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Princeton University Library Catalog
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Why did ancient civilizations fail? / Scott A.J. Johnson.
Author
Johnson, Scott A. J., 1983-
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Format
Book
Language
English
Published/Created
New York, NY : Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group, 2017.
Description
xiii, 293 pages : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm
Availability
Copies in the Library
Location
Call Number
Status
Location Service
Notes
Firestone Library - Stacks
CB311 .J59 2017
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Details
Subject(s)
Civilization, Ancient
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Civilization, Ancient
—
Philosophy
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Regression (Civilization)
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Civilization, Classical
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Summary note
"Ideas abound as to why certain complex societies collapsed in the past--environmental change, subsistence failure, fluctuating social structure, lack of adaptability. Why Did Ancient Civilizations Fail? evaluates the current theories in this important topic and discusses why they offer only partial explanations of the failure of past civilizations. This engaging volume offers a new theory of collapse, that of social hubris. Through an examination of Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Roman, Maya, Inca, and Aztec societies, Johnson persuasively argues that hubris has blinded many ancient peoples to evidence that would allow them to adapt, and that this has implications for contemporary societies. Comprehensive and well-written, this volume serves as an ideal text for undergraduate courses on ancient complex societies, as well as appealing to the scholar interested in societal collapse"--Provided by publisher.
Bibliographic references
Includes bibliographical references (pages 265-289) and index.
Contents
Introduction: social hubris
Why agriculture?
The environment
Case study: the Maya
Agricultural systems
Case study: Mesopotamia
Trade systems
Case study: Rome
Social organization
Case study: Egypt
Unexpected catastrophes
Case study: Aztec and Inca
Where we are today.
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ISBN
9781629582825 ((hardback ; : alk. paper))
1629582824 ((hardback ; : alk. paper))
9781629582832 ((pbk. ; : alk. paper))
1629582832 ((pbk. ; : alk. paper))
LCCN
2016013420
OCLC
949553079
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