A Brief History of Ancient Times

A Brief History of Ancient Times by James Henry Breasted, published in hardcover by Ginn and Company Ltd (London), is a concise but authoritative distillation of one of the early twentieth century’s most ambitious surveys of ancient civilization. This volume is an abridged and edited version of Breasted’s larger work Ancient Times, a History of the Early World, adapted to provide an accessible, structured overview of world prehistory and antiquity from the earliest human societies through the emergence of classical civilizations. Though specific publication details for a 1964 imprint by Ginn and Company Ltd are rare in online catalogs, this edition aligns with mid-century printings of the title that bring Breasted’s scholarship to a broad readership.

The narrative of A Brief History of Ancient Times unfolds with clarity and scope, introducing readers to foundational periods including the dawn of agriculture, the rise of Mesopotamian city-states, the pharaonic dynasties of Egypt, and the cultural and political developments across the Mediterranean and Near East. Breasted’s expertise as an archaeologist and historian lends depth to each chapter, and the book’s structure reflects his lifelong commitment to synthesizing complex archaeological and textual evidence into a coherent historical framework. Though compact compared with his magisterial multivolume histories, this work retains Breasted’s command of ancient sources and his ability to convey both big-picture trends and the human experiences that shaped them.

Designed for students, general readers, and anyone seeking a grounding in the early history of human civilization, A Brief History of Ancient Times combines scholarly rigor with readability. Its coverage of key civilizations—Sumerian, Egyptian, Akkadian, Hittite, Assyrian, Babylonian, Hebrew, Greek, and early Roman contexts—makes it a standout reference for comparative ancient studies. This edition remains a valuable addition to historical collections, offering insight into the origins and interconnections of the ancient world as framed by one of America’s pioneering Egyptologists and historians.

Condition: Very Good – Slightly worn cloth boards and spine. Foxed end papers with prior ownership in ink.