History Of Ancient Civilization   By: Charles Seignobos (1854-1942)

Transcriber's Note: Bolded text is distinguished by ='s at start and finish. Italicized text is distinguished by 's at start and finish.

HISTORY OF

ANCIENT CIVILIZATION

BY

CHARLES SEIGNOBOS

DOCTOR OF LETTERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS

LONDON T. FISHER UNWIN ADELPHI TERRACE MCMVII

( All rights reserved )

EDITOR'S NOTE

In preparing this volume, the Editor has used both the three volume edition and the two volume edition of the "Histoire de la Civilisation." He has usually preferred the order of topics of the two volume edition, but has supplemented the material therein with other matter drawn from the three volume edition.

A few corrections to the text have been given in foot notes. These notes are always clearly distinguished from the elucidations of the author.

A.H.W.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

PREHISTORIC TIMES. Prehistoric archæology Prehistoric remains; their antiquity Prehistoric science The four ages.

THE ROUGH STONE AGE. Remains found in the gravels The cave men.

THE POLISHED STONE AGE. Lake villages Megalithic monuments.

THE BRONZE AGE. Bronze Bronze objects.

THE IRON AGE. Iron Iron weapons Epochs of the Iron Age.

Conclusions: How the four ages are to be conceived; uncertainties; solved questions.

CHAPTER II

HISTORY AND THE DOCUMENTS. History Legends History in general Great divisions of history Ancient history Modern history The Middle Ages.

SOURCES FOR THE HISTORY OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS. Books Monuments Inscriptions Languages Lacunæ.

RACES AND PEOPLES. Anthropology The races Civilized peoples Aryans and Semites.

CHAPTER III

THE EGYPTIANS. Egypt The country The Nile Fertility of the soil The accounts of Herodotus Champollion Egyptologists Discoveries.

THE EGYPTIAN EMPIRE. Antiquity of the Egyptian people Memphis and the pyramids Egyptian civilization Thebes The Pharaoh The subjects Despotism Isolation of the Egyptians.

RELIGION OF THE EGYPTIANS. The gods Osiris Ammon râ Gods with animal heads Sacred animals The bull Apis Worship of the dead Judgment of the soul Mummies Book of the Dead The arts Industry Architecture Tombs Temples Sculpture Painting Literature Destinies of the Egyptian civilization.

CHAPTER IV

THE ASSYRIANS AND BABYLONIANS. Chaldea The land The people The cities.

THE ASSYRIANS Assyria Origins Ancient accounts Modern discoveries Inscriptions on bricks Cuneiform writing The Assyrian people The king Fall of the Assyrian Empire.

THE BABYLONIANS. The second Chaldean empire Babylon The Tower of Babylon.

CUSTOMS AND RELIGION. Customs Religion The gods Astrology Sorcery The sciences.

THE ARTS. Architecture Palaces Sculpture.

CHAPTER V

THE ARYANS OF INDIA. The Aryans Aryan languages The Aryan people.

PRIMITIVE RELIGION OF THE HINDOOS. The Aryans on the Indus The Vedas The gods Indra Agni The cult Worship of ancestors.

BRAHMANIC SOCIETY. The Hindoos on the Ganges Castes The Impure The Brahmans The new religion of Brahma Transmigration of souls Character of this religion The rites Purity Penances The monks.

BUDDHISM. Buddha Nirvana Charity Fraternity Tolerance Later history of Buddhism Changes in Buddhism Buddha transformed into a god Mechanical prayer Amelioration of manners.

CHAPTER VI