2000年以上にわたり古代バビロニアの歴史と文明を紹介する本書は、その中心となる都市バビロンが一つの村からどのように興ったか、その栄光と衰退、再起、そして消滅までの道筋を辿ります。歴史的に重要となるポイントのみならず、古代バビロニアの日々の生活の営みに至るまで言及しており、主要な文明であるバビロニアへの包括的なガイドです。
   

• Offers a concise introduction to the history and civilization of Babylonia
• Explores how the Babylonians lived and thought, and how their fears, frustrations, hopes, and achievements are communicated across the centuries
• Uses ancient sources to describe the Babylonians in their own words

 
The history of Ancient Babylonia in ancient Mesopatamia is epic. After playing host to three great empires, the Hammurabic and Kassite empires, and the Neo-Babylonian Empire ruled by Nebuchadnezzar, it was conquered by the Persians. Entered triumphantly by Alexander the Great, it later provided the setting for the Conquerer's deathbed. Squabbled over by his heirs, Babylonia was subsequently dominated by the Parthian and Roman empires.
 
In this Very Short Introduction, Trevor Bryce takes us on a journey of more than 2,000 years across the history and civilization of ancient Babylonia, from the emergence of its chief city, Babylon, as a modest village on the Euphrates in the 3rd millennium BC through successive phases of triumph, decline, and resurgence until its royal capital faded into obscurity in the Roman imperial era. Exploring key historical events as well as the day-to-day life of an ancient Babylonian, Bryce provides a comprehensive guide to one of history's most profound civilizations.