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Antiquity

From the Birth of Sumerian Civilization to the Fall of the Roman Empire

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About this listen

Best-selling author Norman Cantor delivers this compact but magisterial survey of the ancient world - from the birth of Sumerian civilization around 3500 BC in the Tigris-Euphrates valley (present-day Iraq) to the fall of the Roman Empire in AD 476. In Antiquity, Cantor covers such subjects as Classical Greece, Judaism, the founding of Christianity, and the triumph and decline of Rome.

In this fascinating and comprehensive analysis, the author explores social and cultural history, as well as the political and economic aspects of his narrative. He explains leading themes in religion and philosophy and discusses the environment, population, and public health. With his signature authority and insight, Cantor highlights the great books and ideas of antiquity that continue to influence culture today.

©2003 Norman F. Cantor (P)2021 Tantor Ancient Ancient History Middle East Middle Ages Judaism Capitalism Ancient Greece Imperialism Iran Socialism Africa
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Most relevant
the order and chapters bounce back and forth in time and make little sense.

Thus it is confusing to follow and to understand where the author is going with this.

Mesopotamian and Egyptian history is pretty much glossed over. Carthage barely gets a mention.

Author is strongly opinionated, didactic and dismissive against religions and entire civilisations.
His historical method is clearly modernist, progressive. clearly not a lover of the classical period.

Messy. Poorly structured. Confusing

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Quite disappointed in this one. It is quite outdated in its content, style and feel. I have many books both audio and actual books on ancient history, this is by far the least satisfying.

Rather outdated

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This sounds like a rambling talk given to a bible study group. It is not the scholarly romp through history I was expecting, but seems to dart back and forth relating random historical anecdotes to biblical passages. I have no idea why this even exists. I am glad I didn't have to pay for it.

Bizarre ramblings

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