Ancient Writings

From the ruins of Persepolis to lawless outposts of the crumbling Ottoman Empire, The Mesopotamian Riddle whisks you on a wild adventure through the golden age of archaeology in an epic quest to understand our past.

Violence in the Old Testament has long been a stumbling block for Christians and skeptics alike. God Is a Man of War offers a fresh interpretation of Old Testament accounts of violence, by exploring them through the twofold lens of Orthodox tradition and historical context. Father Stephen De Young examines what these difficult passages reveal about the nature of Christ and His creation, bearing witness to a world filled not only with pain and suffering - often of human making - but also with the love of God.

The Bible: Is there a scientific method to prove the Bible’s historical accuracy? This task falls to the science of archaeology, the study of man’s past based on excavations and collected artifacts. Can archaeology provide enough evidence to prove the Bible accurate? In this text, we will examine ancient documents, ruins, and over 200 individual artifacts directly related to the lands, peoples, and events depicted in the Bible. We will explore excavation sites in Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, and all across Israel. A single project in Jerusalem has lasted an impressive nineteen years and...

Bravery. Resolve. The biblical story of Joshua and the era of Judges – as it has never been told before. The Israelites are finally free from the tyranny of Egypt. After the savior Moses passes away, a new leader is tasked by The Lord to lead the Israelites in conquest of Canaan – the promised land. Obedient Joshua becomes the first of the Judges, the civil and military leaders of their age. But as they soon discover, the greatest enemy of the people might actually come from within. Experience the culmination of the biblical story like never before, in simple and straightforward English...

Following up on the first volume, The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament: Volume 2 takes up the challenge of providing a clear and useful guide to those wanting a better understanding of the Old Testament, including its cultural and historical background, as well as discussions on contentious topics like violence and genocide, and whether the Exodus was a real historical event. Volume two also covers the narrative of the Old Testament, from the conquest to the divided monarchy, and a brief history of Egypt to help situate the biblical text within agreed historical events.

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. It is of immense importance to the culture of the Indian subcontinent and is a major text of Hinduism. Its discussion of human goals (artha or 'purpose', kama or 'pleasure', dharma or 'duty' and moksha or 'liberation') takes place in a long-standing tradition, attempting to explain the relationship of the individual to society and the world (the nature of the 'self') and the workings of karma.

Basil the Great is not just a name from the past—he's a powerful force whose influence shaped the very foundation of Christianity. Whether you're new to theology or a seasoned scholar, Basil the Great for Beginners: The Life, Writings, and Impact of a Great Theologian will draw you into the world of one of history's most compelling figures. Imagine unlocking the wisdom of a man whose thoughts have influenced millions for over 1,600 years. Basil wasn’t merely a theologian; he was a revolutionary thinker who tackled the most complex issues of his time with clarity and precision. His ...

Here is one of the world's most hallowed works of sacred literature, the grand, sweeping epic of the divine bowman and warrior Rama and his struggles with evil, power, duplicity, and avarice. The Ramayana is one of the foundations of world literature and one of humanity's most ancient and treasured ethical and spiritual works. Includes an introduction by scholar Michael Sternfeld.

Betrayal. Enslavement. Redemption. Experience the story of Exodus like never before! Joseph, son of Jacob, is dead. His children – the people of Israel, are enslaved at the hands of the Egyptian pharaohs, beaten and oppressed. A single child is saved by his mother, given to the river for protection. He is found by the most unlikely of people – and grows to become the savior of the chosen people. From exile, kinghood, the Plagues all the way through to the Promised Land, Exodus Age is a retelling of the age-old history of Moses and his people through Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and ...

For over a millennium, there has been no documented evidence of Jesus writing anything for future generations or any personal correspondence written by his earthly hands. Today, however, a discovery of monumental significance is poised to be revealed to the world for the first time. Recorded over 2000 years ago by the Messiah's own hands. Protected and concealed for centuries. Many have waited for these treasured documents to be made public. But only one person knows the true message contained within the Jesus letters. "The Lost Writings of Jesus Christ'' is a richly crafted and powerful ...

The second part of the biblical story as it has never been told before. The Bible is the best-selling book in human history, but sometimes the stories it weaves are not fully understood, due to its poetic and obscure literary style. Genesis Days brings you the stories of the first generations, from the creation of the world to the end of the days of Sarah, wife of Abraham, in simple and straightforward English. The book lays bare the lives of humanity’s forefathers and reveals ancient history through a contemporary experience. If you’ve always wanted to read the Bible and understand it ...

In The Geography of Genius, acclaimed travel writer Weiner sets out to examine the connection between our surroundings and our most innovative ideas. He explores the history of places, like Vienna of 1900, Renaissance Florence, ancient Athens, Song Dynasty Hangzhou, and Silicon Valley, to show how certain urban settings are conducive to ingenuity.

Papyrus rolls and Twitter have much in common, as each was their generation's signature means of "instant" communication. Indeed, as Tom Standage reveals in his scintillating new audiobook, social media is anything but a new phenomenon. From the papyrus letters that Roman statesmen used to exchange news across the Empire to the advent of hand-printed tracts of the Reformation to the pamphlets that spread propaganda during the American and French revolutions, Standage chronicles the increasingly sophisticated ways people shared information with each other....

Modern Meets Ancient. Tropical Paradise Meets Paranormal Terror. In the year 620, a young Polynesian man named Kaimi arrives on the virgin shores of Hawaii. He is among the first people there, though quickly realizes they aren’t alone. Strange company watches on from the trees and shorelines: elemental beings only Kaimi can perceive. Like the dark presence in one particular bay, in the verdant island that will become Kauai. Fifteen-hundred years later, a Mormon mother named Marilyn Toomey—secretly harboring her own sensitivity to such beings—finds herself whisked away with her husband...

Cassiodorus: A Beginner's Guide: Legacy of a Roman Scholar Unlock the captivating world of Cassiodorus, a pivotal figure who bridged the gap between the classical past and the medieval future. This book is your gateway to understanding the life and legacy of a man whose contributions have shaped Western civilization. Step into a rich historical tapestry as you explore the life of Cassiodorus, a Roman statesman who seamlessly transitioned to a monastic scholar. His journey through the fall of Rome and the rise of medieval Europe is a tale of resilience, innovation, and enduring wisdom. ...

“I didn’t think he’d do it. I really didn’t think he would. I thought he’d say, whoa, hold on, wait a minute. We made a deal, remember, the land, the blessing, the nation, the descendants as numerous as the sands on the shore and the stars in the sky.” So begins James Goodman’s original and urgent encounter with one of the most compelling and resonant stories ever told - God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.

Along with Virgil, Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) was the greatest poet produced by Rome, and in many ways his work has had arguably an even greater impact. His brilliant expression and astonishing acumen continue to amaze readers today, either in their original Latin or in innumerable worldwide translations. Shakespeare's debt to Horace is incalculable, and it is difficult to read his Sonnets today without immediately being reminded of the famous Odes.

David, King of the Jews, possessed every flaw and failing of which a mortal is capable, yet men and women adored him, and God showered him with many blessings. A charismatic leader, exalted as "a man after God's own heart", he was also capable of deep cunning and bloodthirsty violence.

The Nile, like all of Egypt, is both timeless and ever-changing. In this audio, renowned Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson takes us on a journey downriver that is both history and travelogue. We begin at the First Nile Cataract, close to the modern city of Aswan. From there, Wilkinson guides us through the illustrious nation birthed by this great river.

Faced with the approach of an unstoppable army, the people of the Citadel are forced to flee. While most of the population attempts to escape along the southern waterways, the group of newly possessed friends choose a more dangerous path. Guided by visions, the possessed friends enter the Theleram, an expansive network of caves, stretching hundreds of miles beneath the rainforest. The visions direct them to the ruins of the ancient city of Semilae, where a hidden library lies. Meanwhile, Raelyn, the willful demon who brought about the fall of the Citadel, struggles to make a home for ...