Books in Spotlight on the Rise and Fall of Ancient Civilizations series

Young readers will learn about the many facets of Roman culture with this great introduction covering religion, philosophy, sculpture, architecture, painting, literature, sports, and the theater. The Romans’ habit of adopting ideas, customs, and techniques from cultures that they conquered is discussed. Photographs of Roman buildings, reliefs, statues, mosaics, and frescoes offer yet more insight into this influential culture.

Ancient Greeks lived in a landscape that received more than 300 days of sunshine each year and little rain. Readers will learn how Greeks used everything at their disposal, such as the sea, minerals in the earth, and fertile farmland, to flourish as a civilization. The concept of a society's relationship to its land and resources is covered in depth.

The family was central to life in ancient Rome. Explore the roles of women, children, slaves, and the all-powerful paterfamilias, or head of the family. Find out what that Romans enjoyed doing in their free time and learn what their food, clothing, and homes were like. Readers will be fascinated (even if some are slightly nauseated by the fact that the Romans considered peacock brains an exotic delicacy).

To this day, the Romans are admired for their technological know-how and massive, well-designed public works projects. Learn how the Romans ensured a clean water supply for their cities, used volcanic ash to make long-lasting concrete, created the worlds first professional army, and much more. Photographs of structures that are standing to this day help demonstrate the ingenuity of Roman engineers and the skill of Roman workers.

Learn about the many facets of Roman culture with this great introduction covering religion, philosophy, sculpture, architecture, painting, literature, sports, and the theater. The Romans habit of adopting ideas, customs, and techniques from cultures that they conquered is discussed. Photographs of Roman buildings, reliefs, statues, mosaics, and frescoes offer yet more insight into this influential culture.

The success of the Roman economy is to a large degree beholden to its vast empire. While farming was the backbone of the Roman economy, trade played an important role, too. Learn about Roman mills, shops, construction, mining, currency, and taxation. Also explored are the roles of women and slaves in the Roman economy. Highly informative, with a wealth of primary source images.

Perhaps the most important legacy of the ancient Greeks is their invention of the form of government we hold most dear: Democracy. Ancient Greeces various cities and their forms of government, and the birth of government by the people, are presented in simple, straightforward language. An excellent resource on both ancient Greece and the concept of democracy.