History of the Persian Empire / by A.T. Olmstead.

By: Language: English Publication details: Chicago : Phoenix Books ; University of Chicago Press, 1948.Description: xix, 568 p. : ill., maps, plan ; 22 cmSubject(s): LOC classification:
  • DS281 O46 1948
Contents:
I. Ancient History -- II. Iranian Origins -- III. Founder Cyrus -- IV. Camp of the Persians -- V. Life among the Subject Peoples -- VI. Cambyses and the Conquest of Egypt -- VII. Prophet Zoroaster -- VIII. Usurper Darius -- IX. A New Lawgiver -- X. From India to Europe -- XI. Problems of the Greek Frontier -- XII. The Three Capitals : Ecbatana, Babylon, and Susa -- XIII. Persepolis -- XIV. A Royal Huckster -- XV. Paths of the Gods -- XVI. Xerxes as Crown Prince -- XVII. The Great King and His Armies -- XVIII. Failure in Europe -- XIX. Delian League against Persia -- XX. New Year's Day at Persepolis -- XXI. Overtaxation and Its Results -- XXII. Triumphs through Diplomacy -- XXIII. Oriental Tales and Romances -- XXIV. Science without Theology -- XXXV. Divide and Conquer -- XXVI. Decision for Sparta -- XXVII. Dictator to Greece -- XXVIII. The Last Egyptian Empire -- XXIX. Brief Recovery -- XXX. The Nile Regained -- XXXI. Science True and False -- XXXII. Religions Dying and Living -- XXXIII. Fresh Breezes from the West -- XXXIV. Philip and the Start of the Crusade -- XXXV. Alexander, Heir to the Crusade -- XXXVI. The Oriental God-King -- XXXVII. Persepolis—The Crusade Ends Topographical Index Name Index Subject Index.
Summary: A sweeping look at the big picture development of the Persian Empire (circa 550-330 B.C.E.), this was the first study in English to examine the Persian Empire from the perspective of the Persians, rather than the Greeks. The scope is wide-ranging, including military history and expansion, legal history, religion, social history, and the big personalities of the Empire.Summary: This book covers the period from Cyrus I to Alexander of Macedon and includes background material about prehistory and the nearby kingdoms. It includes extensive material about Persian art, sculpture, and architecture, apparenty much of it by Professor Olmstead's daughter. Extensive descriptions are given of Persepolis and of other art. I only wish they had been cross-referenced to the plates. Unfortunately Olmstead died in 1945, and the work was edited by his colleagues (as explained on the cover). This may be the cause of a loose organization and some wordy passages. Summary: Out of a lifetime of study of the ancient Near East, Professor Olmstead has gathered previously unknown material into the story of the life, times, and thought of the Persians, told for the first time from the Persian rather than the traditional Greek point of view. "The fullest and most reliable presentation of the history of the Persian Empire in existence."—M. Rostovtzeff
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Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Vol info Copy number Status Date due Barcode
Books Books Hollanda Araştırma Enstitüsü Kütüphanesi / Netherlands Institute in Turkey Library DS281, O46 1948 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 1 Not For Loan 311

Includes bibliographical references and index.

I. Ancient History -- II. Iranian Origins -- III. Founder Cyrus -- IV. Camp of the Persians -- V. Life among the Subject Peoples -- VI. Cambyses and the Conquest of Egypt -- VII. Prophet Zoroaster -- VIII. Usurper Darius -- IX. A New Lawgiver -- X. From India to Europe -- XI. Problems of the Greek Frontier -- XII. The Three Capitals : Ecbatana, Babylon, and Susa -- XIII. Persepolis -- XIV. A Royal Huckster -- XV. Paths of the Gods -- XVI. Xerxes as Crown Prince -- XVII. The Great King and His Armies -- XVIII. Failure in Europe -- XIX. Delian League against Persia -- XX. New Year's Day at Persepolis -- XXI. Overtaxation and Its Results -- XXII. Triumphs through Diplomacy -- XXIII. Oriental Tales and Romances -- XXIV. Science without Theology -- XXXV. Divide and Conquer -- XXVI. Decision for Sparta -- XXVII. Dictator to Greece -- XXVIII. The Last Egyptian Empire -- XXIX. Brief Recovery -- XXX. The Nile Regained -- XXXI. Science True and False -- XXXII. Religions Dying and Living -- XXXIII. Fresh Breezes from the West -- XXXIV. Philip and the Start of the Crusade -- XXXV. Alexander, Heir to the Crusade -- XXXVI. The Oriental God-King -- XXXVII. Persepolis—The Crusade Ends Topographical Index Name Index Subject Index.

A sweeping look at the big picture development of the Persian Empire (circa 550-330 B.C.E.), this was the first study in English to examine the Persian Empire from the perspective of the Persians, rather than the Greeks. The scope is wide-ranging, including military history and expansion, legal history, religion, social history, and the big personalities of the Empire.

This book covers the period from Cyrus I to Alexander of Macedon and includes background material about prehistory and the nearby kingdoms. It includes extensive material about Persian art, sculpture, and architecture, apparenty much of it by Professor Olmstead's daughter. Extensive descriptions are given of Persepolis and of other art. I only wish they had been cross-referenced to the plates. Unfortunately Olmstead died in 1945, and the work was edited by his colleagues (as explained on the cover). This may be the cause of a loose organization and some wordy passages.

Out of a lifetime of study of the ancient Near East, Professor Olmstead has gathered previously unknown material into the story of the life, times, and thought of the Persians, told for the first time from the Persian rather than the traditional Greek point of view. "The fullest and most reliable presentation of the history of the Persian Empire in existence."—M. Rostovtzeff

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