Ancient History: an on-line encyclopedia.

Facts on File. c2001. 0-line database. (www.fofweb.com/subscription). Call the On-line Sales Dept. at 800-322-8755 for pricing or more information. JSA

Drawn from 10 Facts on File publications, such as The Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt and Dictionary of Roman Religion, this on-line database surveys five ancient civilizations--Africa, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Mesoamerica. Beginning with the early Hominids of three to five million years ago and covering cultures up to 600 B.C., it offers subject entries on 6,600 events, places, and cultural developments, with more than 3,200 biographies and over 50 primary source documents. In addition, there are hundreds of photos and maps (many in color), along with charts, tables, timelines and Web links. Introductions to each civilization provide an overview, with links to articles. Entries are hyperlinked, and can be searched by era, topic, cultural group, or activity: "Warriors, Military Leaders and Rebels," for example. Searches or custom searches (by topic, era, keyword or title) are simple to do, and articles, ranging from a paragraph to several pages, are written in clear, easily comprehensible language, with citations and suggestions for further reading provided. Students will find a wealth of information here, on topics ranging from Cleopatra to African oral traditions to Roman deities to the expansion of the Aztec empire. From a teacher's point of view, it makes it easy to compare civilizations, too. This database's scope and ease of use make it an asset for any school or public library. Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT