Reference Reviews

Doug’s Student Reference Room

Science, Technology and Warfare of Ancient Mesopotamia, by Don Nardo. 104 pp. Farmington Hills, MI: Lucent Books. ISBN 13: 978-1-4205-0102-5; ISBN 10: 1-4205-0102-X. $32.45

Science, Technology and Warfare of Ancient Mesopotamia chronicles the advancement of astronomy, mathematics, medicine, architecture, agriculture and the technologies of war. Of special note is the way the author builds a case through his narrative structure that as civilizations advance technologically, they inevitably turn their innovations toward warfare. Civilizations in this region ultimately developed “sleek, swift killing machines” as woodworking produced better wheels, horses were introduced into battle and chariots grew increasingly lighter, stronger and more maneuverable. Inevitably, says the author, the destructive technologies developed here were adopted by outsiders who eventually destroyed what was once a great civilization.