Why Did Ancient Civilizations Fail? by Johnson, Scott A.J. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Page Why Did Ancient Civilizations Fail? Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Figures Preface

Note

Acknowledgements 1 Introduction: Social Hubris

Other Explanations of Collapse The Rest of This Book Notes

2 Why Agriculture?

Forms of Subsistence The System A Quick Caveat Systemic Failure Notes

3 The Environment

The Environment Is Not Just Weather: It Affects Everything Understanding the Environment’s Past The Environment as a System Linking the Environment and Human Activities Notes

4 Case Study: The Maya

The Maya Area and Environment Ancient Maya History and Culture The “Collapse” Defined Environmental Change and Degradation as One Destabilizing Factor Notes

5 Agricultural Systems

Increasing Production Storing Surplus Alternative Storage Solutions Notes

6 Case Study: Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia, Its Neighbors, and the Environment Ancient Mesopotamia History and Culture The Failure of Agriculture Agricultural Collapse as One Destabilizing Factor Notes

7 Trade Systems

Reasons for Trading Trade Systems Identifying Trade in the Archaeological Record Trade Integration Notes

8 Case Study: Rome

The Roman Heartland, Empire, and Environment Ancient Roman History and Culture Roman Trade and Its Instabilities Trade Collapse as One Destabilizing Factor Notes

9 Social Organization

Characterizing Social Systems Social Segments Social Integration Notes

10 Case Study: Egypt

The Egyptian Area and Environment Ancient Egyptian History and Culture The Failure of Social Organization in Ancient Egypt Social Collapse as One Destabilizing Factor in Ancient Egypt Notes

11 Unexpected Catastrophes

Natural Disasters: From Least to Most Predictable Human-Related Disasters: From Most Preventable to Least Notes

12 Case Study: Aztecs and Incas

The Aztec Areas and Environments Aztec History and Culture The Inca Areas and Environments Inca History and Culture Catastrophes and Conquest in the New World Catastrophes as One Destabilizing Factor Notes

13 Where We Are Today

Defining Our Goals and Guiding Principles The Environment Agriculture Social Systems Disasters Rethinking Civilization, Reframing Sacrifice, and Closing Thoughts Notes

References Index