Western Civilization

A comprehensive yet concise introduction to Western Civilization, designed to interest and engage contemporary students

Western Civilization: A Brief History is a concise one-volume survey that covers the subject's ancient origins through to the early 21st century. Stressing social and intellectual history, rather than merely listing names and dates, this stimulating resource offers a more consistent and reader-friendly narrative than traditional textbooks. The author, with 40 years' experience teaching college-level Western Civilization and World History courses, emphasizes topics that stimulate student interest and encourage classroom participation.

A mixture of Judeo-Christian, Greco-Roman, Germanic traditions, Western Civilization first appeared in Europe following the fall of the Roman Empire in the West. The text explores key events, figures, themes, and characteristics in the history of Western Civilization. Grouped into six parts, chapters include brief chronologies of events, maps, and illustrations. Topics include Europe in the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Reformation, the rise of medieval Christianity, Darwin and the Theory of Evolution, the Industrial Revolution, imperialism, the World Wars of the 20th century, the Cold War, and many others. Written with the needs of today's students in mind, this textbook:

• Offers accessible and straightforward coverage of the history of Western Civilization

• Provides a consistent style of writing and organizational theme

• Includes chronological overviews of ancient Greece, Rome, and the Near East

Western Civilization: A Brief History is an ideal introductory textbook for both traditional and non-traditional programs and Western Civilization courses at universities and colleges, as well as for those in dual enrollment and home school settings.

Autorentext

PAUL R. WAIBEL is Professor of History Emeritus at Belhaven University. He has published numerous articles and reviews in scholarly journals, periodicals, reference works, and anthologies, and is author and co-author of several history texts including Twentieth-Century Europe: A Brief History and Martin Luther: A Brief Introduction to His Life and Works.

Inhalt
Preface xiii

Acknowledgements xv

Part I Ancient and Classical Civilization: An Overview 1

1 The Cradle of Civilization 3

Birth of Civilization 5

Egypt 9

Hebrews 15

Hebrew Contribution to Western Civilization 17

Later Empires 19

References 20

2 The Ancient Greeks and Their World 21

Minoan Civilization 22

Mycenaean Civilization 23

The Dark Ages (c. 1100800 bc) 25

The Archaic Age (c. 800480 bc) 25

Sparta and Athens 27

Persian Wars (492449 bc) 29

The Classical Age (c. 480338 bc) 30

The Hellenistic Age (32331 bc) 32

Greek Society 33

Women in Greek Society 33

Slaves in Greek Society 34

Sex in Greek Society 34

Greek Philosophy 35

The Greek Legacy 38

References 39

3 The Roman World 41

Early Republic 42

Early Conquest Under the Republic 44

Roman Expansion in the East 46

Decline of the Republic 47

Pax Romana 50

Roman Cultural Life 53

The Rise of Christianity 54

Decline of the Empire 56

References 60

Part II Europe in the Middle Ages: An Overview 61

4 The Birth of Europe 63

Early Germanic Kingdoms 64

Disintegration of the Carolingian Empire 70

New Invasions 70

Feudalism 72

Feudal System 73

Manorial System 74

Europe's Neighbors 76

Rise of Islam 78

References 79

5 Dawn of the Age of Faith 81

Rise of the Papacy 82

Rise of Monasticism 84

Feudalism and the Church 85

Church Renewal 86

Crusades 88

Feudal Monarchies 92

England 93

France 96

Holy Roman Empire 96

References 100

6 The High Middle Ages, 10001300 101

Faith and Reason 102

Medieval Synthesis 108

Medieval Model of the Universe 109

Medieval Art and Literature 111

Late Middle Ages, 13001500 112

Famine 112

Plague 113

Hundred Years' War, 13371453 115

References 118

Part III Birth of Modern Europe: An Overview 119

7 The Renaissance and Reformation 121

Renaissance Italy 121

Renaissance Humanism 125

Leading Italian Humanists 127

Northern Renaissance 130

Leading Christian Humanists 131

Renaissance Art and Culture 132

Protestant Reformation 133

Background133

Mainline and Radical Reformation 136

Martin Luther 136

Huldrich Zwingli 137

John Calvin 137

Reformation in England 138

Catholic Reformation 139

Conflicts among the Protestant Reformers 140

Assessment 141

References 142

8 New Horizons 143

Rise of the NationStates 144

Spain 144

France 145

England 147

Holy Roman Empire 150

Exploration and Discovery 151

Scientific Revolution 154

From Copernicus to Newton 156

Bacon and Descartes 159

Significance of the Scientific Revolution 161

References 162

9 Age of Enlightenment and Revolution 163

Enlightenment 164

Enlightenment Political Theory 166

Social Contract Theorists 167 Thomas ...