Gardens and gardeners of the ancient world

Author(s)

Bibliographic Information

Gardens and gardeners of the ancient world

Linda Farrar

Windgather Press, 2016

  • : pbk

Other Title

Gardens and gardeners of the ancient world : history, myth & archaeology

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Note

Description based on 2020 printing

"First published in the United Kingdom in 2016. Reprinted in 2020 by Oxbow Books"--T.p. verso

Bibliography: p. [289]-292

Description and Table of Contents

Description

A beautifully illustrated book tracing the beginning of gardening and garden history, from Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, to the Minoans and Mycenaeans, Greeks, Etruscans and Romans, through Byzantine, Islamic and Persian gardens right up to the Middle Ages. It shows how gardens in each period were designed and cultivated. Evidence for garden art and horticulture is gathered from surviving examples of ancient art, literature, archaeology, actual period gardens that have survived the centuries and the wealth of garden myths associated with certain plants. These sources show which plants were chosen as garden worthy, their setting and the design and appearance of ancient gardens. Deities associated with aspects of gardens and the garden's fertility are featured - everyone wanted a fertile garden. Different forms of public and domestic gardens are explored, and the features that you would find there; whether paths, pools, arbours and arches, seating or decorative sculpture. The ideal garden could be like the Greek groves of the Academy in Athens, a garden so fine that it was comparable with that of the mythical king Alcinoos, the paradise contemplated by the Islamic world, or a personal version of a garden of Eden that Early Christians could create for themselves or in the forecourt of their churches. Generously illustrated with 150 images, with plant lists for each period, this is essential reading for everyone interested in garden history and ancient societies.

Table of Contents

Time Chart Preface Egyptian Gardens Gardens of Ancient Mesopotamia & the Near East Greek Bronze Age Gardens: Minoans and Mycenaean Greek Gardens and Groves Etruscan Gardens Roman Gardens Byzantine Gardens Islamic and Persian Gardens Medieval Gardens Conclusions Reconstructions of Period Gardens Bibliography Index

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