Encyclopedia of Women in the Ancient World (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781576070925)

An extensive and fascinating collection of stories featuring both famous and everyday women, giving a well-rounded view of the lives of women in the ancient world.

When did women first become rulers, athletes, soldiers, heroines, and villains? They always were, observes historian Judith Salisbury. From Mesopotamian priestesses and poets to Egyptian queens and consorts, "there was never a time when women did not participate in all aspects of society."

Salisbury tells the stories of 150 women from the ancient world, ranging from the very famous, such as Cleopatra VII, immortalized by Hollywood, to the barely remembered, such as the Roman poet Nossis. Writing for a general audience, Salisbury begins by painting each woman into her historical context, then recounts each woman's story, describing the choices she made as she looked for happiness, wealth, power, or well-being for herself and her family--stories much like our own. In entries on general themes--clothing, cosmetics, work, sexuality, prostitution, gynecology--Salisbury analyzes the commonalties in the lives of these women of antiquity from a cross-cultural perspective.

Author: Joyce E. Salisbury
ISBN-10: 1576070921
ISBN-13: 9781576070925
Publisher: ABC-CLIO
Language: English
Published: 05/16/2001
Pages: 424
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.94lbs
Size: 10.22h x 7.32w x 1.18d

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 08/01/2001 pg. 94
Choice 10/01/2001 pg. 280
Booklist 12/01/2001 pg. 670
Booklist Ed Choice Reference 01/01/2002 pg. 771
Booklist 03/01/2002 pg. 1172
Booklist 04/01/2002 pg. 1354
American Reference Bks Annual 01/01/2002 pg. 409
School Library Journal 02/01/2002 pg. 90
Reference and Research Bk News 11/01/2001 pg. 132