A comprehensive yet concise introduction to Western Civilization, designed to interest and engage contemporary students
Western Civilization: A Brief History is a concise one-volume survey that covers the subject's ancient origins through to the early 21st century. Stressing social and intellectual history, rather than merely listing names and dates, this stimulating resource offers a more consistent and reader-friendly narrative than traditional textbooks. The author, with 40 years' experience teaching college-level Western Civilization and World History courses, emphasizes topics that stimulate student interest and encourage classroom participation.
A mixture of Judeo-Christian, Greco-Roman, Germanic traditions, Western Civilization first appeared in Europe following the fall of the Roman Empire in the West. The text explores key events, figures, themes, and characteristics in the history of Western Civilization. Grouped into six parts, chapters include brief chronologies of events, maps, and illustrations. Topics include Europe in the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Reformation, the rise of medieval Christianity, Darwin and the Theory of Evolution, the Industrial Revolution, imperialism, the World Wars of the 20th century, the Cold War, and many others. Written with the needs of today's students in mind, this textbook:
* Offers accessible and straightforward coverage of the history of Western Civilization
* Provides a consistent style of writing and organizational theme
* Includes chronological overviews of ancient Greece, Rome, and the Near East
Western Civilization: A Brief History is an ideal introductory textbook for both traditional and non-traditional programs and Western Civilization courses at universities and colleges, as well as for those in dual enrollment and home school settings.
Autorentext
PAUL R. WAIBEL is Professor of History Emeritus at Belhaven University. He has published numerous articles and reviews in scholarly journals, periodicals, reference works, and anthologies, and is author and co-author of several history texts including Twentieth-Century Europe: A Brief History and Martin Luther: A Brief Introduction to His Life and Works.
Inhalt
Preface xiii
Acknowledgements xv
Part I Ancient and Classical Civilization: An Overview 1
1 The Cradle of Civilization 3
Birth of Civilization 5
Egypt 9
Hebrews 15
Hebrew Contribution to Western Civilization 17
Later Empires 19
References 20
2 The Ancient Greeks and Their World 21
Minoan Civilization 22
Mycenaean Civilization 23
The Dark Ages (c. 1100800 bc) 25
The Archaic Age (c. 800480 bc) 25
Sparta and Athens 27
Persian Wars (492449 bc) 29
The Classical Age (c. 480338 bc) 30
The Hellenistic Age (32331 bc) 32
Greek Society 33
Women in Greek Society 33
Slaves in Greek Society 34
Sex in Greek Society 34
Greek Philosophy 35
The Greek Legacy 38
References 39
3 The Roman World 41
Early Republic 42
Early Conquest Under the Republic 44
Roman Expansion in the East 46
Decline of the Republic 47
Pax Romana 50
Roman Cultural Life 53
The Rise of Christianity 54
Decline of the Empire 56
References 60
Part II Europe in the Middle Ages: An Overview 61
4 The Birth of Europe 63
Early Germanic Kingdoms 64
Disintegration of the Carolingian Empire 70
New Invasions 70
Feudalism 72
Feudal System 73
Manorial System 74
Europe's Neighbors 76
Rise of Islam 78
References 79
5 Dawn of the Age of Faith 81
Rise of the Papacy 82
Rise of Monasticism 84
Feudalism and the Church 85
Church Renewal 86
Crusades 88
Feudal Monarchies 92
England 93
France 96
Holy Roman Empire 96
References 100
6 The High Middle Ages, 10001300 101
Faith and Reason 102
Medieval Synthesis 108
Medieval Model of the Universe 109
Medieval Art and Literature 111
Late Middle Ages, 13001500 112
Famine 112
Plague 113
Hundred Years' War, 13371453 115
References 118
Part III Birth of Modern Europe: An Overview 119
7 The Renaissance and Reformation 121
Renaissance Italy 121
Renaissance Humanism 125
Leading Italian Humanists 127
Northern Renaissance 130
Leading Christian Humanists 131
Renaissance Art and Culture 132
Protestant Reformation 133
Background133
Mainline and Radical Reformation 136
Martin Luther 136
Huldrich Zwingli 137
John Calvin 137
Reformation in England 138
Catholic Reformation 139
Conflicts among the Protestant Reformers 140
Assessment 141
References 142
8 New Horizons 143
Rise of the NationStates 144
Spain 144
France 145
England 147
Holy Roman Empire 150
Exploration and Discovery 151
Scientific Revolution 154
From Copernicus to Newton 156
Bacon and Descartes 159
Significance of the Scientific Revolution 161
References 162
9 Age of Enlightenment and Revolution 163
Enlightenment 164
Enlightenment Political Theory 166
Social Contract Theorists 167
Thomas ...