Most interesting period of ancient history?

Question

I've finished reading a good book on Rome, and it's encouraged me to find out more about the Ancient World. What would you recommend as the most interesting period or empire to read about, and if possible recommend a good book on the subject.

Answer 1

The period of ancient history that I find most interesting is Greece.  There you would find something to interest almost anyone from war to politics, indeed they are sometimes the same thing.  Try ancient Sparta.  There is much more to the Spartans than  the fact that they had the finest hoplites in ancient Greece.  In addition, Sparta is intertwined with the Persian empire and allmost all of the other city states.  You might find Paul Cartlege's books interesting.  They are well researched and not hard reading.  One  was made into a PBS miniseries.   Best of luck and keep searching--you won't be dissapointed.

Answer 2

One of the most enjoyable ancient history books I have ever read is 'The Naked Olympics' by Tony Perrottet.  it's about the ancient Greek Olympic Games, and it is an absolutely wonderful book, crammed with fascinating information, and very funny as well.  The modern Olympic games are very dull and very tame compared to the ancient games.

Answer 3

Search on Gilgamesh. There are many legends around him, about the biblical flood.  On the ancient babilone there are many stories that are "repeated" in the bible.

I've read a book "Sinuhe, the egiptian" its quite good and interesting, it was part of the ancient egypt literature and it describes life and culture in Egypt, I found specially interesting how he describes the ancient methods in medicine (he was a doctor) and how they performed surgeries. But as well it talks about Akenhaton 4 who was the first crazy faraon who denied the existence of many gods (there's only one god who doesnt want war but wants us to love eachother) and wanted a spritual revolution. The priests however took him down.

Answer 4

Ancient Rome was also interesting to me.  Those days were so s**y......  I wish I could have been an ancient Roman (not a slave though).

Answer 5

The Amarna Period in Ancient Egyptian period.

Ancient Egyptian society worhsipped many gods. Then a new Pharaoh, Akhenaten, abandoned them in order to free the government from the power of the priests of Amun. There is some dispute as to whether or not he forced everyone else to believe in one god or whether it was just a government policy. It didn't make sense to worship one god and live in a city that was dedicated to another god so a new capital was built. Along with the religious revolution an artistic revolution took place. Up until that time hieroglyphics were painted with only left hands. Women's rights was an important issue to the people during this time. There had been only four reigns between Hatshepsut, the woman who declared herself pharoah. After Hatshepsut's death, her stepson took the throne and he died unmarried. Amenhotep was next in line and his wife, Tiye, became an important part of his reign. When Amenhotep died, Akhenaten became king and he made his wife Nefertiti his equal. This was unprecedented in the ancient world.

Since Akhenaten had taken power away from many people by removing the priests of Amun from the government he had many enemies. By the time of his death, Akhenaten's beloved wife, and three daughters died, possibly of plague. This left only two children, a boy and a girl who were married to each other at a very young age. Many believe this was done in order for Nefertiti to maintain her dwindling control. In fact by the end of Akhenaten's reign Nefertiti lived in a palace across town.

The children were taken back to Thebes after the death of their parents by a powerful politician who it is believed killed Tutankhamun, stole his tomb and married his wife (who was also his half sister).

Answer 6

In college I read a few books on the Persian Empire that were quite interesting, but you just can't beat ancient Greece for all around awesomeness.  If you're into philosophy I would look up stuff on Athens but if you're into the war aspect you  need look no further than Alexander the Great.