Rhys Carpenter (1889–1980)

This book took me awhile to get through, but I think it was worth it. The major highlights are an overview of four major civilizations: Mesopotamia featuring primarily the Babylonians and Assyrians, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

The book is published by National Geographic, reprinting articles from 1941, 1944, 1946, and 1951. However, due to the subject matter, I didn't find that it read in a 'dated' manner.

The book is laid out with a section of text for each civilization, and then several paintings depicting various subjects, often common life. I think that the subject tended towards royalty or the well to do, but this is probably because the best record of these lifestyles were recorded. Often the painting would be a conglomeration of different topics into one picture to illustrate a point.… (more)