{"title":"Philip Matyszak","description":"\u003cp\u003ePhilip Matyszak’s works delve into the rich tapestry of the ancient world, offering readers engaging explorations of Rome and Greece through vivid storytelling and meticulous research. His books illuminate the lives of iconic figures, the intrigues of sacred sites, and the fascinating myths that shaped classical civilisation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith a focus on \u003cem\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Military\u003c\/em\u003e alongside aspects of \u003cem\u003eReligion \u0026amp; Spirituality\u003c\/em\u003e, Matyszak brings to life the complexities of ancient cultures, making the distant past accessible and compelling for modern readers.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"a-history-of-ancient-rome-in-100-lives-by-philip-matyszak-9780500297056","title":"A History of Ancient Rome in 100 Lives","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiscover the lives of the ancient Romans, pieced together from inscriptions, discarded letters, biographies, and myth over two thousand years of history.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Roman empire witnessed a huge diversity of human experience over its history. At its pinnacle, it exerted its rule across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, from Britannia to the Black Sea. In this collection of 100 lives, Philip Matyszak and Joanne Berry give voice not only to famed rulers and generals whose names and deeds have been enshrined in classical texts but also to the ordinary citizens—centurions, scholars, Christian martyrs, and civil servants—who made up the fabric of Roman society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe biographies of these individuals, whose stories range from the happy and uneventful to the tragic and dramatic, are pieced together from ancient art, artefacts, and myths. Matyszak and Berry illuminate the sometimes surprising exploits of Rome's women, such as Amazonia, a sword-swinging gladiator, and Metila, a priestess of the cult of Cymbele. Romans of every class and creed are represented, from Faustulus, a shepherd said to have adopted the infant Romulus and Remus, to the poet Virgil, whose words still echo down the ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEach of these lives forms part of a larger picture, together making up a rich mosaic that gives us a glimpse of what it meant to be a Roman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA History of Ancient Rome in 100 Lives\u003c\/em\u003e offers a deeply rich exploration of the human stories that shaped an empire, providing a rare insight into the tapestry of Roman civilisation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46832211525868,"sku":"9780500297056","price":31.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2791423482366.jpg?v=1758371002"},{"product_id":"forgotten-peoples-of-the-ancient-world-by-philip-matyszak-9780500296943","title":"Forgotten Peoples of the Ancient World","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn overview of the lost peoples and cultures who flourished and fought for survival alongside the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond the Greeks, Romans and Hebrews of the Classical and Biblical eras, a rich diversity of peoples helped lay the foundations of the modern world. Philip Matyszak brings to life these cultures and individuals that made up the busy, brawling multicultural mass of humanity that emerged from the ancient Middle East and spread across the Mediterranean and Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe explores the origins of forty forgotten peoples, their great triumphs and defeats, and considers the legacy they have left to us today, whether it be in fine art or everyday language.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis carefully researched and illuminating history is the perfect introduction for the modern reader, packed with surprising facts and fascinating stories, detailed maps and beautiful illustrations of artefacts and sites of interest. \u003cem\u003eForgotten Peoples of the Ancient World\u003c\/em\u003e offers a new understanding of these important civilizations that have been obscured by the passage of time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46833010901228,"sku":"9780500296943","price":48.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2790293482366.jpg?v=1758426406"},{"product_id":"lost-cities-of-the-ancient-world-by-philip-matyszak-9780500025659","title":"Lost Cities of the Ancient World","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA fascinating tour of cities that have been lost to history, from the Neolithic period up to the late Roman Empire, offering a fresh new perspective on the roots of urban life.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe ruins of ancient Athens, Luxor, and Rome are familiar cornerstones of world history, visited by travelers from across the globe. But what about the cities that have dropped off the map - those submerged under water, or swallowed up by the sands of time? Where are they, and what can they tell us about our past? In this compendium of forgotten cities, Philip Matyszak explores the trials, tribulations, and triumphs they faced, revealing how people have embarked on the shared endeavour of living together since we first settled down 12,000 years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIllustrated throughout with important artefacts, ruins, and maps, \u003ci\u003eLost Cities of the Ancient World\u003c\/i\u003e brings to life the sites and settlements across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond that time forgot, from the sunken city of Ropotamo in the Black Sea to the deep cave dwellings of Derinkuyu in Turkey. Some have survived only in ancient literature, such as the lost city of Zoar by the Dead Sea, known from the Bible but not yet found. Others have been located, allowing archaeologists to trace their changing fortunes through centuries of occupation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMatyszak reveals a dynamic network of peoples and cultures who fought and traded between themselves, exchanging inventions, ideas, and philosophies, resulting in peoples as far apart as Çatalhöyük in Turkey and Skara Brae in the Orkney islands in Scotland sharing much of a common heritage. By examining the motivations that first drew people to gather and settle together, as well as the challenges that led to their cities' abandonment, this visually striking and often surprising book offers us a fresh perspective on our urban origins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46833264165100,"sku":"9780500025659","price":84.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/77453482366.jpg?v=1758449369"},{"product_id":"the-greek-and-roman-myths-by-philip-matyszak-9780500251737","title":"The Greek and Roman Myths","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWho was Pandora and what was in her famous box? Why is a brand of sportswear named after the goddess Nike? How did Achilles get his Achilles heel? What exactly is a Titan? And why is one computer virus known as a Trojan horse?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe myths of ancient Greece and Rome can seem bewilderingly complex, yet they are so much a part of modern life and discourse that most of us know fragments of them. This handy companion takes these fragments and weaves them into a comprehensible and enjoyable narrative, guiding you through the foundational stories of classical myth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Greek and Roman Myths\u003c\/em\u003e, by Philip Matyszak, explains the sequences of events and introduces the major plots and characters, from the origins of the world and the labours of Hercules to the Trojan War and the voyages of Odysseus and Aeneas. He brings to life an exotic cast of heroes and monsters, wronged women, and frighteningly arbitrary yet powerful gods. He also shows how the stories have survived and greatly influenced later art and culture, from Renaissance painting and sculpture to modern opera, literature, film, and everyday products.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePacked with intriguing facts and diverting stories, this carefully researched yet accessible guide is the ideal introduction to the myths and tales that lie at the heart of western culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith 95 illustrations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46848018055404,"sku":"9780500251737","price":67.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/f10c0e7bdaad99ef7bbff0c6b5e3a6ea.jpg?v=1758963934"},{"product_id":"ancient-magic-in-greece-and-rome-by-philip-matyszak-9780500026410","title":"Ancient Magic in Greece and Rome","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBestselling author Philip Matyszak explores how the Greeks and Romans used magic, who performed it - and why.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMagic was everywhere in the ancient world. The supernatural abounded, turning flowers into fruit and caterpillars into butterflies. Magic packed a cloud of water vapour with energy enough to destroy a house with one well-aimed thunderbolt. It was everyday magic, but it was still magical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePhilip Matyszak takes readers into that world. He shows us how to make a love potion or cast a curse, how to talk to the dead and how to identify and protect oneself from evil spirits. He takes us to a world where gods, like humans, were creatures of space and time; where people could not just talk to spirits and deities, but could even themselves become divine; and where divine beings could fall from - or be promoted to - full godhood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAncient Magic in Greece and Rome\u003c\/em\u003e offers us a new way of understanding the role of magic, looking at its history in all of its classical forms. Drawing on a wide array of sources, from Greek dramas to curse tablets, lavishly illustrated throughout, and packed with information, surprises, lore and learning, this book offers an engaging and accessible way into the supernatural for all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46848387907820,"sku":"9780500026410","price":36.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/84963482366.jpg?v=1758975406"},{"product_id":"ancient-rome-on-five-denarii-a-day-by-philip-matyszak-9780500293768","title":"Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is an informative and entertaining guide to everything that any tourist needs for a journey back in time to ancient Rome in AD 200. You need only pack your imagination and a toothbrush – this guide provides the rest, describing all the best places to stay and shop, what to do, and what to avoid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrought to life with wonderful computer-generated reconstructions of ancient Rome, this highly original, witty book will appeal to tourists, armchair travellers, and history buffs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46848388825324,"sku":"9780500293768","price":21.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2758543482366.jpg?v=1758975452"},{"product_id":"rome-before-rome-by-philip-matyszak-9780500028315","title":"Rome Before Rome","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhilip Matyszak\u003c\/em\u003e skilfully navigates the myths and legends of early Rome, exploring the enigmatic origins of the Romans and how the first seeds of a great empire were sown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'I sing of arms and the man,' wrote Virgil at the start of the Aeneid, one of Rome's most iconic origin stories exploring the tumultuous journey of Aeneas from Trojan prince to a hero of Rome. But did Aeneas actually flee from Troy? How did this story affect the Romans' perspective of themselves? And did they believe it?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eRome Before Rome\u003c\/em\u003e, Philip Matyszak explores the myths and legends, heroes and villains that shaped the Roman sense of self.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere are few books which explain how these different legends fit into Rome's overall narrative and none which explore the range of myths Matyszak describes. Some of the legends are well-known, from Romulus and Remus to the Rape of the Sabines, whilst others are more obscure, such as the story of the praetor Cipus, who grew horns and became a King of Rome. Whether renowned or unfamiliar, all are significant in their own way and have had a profound impact on the Romans. Even today, these myths continue to reverberate throughout Western culture as films, TV shows, and plays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMatyszak dissects these myths, investigating hard-to-find texts, such as the historical texts of Dionysius of Halicarnassus and Plutarch's Roman Questions, as well as classic texts like Livy's \u003cem\u003eFrom the Founding of the City\u003c\/em\u003e and Ovid's \u003cem\u003eMetamorphoses\u003c\/em\u003e, revealing that Rome's illustrious mythological past is not quite as it might seem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46849945501932,"sku":"9780500028315","price":65.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/cc3aaabf2d08ee1c2163f799a4a179b3.jpg?v=1759082632"},{"product_id":"the-enemies-of-rome-by-philip-matyszak-9780500297292","title":"The Enemies of Rome","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe gripping stories of the most colourful and formidable characters to challenge the might of Rome.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUntil recently, it was assumed that Rome carried the torch of civilisation into the barbarian darkness, bringing law, architecture, and literature to conquered peoples. The alternative view now suggests that many of Rome's enemies - the Celts, Hebrews, and Phoenicians, for example - were developing civilisations in their own right before obliteration at the Roman sword. Indeed, as Philip Matyszak argues, had Rome not crushed rivals so completely, the drop into the Dark Ages might not have occurred; at Rome's collapse, no other powerful civilisations remained to absorb the impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis engrossing book looks at the growth and eventual demise of Rome from the viewpoint of those vanquished by Rome. They varied from the highly cultivated Greeks and Egyptians to wild and rebellious Britons and Germans, to the Asiatic empires of the Persians and Parthians. Their leaders were driven by ambition, vindictive hatred, fear, political calculation, or naked greed. Some fought to preserve their heritage, some for personal survival, and others from a warrior's love of battle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDefying the might of Rome was a dangerous business, and few of the men and women described here died in their beds. Some, like Vercingetorix and Jugurtha, were captured, exhibited in triumph, and then, while their conquerors sat down to a festive dinner, killed in the dungeons below. Rather than face such an end, some of Rome's greatest adversaries, including Hannibal, Boudicca, and Cleopatra, killed themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHere is the reality behind legends such as Spartacus the gladiator, and the stories of Shapur the conqueror and Mithridates the connoisseur of poisons. Some enemies of Rome were noble heroes, others were murdering villains, but each has a unique and fascinating story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46850034467052,"sku":"9780500297292","price":36.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2793783482366.jpg?v=1759076777"},{"product_id":"the-gods-and-goddesses-of-greece-and-rome-by-philip-matyszak-9780500024188","title":"The Gods and Goddesses of Greece and Rome","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe essential illustrated guide to the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece and Rome, vividly retelling their stories and exploring their origins.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWho were the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece and Rome? What did they mean to the people who worshipped them? Although their time of widespread worship has long passed, the Greek and Roman gods have fascinated and inspired writers and artists for millennia. From Aphrodite to Apollo, Poseidon to Zeus, these are some of the most recognisable characters in Western culture, yet there is a much richer past behind famous paintings of the birth of Aphrodite or the bold iconography of Zeus and his thunderbolts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Greek and Roman gods are enthralling characters in the enduringly powerful \u003cem\u003eIliad\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eOdyssey\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eMetamorphoses\u003c\/em\u003e. They are immortal and powerful yet also vain, vindictive, and vulnerable. Moreover, as manifestations of death, fertility, love, and war, the gods are also our key to understanding how the Greeks and Romans saw their world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePhilip Matyszak presents this pantheon in all their complexity, guiding us from Mount Olympus to the depths of Hades. Each chapter focuses on an individual god or goddess, beginning with their 'biography' as understood by the Greeks and Romans and exploring the origins of the legends. Matyszak mixes history with vivid retellings of the myths in which the gods have a starring role, from stories of cosmic creation and universal war to disastrous weddings and freak discus accidents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis sumptuously illustrated guide to the gods of Greece and Rome is a must-have for anyone interested in mythology and classical civilisation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46850056192236,"sku":"9780500024188","price":72.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/85a2d5f23c73d957b219547c4f2cb9de.jpg?v=1759168725"},{"product_id":"the-greeks-by-philip-matyszak-9781780239002","title":"The Greeks","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is ancient Greece - but not as we know it. 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