Best Ancient Civilization Books?

Question

I'm trying to find books on a bunch of ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Greece.

But theres so many books! Lol i can't figure out which one would give me the most information on each civilization.

Lol i know this doesn't make any sense but i'm just trying to find books on ancient civilizations, any of them.

:)

Answer 1

A good general history is "Egypt, Greece and Rome" by Charles Freeman.

On Egypt:

Grimal, Nicolas--A History of Ancient Egypt (scholarly)

Clayton, Peter A.--Chronicles of the Pharaohs (conveniently lists the pharaohs in chronological order)

Kemp, Barry--Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization

Shaw, Ian--The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt

Also the studies by Joyce Tyldesley.

On Greece:

Bury, J.B.--History of Greece (classic)

Kagan, D.--The Peloponnesian War

James Davidson--Courtesans and Fishcakes: Consuming Passions of Classical Athens

Meier, Christian--Athens

Works by Michael Grant, John Boardman, Paul Cartledge

There are dozens more, but this is a start.

Answer 2

As above-Greece is well covered form pre bronze age to the death of Alexander by that masterpiece "A History of Greece" by Bury and Meiggs-the 4th edition is well revised and a must have!

Answer 3

Go to your local library. They will have a ton!!

Right now for a class, I'm reading Civilizations of the Middle Ages, a revised edition by Norman Cantor, but that is about civilizations in the middle ages. However, it is quite helpful and I have learned a lot.