“The Empires of the Bible” traces the history from the origin of nations to the captivity of Judah, and carefully reveals the causes of the rise and the fall of these early peoples. The Biblical records, together with secular history and modern research, establish the manner of the development of the great empires of Egypt and Assyria, and the founding of the races from which the great nations of later times developed. Read more

“A captivating journey” through 15,000 years of fascinating yet often-forgotten ancient civilizations and cultures—includes maps and illustrations (Natasha Billson, host, The Great British Dig).   From the world's first peace treaty to daring expeditions across the Pacific, this book explores twenty ancient and historic cultures that have had monumental impacts on our modern world—but that few people know about. Archaeologist Raven Todd DaSilva, creator of the popular platform Dig It With Raven, looks beyond the familiar names and places and delves into astounding finds unearthed at archaeological sites around the globe. Discover the archaeology that sheds light on the secret stories of the Nubians, Olmec, Xiongnu, Minoans, Akkadians, and many more. Rather than focusing only on great rulers and monumental buildings, the book highlights the everyday lives of peoples of the past, who they interacted with, and what we can learn from them. Packed with summaries of current archaeological evidence, detailed maps, and striking images of artefacts and sites, The Other Ancient Civilizations reveals how archaeologists decode ancient cultures from what they left behind—and is an indispensable collection of fascinating stories and facts that illustrate both the differences and similarities between us and our long-distant ancestors. “A succinct journey through some of the world’s less well-known complex societies … excellent, thoroughly researched, and admirably illustrated.” —Brian Fagan, author of People of the Earth Read more

A rollicking adventure starring three free-spirited Victorians on a twenty-year quest to decipher cuneiform, the oldest writing in the world—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu.It was one of history’s great vanishing acts. Around 3,400 BCE—as humans were gathering in complex urban settlements—a scribe in the mud-walled city-state of Uruk picked up a reed stylus to press tiny symbols into clay. For three millennia, wedge shape cuneiform script would record the military conquests, scientific discoveries, and epic literature of the great Mesopotamian kingdoms of Sumer, Assyria, and Babylon and of Persia’s mighty Achaemenid Empire, along with precious minutiae about everyday life in the cradle of civilization. And then…the meaning of the characters was lost. London, 1857. In an era obsessed with human progress, mysterious palaces emerging from the desert sands had captured the Victorian public’s imagination. Yet Europe’s best philologists struggled to decipher the bizarre inscriptions excavators were digging up. Enter a swashbuckling archaeologist, a suave British military officer turned diplomat, and a cloistered Irish rector, all vying for glory in a race to decipher this script that would enable them to peek farther back into human history than ever before. 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. Read more

Discover the Amazing Empires of Mesopotamia: Learn About the World’s First Cities, Laws, and Legends!Four manuscripts in one book:The Sumerian Civilization: An Enthralling Overview of Sumer and the Ancient SumeriansThe Akkadian Empire: An Enthralling Overview of the Rise and Fall of the AkkadiansThe Babylonian Empire: An Enthralling Overview of Babylon and the BabyloniansThe Assyrian Empire: An Enthralling Overview of the History of Assyria, the Assyrians, and Their Role in Ancient MesopotamiaStep into the world of ancient Mesopotamia, where the first cities were built, the first stories were told, and mighty empires ruled. This book takes you on a thrilling journey through four incredible civilizations—Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria—showing how they shaped the world we live in today. With simple words and easy-to-read facts, this book brings the wonders of history to life.Part 1: The SumeriansExplore the beginning of cities, writing, and civilization:Learn about the world’s first city and how people lived there.Find out how Sumerians told the story of a great flood, just like Noah's ark.Discover how fast the world’s first postal system was.See why Babylon’s god Marduk kept getting stolen!Compare Hammurabi’s laws with the Law of Moses.Meet the mathematicians who used the Pythagorean theorem way before Pythagoras!Find out which empire ruled over 44% of the world’s population!Part 2: The AkkadiansMeet the first empire builders and their incredible achievements:Discover who lived in Mesopotamia at the dawn of time.Hear the story of how a simple gardener became a great king.Learn about the drought that ended Mesopotamia’s “Golden Age.”See how the Akkadian army became unbeatable.Find out how their art inspired the Greeks over 1,600 years later.Part 3: The BabyloniansDive into the exciting history of Babylon, the holy city:Learn who lived in Babylonia before the Babylonians arrived.See how Hammurabi’s law shaped our legal system today.Discover how Babylon became a sacred city and a place for pilgrims.Explore if the Etemenanki ziggurat was really the Tower of Babel.Learn how Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon without much fighting.Part 4: The AssyriansStep into the world of the fierce Assyrians and their lasting impact:Discover why the Assyrians built their famous ziggurats.Learn about their unique system of writing using wedge-shaped marks.See how Assyrians had laws to protect buyers of goods like metal and animals.Visit the first great library created by King Ashurbanipal.Discover why beer was so important in their culture!Learn why Assyrian kings moved thousands of people to different cities.Find out why having a big beard showed your status in Assyria.Why This Book?Easy to read and perfect for anyone curious about ancient civilizations.Discover the first cities, laws, and stories that shaped human history.Four manuscripts in one book! Learn about Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria in one fascinating read.Take a trip back in time and explore the mighty empires of ancient Mesopotamia! Read more

Civilization was born eight thousand years ago, between the floodplains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, when migrants from the surrounding mountains and deserts began to create increasingly sophisticated urban societies. In the cities that they built, half of human history took place. In Babylon, Paul Kriwaczek tells the story of Mesopotamia from the earliest settlements seven thousand years ago to the eclipse of Babylon in the sixth century BCE. Bringing the people of this land to life in vibrant detail, the author chronicles the rise and fall of power during this period and explores the political and social systems, as well as the technical and cultural innovations, which made this land extraordinary. At the heart of this book is the story of Babylon, which rose to prominence under the Amorite king Hammurabi from about 1800 BCE. Even as Babylon's fortunes waxed and waned, it never lost its allure as the ancient world's greatest city. Engaging and compelling, Babylon reveals the splendor of the ancient world that laid the foundation for civilization itself. Read more

Discover the remarkable history of The Sumerians... Free BONUS Inside! The Sumerians settled in the area known as Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, around five thousand years ago. They produced many fundamental changes to the way in which human societies developed—these were the first city-builders, the first people to use wheeled vehicles, the first methodical astronomers, and the first people to develop a sophisticated written language. The Sumerians also produced art, music, and literature as well as created some of the first professional soldiers the world had ever seen. But for all that we know about the Sumerians, one central mystery remains: We have no idea where the Sumerians came from when they suddenly arrived in Mesopotamia five thousand years ago. Many people have put forward answers ranging from the plausible to the esoteric to the (literally) out of this world, but none of the solutions suggested to date appears to provide a complete or final answer. When looking at how Homo sapiens have developed from primitive tribes of hunter-gatherers to today’s urban dwellers, the Sumerians represent one of the biggest and most dramatic single periods of change ever achieved by the human race. This is the story of the advanced, ingenious, and mysterious Sumerians. Discover a plethora of topics such as The Black Heads Arrive The Conquest of Sumer Sumerian Society and Religion Technology and Writing Music and Art Mysteries of the Sumerians And much more!So if you want a concise and informative book on The Sumerians, simply scroll up and click the "Buy now" button for instant access! Read more

Humanity’s earliest efforts at recording and drawing meaning from history reveal how lives millennia ago were not so different from our own.Mesopotamia saw the first cities, devised the original writing system, sowed the early seeds of agriculture, and developed myths, medicine, and astronomy that all went on to influence societies around the world. However, the significance of this ancient civilization goes far beyond its technological inventions: These were the people who began the human tradition of recording their own histories.With each chapter focusing on a new artifact, historian Moudhy Al-Rashid takes us on a personal tour of ancient life: the brick that was the basis of Mesopotamian architecture; the classroom tablets that shed light on the timeless anxieties of student life; the stone obelisk that spoke to the vast socioeconomic gulfs. Ancient Mesopotamians wanted a witness to their lives, and thousands of years later, Al-Rashid shares their stories. Read more

Discover the remarkable history of the Assyrian Empire... Free BONUS Inside! The Assyrian Empire was the largest, most powerful, and longest-lasting in the ancient world. It included lands that comprise modern Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, and Cyprus as well as large parts of modern Saudi Arabia, Libya, Turkey, and Iran. The Assyrian army was the most effective, most highly trained, and best equipped in the ancient world, and few nations dared to stand against it. This force was used with ruthless brutality by Assyrian kings to ensure that potential foes were terrified of losing a battle with the Assyrians. There wasn’t just one Assyrian Empire; there were three. Each rose, seized lands in the ancient Near East, and then declined to insignificance. It was only the third empire, the Neo-Assyrian Empire, that finally attained the full size and scope which previous rulers had attempted. Yet the very size of the empire was part of what eventually led to its downfall. Internal dissent and civil wars weakened the empire to the point that it was not able to exercise effective control over the lands it had conquered. When this point arrived, the Assyrian Empire collapsed and disintegrated with bewildering speed. This is the story of the rise and fall of the three Assyrian Empires. Discover a plethora of topics such as The City of Ashur The Old Kingdom The Warrior Society The Late Bronze Age Collapse The Fall of the Assyrian Empire And much more!So if you want a concise and informative book on the Assyrian Empire, simply scroll up and click the "Buy now" button for instant access! Read more

This edited volume offers, for the first time, English translations of the four major scholarly articles (originally written in German) on the Anunnaki gods of ancient Mesopotamian religion. The four articles were translated by a native German speaker. These articles provide primary source data and informed scholarly discussion about the Anunnaki. One can either base one’s knowledge about the Anunnaki on the speculations found online and in popular television shows, or one can allow the Sumerians and other Mesopotamian writers to speak for themselves. Read more

Babylon * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. Of all the cities of ancient Mesopotamia, Babylon is virtually the only one which is still remembered today. The very word Babylon has entered the lexicon of popular understanding as a synonym for decadence and wealth. But what do we really know about the history of this once mighty city? Inside you will read about... ✓ King Hammurabi and the Babylonian Empire ✓ The Persian Conquest ✓ Alexander the Great Enters Babylon ✓ Babylon Falls ✓ Babylon in the Bible And much more! Babylon first became important in the eighteenth century BCE under the rule of King Hammurabi. However, it barely survived his death before it was conquered, first by the Hittites and then by the Assyrians. In the seventh century BCE, the city was completely destroyed after it rebelled against Assyrian rule, and it wasn’t until the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II that it once again became the heart of a large empire. After that, it was conquered by the Persians and finally, in the fourth century BCE, by Alexander the Great. Alexander planned to make Babylon the capital of his mighty empire, but he died in the city under mysterious circumstances before this was done. After his death, Babylon entered a period of decline from which it never recovered until by the seventh century CE it was no more than a source of bricks for local builders. How did this happen? How did this city rise to great power and then fall to become nothing but a memory? Why do we remember the name of Babylon when the names of all the other great cities of ancient Mesopotamia have been forgotten? This is the story of Babylon. Read more

Akkadian Empire * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. The Akkadian Empire was one of the first empires in human history and certainly the first to involve the central government of a large, multi-ethnic populace. It also introduced things like the very first postal system and facilitated advances in science, art, and medicine. The heart of the empire, the city of Akkad, became the most important trading center in the ancient world and one of the largest cities in the world. Then, in a relatively short time, the empire disintegrated, and the city itself was abandoned. Now, we don’t even know where the city of Akkad was located. How is this possible? How could an empire which controlled most of the civilized world suddenly fall apart? Successors of the Akkadians thought that they had the answer. Many texts from the Babylonians and others talk of the Curse of Akkad, a curse placed on the empire after its king offended the gods which led to its destruction. For thousands of years, historians assumed that the story of the curse was nothing more than a quaint legend. However, modern research shows that the Akkadian Empire was most likely destroyed by a cataclysmic change as a result of sudden and unprecedented climate change. Inside you will read about... ✓ Origins: The Black Heads and King Sargon ✓ Palace Conspiracies and Assassinations ✓ Naram-Sin and the Curse of Akkad ✓ The 4.2 Kiloyear Event ✓ The Fall of the Akkadian Empire ✓ The Search for Akkad And much more! In little more than two hundred years, the Akkadian Empire rose from nothing to become the most important and powerful empire in the world, and then went back to obscurity. This is the story of the rise and sudden fall of the Akkadian Empire. Read more

'It's enthralling stuff, mixing the scholarly with the accessible and placing storytelling right at the heart of the human experience.' - History Revealed'A fascinating journey' - Yorkshire Post'Marvellous...Finkel is an expert in Mesopotamian cultures at the British Museum, and is one of the most clever, and nicest, of people it has ever been my pleasure to encounter...A fascinating journey' - The ScotsmanThere are few things more in common across cultures than the belief in ghosts. Ghosts inhabit something of the very essence of what it is to be human. Whether we personally 'believe' or not, we are all aware of ghosts and the rich mythologies and rituals surrounding them. They have inspired, fascinated and frightened us for centuries - yet most of us are only familiar with the vengeful apparitions of Shakespeare, or the ghastly spectres haunting the pages of 19th century gothic literature. But their origins are much, much older...The First Ghosts: Most Ancient of Legacies takes us back to the very beginning. A world-renowned authority on cuneiform, the form of writing on clay tablets which dates back to 3400BC, Irving Finkel has embarked upon an ancient ghost hunt, scouring these tablets to unlock the secrets of the Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians to breathe new life into the first ghost stories ever written. In The First Ghosts, he uncovers an extraordinarily rich seam of ancient spirit wisdom which has remained hidden for nearly 4000 years, covering practical details of how to live with ghosts, how to get rid of them and bring them back, and how to avoid becoming one, as well as exploring more philosophical questions: what are ghosts, why does the idea of them remain so powerful despite the lack of concrete evidence, and what do they tell us about being human? Read more

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"They Hid It for 5,000 Years. You’re About to Remember It."Ancient Truths and Esoteric Wisdom: The Teachings You Were Meant to ForgetYou’re not lost. You’ve been deliberately disconnected.This book is not just a read—it’s a reawakening.Across three powerful phases, it reveals over 30 forbidden truths spanning more than 5,000 years of suppressed history, secret symbols, and spiritual technology.These are not recycled ideas or vague spiritual clichés.These are the teachings that were banned, burned, encrypted, and buried by institutions that feared their power.Why? Because they don’t want you to realize what you're truly capable of.Inside these pages, you’ll uncover:✅ Three phases of human disconnection: how truth was once known, then veiled, and now resurfaces✅ Over 30 esoteric revelations—each one decoded, contextualized, and connected to your modern life✅ 5,000 years of spiritual knowledge: from the Sumerians to quantum physics, see the thread they tried to cut✅ The reason you were never taught this—and why it changes everything once you know✅ Your role in the bigger pattern—this book doesn’t just inform, it activatesYou’ll walk away seeing the world—and yourself—differently.This knowledge will shift your perspective, shatter inherited illusions, and help you remember what your soul never forgot.Most people will never read what’s in this book.But you’re not most people.Get your copy now and reclaim the wisdom they buried.Your awakening begins here. Read more

The Creation, the Fall of Man, the Deluge, the Tower of Babel, the times of the Patriarchs; many of us know these stories through reading Genesis in the Old Testament. But, what happens if there was an alternative source that spoke of these events? George Smith, a pioneering English Assyriologist, discovered a number of ancient tablets in the lands surrounding Nineveh, situated in what was previously the infamous civilization of Babylonia. Written in the long-forgotten script of cuneiform, Smith was able to discover some remarkable finds upon their surfaces. The Chaldean Account of Genesis explores these discoveries and explains how the tablets provide an alternative account to the accounts of the Jewish bible. These tablets also throw remarkable light on the myths and legends of Babylon, from the epic of Gilgamesh to the adventures of Ishtar. This work is a remarkable study that should be essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the stories of Old Testament as well as the ancient civilization of Babylon. George Smith, was a pioneering English Assyriologist who first discovered and translated the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest-known written works of literature. His The Chaldean Account of Genesis was first published in 1876. Smith also passed away of dysentery that year during an expedition to excavate the rest of the Library of Ashurbanipal. Read more

Discover the secrets of our past and unlock a deeper understanding of human development. Immerse yourself in the legacies of ancient civilizations and uncover the interconnectedness and impact they still hold today. Gain a comprehensive overview of the most pivotal societies that have shaped human history.Experience the achievements, beliefs, and complexities of ancient cultures through captivating narratives.Delve into the advancements of ancient China, the diverse culture of the Persian Empire, and the enduring legacies of the Maurya and Byzantine Empires.Learn about the foundational societies of Ancient Sumer and Egypt, the philosophical and political innovations of Ancient Greece and Rome, and the mysteries of the Indus Valley Civilization.See how understanding our past is crucial to grasping the present and envisioning the future.Ignite your interest and appreciation for the remarkable civilizations that continue to resonate today.Perfect for both novices and those with a growing curiosity about ancient cultures.Embark on a journey through time and discover the wonders of our shared heritage.In this book, you will find: The origins of each major civilizationThe societal and political structures, as well as the economyKey rulers and pivotal figuresInsights into the lives of ordinary peopleImportant facts about language, culture, and religious beliefsNotable artifacts and enduring mysteriesReasons behind each civilization's eventual decline, its influence on successors, and its overall legacyThis book is a must-read for anyone eager to deepen their understanding of ancient history. Buy now before the price changes! Read more

This is a completely new and updated edition of J. M. Roberts and Odd Arne Westad's widely acclaimed, landmark bestseller The Penguin History of the World.For generations of readers The Penguin History of the World has been one of the great cultural experiences - the entire story of human endeavour laid out in all its grandeur and folly, drama and pain in a single authoritative book. Now, for the first time, it has been completely overhauled for its 6th edition - not just bringing it up to date, but revising it throughout in the light of new research and discoveries, such as the revolution in our understanding of many civilizations in the Ancient World. The closing sections of the book reflect what now seems to be the inexorable rise of Asia and the increasingly troubled situation in the West.About the authors:J.M. Roberts, CBE, published The Penguin History of the World in 1976 to immediate acclaim. His other major books include The Paris Commune from the Right, The Triumph of the West (which was also a successful television series), The Penguin History of Europe and The Penguin History of the Twentieth Century. He died in 2003.Odd Arne Westad, FBA, is Professor of International History at the London School of Economics. He has published fifteen books on modern and contemporary international history, among them The Global Cold War, which won the Bancroft Prize, and Decisive Encounters, a standard history of the Chinese civil war. He also served as general co-editor of the Cambridge History of the Cold War.Reviews'A work of outstanding breadth of scholarship and penetrating judgements. There is nothing better of its kind' Jonathan Sumption, Sunday Telegraph'A stupendous achievement' A.J.P. Taylor'A brilliant book ... the most outstanding history of the world yet written' J.H. Plumb Read more

Situated in an area roughly corresponding to present-day Iraq, Mesopotamia is one of the great, ancient civilizations, though it is still relatively unknown. Yet, over 7,000 years ago in Mesopotamia, the very first cities were created. This is the first book to reveal how life was lived in ten Mesopotamian cities: from Eridu, the Mesopotamian Eden, to that potent symbol of decadence, Babylon - the first true metropolis: multicultural, multi-ethnic, the last centre of a dying civilization. Read more

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Anabasis is the most famous work of the Ancient Greek professional soldier and writer Xenophon. It gives an account of the expedition of the Ten Thousand, an army of Greek mercenaries hired by Cyrus the Younger to help him seize the throne of Persia from his brother, Artaxerxes II, in 401 BC. Read more