Volume I: to 1740 A core text for introductory-level survey courses in Western Civilization and European History and Civilization. Written by leading scholars in the field, this authoritative text presents an engaging and balanced narrative of the central developments in Western history. Seamlessly integrating coverage of social, cultural and political history, this text is presented in a flexible chronological organization. The new Ninth Edition provides updated scholarship, expanded coverage of cultural history, the ancient Near East, late antiquity, imperialism, and the Holocaust. Booknews An overview of Western civilization that does justice to its richness and variety, and calls attention to certain themes: the development of political freedom, constitutional government, and concern for the rule of law and individual rights; the shifting relations among religion, society, and the state; the development of science and technology and their expanding impact on thought, social institutions, and everyday life; and the major religious and intellectual currents that have shaped Western culture. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or Table Of Contents: PART 1 THE FOUNDATIONS OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION IN THE ANCIENT WORLD CHAPTER 1 The Birth of Civilization Early Humans and Their Culture The Paleolithic Age The Neolithic Age The Bronze Age and the Birth of Civilization Early Civilizations to about 1000 b.c.e Mesopotamian Civilization Egyptian Civilization Ancient Near Eastern Empires The Hittites The Assyrians The Neo-Babylonians The Persian Empire Cyrus the Great Darius the Great Government and Administration Religion Art and Culture Palestine The Canaanites and the Phoenicians The Israelites General Outlook of Mideastern Cultures Humans and Nature Toward the Greeks and Western Thought In Perspective CHAPTER 2 The Rise of Greek Civilization The Bronze Age on Crete and on the Mainland to about 1150 b.c.e. The Minoans The Mycenaeans The Greek