Bridging the Classical and Near East: A New Review of the Oxford Handbook of the Hellenistic and Roman Near East
We are pleased to share a recent review of The Oxford Handbook of the Hellenistic and Roman Near East by Céline Debourse (Harvard University), published by Bryn Mawr Classical Review.
Spanning from 323 BCE to the eighth century CE, the volume brings together 50 distinct essays to map the Near East under Hellenistic and Roman rule.
Debourse sees the handbook as a pivotal step toward a more cohesive understanding of ancient history. In her assessment, she emphasizes the work's success in bridging disciplinary divides:
"The Oxford Handbook of the Hellenistic and Roman Near East provides all the necessary materials for moving toward a more integrated history of the Near East under Hellenistic and Roman rule. The tremendous effort put into bringing this book into existence deserves immense credit. My hope is that it will prompt more conversation between scholars of the Classical world and the Near East to truly integrate these periods into Near Eastern history itself."
The review underscores the handbook's role as a foundational resource for scholars seeking a unified perspective on this complex era.
Read the full review here.
Read more about the handbook here.