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Rating: 
Summary: A gem for late-blooming history buffs
Review: As a non-history student embarking on a journey into antiquity, I found Norman Cantor's "Antiquity" irresistibly handy. Packed with nuggets of information ranging from the dawn of civilization in the Nile and Tigris-Euphrates valley, to the rise of the Hellenistic and Roman empires to the development of ancient Judaism and Christianity, the book successfully compressed a year of history's work into a week of enjoyable reading.
The book provides food for thought in many aspects. According to Cantor, archaeological finds conducted to date have proven the Exodus in the Bible false. He even suggested that Saint Paul had not seen for himself Jesus in the flesh. Though controversial at times in his statements (which may not be bad after all, since it makes for a more stimulating read), Cantor generally presented the rise of ancient civilization in an objective manner.
I personally liked the way the book is organized. The first fifty pages give a general outline of antiquity, with the barest of information that any educated person should know. The second half of the book then delved into something more detailed and specific. Certain chapters, such as Ancient Judaism and the Civil Law, shone with Cantor's comprehensive treatment and novel insights, whereas others such as Christianity paled in comparison. Cantor attempted to use the dialogue between St. Augustine and Vincent to elucidate the essence of Christianity, but he certainly left the reader more bewildered then enlightened.
Nevertheless, the straightforward style of Cantor makes "Antiquity" a gem, for it does not assume prior knowledge of the civilization of the ancient world and hence makes it more `digestible' for non-experts. One of its kind in the market, Cantor's "Antiquity" certainly fills up the gap in introductory literature on Antiquity.
Rating: 
Summary: not what it's cracked up to be
Review: I bought this book on a whim as I was standing in line at a local bookseller's. I have to say I've come to regret the impetuosity of my purchase, for if I'd had more time to investigate the text, I probably wouldn't have picked it up. I'm a classicist and am not familiar with Cantor's work on the Middle Ages, but his research here on antiquity leaves much to be desired. The general reviewers are right to laud his "clear prose," but it is so clear as to make the reader feel at times like a middle schooler. This might make _Antiquity_ fine for a middle school audience's introduction to a phenomenally rich set of cultures, but for the many stark errors and sweeping generalizations the author makes. He dates the burying of Pompeii at 73 AD (a glaring mistake, as the eruption of Vesuvius occurred a full six years later). He counts Cicero as "the embodiment of the Stoic ideal and its prime disseminator," a statement with which Cicero surely would not have agreed; he considered himself an Academic. While he did study under some Stoics and argued for a Stoic approach to justice and natural law, his works codify contemporary Stoic doctrines and do not necessarily make new contributions to 1st century BC Stoicism. More stunning, he claims that Vergil was writing _The Aeneid_ "around 10 AD," whereas the poet had died nearly thirty years before. In the same segment, while discussing Rome's founding myths, he mixes together the stories of Aeneas and Romulus and Remus, implying that they are parallel and competing narratives -- in fact, Vergil's _Aeneid_ anticipates Romulus and Remus, but never tries to claim that Aeneas and the twins Romulus and Remus were hanging out together in Italy around 700 BC! These oversights, and many more with which I won't continue to bore you, may seem like petty and unimportant scholarly quibbles. But to have come from an NYU professor emeritus, they're fairly glaring. If you're looking for readability, this book certainly scores points. If you're looking for any semblance of accuracy, however, it's best to look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: don't waste your money
Review: I purchased this book hoping to reestablish my foundation in ancient and classical civilizations. I wanted a quick survey from which to pursue other more specific topics of interest. After buying the book I read the negative reviews posted here but decided to read the book and judge for myself. I wish I hadn't wasted my money.
First the positives. I found the chapters on the Egyptians and Romans interesting. I am no historian but the gross inaccuracies detailed by others below are concerning. It is difficult to enjoy a read when I must wonder about the accuracy of any given sentence. There end my positive remarks.
These worthwhile chapters are distracting because he jumps back and forth between centuries and topics without any clear organization. You will be in the 4th century BC in one sentence and then find that he has moved to the 1st AD at the end of the next sentence. Very distracting.
One very prominent theme throughout the book is Cantor's disdain for Christians and Jews. The following sentence describing the covenant between the Jews and God is indicative of his tone throughout.
"The covenant idea is the polar opposite of democracy, multiculturalism and ethnic equality. It is intensely elitist."
"The first millennium of Jewish history, as presented in the Bible, has no empirical foundation whatsoever."
I am not Jewish and I am no apologist, but Cantor clearly has an agenda and spends a great deal of this book describing Christians and Jews in condescending terms and uses every opportunity to bash people of faith. His presentation is so biased that it is distracting because one cannot take anything he writes at face value.
Others have pointed out that Cantor is out of his element with this period. I have not read any of his other books, but if his personal agenda colors his other histories with such fervor then I am not interested.
In the chapter "Christian Thought," he changes his style to account a fictional conversation between St Augustine and a contemporary. This chapter is so ridiculous that I wasn't able to finish. He succeedes in creating a ridiculously weak straw man for Christianity in his Augustine character. His agenda could not be more blatant in this chapter. It is grossly out of place in this self-described "analysis."
Others found the chapter on civil law to be of some interest but it is difficult to sift the wheat from the chaff since the layperson cannot tell what is historically accurate and what is not.
There are much better, more accurate and less biased surveys available for the periods and civilizations Cantor attempts to cover in this title. Look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: The Condensed Version
Review: I was really looking forward to reading this book, having read and learned much from Cantor's previous books on the Middle Ages. As for the present book, in Cantor's 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 Cantor's "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 everybody's bookshelf.
Rating: 
Summary: An absorbing and immensely readable overview
Review: I was really looking forward to reading this book, having read and learned much from Cantor's previous books on the Middle Ages. As for the present book, in Cantor's 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 Cantor's "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 everybody's bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: An absorbing and immensely readable overview
Review: Like all Norman Cantor's work, this book is extremely readable and it allows the mind to relax, and to put in order a wealth of information about immense subjects. My library and study are filled with books on details of ancient history, and how refreshing it is to pick up "Antiquity" and step back from the details and see through Cantor's eyes great patterns and great developments, to see relationships that have eluded me as I drown in specialized studies. The energy in Cantor's writing is always inviting. I don't agree with all Cantor's conclusions, but he teaches me things all the way through. And this book is particularly illuminating now when East and West are at war, and we are being compelled to learn about the East as never before, perhaps, in our lifetimes. We need scholars like Cantor who can and dare to make statements about the big picture. Anne Rice, New Orleans,La
Rating:
Summary: A Systemic View of Anitiquity
Review: 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 Cantor's 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 Cantor's 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
Rating:
Summary: A Systemic View of Anitiquity
Review: 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 Cantor's 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 Cantor's 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
Rating:
Summary: Shockingly inaccurate
Review: Shockingly Inaccurate
Norman Cantor has made his name primarily in medieval studies, and this seems to be his first popular foray into antiquity. Being a student of the ancient world, I was eager to see what a professor emeritus from NYU could further teach me about our shared heritage from Sumeria through Rome.
This book, frankly, an astonishing glance at exactly what passes for history these days. It should be called "The World According to Cantor." There is a wealth of information here, and I believe that reading any book contains value, but Cantor consistently botches dates, presents evidence in a misleading light, and asserts his own opinion as certain fact. A few glaring errors which pop out within just the first few chapters:
--Cavalry was not a factor in the Roman army until the 4th Cen. AD? Cavalry has been a major factor in battles for more than half a millennium before that.
--The blithely state that the Exodus has zero historical basis, while in fact the arguments both for and against the Exodus are strongly competing, substitutes personal bias for fact.
--Certainly Alexander spread created the Hellenistic world primarily on a Greek model, but to see "no evidence" that Alexander tried to form a multicultural society is ridiculous. Alexander forced his troops (much to their dismay) to take on Persian customs and even wives! And certainly his conquest of Egypt greatly affected him as well.
--The idea that Paul inserted Resurrection into the first generation of Christianity and that the followers of Jesus of Nazareth simply swallowed the idea wholesale is nothing short of laughable.
--Human beings did not arise 2.5 million years ago. That is when the hominid genus arose with Homo habilis. Anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) evolved 130,000 years ago.
--To say that humans reached Europe in 10,000 B.C. is a gaffe so obvious that even history undergrads must be taken aback.
--And on, and on. I hate to think what blatant errors exist within the sections which address subjects which I know even less about!
Cantor dismisses some arguments as "faith rather than history," and certainly one expects objectivity from a historian. But this book contains as many leaps of faith as any Torah, Koran, or Gita. Time and again he presents theories as certainties rather than arguments, and thus robs the reader of the true richness (and mystery) of the historical narrative that he is attempting to convey. Jewish readers may find his one-sided (and rather negative) view of Hebrew history to be particularly insensitive and oversimplified.
Read the book for what information you can lean from this seasoned scholar, but take everything with a large grain of salt. The entire work feels as if the author has an agenda -- or an axe to grind.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting and easily read but...
Review: This book is replete with so many errors that it approaches fiction. What the author does not know or misunderstands would fill many volumes.
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