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History of Ancient Egypt: An Introduction | 
 enlarge | Author: Erik Hornung
Creator: David Lorton
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Category: Book
List Price: $21.00
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Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 427059
Media: Paperback
Edition: Revised
Pages: 185
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6
ISBN: 0801484758
Dewey Decimal Number: 932
EAN: 9780801484759
ASIN: 0801484758
Publication Date: May 1999
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Product Description
From our vantage point ancient Egyptian civilization, with its strictly hierarchic organization, can appear static through its three-thousand-year history. In his concise and authoritative introduction to that distant culture, a renowned Egyptologist reveals the turbulent events beneath the rigid facade. Erik Hornung begins his account by taking a brief look at the prehistoric era in Egypt. He then focuses on political events during the period beginning with the reign of "Menes" and closing with the conquest by Alexander the Great. Building on insights drawn from the civilization's surviving texts and monuments, he also describes significant cultural developments, such as changes in burial customs and the building of the Great Pyramids and Sun Temples. Originally published in German, this important and highly useful survey has been revised throughout for its publication in English. In addition, the English version features over fifty illustrations, an updated bibliography, a glossary, and a chronological table.
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| Customer Reviews:
 EXCELLENT HISTORY BOOK May 17, 2000
Francesca Jourdan (Montreal, Canada)
24 out of 25 found this review helpful
Extremely well translated by American Egyptologist David Lorton, Hornung's book covers the history of Ancient Egypt from its Archaic to its Late Periods. It provides a concise description of important events through historical facts. A thorough yet brief explanation of political, economical, social, literary and artistical changes of Ancient Egyptian society leads to the development of the kingdoms. Black and white photographs, an excellent bibliography and a glossary explaining commonly used Egyptological terms accompany the main body. Recommended for professionals and amateurs.
Masterpiece of Egyptian study April 25, 2007
David Rankine (Monmouthshire, Wales)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is a vivid chronological history of the civilization of ancient Egypt from its foundation some 5000 years ago to its conquest by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE - effectively the first half of written human history. It is based on Professor Hornung's unrivalled knowledge of archaeological and documentary evidence, and provides as straightforward a story as the varied nature and extent of that evidence allows.
From 3050BCE through to around 642CE Egyptian culture developed and evolved, leaving the modern student with so much to decipher and understand that it might just take a lifetime! This book is ideal for anyone who wants to enrich their knowledge and understanding of Egyptian magick and religion through an understanding the history of this ancient culture.
The book works through the different stages of cultural and political development in ancient Egypt, working from the Archaic period through the old, middle and new kingdoms and the late period. The Chronology at the start of the book provides an excellent time line reference guide. Both the author and translators are distinguished Egyptologists and this book is evidently the result of much research and work, and is as such highly recommended for all interested in history and particular Egyptology.
 Political history December 24, 2008
J. Marques (Sao Paulo, SP Brazil)
Far from discrediting Professor Hornung's mastery of the subject, I regret to say that this book is only a straightforward and very traditional political history of the successions of dynasties and pharaohs, with occasional hints on developments in art. Being an introductory work, I find it sad that it lacks mention of basic traits of economy and social life in the Egyptian world, as well as a clearer treatment of the state of sources (very common in the most recent general works). Also, the Intermediate Periods are squeezed at the end of the chapters, whose titles end up hinting at a continuity between the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms - the chapter on the Late Period seems even a bit rushed (btw, it accepts uncritically the very old and outdated theory of the "Sea Peoples" being a single factor of destruction in 1200BC). The Oxford History of Egypt is much more comprehensive, and I'd recommend it instead of this book.
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