Historical Dictionary of Ancient Egypt (Historical Dictionaries of Ancient Civilizations and Historical Eras) [Hardcover]

Morris L. Bierbrier (Author)

Book Description

Series: Historical Dictionaries of Ancient Civilizations and Historical Eras | Publication Date: August 14, 2008

The great pyramids of Giza, Tutankhamun, the Great Sphinx, Cleopatra, and Ramesses II: the names and achievements of Ancient Egypt are legendary. Situated along the Nile River, the Ancient Egyptian civilization began around 3150 BC and lasted over three millennia until it was conquered by Rome in 31 BC.

The second edition of the Historical Dictionary of Ancient Egypt expands upon the information presented in the first with a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on Egyptian rulers, bureaucrats, and commoners whose records have survived, as well as ancient society, religion, and gods.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Scarecrow Press has updated its Historical Dictionary of Ancient Egypt volume, which is part of the Historical Dictionaries of Ancient Civilizations and Historical Eras series. The dictionary has been expanded and updated to reflect the latest research. Preceding the entries are an introductory overview of ancient Egyptian history and a chronology from prehistoric times to the beginning of the Arabic conquest in 642 CE. The major part of the work is an A–Z dictionary of rulers and leaders; battles and wars; and economic, cultural, and social topics. Each of the entries includes, in boldface, cross-references to other topics. In addition, there are two appendixes: one covering Egyptian dynasties and the other listing major world museums that have notable Egyptian collections. A rather lengthy bibliography of monographs completes the work. Most of the items are books published in English, but French and German publications are included as well.  The Historical Dictionary of Ancient Egypt, originally published in 1999, was the first volume in the series and is the first volume of the series to be revised. Although this dictionary is oriented toward researchers and students of ancient Egypt, it is quite accessible to the general public. Purchase of this new edition is recommended for those libraries that did not purchase the first edition and need a dictionary of ancient Egypt. --Jerry Carbone

Review

Packed with engaging information....Recommended. (Library Journal )

This volume is by a well-known Egyptologist provides the interested reader/researcher with a wealth of information that can serve as a prelude to further research....Of tremendous value is the extensive set of bibliographies, well over one hundred pages of useful resources....Such a combination of resources in one modest volume will serve scholars and yet is not so overwhelming as to intimidate the more casual reader. (American Reference Books Annual )

This dictionary...is quite accessible to the general public. (Booklist )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 488 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press; Second Edition edition (August 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810857944
• ISBN-13: 978-0810857940
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,390,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Initial review of the Historical Dictionary of Ancient Egypt, February 5, 2009

By 

Brandt Michel "Michel Brandt" (Toulouse) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Historical Dictionary of Ancient Egypt (Historical Dictionaries of Ancient Civilizations and Historical Eras) (Hardcover)

This small book provide the students or the enthusiasts in Egyptology with concise and useful references written by an undisputable scholar in this domain. I have nevertheless some critics to mention.
Although there is a general warning in the reader's notes on the accuracy of the chronology for the earlier periods, the dates given all over the book do not reflect this uncertainty and may leave a wrong impression.
Sometimes simple assumptions not accepted by all scholars are presented as historical facts. For example, the existence of coregencies between two kings usually father and son.
The detailed list of Museum is interesting but out of the scope of an historical dictionary.
The 16 black and white pictures in the centre of the book are of poor quality and not related at all to any particular entry in the dictionary.
It would have been better not to add these pictures.
Some entries belong more to a dictionary on ancient Egyptian civilisation than to an historical dictionary. In one word, I would have preferred more detailed pure historical entries.
More maps, including maps of the Near East and Nubia would have been welcome.
But the main critic is the price of the book. Its size does not justify this price.
It remains nevertheless that the historical entries are concise, clear and of high standard, as expected from this author.
The bibliography is excellent.

Michel Brandt
Toulouse