Norman Cantor successfully provides the reader with a systemic view of antiquity, linking many important concepts through time and relating them to the modern age. His writing style is very accessible for non-historians, yet as a historian I developed new insights from this relatively brief book.History is about developing an image of the past when you do not have all of the pieces of the puzzel, or may not be certain of how accurate certain bits of information may be. I enjoy Cantors willingness to risk breaking existing paradigms, and while I would need to study certain issues further to be more certain of his conclusions, I enjoy his risk-taking because it requires me to think twice about "facts" that I have accepted for a lifetime such as the exodus from Egypt. If you realize that Cantor has written much more detailed works, for example the Sacred Chain on Judaism, you will understand that his conclusion regarding the exodus is not whimsical, but came through careful consideration.
I have always found Cantors work to be a joy to read, and a stimulant to further studying the subject. I found his chapter on the Civil Law to be truly outstanding, and I have referred a few lawyer friends to this section.
I highly recommend this book.
Rodney Smith
I was really looking forward to reading this book, having read and learned much from Cantors previous books on the Middle Ages. As for the present book, in Cantors own (rather grandiose) words, "This book is an attempt to communicate to the educated reader and to students of history some basic knowledge about antiquity from 2.5 million years ago - the dawn of humanity - to the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century A.D. ... focusing on the Mediterranean and Western Europe... [Part I] lays out the fundamental knowledge about antiquity that every educated person should possess." (p. ix) Unfortunately, this book does not meet its stated goals, and its reach far exceeds its grasp.The first 50 pages consist of very brief (6-7 pages each) essays about Egypt and the Middle East, Greece, Rome, classical philosophy, Christianity, and the decline and fall of Rome. The remaining 150 pages cover the same material, all over again. The most successful are Chapter 10, on ancient Judaism, and Chapter 14, on the Civil Law. Chapter 13, an imaginary dialogue featuring Saint Augustine of Hippo, is also of interest. The exposition is admirably clear throughout.
On the other hand, there is little continuity between chapters, and an amazing amount of error, muddle, and hyperbole along the way. Reviewer Jennifer Sposito has accurately identified many of these "Cantorisms;" here are just a few more.
1. "humans reached Europe... about 10,000 BC. Earlier [sic!], around 6000 BC,... civilization had emerged in the Near East." (p. 4) Humans reached Europe about 35,000 years ago. The Venus of Willendorf (Austria) dates to 30,000 BC. Chauvet painted cave dates to 18,000 BC. In the Middle East, Jerico (a walled city with perhaps 1,000 inhabitants) dates to 8000 BC.
2. "[Hebrew] monotheistic theology that resembled that of Pharaoh Akhenaton" (p. 7). Hebrews did not worship the Sun Disk. The Hebrew god was *invisible*.
3. "[Athens] physical monuments... [on] the Acropolis - are now closed to tourists." (p. 10) The Acropolis remains accessible, in the midst of ongoing restoration.
4. "From the Egyptians, the Athenians learned literature, art, and religion." (p. 11) The Greeks learned literature from Homer, art and architecture from Crete, and religion from the Aryans (Indo-Europeans).
5. "There is really no evidence that [Alexander] initially set out to develop a new multiethnic, universal citizenship." (p. 14) Alexander took a Persian wife, required every man in his army to do the same, and set himself up as a universal monarch on the Persian model.
6. "[Alexander] was a great general; he was also very lucky." (p. 14) Alexander won because of superior technology (siege engines), military genius, and God-like (as all the ancient biographers attest) personal charisma.
7. "Tiberius and Gaius Gracchi" (page 166). Make that, "Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus."
8. "[Hagia Sophia] is today a somewhat musty and run-down museum." (page 211) Please go and see for yourself this glory of the ancient world. I promise that you will not be disappointed.
In summary, you might want to give Cantors "Antiquity" a quick read-through for its chapters on Judaism, Civil Law, and Augustine; but the thing to really have from this author is his Medieval History (newly revised), a standard that ought to be on everybodys bookshelf.
A Systemic View of Anitiquity