The Bottom Line
The World in Ancient Times: Primary Sources and Reference Volume is an excellent introduction for middle school students to the ancient literature of the world's civilizations. This is the final volume of the 8-volume series by the Oxford University Press for students between 10 and 14, entitled the World in Ancient History, covering major ancient civilizations.
Pros
- Wide variety of selections
- Good format
- In-text glossary
Cons
- No color illustrations
- Index for entire series
Description
- Ancient Sources include: Gilgamesh, Hammurabi's Laws, Genesis, Book of the Dead, Bhagavad Gita.
- Civilizations include: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Han Dynasty, Roman, Aztec, Inca
- Field notes include excavations at Ozette, Olduvai Gorge, Olorgesailie, Abu Hureyra, Catalhoyuk
- With an introduction to assist students in reading ancient texts with a critical eye
Guide Review - Book
Ronald Mellor and Amanda H. Podany. 2005. The World in Ancient Times: Primary Sources and References Volume. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN 0-19-522220-2. 151 pages, timeline, glossary, further reading (web and traditional), indexes.
This book is one of several in the Oxford University Press series, The World in Ancient Times, edited by Ronald Mellor and Amanda H. Podany, and with Diane L. Brooks as educational consultant. I haven't seen any of the other volumes, but if this is any indication, this is an excellent, lively and meaty series of books for middle school kids.
The book includes readings of historical documents, consisting of English translations from texts for each of the series volumes, including selections from the Mesopotamia, Egyptian, Hebrew, Egyptian, Chinese, Indus Valley, Greek, Roman, Inca, Mayan and Aztec civilizations. Also included are field notes from researchers excavating at very old sites.
The translated texts provide the reader a lively taste of what the ancient civilization was like. Stories about students and their teachers, adventurers, kings and queens, warriors and children. And yet, how similar these essays are! Cautionary tales, children who misbehave and are punished, wise men who provide advice, kings who revise history.
I'd like to have seen the entire set; but it's clear that they are a carefully and entertainingly written series. Perfect for firing up middle school kids on the human side of the ancient world.
This book is one of several in the Oxford University Press series, The World in Ancient Times, edited by Ronald Mellor and Amanda H. Podany, and with Diane L. Brooks as educational consultant. I haven't seen any of the other volumes, but if this is any indication, this is an excellent, lively and meaty series of books for middle school kids.
The book includes readings of historical documents, consisting of English translations from texts for each of the series volumes, including selections from the Mesopotamia, Egyptian, Hebrew, Egyptian, Chinese, Indus Valley, Greek, Roman, Inca, Mayan and Aztec civilizations. Also included are field notes from researchers excavating at very old sites.
The translated texts provide the reader a lively taste of what the ancient civilization was like. Stories about students and their teachers, adventurers, kings and queens, warriors and children. And yet, how similar these essays are! Cautionary tales, children who misbehave and are punished, wise men who provide advice, kings who revise history.
I'd like to have seen the entire set; but it's clear that they are a carefully and entertainingly written series. Perfect for firing up middle school kids on the human side of the ancient world.
