Based on Bentley and Ziegler's best-selling, comprehensive survey text, Traditions & Encounters: A Brief Global History
provides a streamlined account of the cultures and interactions that
have shaped world history. An effective part structure organizes
developments into seven eras of global history, putting events into
perspective and creating a framework for cross-cultural comparisons,
while the strong themes of traditions (the formations and development of
the world's major societies) and encounters (cross-cultural
interactions and exchanges) bring focus to the human experience and help
turn the giant story of world history into something more manageable.
With an engaging narrative, visual appeal, extended pedagogy, and a
strong emphasis on critical thinking, this concise version offers
enhanced flexibility and affordability without sacrificing the features
that have made the complete text a favorite among instructors and
students alike.
Table of Contents
Part I: The Early Complex Societies, 3500 to 500 B.C.E. Chapter 1: The Foundations of Complex Societies The Transition to Agriculture The Quest for Order The Formation of a Complex Society and Sophisticated Cultural Traditions The Broader Influence of Mesopotamian Society The Indo-European Migrations Chapter 2: Early African Societies and the Bantu Migrations Early Agricultural Society in Africa The Formation of Complex Societies and Sophisticated Cultural Traditions Bantu Migrations and Early Agricultural Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa Chapter 3: Early Societies in South and East Asia Harapan Society The Indo-European Migrations and Early Aryan India Religion in the Vedic Age Political Organization in Early China Society and Family in Ancient China Early Chinese Writing and Cultural Development Ancient China and the Larger World Chapter 4: Early Societies in the Americas and Oceania Early Societies of Mesoamerica Early Societies of South America Early Societies of Oceania Part II: The Formation of Classical Societies, 500 B.C.E. to 500 C.E. Chapter 5: The Empires of Persia The Rise and Fall of the Persian Empires The Achaemenid Empire Imperial Society and Economy Religions of Salvation in Classical Persian Society Chapter 6: The Unification of China In Search of Political and Social Order The Unification of China From Economic Prosperity to Social Disorder Chapter 7: State, Society, and the Quest for Salvation in India The Fortunes of Empire in Classical India Economic Development and Social Distinctions Religions of Salvation in Classical India Chapter 8: Mediterranean Society under the Greeks and Romans Early Development of Greek Society Greece and the Larger World The Fruits of Trade: Greek Economy and Society The Cultural Life of Classical Greece From Kingdom to Republic From Republic to Empire Economy and Society in the Roman Mediterranean The Cosmopolitan Mediterranean Chapter 9: Cross-Cultural Exchanges on the Silk Roads Long-Distance Trade and the Silk Roads Network Cultural and Biological Exchanges along the Silk Roads China after the Han Dynasty The Fall of the Roman Empire Part III: The Post-Classical Era, 500 to 1000 C.E. Chapter 10: The Commonwealth of Byzantium The Early Byzantine Empire Byzantine Economy and Society Classical Heritage and Orthodox Christianity The Influence of Byzantium in Eastern Europe Chapter 11: The Expansive Realm of Islam A Prophet and His World The Expansion of Islam Economy and Society of the Early Islamic World Islamic Values and Cultural Exchanges Chapter 12: The Resurgence if Empire in East Asia The Restoration of Centralized Imperial Rule in China The Economic Development of Tang and Song China Cultural Change in Tang and Song China Chinese Influence in East Asia Chapter 13: India and the Indian Ocean Basin Islamic and Hindu Kingdoms Production and Trade in the Indian Ocean Basin The Meeting of Hindu and Islamic Traditions The Influence of Indian Society in Southeast Asia Part IV: An Age of Cross Cultural Interaction, 1000 to 1500 C.E. Chapter 14: Nomadic Empires and Eurasian Integration Turkish Migrations and Imperial Expansion The Mongol Empires After the Mongols Chapter 15: States and Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa Effects of Early African Migrations African Society and Cultural Development Islamic Kingdoms and Empires Chapter 16: Western Europe during the Middle Ages The Quest for Order and the Establishment of Regional States Economic Growth and Social Development European Christianity during the High Middle Ages The Medieval Expansion of Europe Chapter 17: World Apart: Beyond the Eastern Hemisphere States and Empires in Mesoamerica and North America States and Empires in South America The Societies of Oceania Chapter 18: Reaching Out: Cross-Cultural Interactions Long-Distance Trade and Travel Crisis and Recovery Exploration and Colonization
