About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherUniversity of California Press

ISBN-100520273427

ISBN-139780520273429

eBay Product ID (ePID)117277345

Product Key Features

LanguageEnglish

TopicSocial Science, Antiques & Collectibles, History, Asia / Central Asia, Archaeology, Ancient / General, Military / General, Anthropology / Cultural & Social, Coins, Currency & Medals, Middle East / General

AuthorFrank L. Holt

IllustratorYes

Dimensions

Item Length8.2 In.

Item Height1.3 In.

Item Width5.5 In.

Item Weight20.8 Oz

Additional Product Features

LCCN2012-000828

Book TitleLost World of the Golden King : In Search of Ancient Afghanistan

Series Volume Number53

Dewey Decimal939.6

Intended AudienceTrade

SynopsisDrawing on ancient historical writings, the vast array of information gleaned in recent years from the study of Hellenistic coins, and startling archaeological evidence newly unearthed in Afghanistan, Frank L. Holt sets out to rediscover the ancient civilization of Bactria. In a gripping narrative informed by the author's deep knowledge of his subject, this book covers two centuries of Bactria's history, from its colonization by remnants of Alexander the Great's army to the kingdom's collapse at the time of a devastating series of nomadic invasions. Beginning with the few tantalizing traces left behind when the 'empire of a thousand cities' vanished, Holt takes up that trail and follows the remarkable and sometimes perilous journey of rediscovery. Lost World of the Ancient King describes how a single bit of evidence--a Greek coin--launched a search that drew explorers to the region occupied by the tumultuous warring tribes of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Afghanistan. Coin by coin, king by king, the history of Bactria was reconstructed using the emerging methodologies of numismatics. In the twentieth century, extraordinary ancient texts added to the evidence. Finally, one of the 'thousand cities' was discovered and excavated, revealing an opulent palace, treasury, temple, and other buildings. Though these great discoveries soon fell victim to the Afghan political crisis that continues today, this book provides a thrilling chronicle of the search for one of the world's most enigmatic empires.

Publication Year2012

SeriesHellenistic Culture and Society Ser.

Dewey Edition23

FormatHardcover

Reviews"Holt has done a service in summarizing the scholarship about this outpost of Hellenism. Well written [and] of interest. . . . Recommended."-- Choice, Holt has done a service in summarizing the scholarship about this outpost of Hellenism. Well written [and] of interest. . . . Recommended., _Holt has done a service in summarizing the scholarship about this outpost of Hellenism. Well written [and] of interest. . . . Recommended._

Table Of ContentList of Illustrations Preface Introduction: A Lost Civilization 1. The Adventure Begins: Checklist Numismatics 2. A Dangerous Game: Framework Numismatics 3. The Gold Colossus: Novelty Numismatics 4. Telling Tales: Narrative Numismatics 5. Wanted--One Greek City: Archaeology 6. Letters Here and There: Epigraphy 7. A Perfect Storm: Rescue and Revisionist Numismatics 8. A New Beginning: Cognitive Numismatics I 9. Coins and the Collapse of Civilization: Cognitive Numismatics II Conclusion: The Lost World of the Golden King Notes Select Bibliography Illustration Credits Index

LC Classification NumberDS374.B28H655 2012

Number of Pages368 pages