HISTORY OF ANCIENT ASIA

All the major events, personalities, artistic and social developments from early populations to the rise of complex societies and the birth of major religions in one big illustrated introduction. Contents include early settlements in West Asia, the first civilizations, Sumer, the first writing, Sumerian and Babylonian mathematics, the Akkadians, the rise of Assyria, the development of Judaism, Hammurabi's law-code, the 2nd Assyrian Empire, conflict and trade, the rise of Persia, Greek influences, the Trojan War, Canaan and Jericho, Judea, art and literature, Alexander the Great, the coming of the Romans, the birth of Jesus. In South Asia we look at the Indus Valley, the Vedic era, Hinduism and the spread of Buddhism and the Golden Age of India. In East Asia we look at the mythological rulers of China, the ancient dynasties, Confucianism, The Art of War, the Chinese language, the Great Wall, silk, inventions and medicine, the early kingdoms of Japan, the Silk Road and the Polynesians. And in North Asia we cross the Bering Strait to America and meet the Horsemen of the steppes. This fully illustrated book uncovers the oldest stories of the world's largest continent. 256pp, packed with colour photos and maps and short historical captions. 24.6 x 16.7cm, softback.