Ancient History

This book introduces students to the chief disciplines, methods and sources employed in 'doing' ancient history, as opposed to 'reading' it. This book: encourages readers to engage with historical sources, rather than to be passive recipients of historical tales; gives readers a sense of the nature of evidence and its use in the reconstruction of the past; helps them to read a historical narrative with more critical appreciation; and, encourages them to consider the differences between their own experience of ancient sources, and the use of these objects within the everyday life of ancient society. A concise bibliographical essay at the end of each chapter refers to introductions, indices, research tools and interpretations, and explains scholarly jargon. Written clearly, concisely and concretely, this work also includes invoking ancient illustrations and modern parallels as appropriate.

Review: "Detailed but lively, this book offers an introduction to the sources of evidence about ancient history. Hedrick has a keen sense of irony for the varying ways in which ancient and modern people read the same documents and he is an ideal guide to help us bridge the gap." Barry Strauss, Cornell University