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Informationen zum Autor Arthur Cotterell , currently residing in England, was a former Principal of Kingston College in London. He has spent many years combining senior educational management with historical research. Arthur currently spends most of his time on writing, and travels extensively throughout Asia. Arthur is the respected author of more than thirty books. His most recent publications include, The Imperial Capitals of China, Leadership and Chariot. Klappentext From one of the world's leading historians?a comprehensive narrative of the 3,000 years that have formed Asia's people, culture, and global destiny Tracing its origins in Mesopotamia to its modern role on the global geopolitical stage, historian Arthur Cotterell offers a compelling, lively, and readable account of one of the most culturally diverse, and often misunderstood, parts of the world. Beginning with the emergence of the world's earliest civilization in 3000 BC, Asia: A Concise History provides a fascinating look at the global convulsions?like the rise and fall of Assyria and Persia, the medieval states that flourished after the advent of Islam, and the modern transformations triggered by the lightning conquests of imperial Japan?that have shaped the continent. Covers the great events and figures of Asian history, along with a look at the monumental remains that bear witness to those times: the ziggurats of Iraq, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, the temple of Angkor Wat Includes fascinating slices of history, including funeral arrangements for Qin Shi Huangdi in 210 BC; an extract from Lord Macartney's journal of his 1793 diplomatic mission to the Qing emperor Qian Long; and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's edict of 1587 banning firearms in Japan Features boxed inserts of special interest?like a Babylonian recipe for lamb stew circa 1500 BC Contains over 100 illustrations, maps, and photos Other books by Cotterell: The Minoan World , The First Emperor of China , The Encyclopedia of Mythology , and Chariot Destined to become a reference staple for history buffs and students of Asian history, Asia: A Concise History offers readers a breathtaking narrative and wealth of detail that make the formative periods, key events, and personalities from this once remote part of the world come alive. Zusammenfassung Provides a look at the global convulsions - like the rise and fall of Assyria and Persia! the medieval states that flourished after the advent of Islam! and the transformations triggered by the lightning conquests of imperial Japan - that have shaped the continent. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface xi Introduction xiii List of Maps xx Photo Credits xxi Part 1: Ancient Asia 1 Chapter 1: Ancient West Asia 3 The First Civilisation: Sumer 3 The Great Empires: Babylon, Assyria and Persia 12 Understanding the World: Religion and Myth 21 Endgame: Greco-Roman Europe Versus Persian Asia 30 Chapter 2: Ancient South Asia 41 Asia's Second Civilisation: The Indus Valley 41 Epic India: The Aryan Invasion 49 The Buddhist Revolution: The Mauryan Empire 55 The Age of Invasion: From the Bactrians to the Huns 64 Chapter 3: Ancient East Asia 74 The Cradle of the East: The Shang Dynasty 74 Classical China: The Zhou Dynasty 82 Imperial Unification: The Qin and Former Han Emperors 90 Imperial Crisis: The Failure of the Later Han 100 Chapter 4: Ancient Central Asia 107 The Steppe: An Intercontinental Highway 107 Nomads: The Scourge of the Sown 116 The Spread of Buddhism: The First Pan-Asian Faith 126 The Great Raid: Attila the Hun 135 Part 2: Medieval Asia 141 Chapter 5: Medieval West Asia 143 Islam: The Second Pan-Asian Faith 143 ...
