Ancient Cultures

Glaciers figure prominently in both ancient and contemporary narratives around the world. They inspire art and literature. They spark both fear and awe. And they give and take life. In The Age of Melt, environmental journalist Lisa Baril explores the deep-rooted cultural connection between humans and ice through time.

Stonehenge is just one of thousands of stone circles erected throughout Britain and Ireland for over three millennia from 3,000 BC on. How did this building tradition survive for so long, over such a large area and with such complexity and uniformity, when the people of the British Isles lived in separate, isolated communities? Graham Phillips argues that these stone circles are evidence of an astonishing system of healthcare and preservation of ancient medical knowledge that held together a society scattered across the British Isles.

INDIA: In Search of the Fourth Veda explores the esoteric culture of India with a variety of questions. Why are arranged marriages preferred? Why is each birth recorded by the minute? Why are horoscopes so common that computer stores offer them? Why are palmistry and numerology popular? Why is a caste system important? Why are there so many gods? A native English teacher explained, "Our culture is based on four sacred texts called Vedas. The fourth Veda gives instruction on astrology, horoscopes, palmistry, numerology, and other practical skills which make India unique." The author traveled...

During spring break, archaeology students Adam Andrews and Eva Lunes fly to the Yucatan to research Mayan pyramids, ruins, and myths. When their island guide, Enrique, offers to give them a private tour of Kukulkan’s Island, also called Snake Island, they seize the opportunity, as it has some of the most fantastic, least-seen ruins of all Mayan culture. When Eva and Adam arrive at Snake Island, they tour Kukulkan’s Pyramid and learn of the legend of the Forbidden Tree and its cursed fruit. Unfortunately, Adam and Eva also encounter a mysterious man who warns them to leave the island. ...

Misinformation and myths have attached themselves to the Egyptian pyramids since ancient Greece and Rome. While many Americans believe that the pyramids were built by aliens, archaeologists understand that the Giza pyramids were built by the pharaohs of the Fourth Dynasty around 2450 BCE. So why is there such a disconnect between scholarly opinion and the popular view of Egypt? Jason Colavito takes us back to Late Antique Egypt, where the replacement of polytheism with Christianity gave rise to local efforts to rewrite the stories of Egyptian history in the image of the Bible.

Did you know the Olympic Games, modern medicine, and democracy all started in ancient Greece? This audiobook, designed for teens, takes you on an exciting journey through Greece’s history, from its early days to its most powerful moments. It’s filled with fascinating facts and stories about the people, battles, and ideas that still impact us today.

Step into a world where ancient Chinese spirits and ghosts reveal hidden truths about love, betrayal, and justice. In these captivating tales, the deceptive "Painted Skin Ghost" lurks behind beauty, while the fierce protector Zhong Kui defends the realms beyond life. Each story is a gateway into centuries-old beliefs and mysteries, inviting readers to explore the rich tapestry of Chinese folklore. Discover what lies beyond the veil, where supernatural encounters echo the values and fears of ancient China—offering haunting insights that still resonate today.

Have you ever wondered how China became the most populous and one of the most industrially active nations today? This audiobook will take you from Ancient China and imperial dynasties to communism and capitalism. Discover the rich history of this superpower. Subjects include: agriculture, capitalism, ancient Chinese culture, language, spirituality and religion, literature, music, arts, architecture, history of martial arts, old-world medicine, military history, and the Sun Tzu dynasties.

In 1769, Captain James Cook’s historic expedition in the region would lead to an English claim on Australia, but before he reached Australia, he sailed near New Zealand and spent weeks mapping part of New Zealand’s coast. Thus, he was also one of the first to observe and take note of the indigenous peoples of the two islands.

They call her "Victrix" now. Victory. But winning the highest honor ever bestowed upon a gladiatrix in Rome has earned Fallon more deadly enemies outside the arena than she ever faced within it. And it is those dearest to Fallon who will pay the price for her success. Now, Fallon and her warrior sisters are thrust into a vicious conflict with a rival gladiator academy, one that will threaten not only Fallon's heart - and her love for Roman soldier Cai - but the very heart of the Roman Empire.

“I got and read this book on recommendation from a friend, and I have to admit that I'm thoroughly impressed with it. It's a deep dive into some local Greek mythology, told in a story-with-a-plot kind-of-way. It probably helps if you are already interested in this particular material, because there's a lot. The book's pacing is overall easy, and sometimes it just drops a bomb on you. Event happened, plot shifts, no questions asked or answers given! While reading it I thought of Game of Thrones and even in Blood Meridian the way characters can be just written off without a second thought. ...

The Dowager Duchess has decided to sell off the less important family possessions. Blotto and Twinks are dispatched to help the valuer. He spies some Egyptian artifacts and in some excitement rushes back to London, leaving Blotto and Twinks alone in the attic, where they are drawn to a sarchophagus decorated with hieroglyphs. Twinks starts to translate: "Anyone who desecrates this shrine will be visited by the Pharoah's curse..." - just as Blotto prises the lid off.

One human species has lived a million years in peace and safety on a remote island. Another is advancing with predatory intent. With nowhere to flee, how can one young woman face the danger and live to tell the tale? Floresia, princess of the primeval forest, emerges out of the shadows of a forgotten history to chronicle the last days of her people. This half-size human, Homo floresiensis, thrived on the Indonesian island of Flores until fifty thousand years ago, and the invasion of the El, Homo sapiens. The way Floresia saw it, we are all part of Earth’s creation. Why not coexist, with ...

In The Chess Revolution, the acclaimed Chess.com journalist Peter Doggers explores chess as a cultural phenomenon from its influence on popular culture, the arts and science to its biggest stars and most dramatic moments, culminating in its meteoric rise in the digital age and a new peak in popularity.

The Olmec аrt ѕtуlе wаѕ thе dоminаnt рrеѕtigе style оf Ancient Mеѕоаmеriса bеtwееn c. 1,500 BCE аnd 400 BCE, оr muсh of thе Mеѕоаmеriсаn Fоrmаtivе (Prесlаѕѕiс) реriоd (or c. 1500-400 BCE calibrated). Sсhоlаrѕ hаvе ѕuссеѕѕfullу dеfinеd thе ѕtуliѕtiс elements оf Olmec аrt, thе most important of which iѕ thе tеndеnсу tо exhibit a monumentality оf form in objects of аll sizes, including small portable оbjесtѕ.

This audiobook is about the city which houses the mighty Ziggurat - the Biblical “Ur of the Chaldees” where Abraham was supposedly born. The site near which the earliest human cultures were found. The site which held the most glorious Sumerian Dynasty in ancient history. This is the story of the city that was destined to die and be reborn every millennium or so, a city full of intrigue, magnificence, tragedy, and glory.

This is the true story of how Kush (parts of modern Sudan and Ethiopia) founded a dynasty of black Pharaohs. This astonishing civilization south of Egypt developed its own distinctive pyramid and culture and overcame both Egypt and Rome. Ancient propaganda claimed victory over the barbarians of Kush, but the truth cannot be hidden forever!

Roma Victrix. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to create an empire - an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves. Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master’s favor.

Some say he was the greatest warrior in history, building an empire that extended from Europe to Africa and on to India and Central Asia. In a stirring narrative, famed historian John Gunther tells the story of Alexander the Great who, at only age 21, became King of Macedonia and set off on a 12-year journey to conquer the known world and extend the boundaries of Greek civilization.

On the day of his birth, Prince Alexos is revealed to be the long-awaited champion of Athene. He grows up lonely, conscious of all that is expected of him. But Alexos discovers that being a champion isn't about fame and glory - it's about sacrifice and courage.