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

Gwendolyn Leick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2003 | ISBN-10: 0810846497 | ISBN-13: 978-0810846494

The Historical Dictionary of Mesopotamia provides accessible information, for the scholar and general reader alike, on one of the oldest civilizations in history. Written by a specialist who has spent nearly three decades studying, lecturing on, and writing about Mesopotamia, the author has developed a ready reference for the history of a civilization for which there are many gaps in the data. The many city-states; kingdoms and empires; the famous and less-known rulers; the arts of war and the arts of peace; and the interesting aspects of everyday life such as food and drink, religion, clothing and jewelry, housing, family relationships—including marriage and even divorce—and other social relations are all covered. Professors and students of history, archeology, and social sciences, as well as researchers who need a reference about the era, will find this dictionary to be a wealth of information about the people and events that shaped this ancient civilization's history.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In this update to the 2003 edition, author Leick (Chelsea College of Art and Design, London) delves into one of the world’s most ancient civilizations, the “land between the rivers,” Mesopotamia. The work begins with a quick chronology and a lucid introduction that briefly acquaints the reader with the geography, history, and culture of Mesopotamia. The A–Z entries cover topics of a general nature (Agriculture, Building inscriptions, Languages, Warfare, Women) as well as more specific places and personages (Babylon, Cyrus II the Great, Herodotus, Ur). Other entries highlight art, archaeological finds, religious beliefs, and political structures. Included in the appendixes is a chronological list of rulers of Mesopotamia from circa 2650 BCE up to the Parthians (129–58 BCE), the bane of the Roman Empire. Also included is a list of museums around the world with notable collections of Mesopotamian artifacts. As with most of Scarecrow’s Historical Dictionaries, the most impressive feature for research is the expansive, categorized select bibliography. In 54 pages of secondary articles and monographs, readers are presented with further readings on daily life, geography, trade, and other topics. This Historical Dictionary is highly recommended for any academic or large public library looking to update or develop a dynamic ancient history collection. --Brian Odom --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

The appendix includes a comprehensive bibliography and a list of museums with strong Near Eastern collections. Recommended. (Choice )

...offers data on the land between the Tigris and Euphrates in pre-Islamic times. (College & Research Libraries News )

...deals with the various cultures in the land between the Tigris and Euphrates from the prehistoric to the Islamic periods. (Booklist/Rbb )

...packs a great deal of information into its pages....a useful contribution... (Journal Of Near Eastern Studies )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810846497
• ISBN-13: 978-0810846494
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,587,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.