Children can try their hand at re-creating ancient Israelite culture along with the cultures of their neighbors, the Philistines and Phoenicians in a way that will provide perspective on current events. The book covers a key period from the Israelites settlement in Canaan in 1200 B.C.E. to their return from exile in Babylonia in 538 B.C.E. This part of the Middle East no larger than modern-day Michigan was the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity,...

Do you want to speak Hittite? Hold out a glass and ask for wa-tar. This unique activity book for children ages nine and up shows what life was like among the Nubians, Mesopotamians, Hittites, and their neighbors the Egyptians from around 3100 B.C., when Upper and Lower Egypt became one kingdom, to the death of Queen Cleopatra under the Romans, in 30 B.C. Projects such as building a Nubian irrigation machine, creating a Mesopotamian cylinder seal out...

Should death be considered "bad"? Should we even bother fearing it? As you reflect on philosophical arguments by the ancient Epicurus (who thought death wasn't bad for the dead) and the modern Thomas Nagel (who believes we should fear death), you'll consider the possibility that both sides are right.

To truly understand the subject of death, you have to be able to define it. Here, discover how the definition of death exists on multiple levels and how each of these levels - the religious, biological, philosophical, cultural, legal, and political - determines when a living being becomes a dead one.

Since the dawn of humanity, corpses have held lasting significance for us. In this lecture, probe the various ways human civilizations have "disposed" of corpses - from burial (the oldest method for which evidence still exists) and mummification to cremation and natural exposure (known as "excarnation").

Start your exploration of this profound topic with a helpful overview of how we, as human beings, think about death. What place does it occupy in our lives? How have our attitudes about it changed over time? What symbols and euphemisms do we use to talk about it?

Chinese culture has changed greatly over the years, but the Chinese people still celebrate the great changes in their culture and nation. This appealing book will teach readers about the incredible history of China, the Great Wall, and the various dynasties that ruled, including the Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, and Ming. Readers will also discover Chinese philosophies that are still practiced today, such as Confucianism and Taoism. The stunning photos,...

From pharaohs to hieroglyphics, readers will learn all about the Egyptian dynasty in this fascinating book! The appealing photos and engaging text invite readers to learn about the Ancient Egyptian civilization, the construction of the great pyramids, mummies, Alexander the Great, Ptolemy, Mark Antony, and Cleopatra. Working in conjunction with easy-to-read text, the table of contents, glossary, and index combine to create a helpful and accommodating...

Hammurabi was king of Babylon and later became the king of Mesopotamia. This fascinating biography introduces readers to Babylonian history and explains how Hammurabi changed Mesopotamia. Through appealing photos and images and intriguing facts, readers will also learn about the Persian Empire, the form of writing called cuneiform, Gilgamesh, Cyrus the Great, Darius, and other kings and rulers of ancient times. Featuring a glossary and index for support,...

Many different people have lived in India for thousands of years. Readers will learn about some of the people who have lived there and influenced the Indian religions, culture, and way of life. Featuring vivid photos, maps, stunning facts, supportive text, and an accessible glossary and index, this book allows readers to explore such topics as The Mauryan Empire, The Gupta Empire caste systems, The Mughal Empire, King Ashoka, Aryans, Buddha, Mohandus...