Review by Choice Review
The emergence of world history as an important subfield of historical scholarship has transformed the teaching of history in colleges and universities in the US. Ancient history, however, has remained largely untouched by this change, so the publication of this new book, the first full-scale history of Eurasia in antiquity, is welcome. In nine chapters, Scott (classics and ancient history, Univ. of Warwick, UK) provides a vividly written, up-to-date account of Eurasia from the early sixth century BCE to c. 400 CE, emphasizing the historical experience of Greece, Rome, and China. The choice of organization--chronological or thematic--is the central problem of world histories. This book combines both, focusing on three major themes--new political systems, empire building, and religion--but treating their emergence as central themes sequentially: political systems in the mid-first millennium BCE, empire building in the period from c. 200 BCE to 200 CE, and religion from c. 200 CE to 400 CE. The combination of thematic orientation and the emphasis on only three civilizations entails both gains and losses, however. While the narrative is clear and India is well covered because of the Chinese reception of Buddhism, Scott virtually ignores Persia and Zoroastrianism. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. --Stanley M. Burstein, California State University, Los Angeles
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Historical studies of the ancient world, posits Scott (Delphi: A History of the Center of the Ancient World), have the unfortunate habit of letting disciplinary and geographical boundaries limit their scope. The author seeks to provide a view of interconnected ancient worlds, exploring how civilizations responded to similar pressures, and how they influenced one another once the borders of their worlds began to meet. Scott divides his work into three major sections focusing on government, warfare, and religion: the emergence of the political theories behind the Athenian democracy, the Roman republic, and Confucian thought; the struggles of several nascent empires to retain their security through military might; and the rise of Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Rome and China remain the mainstay subjects of each segment, while others-Greece, Macedonia, India, and so on-cycle in and out for observation as their borders expand and their actions become intertwined. VERDICT Much of the historical material has been well-trod in other accounts, but the presentation of events revealing unfamiliar connections and comparisons, as well as the inclusion of less-familiar topics such as the Seleucid Empire and Armenia, provides a fascinating perspective that many readers should find intriguing.-Kathleen McCallister, Tulane Univ., New Orleans © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A welcome broadening of our understanding of antiquity.In the ancient world, there was a remarkably diverse environment of ideas, knowledge, and beliefs existing among the Mediterranean, the Middle East, India, and China. Scott (Classics and Ancient History/Univ. of Warwick; Delphi: A History of the Center of the Ancient World, 2014, etc.) focuses on developing relationships between and within communities from the 6th century B.C.E. to the 5th century C.E. That period was characterized by a significant rethinking of political ideas, societal governance, and interpersonal relationships. The author divides the book into three sections covering political systems, wars, and religion. Of course, the earlier in time a historian searches for sources, the fewer are available, but Scott boldly dives into any and all sources. What little is available was written long after events and was influenced by the chroniclers time and tendencies. Many readers of Western history are woefully ignorant of events in China, India, Bactria, and the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires. In this period, wars and political strife did not necessarily lead to collapse. Instead, within the chaos, societies evolved and mutated into fragile new ideologies, subject to both growth and revision. As Antiochus III drove Ptolemy IV out of the Levant, Hannibal almost took over the Roman Empire and Philip V of Greece pretty much got nowhere except to keep switching alliances. In China, the head of the Qin state rejected Confucianism for its opposite, legalism, until it was replaced by the Han dynasty. While violent wars tied ancient worlds together, only two great empires emerged with nothing but instability between. The nomadic peoples, by nature moving with all their goods, also brought religion, from China into India as Christianity moved east across the Silk Road. Scott teaches us that the past is a work in progress influenced by political and religious ideas and powerful rulers and individuals, and he proves that we need to continue to study and learn. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
