A History of the Ancient World

By Chester G. Starr

Book Overview

In a long and distinguished career, Chester Starr has written on topics ranging from early man, to the early Athenian democracy, to the role of sea power in the classical world. And one of his finest works--the product of his broad interests and expertise--has been A History of the Ancient World, long a standard work on the distant past. Now this landmark book is available in a new edition, offering a informative account of early history from the rise of the first cities to the fall of the Roman Empire.
This richly illustrated new edition deftly explores the broad expanse of early human history. Though Greece and Rome occupy center stage, Starr also surveys the cities and empires of Mesopotamia, India from the early Indus civilization to the Gupta state, and China from the Hsia dynasty to the Han empire. In this new edition, he has incorporated the latest research into his lucid and informative narrative, reworking virtually every chapter to bring the work completely up-to-date. He has revised his discussions of early humankind to account for the most recent findings; he presents a new view of the Jewish revolt against Rome led by Bar Kochba; and he has thoroughly updated the bibliographies. In addition, his account of the end of the Roman Empire has been rewritten in light of the most recent thinking by classical historians. Numerous maps and illustrations, carefully composed and selected, highlight the text. And throughout, Starr clearly expresses the complexities of ancient history in lively, engaging prose, making the finest scholarship accessible to the nonspecialist.
When A History of the Ancient World appeared in earlier editions, The Philadelphia Inquirer hailed it as "an excellent one-volume history" and "fascinating reading." And The Classical Journal wrote, "In scope, accuracy, and soundness of judgment this is one of the best general ancient histories." This completely updated Fourth Edition will continue to provide one of the most distinguished and comprehensive one-volume introductions to the ancient past available today.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195066286
• ISBN13: 9780195066289
• Release Date: March 1991
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 784 Pages
• Weight: 2.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 9.3" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Well Rounded Exposition

This is an excellent, very well written book on the general history of the ancient world with a focus on the near east, Egypt, Greece and Western Europe. Through his step-by-step build up the author is able to show not only the sequence of events, but the impacts that these had on religion, culture, art etc. In many instances he points to the roots of ideas that we absolutely take for granted today. This book will be valuable to a reader with a general interest and also as a more detailed reference.

breath of fresh air

This book offers an oversight to the basic developments in history: from the first appearances of human life, then culture, and then cities and societies. It gives an occasional glance to the east, but it's emphasis is tracing the development of Greek and Roman civilization. It is useful in its broadness, but potentially misleading by the same token. For the general reader, I would say Starr offers a decent rough comparison between different societies and epochs; thus enabling some concept of what made the Romans, the Greeks, etc different from the rest of the world.Having been a graduate student in history, I must say that this book is a major relief. In Chester Starr, one will not find a paranoid historian, obsessed with political correctness and bent on thrashing Western history. He gives the Greeks and the Romans fair praise and criticism while not neglecting that these societies did not represent all people's of the earth. (Although, he suggests that the Greeks were devoid of superstition and the belief in magic, which I find hard to believe.) Global history is such a politically heated argument these days, that I would recomend Starr as the most qualified and balanced scholar for the average reader. Today, Starr is branded as Whigish and probably Eurocentrist, which is a shame for our intellectual conditions.

Comprehensive and Enjoyable

For the casual history fan, like myself, this was the perfect one-volume history of the ancient world. It is a comprehensive look at the various civilizations that rose and fell from the Sumerians to the Romans. Starr gives you the big picture and puts the contributions of the ancient world in perspective. It is written in a clear and concise prose style. There is just the right amount of attention to detail, but not so much as to make it tedious. It was enjoyable to read and I am happy to have this book in my library to keep for future reference for my children and myself.

It Looks Imposing

Most people when faced with this book, especially college students, will find that it looks quite intimidating. However, very much to my surpise, it's a wonderful book. Starr covers a vast amount of time and history in this extreamlly informative book. It reads easy, presenting it's ideas clearly and streamlined. It really is a book to read if you have any intrest in the Ancient Civlizations.

Thorough and very informative.

A very well-written text covering the beginning of history to the decline of Rome. Thorough and complete in its detail and explanations. Also, the text moves decisively and methodically through the early historical timeline.