Best of
Ancient

1986

The Beacon at Alexandria


Gillian Bradshaw - 1986
    Disguising herself as a eunuch she flees Ephesus for Alexandria, then the center of learning. There she apprentices to a Jewish doctor but eventually becomes drawn into Church politics and is forced once again to flee. She serves as an army doctor at a Roman outpost in Thrace until, kidnapped by barbarian Visigoths, she finds her destiny to heal and also to be a woman and a wife.

The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation, Including the Demotic Spells, Volume 1


Hans Dieter Betz - 1986
    to the fifth century A.D. Containing a fresh translation of the Greek papyri, as well as Coptic and Demotic texts, this new translation has been brought up to date and is now the most comprehensive collection of this literature, and the first ever in English.The Greek Magical Papyri in Transition is an invaluable resource for scholars in a wide variety of fields, from the history of religions to the classical languages and literatures, and it will fascinate those with a general interest in the occult and the history of magic."One of the major achievements of classical and related scholarship over the last decade."—Ioan P. Culianu, Journal for the Study of Judaism"The enormous value of this new volume lies in the fact that these texts will now be available to a much wider audience of readers, including historians or religion, anthropologists, and psychologists."—John G. Gager, Journal of Religion"[This book] shows care, skill and zest. . . . Any worker in the field will welcome this sterling performance."—Peter Parsons, Times Literary Supplement

Etruscan Life and Afterlife: A Handbook of Etruscan Studies


Larissa Bonfante - 1986
    Now, scholars are reconstructing a portrait of the wealthy, sophisticated Etruscans whose territory once extended from the Po River to the Bay of Naples. Unfortunately, the wider English-speaking public has had no single resource which synthesizes these new findings and interpretations about the Etruscans. In fact, some sources continue to propagate the traditional myth of the "enigmatic and isolated Etruscans." In response, the eminent Etruscan scholar Larissa Bonfante asked seven other internationally known classicists to join her in providing this "handbook" for the non-specialist as an authoritative and readable guide to the burgeoning Etruscan scholarship. As Bonfante explains in the introductory chapter, "The Etruscans provide an excellent opportunity of turning archaeology into history: this we tried to do, in our chapters, according to our individual directions. Nancy Thomson de Grummond traces the interest in and knowledge of the Etruscans from the earliest days. Mario Torelli provides an independent account of Etruscan history, based on monuments and sources. Jean MacIntosh Turfa belies the cliche of the Etruscans' traditional 'isolation' by surveying the material evidence for their trade with the Phoenicians, Greeks, and other neighbors in the Mediterranean. Marie-Fran�oise Briguet, Friedhelm Prayon, David Tripp, and I survey Etruscan art, architecture, coinage, and daily lives, respectively, Emeline Richardson contributes what she calls a 'primer' in the Etruscan language, a basic archaeological introduction to the Etruscan language, meant to help newcomers read the inscriptions on many of the monuments illustrated and to see these with the interdisciplinary approach so characteristic of, and necessary in, Etruscan studies." The book is profusely illustrated with over 300 photos and maps. Notes and bibliographic references lead to standard texts on the Etruscans and to the more specialized literature in the field. The result is a reliable and lively volume which brings readers into the mainstream of the latest Etruscan scholarship.

Deaconesses: An Historical Study


Aimé-Georges Martimort - 1986
    What is most evident about the history of deaconesses, however, is how complex the whole subject is. In this exhaustive and thoroughly researched work, Martimort presents a very readable analysis that has become the standard study of the role of women deaconesses in the early Church. He presents in as complete and objective fashion as possible the history, who and what these deaconesses were and what their functions were. "An excellent book on the topic of ordination of women to the diaconate. A masterpiece of research, and the thorough footnotes and index will increase its value for scholarly work." -The Priest "This book can be considered the last word on the subject of deaconesses. It deserves a wide readership since there is so much interest in the ordination of women." -Homiletic & Pastoral Review

The History of Theophylact Simocatta: An English Translation with Introduction


Theophylact Simocatta - 1986
    By far the most important source for the history of the late sixth century A.D., the History has never before been fully evaluated due to Theophylact's obscureand idiosyncratic style. The narrative concentrates on the acts of war that threatened the stability of the reign of Emperor Maurice (A.D. 582-602)--the Persian War and struggles with the Avar federation and the Slav tribes in the Balkans.

Atlas of Ancient America


Elizabeth P. Benson - 1986
    with 329 illus. (233 in color) & 56 maps, 4to.

The Chronicle of John Malalas


Elizabeth Jeffreys - 1986
    

The Law in Classical Athens


Douglas M. MacDowell - 1986
    

Outside the Empire: The World the Romans Knew


N.H.H. Sitwell - 1986
    book