500 Things to Know about the Ancient World
Kids who think history is dull will change their minds in a hurry when they open this "can't-put-it-down" book. It's filled with strange and fascinating facts about the ancient world, and packed with illustrations and photos--mostly in color--that show attention-grabbing artifacts from many cultures of the distant past. Some of the many subjects described and discussed include-- \ \ Both the ordinary and the very unusual foods Romans had for dinner--and breakfast and lunch, too\ A board game...
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(back cover) 500 amazing facts about the people, places, and things of the ancient world. You'll never again be short of a fascinating fact to stun your friends and impress your family and teachers! DO YOU KNOW . . . that Viking helmets had no horns? that some Roman toothpaste contained human urine? what ancient Egyptians wore as underwear? that a popular Roman table sauce was made from rotten fish? how many Egyptian pharaohs were called Rameses? who Eric Bloodaxe was? that the Aztecs played football--and sacrificed the losing team to the gods? the Seven Wonders of the ancient world? the name of the king of the Greek gods? which sporting events were part of the ancient Greek Olympic games?KLIATTFifteen chapters cover animals, death, family life, fashion, food and drink, having fun, inventions, medicine and illness, rulers, society, the spiritual world, sport, towns and architecture, war, and writing. Information comes from the British Museum, which also provided the numerous colorful illustrations (photos and art work). Young people are encouraged to amaze their friends and teachers with such trivia as: female gladiators were banned in 200 A.D., the Greek alphabet was the first to use vowels as well as consonants, Ancient Romans ate mouse feces to sweeten their breath, Viking helmets didn't have horns, a Chinese empress grew her fingernails to about twice as long as her hands, "Hilda" means "battle maid" in Anglo-Saxon, Pompeii is buried under 13 feet of rubble and ash, there were ten Buddhist "Kings of Hell" who judged dead souls, self-sacrifice was common among the Aztecs, lacrosse was first played by the Iroquois. No index, but eight interactive websites are listed. Reviewer: Janet Julian
\ KLIATT\ - Janet Julian\ Fifteen chapters cover animals, death, family life, fashion, food and drink, having fun, inventions, medicine and illness, rulers, society, the spiritual world, sport, towns and architecture, war, and writing. Information comes from the British Museum, which also provided the numerous colorful illustrations (photos and art work). Young people are encouraged to amaze their friends and teachers with such trivia as: female gladiators were banned in 200 A.D., the Greek alphabet was the first to use vowels as well as consonants, Ancient Romans ate mouse feces to sweeten their breath, Viking helmets didn't have horns, a Chinese empress grew her fingernails to about twice as long as her hands, "Hilda" means "battle maid" in Anglo-Saxon, Pompeii is buried under 13 feet of rubble and ash, there were ten Buddhist "Kings of Hell" who judged dead souls, self-sacrifice was common among the Aztecs, lacrosse was first played by the Iroquois. No index, but eight interactive websites are listed. Reviewer: Janet Julian\ \ \ \ \ School Library JournalGr 5-8- Whether students are simply fascinated by trivia, or are searching for details to spice up a report, this volume will serve their purposes well. "Ancient Greek face whitener was made with lead and vinegar-very bad for the skin!" This is just one of the little-known facts gathered by experts at the British Museum. In the discussion on food and drink, a menu for a rich Roman's dinner party is included. Additionally, instructions for making a mummy are given in the section addressing death. The civilizations discussed include not only Greek, Roman, and Egyptian, but also Japanese, Chinese, Aztec, Mayan, Viking, and more. Fans of books like The Guinness Book of World Records will find this compendium equally captivating. Colorful illustrations and photographs help to create and maintain interest. As the directions state, "Choose a chapter that interests you, or just open the book and dip in. Have fun!"-Lana Miles, Jackson Elementary School, Rosenberg, TX\ \ \
