| Historical Dictionary of Ancient Egypt was the first volume in the Historical Dictionaries of Ancient Civilizations and Historical Eras series, and now it is the first to be expanded and updated. This is quite fitting because while the Egyptian civilization is not the oldest, it is certainly the grandest. It stands out for the vast area it covered, the amazing span of its history, and the exceptional works of art and architecture it left behind. The Egyptian civilization is also one of the most topical of the ancient cultures, its achievements studied in classrooms around the globe, major events—or simulations thereof—conveyed in movies and operas, and its vestiges still visited by countless millions of people every year, whether in present-day Egypt or dozens of museums. There are indeed few who do not recognize the pyramids and the Sphinx, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, and Tutankhamun and Cleopatra.
This series of historical dictionaries, like the others, provides information on significant people, places, and events. In this second edition, both the old and new eras of achievement are presented. Entries provide information on ancient kings and queens, generals and workmen, as well as the archaeologists who brought these important figures to light and the sites that display them. The book also covers such broader subjects as art, language, and religion and aspects of architecture and historical periods. The volume is supported by a chronology of key events, an introduction that places the significant happenings in context, and appendixes containing a dynastic list and museums with Egyptian collections. The extensive bibliography, carefully structured by subject, leads the reader to additional authoritative sources. While this second edition resembles the first, it has been substantially expanded with many new entries and updated with the latest research. |
