gods was transformed into a sweet delight. Learn about the rise of chocolate in Europe, from the indulgent ...

The explosive finale to the Blood of Gods and Royals epic fantasy series is full of royalty, magic, danger, and betrayal and featuring the life of a young Prince Alexander before he became Alexander the Great. Steeped in real history and infused with all the myth and mysticism of the time, this series is perfect for fans of Game of Thrones, Kiersten White, Kendare Blake, and Evelyn Skye. The story begins with a tidal wave and ends with the very Fates themselves, as Prince Alexander of Macedon steps into his role as visionary warrior and unites the Greek States, leading them all to a new dawn of legends.

Have you ever wondered how China became the most populous and one of the most industrially active nations today? This audiobook will take you from Ancient China and imperial dynasties to communism and capitalism. Discover the rich history of this superpower. Subjects include: agriculture, capitalism, ancient Chinese culture, language, spirituality and religion, literature, music, arts, architecture, history of martial arts, old-world medicine, military history, and the Sun Tzu dynasties.

“I got and read this book on recommendation from a friend, and I have to admit that I'm thoroughly impressed with it. It's a deep dive into some local Greek mythology, told in a story-with-a-plot kind-of-way. It probably helps if you are already interested in this particular material, because there's a lot. The book's pacing is overall easy, and sometimes it just drops a bomb on you. Event happened, plot shifts, no questions asked or answers given! While reading it I thought of Game of Thrones and even in Blood Meridian the way characters can be just written off without a second thought. ...

The World's Greatest Civilizations: The History and Culture of the Minoans shines a light on this Bronze Age civilization, providing a comprehensive overview of the reign of the Minoans and their lasting influence on European art, culture, trade, and more. Along with a description of Minoan life, you will learn about the civilization some have dubbed the first Europeans.

What secrets lie hidden in the Faith and Church Gallery of the Chaldean Museum? When a group of sixth graders steps into the exhibit, they discover it’s far more than a collection of ancient artifacts—it’s a gateway to the remarkable story of the Chaldean people. As they explore, the gallery hums with questions. How have the Chaldeans, indigenous to Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), preserved their faith and culture for thousands of years? How did they manage to keep speaking Aramaic—the very language of Jesus—through centuries of change? At the center of the exhibit stands a ...

Step into a world where ancient Chinese spirits and ghosts reveal hidden truths about love, betrayal, and justice. In these captivating tales, the deceptive "Painted Skin Ghost" lurks behind beauty, while the fierce protector Zhong Kui defends the realms beyond life. Each story is a gateway into centuries-old beliefs and mysteries, inviting readers to explore the rich tapestry of Chinese folklore. Discover what lies beyond the veil, where supernatural encounters echo the values and fears of ancient China—offering haunting insights that still resonate today.

Stonehenge is just one of thousands of stone circles erected throughout Britain and Ireland for over three millennia from 3,000 BC on. How did this building tradition survive for so long, over such a large area and with such complexity and uniformity, when the people of the British Isles lived in separate, isolated communities? Graham Phillips argues that these stone circles are evidence of an astonishing system of healthcare and preservation of ancient medical knowledge that held together a society scattered across the British Isles.

Some say he was the greatest warrior in history, building an empire that extended from Europe to Africa and on to India and Central Asia. In a stirring narrative, famed historian John Gunther tells the story of Alexander the Great who, at only age 21, became King of Macedonia and set off on a 12-year journey to conquer the known world and extend the boundaries of Greek civilization.

How did the world begin? What did the ancient Greeks know about the very beginning of time? Greek Mythology teaches you how the primordial forces of nature came into being out of Chaos. You'll learn about famous names like Gaia, Erebus, Eros, Nyx, and Tartarus, and you'll meet the Titans, the Olympians, and the heroes.

"Unraveling Enigmas" beckons you to unlock the secrets that have mystified humanity for ages. Prepare to be captivated, intrigued, and utterly fascinated as you delve into this extraordinary compendium of the unexplained. With 101 unsolved mysteries at your disposal, prepare to spend countless hours engrossed in the enigmatic and the unknown. Embark on an adventure through time and across continents as you uncover ancient secrets, decode cryptic clues, and unravel the intricate webs of history’s most perplexing enigmas.

INDIA: In Search of the Fourth Veda explores the esoteric culture of India with a variety of questions. Why are arranged marriages preferred? Why is each birth recorded by the minute? Why are horoscopes so common that computer stores offer them? Why are palmistry and numerology popular? Why is a caste system important? Why are there so many gods? A native English teacher explained, "Our culture is based on four sacred texts called Vedas. The fourth Veda gives instruction on astrology, horoscopes, palmistry, numerology, and other practical skills which make India unique." The author traveled...

Misinformation and myths have attached themselves to the Egyptian pyramids since ancient Greece and Rome. While many Americans believe that the pyramids were built by aliens, archaeologists understand that the Giza pyramids were built by the pharaohs of the Fourth Dynasty around 2450 BCE. So why is there such a disconnect between scholarly opinion and the popular view of Egypt? Jason Colavito takes us back to Late Antique Egypt, where the replacement of polytheism with Christianity gave rise to local efforts to rewrite the stories of Egyptian history in the image of the Bible.

AFRICAN DIONYSUS: FROM EGYPT TO GREECE: The Kamitan Origins of Greek Culture and Religion ISBN: 1-884564-47-X FROM EGYPT TO GREECE This insightful manual is a reference to Ancient Egyptian mythology and philosophy and its correlation to what later became known as Greek and Rome mythology and philosophy. It outlines the basic tenets of the mythologies and shoes the ancient origins of Greek culture in Ancient Egypt. This volume also documents the origins of the Greek alphabet in Egypt as well as Greek religion, myth and philosophy of the gods and goddesses from Egypt from the myth of Atlantis...