Discovering the Ancient Past A Look at the Evidence

by Wiesner-Hanks, Merry E.; Ruff, Julius; Doeringer, Franklin; Wheeler, William Bruce

• ISBN13: 9780618379309
• ISBN10: 0618379304
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-01-12
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Incorporating the latest scholarship, this upper-level ancient history text guides students through the process of historical inquiry and exploration. Covering topics ranging from the need for water in ancient societies to the problem of ancient suicide, this narrative presents a balanced, cultural approach within a chronicle of historical events and evidence, thereby promoting critical thinking, sharpening analytical skills, and building student interest. This text offers a unique, multi-part pedagogical framework. Each chapter is organized by "The Problem," "Sources and Method," "The Evidence," "Questions to Consider," and the "Epilogue." Diverse primary source materials include documents, maps, art, city plans, and statistical data. At the end of each chapter, the central theme, or "problem," is tied to contemporary issues.

Table of Contents

PREFACE	xi
CHAPTER ONE The Need for Water in Ancient Societies	1	(20)
THE PROBLEM	1	(4)
SOURCES AND METHOD	5	(3)
THE EVIDENCE	8	(9)
Aerial Photograph of Pre-Roman City in Italy. Major Ancient Levees Identifiable in LANDSAT Imagery. Early Egyptian King Cutting an Irrigation Ditch, Drawn from Mace-head Carving, 3100 B.C.E. Shaduf. Sagiya. Archimedes' Screw. Noria. Sections from the Code of Hammurabi Referring to Irrigation, 1750 B.C.E. Vitruvius's Description of the Roman Aqueduct System, first century B.C.E. Suetonius's Description of the Water Projects Undertaken by Emperor Claudius (r. 41-54 CE.). Frontinus's Discussion of Rome's Water System, ca 100 CE. Proclamation of Emperor Theodosius, 438 C.E.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER	17	(2)
EPILOGUE	19	(2)
CHAPTER TWO Writing and Power: Defining World-Views (1750-200 B.C.E.)	21	(24)
THE PROBLEM	21	(5)
SOURCES AND METHOD	26	(2)
THE EVIDENCE	28	(13)
Excerpts from Atra-hasis. Excerpts from Book 10 of the Rig Veda. From the First Book of Moses, called Genesis. From Yijing, Commentary on the Appended Judgments.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER	41	(2)
EPILOGUE	43	(2)
CHAPTER THREE Polytheism and Monotheism in the Fertile Crescent, ca 3000-500 B.C.E.	45	(36)
THE PROBLEM	45	(6)
SOURCES AND METHOD	51	(9)
THE EVIDENCE	60	(18)
The Ziggurat of Ur-Nammu, King of Ur, ca 2100 B.C.E. The Ziggurat of Ur-Nammu, King of Ur, ca 2100 B.C.E., As It Looked After Twentieth-Century Archaeological Excavation Work. Creation of Man by the Mother Goddess. Prayer to the Moon God, Nannar or Sin. The Epic of Gilgamesh. The Code of Hammurabi. The Creation, from Genesis 2:1-24. The Ten Commandments. Selections from the Torah. Selections from the Prophets. The Book of Job.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER	78	(1)
EPILOGUE	79	(2)
CHAPTER FOUR Representing the Human Form (2600 B.C.E.-600 C.E.)	81	(24)
THE PROBLEM	81	(6)
SOURCES AND METHOD	87	(3)
THE EVIDENCE	90	(12)
King Mycerinus and Queen Khamerernebti, from Funerary Temple near his Pyramid at Giza, ca 2600 B.C.E. Nebamum Hunting Birds, with his Wife and Servant, from his Tomb at Thebes, ca 1400 B.C.E. Statues of King Ramesses II and his Wife, Queen Nefertari, at Luxor, ca 1250 B.C.E. Wall Painting from Nefertari's Tomb near Thebes, ca 1250 B.C.E. Anavyssos Kouros, Attica near Athens, ca 525 B.C.E. Peplos Kore, Athens, ca 530 B.C.E. Theseus and the Amazons, from an Attic Red-figured Krater, ca 440 B.C.E. Polykleitos, Doryphoros or "The Canon," ca 440 B.C.E. (Roman copy). Praxiteles, Aphrodite of Knidos, ca 340 E.C.E. (Roman copy). Yakshi, from a Pillar at the Great Stupa of Bharhut, ca 100 B.C.E. Standing Buddha, from Gandhara, ca. 200 C.E. Preaching Buddha, from Sarnath, ca 475 C.E. Bodhisattva Vajrapani, Nepal, 6th or 7th century C.E.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER	102	(1)
EPILOGUE	102	(3)
CHAPTER FIVE The Ideal and the Reality of Classical Athens	105	(24)
THE PROBLEM	105	(2)
SOURCES AND METHOD	107	(3)
THE EVIDENCE	110	(16)
Pericles' Funeral Speech, 430 B.C.E. The Melian Debate, 415 B.C.E. From Aristotle, The Politics. An Unknown Author's View of Athenian Democracy. From Xenophon, The Economist. From Plato, The Republic. Floor Plan of a House from Olynthus, 5th century B.C.E. The Athenian Agora, 4th century B.C.E.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER	126	(1)
EPILOGUE	127	(2)
CHAPTER SIX The Equine Revolution (3700 B.C.E.-100 C.E.)	129	(29)
THE PROBLEM	129	(4)
SOURCES AND METHOD	133	(3)
THE EVIDENCE	136	(18)
Cave Painting, Lascaux, France, 15,000-10,000 B.C.E. Rock Painting, North Africa. Scythian Frieze on Silver Amphora. The Migrations of Horse-Breeding People in Asia and Europe. Iranian-Style Royal Portrait from Sasanian-Type Silver Plate. From Herodotus, The Persian Wars, 5th century B.C.E. Assyrian Horsemen, Relief from the Palace of Nfneveh, ca 639 B.C.E. Felt Hanging Found at Pazyryk, Siberia, 5th century B.C.E. Parthian Mounted Archer, Etruscan Vase. Chinese Pottery Figures, 3rd century B.C.E. Relief Tombstone of a Trooper of the Roman Auxiliary Cavalry Regiment Recruited in Noricum. Toy Model of a Sumerian Wagon and Drawing of a Wheel from a Sumerian Cart, early 3rd millennium B.C.E. Drawing of Caucasian Wagon and Cart, early 2nd millennium B.C.E. Roman Wagon, from Roman Tombstone in Pannonfa (in Modern Hungary). Anatolian Chariot, from Assyrian Seal, early 2nd millennium B.C.E. Egyptian Chariot, mid-2nd millennium B.C.E. Photograph of Gravesite from China's Shang Dynasty, ca 1700 B.C.E. Roman Triumphal Chariot. Early Greek Clay Figurines Depicting a Plow Team and a Chariot.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER	154	(2)
EPILOGUE	156	(2)
CHAPTER SEVEN The Achievements of Augustus	158	(23)
THE PROBLEM	158	(2)
SOURCES AND METHOD	160	(5)
THE EVIDENCE	165	(13)
Decree Issued by Emperor Augustus, 4 B.C.E. Inscription from the City of Narbonne, 11 C.E. From Horace, Odes. From Suetonius, Life of Augustus. From Dio Cassius, Roman History. From Tacitus, Annals. From Augustus, Res Gestae Divi Augusti. Roman Coin Issued 2 B.C.E. Roman Coin Issued 20-16 B.C.E. Arch of Augustus at Rimini. Main Roman Roads, 31 B.c.E-14 CE. Main Roman Roads at Their Greatest Extent, 180 C.E.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER	178	(1)
EPILOGUE	179	(2)
CHAPTER EIGHT The Development of Orthodoxy in Early Christianity	181	(21)
THE PROBLEM	181	(3)
SOURCES AND METHOD	184	(5)
THE EVIDENCE	189	(10)
The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 24. The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 28. The Gospel of Mary Magdalene. "The Wisdom of Jesus Christ". Descriptions of the Ideas of Several Gnostic Thinkers, from Irenaeus of Lyons's Against Heresies. The Apostles' Creed: Adapted from a Letter of St. Ambrose of Milan, 390. Description of the Ideas of Mardon, from Irenaeus of Lyons's Against Heresies. The Muratorian Canon. Clement of Rome, Letter to the Christians at Corinth. Discussion of Succession from Irenaeus's Against Heresies. Discussion of Succession from Tertullian, Prescription Against the Heretics.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER	199	(1)
EPILOGUE	200	(2)
CHAPTER NINE Philosophy and Faith: The Problem of Ancient Suicide	202	(32)
THE PROBLEM	202	(5)
SOURCES AND METHOD	207	(8)
THE EVIDENCE	215	(16)
Plato, The Phaedo. Epicurus on the Meaning of Death. Epictetus on Ending Life. The Death of Abimelech (Judges 9:50-56). The Death of Samson (Judges 16:23-31). The Deaths of Saul and His Armor-Bearer (1 Samuel 31:1-13). The Death of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23). The Death of Zimri (1 Kings 16:18-19). The Death of Judas (Matthew 27:1-8). Josephus on Mass Suicide at Masada, 73 C.E. Saint Augustine, The City of God, Book I.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER	231	(1)
EPILOGUE	232	(2)
CHAPTER TEN Slave Law in Roman and Germanic Society	234	(28)
THE PROBLEM	234	(1)
SOURCES AND METHOD	235	(7)
THE EVIDENCE	242	(16)
Theodosian Code. Selections from the Digest of Justinian's Code. Selections from The Burgundian Code. Selections from Salic Law. Selections from Lombard Laws. Laws of the Alamans. Laws of Anglo-Saxon Kings.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER	258	(1)
EPILOGUE	259	(3)
CHAPTER ELEVEN The Transformation of Christianity	262
THE PROBLEM	262	(1)
SOURCES AND METHOD	263	(4)
THE EVIDENCE	267	(15)
The Conversion of Constantine, early 4th century. The Conversion of Clovis, 496. The Conversion of King Ethelbert, 597. From the Theodosian Code, 438. Conversion of Scandinavia, 996-997. Sermon by Pope Leo, 446. Edict of Emperor Valentinian III, 445. Letter of Pope Gelasius to the Emperor, late 5th century. Prospex's Account of the Meeting Between Pope Leo and Attila the Hun, 455. Anonymous Account of the Meeting Between Pope Leo and Attila the Hun, 6th century. Life of St. Boritus, 7th century. From the Life of St. Boniface, 8th century. From the Life of St. Sturmi, 8th century.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER	282	(1)
EPILOGUE	283