Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia [Hardcover]

J. E Curtis (Editor), N. Tallis (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0520247310 | ISBN-13: 978-0520247314 | Publication Date: November 7, 2005 | Edition: 1

This sumptuous book traces the rise and fall of one of the ancient world's largest and richest empires. Encompassing a rich diversity of different peoples and cultures, Persia's Achaeminid Empire flourished between 550 and 331 B.C. The empire originated with Cyrus the Great (559-530 B.C.) and expanded under his successors, who ruled from the royal capitals of Susa and Persepolis, until at its peak it stretched from the Indus Valley to Greece and from the Caspian Sea to Egypt. The Achaeminids acted as a bridge between the earlier Near Eastern cultures and the later Classical world of the Mediterranean and had a profound influence on Greece in political, military, economic, and cultural fields. Forgotten Empire was created in association with the British Museum, which is mounting the most comprehensive exhibit ever staged on the Achaeminids. This book opens a window onto the wealth and splendor of Persian society--its rich palaces, exquisite craftsmanship, and sophisticated learning. Showcasing an unprecedented loan of unique material from the National Museum of Tehran--most of which has never before been presented outside of Iran--this beautifully illustrated and produced book demonstrates why the sculpture, glazed panels, gold vessels, and jewelry of the Achaeminids rank among the finest ever produced.
Because the palace was central to imperial life, remains from the royal sites of Susa and Persepolis are a major focus. Forgotten Empire is divided into sections such as the expansion of the Persian Empire, arms and warfare, trade and commerce, writing, luxury dinner services, jewelry, religious and burial customs, and the rediscovery of ancient Persia.

Copub: British Museum

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Like walking through a museum with expert scholars giving live commentary; this book has all the perks one could ask for."--Theo Philogue Blog

About the Author

John Curtis is Keeper of the Ancient Near Eastern department at the British Museum. He has written extensively on Iran, Mesopotamia (Iraq), and the Ancient Near East. Nigel Tallis is Special Assistant in the Near Eastern department at the British Museum.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (November 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520247310
• ISBN-13: 978-0520247314
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #553,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly but still easy to read, April 5, 2006

By 

Jason M. Silverman (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia (Hardcover)

As the above mention, the book does contain very well reproduced photographs of a large selection of archaeological artefacts. But, for the scholar or student looking to get into the study of the Achaemenid Empire, it also contains a wealth of bibliographic materials related to those artefacts in particular, or the history around them in general. The book contains links to more in-depth discussion while keeping the basics easy to find and understand.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, January 10, 2006

By 

G.Reed (Somewhere in Utah...) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia (Hardcover)

I was devastated that I could not see this exhibit in the British Museum in London. Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia, is truthfully, the largest collection of Persian art that there ever has been. Made up of the British Museum's immense collection, the dazzling artifacts from the Louvre in Paris, and most amazing and wonderfully- the National Museum of Iran, and the Persepolis Museum. If you have seen the exhibit, (I am murderously jealous of you), and this book is the perfect way to remember this once in ten life times experience. If, like me, you weren't fortunate enough to see the exhibit, then this book is the next best thing.
How can I describe it. Its wonderful. Handsomely illustrated with hundreds of gorgeous color photographs, not only of the artifacts themselves, including jewelry, vases, statues, pillars, stone reliefs, goblets, swords, and coins, but also the beautiful archeological remains of the sites from which they originate (ie. the administrative capital of Susa, the Pleasure Palace at Persepolis). I particularly love the rhytons, the silver or gold drinking horns, and the glazed tiles from Susa. The pictures detailing the tombs and palace complexes of Persepolis are stunning. This book recreates the doomed, beautifully tragic, golden society of ancient Persia.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book on Ancient Persia, June 12, 2007

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia (Hardcover)

This large and attractive book is the work of two scholars from the Department of the Ancient Near East at the British Museum - John Curtis, the Keeper of the Department, and Nigel Tallis, his special assistant. It was created to accompany an exhibition of the museum's holding, and acts as something of a catalogue. But, it is so much more than that.

What this book really is is a history of Ancient Persia, illustrated with many colorful pictures of Persian artifacts. Many subjects are covered herein, ranging from a general history of Ancient Persia, through the royal table, religion, imperial administration, and transport and warfare. And last, but not least, is a chapter on the legacy of Ancient Persia.

Overall, I found this to be a very interesting book. It takes a very interesting look at certain subjects that are not adequately covered in most books - such as burial customs. Plus, I must say that the brightly colored pictures of the artifacts, such as Persian stamp- and cylinder-seals were worth the price of the book alone.

I think that this is an excellent book on Ancient Persia, one that is sure to please any student of ancient history.