Religion

Children's Literature - Jean Boreen

One of four books in a series centered on life in the Roman Empire, this entry focuses on religion and its manifestations within the empire. Chapters discussing the gods and goddesses, beliefs and ceremonies connected to those beings, and sacred places provide readers with the background of religion in the ancient world and the general impact it had on the population. Follow-up chapters that specifically deal with the roles of men and women within the various Roman religions reinforce that Rome was clearly a patriarchal society, although it is also clear that certain aspects of Roman religion, mainly in conjunction with Vestal Virgins and various holiday, allowed women some freedoms. Additional chapters discuss religious intolerance in connection with the Jews, the Christians, and those who followed Isis. Paintings and pictures of various Roman artifacts help to make the text come alive for younger readers. This is a great resource for middle and high school libraries, especially with its extensive glossary and lists of additional reading/resources about Rome and the Romans who inhabited the famous city.

Children's Literature - Karen Leggett

The journal of an ancient Egyptian priest recounts that "I passed four years in extreme childhood…I acted as a third prophet of Amon, during fifteen years…I was a good father to my serf-laborers." This series, "Life in Ancient Egypt," is sprinkled with such unusual, first-hand accounts of living in the Egypt of the Pharaohs. Each volume covers a separate aspect of life in ancient Egypt, specifically the New Kingdom from 1550 to 1050 B.C.E.—religion, the city, the countryside, and the Pharaoh's court. The volume on religion includes chapters on the Egyptian gods and goddesses, priests, women, temples and tombs, holidays, the life path to death and beyond, and religion as a way of dealing with the threat of chaos. It is handsomely illustrated with full-color tomb and temple paintings, with good captions that make sense of images that are often hard to comprehend. There is considerable detail about each topic, so the books would be useful for research papers. There is a good index, maps, glossary, and additional resources included in each book. For libraries or schools without a good series on ancient Egypt, this would be an excellent choice.

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9 - Dedicated to descriptions of daily life and culture, these colorful, inviting books focus on the period from 1550 B.C.E. to 1070 B.C.E., known as Egypt's New Kingdom. Distinguished by elegant design and high-quality reproductions, they offer numerous perspectives, including those of women, children, workers, and peasants. Quotes from ancient Egyptians usually illuminate the text, but their formal language might be difficult for younger readers. The chapters are broken up by more in-depth articles such as "A Note on Dates, Dynasties, and Names" and one on how to "Eat Like an Egyptian." Hinds's writing is solid, never shying away from challenging vocabulary, and quotations are meticulously documented. These books lend themselves to thorough reading rather than skimming for quick facts, and will be useful purchases for libraries supporting research on the culture of this ancient civilization.-Marcia Kochel, Olson Middle School, Bloomington, MN

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