Ancient Near East

The Ancient Near East reveals three millennia of history (c. 3500–500 bc) in a single work. Liverani draws upon over 25 years’ worth of experience and this personal odyssey has enabled him to retrace the history of the peoples of the Ancient Near East. The history of the Sumerians, Hittites, Assyrians, Babylonians and more is meticulously detailed by one of the leading scholars of Assyriology. Utilizing research derived from the most recent archaeological finds, the text has been fully revised for this English edition and explores Liverani’s current thinking on the history of the Ancient Near East. The rich and varied illustrations for each historical period, augmented by new images for this edition, provide insights into the material and textual sources for the Ancient Near East. Many highlight the ingenuity and technological prowess of the peoples in the Ancient East. Never before available in English, The Ancient Near East represents one of the greatest books ever written on the subject and is a must read for students who will not have had the chance to explore the depth of Liverani’s scholarship.

‘In the original Italian edition of this work, Liverani defined and applied, with the touch of a master, the criteria for proper historical writing as it relates to the ancient Near East. This English version will extend the reach of a classic to the much wider audience it deserves.’ - Giorgio Buccellati, Professor Emeritus, University of California, USA‘Mario Liverani’s classic text is as unusual in its ambitious chronological scope as in its clarity of vision: from the Neolithic to the emergence of the Persian Empire, his analysis of the history of the Middle East is firmly focused on the interplay between society, economy and ideology. And yet, the vast learning is lightly worn and the volume offers a hugely enjoyable and eye-opening read for novice and expert alike. A must have for anyone with an interest in world history.’ - Karen Radner, University College London, UK‘The English translation of Mario Liverani’s Antico Oriente: Storia, Società, Economia is a welcomed addition to the publishing world and Routledge has truly done us a great service in making this project possible. Since its appearance in 1988, Antico Oriente has become the introduction to the ancient Near East … The author breezes through an astonishing amount of data and material with ease, and he makes it accessible to the scholarly and general public alike. This is a wonderful book, which will make readers fall in love with the wonders of the ancient Near East, and at the same time provide them with a firm grasp on the methodological problems one faces when dealing with such a complex but fascinating world.’ - Alhena Gadotti, Towson University, USA"Masterfully integrating textual and archaeological sources, the author weaves a fascinating, enlightening historical narrative, focusing throughout on the interplay among politics, society, economy, ideology, and the environment. Accessible not only to scholars but also to students and general readers, this volume will undoubtedly be highly valued both as a work to read cover to cover and as a reference to consult on specific topics. Summing Up: Essential." -W Kotter, Weber State University, USA in CHOICE "Liverani, the translator Soraia Tabatabai, and Routledge have gifted us with an excellent tool for the continued reconstruction and education of the ancient Near East in English…The Ancient Near East provides an exemplary treatment of historiographic erudition.." -C. Jay Crisostomo, University of California, Berkeley, USA

Mario Liverani is Professor of Ancient Near East History at the Sapienza University of Rome, Italy