{"title":"Damien Stone","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDamien Stone\u003c\/strong\u003e offers a compelling exploration of ancient civilisations and the natural world, weaving historical insight with scientific inquiry. Readers can expect richly detailed narratives that illuminate forgotten cultures and the mysteries that surround them, blending rigorous research with engaging storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis works bridge \u003cem\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Military\u003c\/em\u003e with \u003cem\u003eScience \u0026amp; Nature\u003c\/em\u003e, inviting readers to discover the intricate connections between past societies and the environment they inhabited. Enthralling and thought-provoking, his books appeal to those fascinated by the enduring impact of history on our understanding of the natural world.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-hittites-by-damien-stone-9781789146844","title":"The Hittites","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn accessible introduction to the Bronze Age culture in Asia Minor.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFamed for their skill in battle, the Hittites flourished in central Anatolia from the seventeenth to the thirteenth century BC. They were much more than a military power, however — their religion held particular reverence for the sun and storms that provided fertility to their land, and their eclectic art produced some of the most unique rock-cut relief carvings of the Bronze Age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Hittites\u003c\/em\u003e is a fine introduction to the culture and art of this vibrant civilisation. The book narrates the colourful succession of Hittite kings and their queens, complete with assassinations, intrigues and an evil stepmother banished for witchcraft. It also looks at the Hittite language, the first known example of the Indo-European language from which English descends, and considers the Hittites' legacy today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Based on substantial research and written in a clear, elegant style, Damien Stone's book presents for the general reader a concise coverage of all aspects of Hittite history and civilisation, from the beginning of the Bronze Age Hittite era down to the Neo-Hittite kingdoms which followed the Hittite empire's collapse.' - Trevor Bryce, Honorary Professor in Classics, the University of Queensland, and author of \u003cem\u003eThe Kingdom of the Hittites\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'An engaging adventure through the land of Hatti that explores not only the complexity of Hittite society, but the rich legacy of textual and material remains that have survived antiquity. Skilfully written, \u003cem\u003eThe Hittites\u003c\/em\u003e is brimming with historical anecdotes and characters - a joy to read.' - Candace Richards, Assistant Curator Nicholson Collection, Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of Sydney\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'For hundreds of years the Hittite kings, from their citadel in highland Turkey, played a dominant role in the international politics of the Eastern Mediterranean. In this highly readable account, rich in detail and wide in scope, Damien Stone explores the fascinating world of the Hittites, empire-builders and innovators, by weaving a tapestry that draws equally from material and textual remains. Stone offers a clear outline of complex issues and debates and provides insight into the social and economic structures of the civilisation. We not only marvel at the innovations of the Hittite military, but meet literate female ritual specialists, learn about the world's first trade embargo and wonder at the forging of relations between human and divine.' - Margaret C. Miller, Emerita Professor of Classical Archaeology, The University of Sydney\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NewSouth Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46850114388204,"sku":"9781789146844","price":72.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/27997483482824.jpg?v=1759079554"},{"product_id":"the-secret-sacred-by-damien-stone-9781836391098","title":"The Secret Sacred","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Secret Sacred\u003c\/i\u003e explores the hidden religious practices of the classical world. These cults, shrouded in secrecy, promised initiates a transformative afterlife. While many rituals remain mysterious, artworks and historical texts provide glimpses of their underlying beliefs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book examines Greco-Roman religious traditions and their divergence into mystery cults, including Bacchic ceremonies depicted in frescoes, Orphic gold tablets guiding souls in the underworld, and the Eleusinian Mysteries celebrating Demeter and Persephone's cycle of rebirth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEastern deities like Mithras, Isis, and Cybele also feature in the cults discussed. The possible influence of mystery religions on early Christianity is also explored, drawing parallels with modern-day beliefs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFeaturing the most recent archaeological discoveries and stunning museum artefacts, this is a lively account of the concealed faiths of the ancient world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NewSouth Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47608167891180,"sku":"9781836391098","price":44.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/dc8c7f561b3f6da4141f3346e7ed9bc1.jpg?v=1778202905"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/damien-stone.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}