Climate Change and Ancient Societies in Europe and the Near East: Diversity in Collapse and Resilience

This book explores the link between climate and society in ancient worlds, focusing on the ancient economies of western Eurasia and northern Africa from the fourth millennium BCE up to the end of the first millennium CE. It highlights the role of human agency and the complex interactions between the natural environment and the socio-cultural, political, demographic, and economic infrastructure of any given society.

Format: Hardback
Length: 623 pages
Publication date: 06 November 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Climate change has been a significant phenomenon over the past thousands of years, with its impact on past human societies being a subject of debate. This book delves into the intricate relationship between climate and society in ancient worlds, particularly focusing on the ancient economies of western Eurasia and northern Africa from the fourth millennium BCE to the end of the first millennium CE. By examining the historical context of these societies, the book seeks to contribute to the ongoing multidisciplinary debate between scholars from various fields, including climate science, history, and anthropology.

The book's chronological boundaries are set by the emergence of complex societies in the Neolithic period and the rise of early-modern states in global political and economic exchange. To facilitate comparison across modern periodization, the book concludes with an analysis of demography and climate change in early-modern and modern Italy, a society whose empirical data enables statistical analysis that is not possible for ancient societies.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of human agency in shaping climate and society. It emphasizes the complex interactions between the natural environment and the socio-cultural, political, demographic, and economic infrastructure of any given society. The book explores how human actions, such as land use, agriculture, and technological advancements, have influenced climate patterns and how these in turn have impacted social, economic, and political developments.

The book is intended for a wide audience of scholars and students interested in ancient economic history, particularly Rome and Late Antiquity. It provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the topic, covering key historical periods, economic systems, and social structures while also addressing the challenges and limitations of studying climate and society in the ancient world.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about climate change and its impact on past human societies. By exploring the complex relationship between climate and society in ancient worlds, it sheds light on the role of human agency and the intricate interactions between the natural environment and the socio-cultural, political, demographic, and economic infrastructure of any given society. It is a valuable resource for scholars and students interested in ancient economic history, climate science, and history more broadly.

Weight: 1038g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030811020
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021