100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

Overnight NZ-wide delivery on in-stock orders πŸš€

Civilisations: How Do We Look / The Eye of Faith

Series: Civilisations
3.68 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 2,820 ratings, 400 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Civilisations: How Do We Look / The Eye of Faith by Professor Mary Beard explores the emergence of the human figure in art and the evolving concept of beauty across ancient cultures. Beginning with the Jericho painted skulls from 10,000 years ago and the unique figures of Ain Ghazal, Beard traces artistic creativity that shaped identities in ancient Egypt, highlighting both colossal rulers and everyday citizens. The journey continues with the Greek artistic revolution, where idealised human forms set enduring standards, influencing Roman sculpture. The narrative concludes in China with the Terracotta Army of the first emperor and the poignant figure of Monk Wuxia, a mummified Buddhist monk.
Read More
Format: Hardback
$3999
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book will appeal to readers interested in arts, history, and cultural studies, particularly those fascinated by the development of human representation in art and its cultural significance across different civilisations.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Companion to the BBC series CIVILISATIONS, screening on SBS from December 2018.

Companion to the BBC series CIVILISATIONS

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Focusing on the arrival of the human figure as a subject of art, Mary Beard examines the history of beauty in civilisation.

Beginning with the Jericho painted skulls from 10,000 years ago, and the extraordinary figures of Ain Ghazal, it examines in depth the creativity that gave identity to ancient Egypt, where colossi of powerful rulers were also matched by the depictions of citizens and the wider population.

From there, we explore the unprecedented art of the Greek revolution, where beauty and the perfection of the human figure set a benchmark for all Western art to come, and profoundly influenced the flowering of human sculpture in Rome.

Finally, it moves to China to examine the vast army of Terracotta Warriors commissioned by the first emperor, and ends with the unexpected figure of Monk Wuxia, a mummified Buddhist monk created from the body of the monk himself.

Series: Civilisations

View all
  • Civilisations: How Do We Look / The Eye of Faith
    'The reigning Queen of Classics' - Spectator 'Mary Beard is the best in the business' - Dan Snow 'Excellent' - Guardian 'Enthralling' - Sunday Times Britain's most famous classicist asks: what are civilisations? Central to this huge question are the ways in which we have depicted the human and the divine from prehistory to the present day. Across such iconic...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Civilisations: How Do We Look / The Eye of Faith
    Focusing on the arrival of the human figure as a subject of art, Mary Beard examines the history of beauty in civilisation. Beginning with the Jericho painted skulls from 10,000 years ago, and the extraordinary figures of Ain Ghazal, it examines in depth the creativity that gave identity to ancient Egypt, where colossi of powerful rulers were also matched by...
    Hardback
    $3999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781781259993

Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 01 March 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Profile Books Ltd

Edition: Main

Illustration: Fully illustrated throughout

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 148.0mm

Height: 218.0mm

Weight: 670g

Pages: 240

About the Author

Mary Beard is a professor of classics at Newnham College, Cambridge, and the classics editor of the TLS. She has world-wide academic acclaim. Her previous books include the bestselling, Wolfson Prize-winning Pompeii, The Parthenon, Confronting the Classics and SPQR and Women and Power. Her blog has been collected in the books It's a Don's Life and All in a Don's Day. She is in the 2014 top 10 Prospect list of the most influential thinkers in the world.

Find her on Twitter @wmarybeard

Also by Professor Mary Beard

View all
  • Emperor of Rome
    The Sunday Times Top Ten & New York Times Bestseller Blackwell's Non-Fiction Book of the Year Shortlisted for the Waterstones Book of the Year 2023 Extraordinary ... a deliciously varied tapestry of detail drawn from across nearly three centuries – Telegraph What was it really like to rule and be ruled in the Ancient Roman world? In her international best-seller...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Pompeii
    Pompeii by Professor Mary Beard offers a fascinating exploration into the life and catastrophic death of an ancient Roman town. Drawing on a wealth of archaeological evidence and classical sources, Beard breathes new life into the ruins, revealing the day-to-day experiences of its residents, the vibrancy of its streets, and the mechanisms of its sudden obliteration. In this groundbreaking work,...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Pompeii
    Pompeii explodes a number of myths – from the very date of the eruption, probably a few months later than usually thought; the hygiene of the baths, which must have been hotbeds of germs; and the legendary number of brothels, most likely only one, to the massive death count, which was probably less than ten per cent of the population....
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    Backorder
    Ships mid August
  • Emperor of Rome
    Cruel control freaks, diligent workaholics or extravagant teenagers? What were the emperors of Rome really like? In her international best-seller SPQR, Mary Beard told the thousand-year story of ancient Rome. Now, she shines her spotlight on the emperors who ruled the Roman empire, from Julius Caesar (assassinated 44 BCE) to Alexander Severus (assassinated 235 CE). Emperor of Rome is not...
    Hardback
    $6800
    Elsewhere:
    $7500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • SPQR
    Ancient Rome continues to captivate modern readers, and its history is crucial for understanding the foundations of Western civilisation. In SPQR by Professor Mary Beard, one of the world's foremost classicists delves deep into the history of Rome, offering a comprehensive and captivating exploration of this extraordinary empire. This authoritative work traces the evolution of Rome from its humble beginnings...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $3299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Colosseum
    The Colosseum was Imperial Rome's monument to warfare. Like a cathedral of death, it towered over the city and invited its citizens, 50,000 at a time, to watch murderous gladiatorial games. It is now visited by two million visitors a year (Hitler was among them). Award-winning classicist Mary Beard, together with Keith Hopkins, tells the story of Rome's greatest arena:...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • All in a Don's Day
    Her central themes are the classics, universities and teaching - and much else besides. In this second collection following on from the success of It's a Don's Life, Beard ponders whether Gaddafi's home is Roman or not. We share her 'terror of humiliation' as she enters 'hairdresser country' and follow her dilemma as she wanders through the quandary of illegible...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • It's a Don's Life
    Mary Beard's by now famous blog It's a Don's Life has been running on the Times Literary Supplement website for nearly three years. In it, she has made her name as a wickedly subversive commentator on the world in which we live. Her central themes are the classics, universities, and teaching - and much else besides. What are academics for?...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Women & Power
    Britain's best-known classicist, Mary Beard, is also a committed and vocal feminist. With wry wit, she revisits the gender agenda and shows how history has treated powerful women. Her examples range from the classical world to the modern day, from Medusa and Athena to Theresa May and Hillary Clinton. Beard explores the cultural underpinnings of misogyny, considering the public voice...
    Paperback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Parthenon
    The ruined silhouette of the Parthenon on its hill above Athens is one of the world's most famous images. Its 'looted' Elgin Marbles are a global cause celebre. But what actually are they? In a revised and updated edition, Mary Beard, award-winning writer, reviewer, and leading Cambridge classicist, tells the history and explains the significance of the Parthenon, the temple...
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Confronting the Classics
    Mary Beard is one of the world's best-known classicists β€” a brilliant academic, with a rare gift for communicating with a wide audience both through her books and TV presenting. In a series of sparkling essays, she explores our rich classical heritage β€” from Greek drama to Roman jokes, introducing some larger-than-life characters of classical history, such as Alexander the...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    Backorder
    Ships mid August
  • New Release
    Talking Classics
    From the bestselling author of Emperor of Rome and SPQR "The rock star scholar of Ancient Rome" – Financial Times "The reigning Queen of Classics" – Spectator What's exciting about a piece of bread 4,000 years old? Or some pots of paint abandoned in the eruption at Pompeii? Why should we be bothered with the distant past anyway? What's the...
    Hardback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today

More from Arts & Culture

View all
  • Dylan's Pick
    Bold Types
    A tribute to 32 truly independent bookshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, from north of Auckland down to Dunedin, and coast to coast. Jane Ussher's photographs show every bookstore in its unique nature - including behind the counter, smoko rooms, the mess which tells the hardworking story behind the joy of matching books with customers. Jemma Moreira's careful editing has crafted...
    Hardback
    $5500
    Elsewhere:
    $7000
    Available
    Ships in 1 week
  • Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    New Release
    Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...
    Hardback
    $4499
    Elsewhere:
    $5299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • This Angry Pen of Mine
    This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley invites you to dive into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice behind Alice in Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more. Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the...
    Hardback
    $7299
    Elsewhere:
    $8999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • They Bloom Because of You
    Bestselling author and Instagram sensation Jessica Urlichs returns with a new collection of beautifully observed poems about the ever-evolving journey of motherhood - the hard, the magic and the fleeting. β€˜A raw and honest read that makes you feel seen and understood in a way that will bring you to tears.’ - Hilary Swank β€˜A book to keep close and...
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3600
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Leaves of Grass
    A collectible new Penguin Classics series offers beautiful, slim, clothbound editions of ten favourite poets. In 1855, Walt Whitman published his first collection of poetry, Leaves of Grass. The volume received great praise from leading Transcendentalist poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. This encouragement led to what would become a lifelong project, as Whitman expanded and rewrote the volume until his death...
    Hardback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Great Writers and the Cats who Owned Them
    Throughout history, cats and writers have bonded together in a magical combination of comfort, companionship and inspiration. The famous authors featured here range from Samuel Johnson, whose cat Hodge dined on oysters, and Edward Lear, whose charismatic cat Foss was missing half his tail, to Margaret Mitchell, L. M. Montgomery and Dorothy L. Sayers, who rescued her kitten Blitz from...
    Hardback
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Beautiful Chaos
    The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller Selected poems from bestselling author and Instagram poet, Jessica Urlichs. 'These words awaken the magic of life by celebrating the ordinary.' - Giovanna Fletcher Motherhood is messy and beautiful, and hard and humbling. We adore our children and sometimes we miss ourselves. Beautiful Chaos is a collection of raw, honest poems about motherhood, capturing everything...
    Paperback
    $2900
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Odyssey
    Composed at the rosy-fingered dawn of world literature almost three millennia ago, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty and power; about marriage and family; about travellers, hospitality, and the yearning for home. This fresh, authoritative translation captures the beauty of this ancient poem as well as the drama of its narrative....
    By Homer
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • To the Women - The New Collection of Wise Words Every Woman Needs
    THE COMPLETELY UPDATED COLLECTION WITH OVER 70 BRAND NEW POEMS, FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES NO.1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF WILD HOPE AND WORDS TO LIVE BY 'Amazing . . . Donna's words speak to my heart' Davina McCall To the Women is a celebration of the beauty, strength, and joy of being a woman. A love letter to our deep capacity...
    Hardback
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Wreck This Journal: Now in Colour
    The creative journey continues with Wreck This Journal: Now in Colour by Keri Smith, the latest and most vibrant edition of the groundbreaking series that redefined journaling. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this edition brings the playful destructiveness of the original to life in dazzling full colour, adding a dynamic new dimension to the beloved prompts. Whether you're a seasoned Wreck-er,...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • A Thousand Feasts
    THE INSTANT #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER From award-winning writer Nigel Slater, comes a new and exquisitely written collection of notes, memoir, stories and small moments of joy. 'Nigel Slater’s prose is the rarest delicacy of all: exquisite yet effortless, filled with heart, tenderness, yearning and humour' ELIZABETH DAY For years, Nigel Slater has kept notebooks of curiosities and wonderings, penned...
    Paperback
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Did I Ever Tell You This?
    In this unexpected memoir, written in a creative burst of just a few months in 2022, Sam Neill tells the story of how he became one of the world’s most celebrated actors, who has worked with everyone from Meryl Streep to Isabel Adjani, from Jeff Goldblum to Sean Connery, from Steven Spielberg to Jane Campion. By his own account, his...
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.