History of Western Civilization
A Handbook
9780226561608
9780226561622
History of Western Civilization
A Handbook
Renowned historian William H. McNeil provides a brilliant narrative chronology of the development of Western civilization, representing its socio-political as well as cultural aspects. This sixth edition includes new material for the twentieth-century period and completely revised bibliographies. An invaluable tool for the study of Western civilization, the Handbook is an essential complement to readings in primary and secondary sources such as those in the nine-volume University of Chicago Readings in Western Civilization.
Table of Contents
Illustrations
Preface
To the Student
Part I: Western Civilization in World History
A. Background of Classical Civilization
1. Old Stone Age
2. Neolithic Age
3. River Valley Civilizations
4. The Diffusion of Urban Civilization
5. The Ancient Oriental Empires
B. Independent Civilized Traditions
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part I
Chronological Table for Part I
Part II: Classical Civilization
A. The Greek City States
1. Geographical Setting
2. Formation of the City States
3. Greek Expansion to 510 B.C.
4. The Fifth Century: Rise and Overthrow of the Athenian Empire
5. The Fourth Century. Rise of Macedon
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, A
Chronological Table for Part II, A
B. The Hellenistic Kingdoms
1. Political Changes
2. Economic Development
3. Social Structure
4. Cultural Development
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, B
Chronological Table for Part II, B
C. The Roman Republic: Unification of the Mediterranean
1. Peoples of Western Europe
2. The Roman Republic: Conquest of Italy
3. Roman Conquest of the Mediterranean Basin
4. Internal Development of Rome
5. Decay of Republican Government
6. Roman Society
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, C
Chronological Table for Part II, C
D. The Roman Empire
1. The Augustan Age
2. The Principate after Augustus
3. Military Despotism and Anarchy
4. The Autocratic Empire
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, D
Chronological Table for Part II, D
E. The Byzantine Empire and Civilization
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, E
Chronological Table for Part II, E
F. Successor Kingdoms in the West
1. Introduction
2. The First Wave of Invasion
3. The Early Carolingian Period
4. Renewed Invasions and Collapse of the Carolingian Empire Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, F
Chronological Table for Part II, F
G. The Arab World
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, G
Chronological Table for Part II, G
Part III: European Civilization
(C. A.D. 900-Present)
A. Geographical Setting of European Civilization
1. Transfer of the Center of Civilization
2. Transport and Communication
3. Climate and Vegetation
4. Mineral Resources
B. Western Christendom, 900-1500
1. Revival of Civilization, 900-1050
2. The High Middle Ages, 1050-1270
3. The Waning of the Middle Ages, 1270-1500
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III, B
Chronological Table for Part III, B
C. The Modern World, 1500-Present
1. ReJormation and Religious Wars, 1500-1660
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III, C-l
Chronological Table for Part III, C-l
2. Absolutism and Aristocracy, 1660-1789
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III, C-2
Chronological Table for Part III, C-2
3. Liberal, Nationalist and Industrial Europe, 1789-1914
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III. C-3
Chronological Table for Part III, C-3
4. An Era of Wars and Revolutions, 1914-75
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III, C-4
Chronological Table for Part III, C-4
Conclusion
Index
Preface
To the Student
Part I: Western Civilization in World History
A. Background of Classical Civilization
1. Old Stone Age
2. Neolithic Age
3. River Valley Civilizations
4. The Diffusion of Urban Civilization
5. The Ancient Oriental Empires
B. Independent Civilized Traditions
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part I
Chronological Table for Part I
Part II: Classical Civilization
A. The Greek City States
1. Geographical Setting
2. Formation of the City States
3. Greek Expansion to 510 B.C.
4. The Fifth Century: Rise and Overthrow of the Athenian Empire
5. The Fourth Century. Rise of Macedon
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, A
Chronological Table for Part II, A
B. The Hellenistic Kingdoms
1. Political Changes
2. Economic Development
3. Social Structure
4. Cultural Development
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, B
Chronological Table for Part II, B
C. The Roman Republic: Unification of the Mediterranean
1. Peoples of Western Europe
2. The Roman Republic: Conquest of Italy
3. Roman Conquest of the Mediterranean Basin
4. Internal Development of Rome
5. Decay of Republican Government
6. Roman Society
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, C
Chronological Table for Part II, C
D. The Roman Empire
1. The Augustan Age
2. The Principate after Augustus
3. Military Despotism and Anarchy
4. The Autocratic Empire
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, D
Chronological Table for Part II, D
E. The Byzantine Empire and Civilization
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, E
Chronological Table for Part II, E
F. Successor Kingdoms in the West
1. Introduction
2. The First Wave of Invasion
3. The Early Carolingian Period
4. Renewed Invasions and Collapse of the Carolingian Empire Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, F
Chronological Table for Part II, F
G. The Arab World
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part II, G
Chronological Table for Part II, G
Part III: European Civilization
(C. A.D. 900-Present)
A. Geographical Setting of European Civilization
1. Transfer of the Center of Civilization
2. Transport and Communication
3. Climate and Vegetation
4. Mineral Resources
B. Western Christendom, 900-1500
1. Revival of Civilization, 900-1050
2. The High Middle Ages, 1050-1270
3. The Waning of the Middle Ages, 1270-1500
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III, B
Chronological Table for Part III, B
C. The Modern World, 1500-Present
1. ReJormation and Religious Wars, 1500-1660
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III, C-l
Chronological Table for Part III, C-l
2. Absolutism and Aristocracy, 1660-1789
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III, C-2
Chronological Table for Part III, C-2
3. Liberal, Nationalist and Industrial Europe, 1789-1914
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III. C-3
Chronological Table for Part III, C-3
4. An Era of Wars and Revolutions, 1914-75
Suggestions for Further Reading for Part III, C-4
Chronological Table for Part III, C-4
Conclusion
Index