Writing Ancient History

At just over 5,000 years old, writing is actually a relatively recent invention. It has become so central to the way we communicate and live, however, that it often seems as if writing has always existed. But the question remains: Who invented writing, and why?In these 24 fascinating lectures, you'll trace the remarkable saga of the invention and evolution of "visible speech," from its earliest origins to its future in the digital age.

The Didache: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles - A Modern Translation of One of Christianity's Earliest Church Manuals Discover how the first Christians actually lived, worshipped, and organized their communities. The Didache, also known as The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, is one of the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament, dating from 50-120 AD. Written when some apostles may still have been alive, this document from the Apostolic Fathers provides a direct window into daily Christian life during the apostolic era. But most editions present this ancient text with ...

A compilation of rare works on the untold history and destiny of America by acclaimed occult writer Manly P. Hall. Writer and scholar Manly P. Hall (1901-1990) is one of the most significant names in the study of the esoteric, symbolic, and occult. His legendary book The Secret Teachings of All...

The Lost Gospels of Jesus What the Bible left silent, preserved in the stories early Christians told. Modern English. No academic jargon. Translated & explained for real readers. The Journey Through Four Parts The Childhood of Jesus What was God like as a toddler? The canonical gospels say very little about Jesus’ early years, these ancient texts tried to fill the silence. The Protoevangelium of James The Infancy Gospel of Thomas The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew The History of Joseph the Carpenter The Trial and Death of Jesus The governor’s reports to Rome. Alternative trial records, ...

Perhaps not surprisingly given how advanced they were in comparison to contemporaries, the Egyptians invented one of the first writing systems ever, and for centuries, people thought these ancient texts held some sort of secret, be it aliens, advanced technology lost to the world, or mystical cures for all of the world’s ills. Even the ancient Egyptians saw their writing systems as full of mystery and hidden knowledge - according to Egyptian mythology, writing was invented by the ibis-headed god Thoth, the most intellectual of the gods.

Following up on the first volume, The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament: Volume 2 takes up the challenge of providing a clear and useful guide to those wanting a better understanding of the Old Testament, including its cultural and historical background, as well as discussions on contentious topics like violence and genocide, and whether the Exodus was a real historical event. Volume two also covers the narrative of the Old Testament, from the conquest to the divided monarchy, and a brief history of Egypt to help situate the biblical text within agreed historical events.

Embark on a profound journey through early Christian history with "The Acts of Paul and Thecla," a contemporary English translation by Joseph R. Mason. This newly revised and extended third edition, published in March 2024, brings to life the inspiring tale of Thecla, a noblewoman who defied societal norms to embrace a life of faith and chastity. Thecla's story, originating from the second-century apocryphal Acts, portrays her transformation upon hearing the Apostle Paul's teachings. Renouncing her privileged status and fiancé, she faced persecution, miraculous deliverance from execution, ...

“Hail to you, O Thoth, in whom is the peace of the gods.” The Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts, Spell 9 In Thoth: The History of the Ancient Egyptian God of Wisdom, the author and researcher Lesley Jackson presents a comprehensive and wide-ranging study of this unique god spanning six millennia. Drawing on the latest archaeological and textual research, from magical papyri and stelae to statues and wall carvings, the author explores Thoth’s diverse functions including as god of writing, magic and wisdom, creator god, judge, healer, psychopomp, reckoner of time and lunar god. Developing ...

Introduction This volume is the distilled fruit of several hundred hours of concentrated research, textual comparison, and sustained prayer. It offers a disciplined, spiritually sober exploration of Enochic literature set alongside the canonical witness, designed to equip serious students of Scripture for faithful ministry and careful theological reflection. Scripture alone governs doctrine, yet historically attested extra‑biblical writings can illuminate the cultural, theological, and angelological horizons that shaped the biblical authors. The aim is twofold: to provide rigorous ...

A haunting dream that will not relent pulls author Kent Nerburn back into the hidden world of Native America, where dreams have meaning, animals are teachers, and the "old ones" still have powers beyond our understanding. In this moving narrative, we travel through the lands of the Lakota and the Ojibwe, where we encounter a strange little girl with an unnerving connection to the past, a forgotten asylum that history has tried to hide, and complex, unforgettable characters.

This famous work by Lucretius is a masterpiece of didactic poetry, and it still stands today as the finest exposition of Epicurean philosophy ever written. The poem was produced in the middle of first century B.C., a period that was to witness a flowering of Latin literature unequaled for beauty and intellectual power in subsequent ages. The Latin title, De Rerum Natura, translates literally to On the Nature of Things and is meant to impress the reader with the breadth and depth of Epicurean philosophy.

“You'll root for these creatures and their survival. A marvelous narration.”—Booklist “Paleontologist Riley Black’s vivid writing and Wren Mack’s wonderstruck narration make these vignettes of prehistoric life on Earth fascinating listening.”—AudioFile Winner, A Friend of Darwin...

In our modern age the biblical Genesis flood account has been probed and analyzed for answers to scientific, apologetic, and historical questions. It is a text that has called forth flood geology, fueled searches for remnants of the ark on Mount Ararat, and inspired a full-size replica of Noah's ark in a biblical theme park. Some claim that the very veracity of Scripture hinges on a particular reading of the flood narrative. But do we understand what we are reading? Longman and Walton urge us to ask, what might the biblical author have been saying to his ancient audience?

Is there evidence that people from other countries came to North America in the pre-Columbian era? Many books today say yes (Zuni Enigma, Maya Genesis, America B.C., Pale Ink, and many others). This book details a discovery of two engraved stones in the Angeles National Forest, and unique details about the site. The books explains the author's discovery, and his process of attempting to translate the marks on the rock, which he believed were linguistic. Eventually, many other unique features were found on this site which makes the site completely normal for a European ceremonial site, ...

The Dead Sea Scrolls remain one of the most remarkable archaeological and textual discoveries of the twentieth century, offering a rare window into the religious, cultural, and intellectual life of ancient Judaism. Hidden in the caves of Qumran for over two thousand years, these manuscripts illuminate the diversity, complexity, and devotion of a community grappling with questions of faith, law, and divine destiny. The scrolls include the oldest surviving copies of biblical texts, alongside unique sectarian writings, hymns, and commentaries, revealing a world where multiple interpretations ...

The Nile, like all of Egypt, is both timeless and ever-changing. In this audio, renowned Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson takes us on a journey downriver that is both history and travelogue. We begin at the First Nile Cataract, close to the modern city of Aswan. From there, Wilkinson guides us through the illustrious nation birthed by this great river.

Known to historians as "the First American," Benjamin Franklin is without a doubt the most accessible of America's founding fathers. His writings have inspired millions of Americans, and even now, more than 200 years after his death, his wit and humor still brighten lives all across the world. But what was this great man's view on faith? Was he really a Deist as so many historians have proposed? Was he a humanist like so many of his French friends? Is there any possibility that he could have been a Christian? In this unique volume, Bill Fortenberry has collected everything that Franklin ...

The fast-paced and “engrossing account” (The New York Times Book Review) of “one of the greatest breakthroughs in archaeological history” (The Christian Science Monitor): two rival geniuses in a race to decode the writing on one of the world’s most famous documents—the Rosetta Stone...

Cassiodorus: A Beginner's Guide: Legacy of a Roman Scholar Unlock the captivating world of Cassiodorus, a pivotal figure who bridged the gap between the classical past and the medieval future. This book is your gateway to understanding the life and legacy of a man whose contributions have shaped Western civilization. Step into a rich historical tapestry as you explore the life of Cassiodorus, a Roman statesman who seamlessly transitioned to a monastic scholar. His journey through the fall of Rome and the rise of medieval Europe is a tale of resilience, innovation, and enduring wisdom. ...

For over a millennium, there has been no documented evidence of Jesus writing anything for future generations or any personal correspondence written by his earthly hands. Today, however, a discovery of monumental significance is poised to be revealed to the world for the first time. Recorded over 2000 years ago by the Messiah's own hands. Protected and concealed for centuries. Many have waited for these treasured documents to be made public. But only one person knows the true message contained within the Jesus letters. "The Lost Writings of Jesus Christ'' is a richly crafted and powerful ...