This beautifully illustrated probe into Egyptology covers many topics including the importance of the Nile, the role of the gods, fashion and clothing, the pyramids, the secrets of hieroglyphics, and the enigma of the Sphinx, to name a few. Fletcher (freelance Egyptologist and director of the NILE educational organization) interprets themes relevant to ancient Egyptian civilization in the light of iconography, pattern, motif, symbolism, and historical and spiritual significance. Specially commissioned artwork, maps and color photographs showcase the culture against the broad context of the civilization's wisdom, spirituality and mythology. 10.5x10.5. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Ancient Greek culture is one of the vital wellsprings of Western civilization. It has shaped its art and architecture, its drama and literature, and its philosophy and politics. Life, Myth, and Art in Ancient Greece is a superbly illustrated guide to the ideas, beliefs, and achievements of this extraordinarily creative culture. Organized by themes such as Images and Imagination and Pride, Fate, Glory, each chapter includes a number of short sections on a particular topic as well as several specific features—concepts, individuals, or sites such as Mt. Olympus or the Parthenon—related to one of these topics. Included in the book are the adventures and conflicts of heroes from Herakles to Odysseus; the stories of such gods as Apollo and Aphrodite; the Dionysian revels; the noble ideals of the Olympic games; the Eleusinian mysteries, so secret that today we can only speculate about what they involved; and an overview of the Greeks' notable achievements in art and temple architecture. Life, Myth, and Art in Ancient Greece offers an accessible and enlightening introduction to a rich cultural heritage that continues to shape our world.

Inspired by the achievements of the ancient Greeks, the Romans made their city the center of an empire unsurpassed in size and influence for more than a thousand years. Its rich legacy shaped the medieval world and continues to amaze us today. Life, Myth, and Art in Ancient Rome celebrates the many achievements of Roman culture and delves into its fascinating dark side. Romans erected structures so well-built and engineered that they still stand millennia later, yet these same buildings also showcased blood sports as public entertainment. The Romans instituted just government, impartial legal and political institutions, and concepts of citizenship, yet its population included slaves as well as patricians and plebeians, and was often riven by intrigue, superstition, and savagery. This volume is a richly illustrated introduction to a fascinating, at times paradoxical, civilization and its art and architecture, ranging from magnificent temples and aqueducts, to exquisite mosaics and jewelry. Placing the art in its cultural context, the author covers themes that have long inspired the Western imagination, including the rise and fall of emperors, the life and death of the gladiator, the belief in omens and prophecy, and, ultimately, the establishment of Christianity.

Explores the Maya culture and its legacy through a comprehensive presentation of their art, architecture, religious beliefs, history, and cultural traditions, enhanced by hundreds of full-color illustrations.

A superb introduction to a legendary people—renowned for their warlike nature, yet capable of supreme artistry—generously illustrating the chief glories of their art, their symbols and motifs, and their wisdom, lore, and mythology. Featuring 120 color photos and reproductions.

Long before the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome, China was already a vast empire, protected from the nomads of the Asian steppes by its famous Great Wall, and with rich and distinctive traditions in the arts, technology, and philosophy. Drawing on the latest discoveries by historians and archaeologists, this richly illustrated volume focuses on the outstanding achievements of ancient China. Spectacular artistic highlights include the glorious bronze cauldrons of the Shang dynasty, Buddhist cave paintings depicting daily life, and the Terracotta Army—the extraordinary legion of clay soldiers fashioned to protect the First Emperor in the afterlife. Tracing the succession of dynasties from c.2000 BC to the end of the great Tang empire in the 10th century AD, Ancient China offers fascinating insights into key themes of Chinese life, society, and culture, including mythology, literature, music, calligraphy, Taoism, Buddhism, medicine, cooking, and the silk trade. Edward L. Shaughnessy is Professor of Early China at the University of Chicago. His books include The Cambridge History of Ancient China.

Celebrates the Celtic culture and its contributions through an exploration of its cultural heroes, myths, beliefs, and traditions, while also presenting an illustrated review of its artwork and weaponry.

With abundant photographs, more than 160 in color, Native North America illustrates tribal life, sacred arenas, spiritual traditions, and artifacts of the indigenous people of North America, from the Inuit of the Canadian north to the Navajo of the American southwest. Beginning with a brief history of Native Americans, Larry Zimmerman and Brian Molyneaux explore individual culture areas, region by region. They discuss Native American spiritual observances, including personal and communal rituals, initiation rites, and curing ceremonies. Through descriptions of the powwow, rites of passage, plant rituals, oral storytelling, dreams, the ghost dance, and the drum, the authors provide a sensitive introduction to Native American spiritual traditions and examine issues that face Native Americans today.

India's cultural legacy is extraordinarily rich and diverse, as well as profoundly influential. This is the cradle of two of the world's greatest religions (Buddhism and Hinduism) and the holy language of Sanskrit-as well as the home of Sikhism and Jainism. For centuries India's beliefs and myths have fascinated Westerners, including spiritual pilgrims who find themselves drawn to the special atmosphere of its holy places. India is the indispensable illustrated guide to the essential features of this life-enriching heritage of wisdom and beauty. As well as the religions and their sacred texts, ceremonies, art, and architecture, the scope of the book embraces such major themes as the impact of Islam; profound philosophical insights about time and the cosmos; and important innovations in technology, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. There are illustrated features on key aspects of Indian belief and practice, such as the linga and the yoni, the lotus, the chakras, and the fearsome goddess Kali. Sacred sites covered include the Mughal mausoleum of the Taj Mahal and the great Buddhist stupa at Sanchi. From the civilizations that grew up along the Indus river more than 4,000 years ago to the dawn of European imperialism, India traces the rise and fall of faiths, empires, and dynasties-giving us a multi-faceted portrait of a country that, because of its far-reaching cultural influence, has rightly been called "the mother of us all."

This richly illustrated volume, with a foreword by the Dalai Lama, explores the themes that have piqued the popular imagination about Tibet. In the light of iconography, pattern, motif, symbolism, pattern, as well as historical and spiritual perspectives, Willis (curator of North Indian and Himalayan collections at the British Museum) discusses topics including the intricate mandalas, the hero-saints, the Dalai Lamas, and the ferocious, sword-wielding multi-limbed gods that served as protectors of the land and religion. Specially commissioned artwork, maps, and color photographs showcase the culture against the broader context of the civilization's wisdom, spirituality, and mythology. 10.5x10.5. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)