Mesopotamia, Iraq in Ancient Times (Picturing the Past) - Hardcover

Chrisp, Peter

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1592700241 ISBN 13: 9781592700240

Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books, 2004

Synopsis

First cultivated by the Sumerians, who were replaced by the Assyrians and the Babylonians, Mesopotamia is commonly known as the cradle of civilization, for it was there that the first cities and monumental temples were built, and there too that writing, schools, libraries, written law codes, mathematics and astronomy developed. Today this land is known as Iraq.
Beginning with irrigation and the formation of cities, Mesopotamia: Iraq in Ancient Times covers such topics as farming, writing, craft, trade, domestic life, religion, warfare, burial, kingship and law. Using artifacts, such as a vase or a cuneiform tablet, geographical sites, and archaeological evidence, this book looks at the past in a new and exciting way. It does this by showing in simple graphic terms how ancient buildings and objects were actually used, and by providing examples of numerous everyday objects.
Each two-page spread covers a different topic. text, photographs, illustrations, archaeology information boxes and time-lines are used to great affect. Captions and diagramming also are used to relate the different elements of the presentation, and each spread contains a link to an authoritative website for further information. A chronology of political and social history, as well as a glossary and index are included.
Informative and amply illustrated, Mesopotamia: Iraq in Ancient Times is sure to prove of great interest, particularly at this time, in the aftermath of war and the looting of the Iraqi National Museum, which housed many of the oldest artifacts of Western Civilization.
The Picturing the Past Series:
How do we know what we know about ancient peoples and their cultures that have disappeared? Ultimately, there are three main sources of information: the images that survive in wall paintings, ceramics and sculptures; artifacts, such a jewelry, utensils, toys, clothing, and tools; and the writings of ancient authors that have survived the ravages of time. From such sources, it is possible to begin to reconstruct the life of the distant past with an astonishing degree of accuracy.

About this title

About the Author:

Peter Chrisp studied English Literature at Sussex University and London University, where he also taught before becoming a full-time writer. He specializes in history books for children, and has written more than seventy, including Ancient Egypt; Christopher Columbus: Admiral of the Ocean Sea; and Welcome to the Globe: The Story of Shakespeare’s Theater.

About this edition

• Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1592700241
• ISBN 13: 9781592700240
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32