Ancient Dark Age

The Dark Ages is the story of the birth of Western civilization. It was a harrowing crucible of war, destruction, and faith. For over 100 years, Charles Oman's famous history has remained one of the finest sources for the study of this period. Covering a period of 500 years and an area stretching from Northern Germany to Egypt, this is the definitive history that will alter your conceptions of a period of history that gave birth to the civilization we live in today.

Late one evening, en route to visit a relative, an accident leaves Tory - the attractive, twenty-something daughter of a prominent history professor – stranded near a ring of stones in Britain. Tory resolves to spend the night at the stone circle and seek help in the morning... But across the vortex of time and space, she is taken back to the Dark Age.

In The Fall of Rome, eminent historian Bryan Ward-Perkins argues that the "peaceful" theory of Rome's "transformation" is badly in error. Indeed, he sees the fall of Rome as a time of horror and dislocation that destroyed a great civilization, throwing the inhabitants of the West back to a standard of living typical of prehistoric times. Attacking contemporary theories with relish and making use of modern archaeological evidence, he looks at both the wider explanations for the disintegration of the Roman world and also the consequences for the lives of everyday Romans.

Prizewinning historian Chris Wickham defies the conventional view of the Dark Ages in European history with a work of remarkable scope and rigorous yet accessible scholarship. Drawing on a wealth of new material and featuring a thoughtful synthesis of historical and archaeological approaches, Wickham argues that these centuries were critical in the formulation of European identity. Far from being a middle period between more significant epochs, this age has much to tell us in its own right about the progress of culture and the development of political thought.

In this newly revised and expanded edition, updated throughout with recent developments, geologist Robert Schoch builds upon his revolutionary theory that the origins of the Sphinx date back much further than 2500 BCE and examines scientific evidence of the catastrophe that destroyed early high culture nearly 12,000 years ago. Weaving together a new view of the origins and antiquity of civilization and the dynamics of the planet we live on, Schoch maintains we must heed the megalithic warning of the past and collectively prepare for future events.

The culture and events of Greece were so influential they have a significant effect on modern-day people all over the world. The ancient Greeks gave birth to democracy, a political system frequently used and considered by some as the best form of government. Great minds from Greece also made incredible and vital discoveries such as the water mill, the basics of geometry and using medicine to cure illness. The ancient Greek philosophers laid the groundwork for a whole new field of thought and study.

He wasn’t the chosen one—he was the one who chose. On the fringes of a dying empire, fifteen-year-old blacksmith’s apprentice Erikson Gray discovers Lightbearer—a cursed blade of forgotten power. It whispers. It schemes. He hesitates… but takes it anyway. Pursued by enemies on all sides, Erik flees with outcast knights and broken thieves. But the blade’s voice grows louder. It feeds on doubt. Sharpens his need. Tests his resolve. As trust frays and loyalties rot, Erik must choose: forge his own path, or fall to the one the blade demands. Dawn of the Lightbearer begins Absolution...

Harald Sigurdsson has risen through bravery and glory in battle to become the commander of the legendary Varangian guard, the oath-sworn protector of the Roman throne in Constantinople; The wielder of the emperor’s axe. With the estranged Emperor and Empress consumed in a deadly palace war for sole control of the empire, Harald must somehow keep the peace. In a city where everything is taken by subterfuge, violence and deceit, what must an honourable man do to protect the empire from both its enemies and itself?

Glory Favors the Bold. Martius dreams of one day joining the legendary legions of the Belgadan Empire. He seeks to enlist as only a simple foot soldier, but the twists of war have another path for him. As he's thrown into the army's air cavalry and becomes a member of the famous gryphon riders, the empire's fearsome enemies mass on its borders. Martius's one chance at glory is here. With the help of veteran generals and his bond with a war gryphon, can Martius find his place in the legion and claim greatness? Or will the barbarians charging towards the gates of the empire overrun and ...

Survive the betrayal. Ignite the passion. Unleash the beast. Reap the dark. Welcome to my world—a world where trust is a double-edged sword and love can ignite the fiercest flames. My name is Calypso Violante. Former federal agent and dud. Dud. What the supernatural world calls regular humans. Those with no preternatural abilities. Former dud. That’s right. Now, I'm a panther shifter and a survivor. Shot by my traitorous partner, Nate, I'm left with a physical scar that runs as deep as the betrayal. But when Dominic, a brooding fire mage with secrets of his own, saves me, I find myself ...

Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan fighting for her family and a soldier fighting for his freedom. It's a story that's literally burning to be told. What if you were the spark that could ignite a revolution? For years Laia has lived in fear. Fear of the Empire, fear of the Martials, fear of truly living at all. Born as a Scholar, she's never had much of a choice.

Tamworth AD833 After successfully rescuing her husband from the Island of Sheppey, Icel hears the deathbed confession of Lady Cynehild which leaves him questioning what he knows about his past, as well as his future. In the unenviable position of being oath sworn to protect their two atheling sons when Lord Coenwulf is punished and banished for his treason against the Mercian ruler, King Wiglaf, Icel is once more torn between his oaths and the secret he knows.

The North is bleeding. The South is burning. And the boy with the cursed blade stands between salvation and ruin. Exiled and hunted, Erikson Gray carries the weight of two shattered legacies—Thorne and Zulikaarme. With Lightbearer at his side and the realm tearing itself apart, Erik must unite the North before the empire falls. But every alliance costs blood. Every triumph feeds the blade. And with each step, the line between prince and monster thins. In Highwater, Emperor Ivar descends into madness. The Red Clothes whisper treason. Rebellion spreads like fire. And the Circle of Knives ...

In the western hinterland of Roman Britannia, Meddi, the seeress of the Eorlingas tribe, can only obtain vengeance when her husband’s dead and her ancestral villa returned to her. With her brother, Madog, as leader, they unite and stand strong against those who seek the riches of their villa. They must harness the power of the lost magiks of iron to make weapons to mercilessly oppose those who seek to challenge and fight to rule.

When people think of ancient Greece, images of philosophers such as Plato or Socrates often come to mind, as do great warriors like Pericles and Alexander the Great. But hundreds of years before Athens became a city, a Greek culture flourished and spread its tentacles throughout the Western Mediterranean region via trade and warfare. Scholars have termed this pre-Classical Greek culture the Mycenaean culture, which existed from about 2000 to 1200 BCE, when Greece, along with much of the Eastern Mediterranean, was thrust into a centuries-long Dark Ages.

He would sacrifice anything to possess her, the girl he’d wanted for so long. Even if he has to break her, and himself, to keep her. Prince Damon has loved the dainty serving girl Lily since they were children. She was such a lovely little thing, and so willful. The child was prone to impertinence. Nobody made him smile more. The Prince watches and waits. When he reaches an age to own property, he asks for her. He has put off choosing his Royal Concubine until this moment. Just claiming her is not enough. He has to own her, body and soul. But the responsibility is challenging. Especially ...

King Arthur is probably the most famous and certainly the most legendary medieval king. From the early ninth century through the middle ages, to the Arthurian romances of Victorian times, the tales of this legendary figure have blossomed and multiplied. And in more recent times, there has been a continuous stream of books claiming to have discovered the "facts" about, or to unlock the secret or truth behind, the "once and future king". Broadly speaking, there are two Arthurs.

Seeress Meddi has been restored to her rightful position of influence within the Eorlingas tribe. But a heavy cloud hangs over the tribe's survival with the escape of the treacherous Elen who seeks to exact a bloody vengeance following Meddi's reinstatement and her downfall. Meddi knows Elen will return to settle the blood feud and the tribe must be ready to face this deadly threat with iron. Meanwhile, Wærmund, a warrior of Saxon descent, has escaped his enforced captivity and vows vengeance against his captors.

In the heart of the ancient Pine Ridge forest, a young guardian named Calvin is called by a mysterious Midnight Howl—a haunting summons that awakens a destiny beyond his wildest dreams. Bound by an ancient silver locket pulsing with magical power, Calvin joins a secret circle of protectors sworn to defend the forest’s sacred Heart Tree from encroaching darkness. As shadows rise from forgotten realms, threatening to consume all life, Calvin must face ancient evils, unravel cryptic prophecies, and discover the true strength of friendship, courage, and sacrifice. Calvin and the Midnight ...

A teenage orphan. A glowing Orb. A prophecy that could destroy—or save—a world. After a tragic accident in the woods, seventeen-year-old orphan David Bishop flees into the forest, consumed by guilt and fear. But what he finds there is no escape—only a glowing portal that drags him into a realm of magic, monsters, and prophecy. Hunted by the monstrous Wolf Guard and haunted by visions of war and ruin, David must confront the truth: the orb has chosen him. But why? And at what cost? As a dark army stirs and a forgotten power awakens, David is thrust into a war that will determine not ...