Ancient Empires

While the name Justinian may not be one that instantly strikes a chord with people, his life and his legacy continue to impact people all over the world to this day. It is very likely that as you read this, you are living your life in accordance with laws that came about as a result of Justinian’s rewriting of the old Roman codes.

A chronological account of the formation, battles and campaigns of the Roman state and democracy, from the foundation and growth of the city, to the epic struggles with Carthage during the Punic Wars and the resultant expansion throughout the Mediterranean. Each year is detailed in turn, showing how events unfolded throughout this fascinating period of history: the development of the Empire, its external struggles and outstanding generals and politicians who shaped it. Each conflict is dealt with as a separate entry, be it the Punic Wars, Hannibal crossing the Alps with his elephants, or a ...

The influence of the Roman Empire has been widespread and profound, perhaps more so than that of any other empire or civilization. Rome laid the foundation for many of the institutions and ideas in the modern Western world, including the common political and legal systems. Roman ruins can still be found in distant England, and Roman aqueducts still bring fresh drinking water to modern Rome.

To this day, we feel the influence of imperial Rome. After all, imperial Rome was one of the first successful “melting pots” of cultures. The Romans took what worked and discarded what didn’t work, showing that it was possible to have a stable, centralized government over an extremely large area.

The birth of Europe as people know it today was hardly an easy and effortless process. The Old World was reshaped by centuries of continuous wars, raids, and the falls and rises of empires. The most turbulent of these events happened at the beginning of the Middle Ages, from the third through seventh centuries CE. This was the time when the old slave society gave way to the feudal system that marked the latter Middle Ages, and it was also a period of battles between the Roman Empire and various barbarian peoples.

About 225 miles west of Ulaanbaatar, the present-day capital city of Mongolia, are the ruins of Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. Located in the Orkhon River Valley, at the foot of the Khangai Mountain range, the city was founded by Genghis Khan in 1220 CE. Under his son and successor, Ögedei Khan, Karakorum grew into a thriving city, with high walls enclosing an urban landscape of brick-built structures and paved roads, divided into different districts with a palace, craft workshops, and marketplaces.

Among all the periods in ancient Egyptian history, the Ptolemaic Kingdom and its most famous ruler, Cleopatra, may be the most well-known today. By the 4th century BCE, it appeared as though ancient Egypt was in its final death throes. It had long ceased to be an influential kingdom in the Near East and Mediterranean regions, and it had been ruled over by a succession of foreign peoples including Libyans, Nubians, Assyrians, and Persians. But just when Egypt seemed was doomed to pass forever into obscurity, it was reinvigorated by outsiders, most notably Alexander the Great.

The Ottoman Empire was one of the longest standing empires in the world. Started in 1299, the Ottomans would conquer much of the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeastern Europe. This classic by William Deans covers 600 years of Ottoman rule.

The Babylonian Empire, one of the greatest civilizations in human history, left an enduring legacy of cultural achievements, monumental architecture, and military conquests. But beyond its impressive power and influence, Babylon holds a pivotal place in the biblical narrative, serving both as a historical empire and a profound symbol of human defiance against Jehovah. In The Babylonian Empire, Edward D. Andrews offers a detailed exploration of Babylon’s rise to dominance, its lasting impact on the ancient world, and its role in Scripture. From the grandeur of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign to ...

Hay muchos misterios que rodean a los incas. ¿Dónde se originaron? ¿Cómo llegaron a reinar sobre un imperio tan vasto que incluía montañas, selvas tropicales y zonas costeras? ¿Cuáles fueron los logros más destacados de sus grandes reyes? ¿Cómo eran sus templos y monumentos, especialmente la ciudad capital, Cuzco, y su impresionante asentamiento en la cima de la montaña, el Machu Picchu, en lo que hoy es Perú?

En las películas y las series de televisión se representa a los romanos con togas y sandalias en todas partes, pero en realidad no era así. De hecho, las togas se consideraban una prenda formal y un símbolo de estatus, ya que solían llevarlas los miembros de las clases sociales más altas.

Despite all the accomplishments and widespread victories and conquests throughout the long history of Republican and Imperial Rome, general perception still deems the Romans to have failed in one crucial conquest: the subjugation of Germany. Indeed, historians have singled out this one failure as central to the ultimate downfall of the entire empire, as the constant wars against the Germanic tribes and the need to defend the frontier on the Rhine at great expense against those tribes, helped bring the empire to its knees.

India es un país repleto de misterio, riqueza y profundo descubrimiento espiritual. Cada faceta de esta antigua tierra parece perfumada con las famosas especias que atrajeron a los comerciantes europeos a sus costas hace más de cinco siglos. Aquí, musulmanes, hindúes, cristianos, sikhs y budistas viven hombro con hombro en un mundo repleto de múltiples dioses y rutas de peregrinación yuxtapuestas, cada una perfectamente pacífica en sus propias creencias y tradiciones.

La extravagancia de Nerón se ha convertido en nada menos que legendaria. En su día, fue increíblemente destructiva para su pueblo, particularmente después del Gran Incendio de Roma, un incendio que incluso podría haber comenzado él. En lugar de acudir en ayuda de los diez distritos que habían sido dañados por el fuego, Nerón aprovechó el espacio extra para construirse un palacio dorado. Asesinó, entre otros, a su propia madre, su exmujer y su hermanastro. Además, fue un violador, abusó sexualmente de niños y fue un abusador brutal.

ALSO AVAILABLE IN LARGE PRINT Get ready to immerse yourself in centuries of history! Discover Rome's past and its tremendous legacy of beauty, churches, museums, and spectacular monuments with this comprehensive guidebook for cultured travelers.Learn the story behind such world-famous landmarks as The Colosseum The Roman Forum The Pantheon The Trevi Fountain The Spanish Steps Saint Peter's Basilica The Circus Maximus And many more. Please note that this is a historical guide. It does not include lists of hotels and restaurants, nor does it contain pictures or maps. Available in the same ...

According to the ancient writer Arrian, when Alexander attempted to apply proskynesis to his court, his decision was met with massive criticism from both the Macedonians and Greeks. And even when he stopped the practice, the Macedonians continued to witness their king apply a variety of Persian customs in the kingdom. Some said his Persianization played a minor role in his death, while others claimed that he died of natural causes. The sources that tell the story of Alexander often contradict each other, which can be confusing for those hoping to learn about the great king’s eventful life.

While many know of St Augustine and the Confessions, few know of the women whose hopes and dreams shaped his early life: his mother, Monnica of Thagaste; his lover; his fiancée; and Justina, the troubled empress of ancient Rome. Drawing upon their depictions in the Confessions, Historian Kate Cooper skilfully reconstructs their lives against the backdrop of the late Roman Empire to paint a vivid portrait of the turbulent society they and Augustine moved through.

Seeking Desi's true identity The last days that Daisy Hayes spent in Rome in 1964 were quite exciting. She and Father Contini went back to the crypt and made some disturbing discoveries. Not about Desiderata herself, but about the archaeologist who had investigated the place in the thirties. The quest now led them to the German town of Trier, where they teamed up again in the fall of that same year to continue their research. In AD 67 things were looking good for Desi and the Pomponius family in their beautiful domus: they lived like princes. But as her friends the Christians went through ...

No other civilization in human history has fascinated the world quite like the Roman Empire. On the battlefield, the Romans were a force the world had never seen before, an unparalleled war machine that could sweep through cities and absorb entire countries into its borders. At the heart of it all was Rome, the epicenter of the world. But what was it really like to live there? Where did the common Roman person live? What were the Roman games really like? From the streets to the senate to the games, this is what life was like in ancient Rome.

There is so much history to the world. However, in this book we cover the extensive past of three huge and great empires. Those include the Roman Empire, the Persian Empire, and the Mongol Empire. All three had great rises, and then had great falls. One was outlived, while another is known as the greatest of all empires. Which one is which? Listen to find out and grow your knowledge on the rich past of all three empires.