The Underworld Of The East

Round Trip to Hades in the Eastern Mediterranean Tradition explores the theme of visits to the underworld in the ancient Greek and Byzantine traditions from a broad perspective including written sources, iconography and archaeology.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "While the first book of this series introduced you to the characters and the fascinating world the author has created; this book brings the story to a whole new level." Family is more than blood; they're people you would shed blood for. East Greenwich is a town shrouded in secrets. A fact that Mercy is scarred emotionally and physically by. Since her Awakening and joining the coven, Mercy had to sever all ties her previous body harbored; including her feelings for Dorian and Caleb-so she could channel her full witch powers to protect the coven. It doesn't make them any less of a target when dark forces are baring their fangs in the shadows. When one of their own is attacked; the entire coven is prepared to track down the immortal-or mortal-responsible. A new vampire clan has made Providence their hunting ground; their leader is someone a little too close to home for Mercy. No one is safe. Even Angels fall. Bodies of the innocent are crowding the morgue. Tensions rise between them as they race to investigate the intentions behind this murderous killing spree. Mercy is far from the woman she used to be before her Awakening-shoulder to shoulder; she'll stand against this threatening darkness. For the coven; her family. Not all will survive the fight. As Elements align-strength and sacrifice combine. Author Notes & Disclaimer: Violence, mild language, non-graphic intimacy scene and attempted rape scene. This will be a three-book series. It is recommended to read book one, 'The Dark Awakening' before reading book two. Their final battle will conclude in book three, and will be released in the fall of 2019 or spring of 2020

An authoritative guide to the whole of the cradle of civilization.

The book is the volume of “The Religious History of the Yuan Dynasty ” among a series of books of “Deep into China Histories”. The earliest known written records of the history of China date from as early as 1250 BC, from the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC) and the Bamboo Annals (296 BC) describe a Xia dynasty (c. 2070–1600 BC) before the Shang, but no writing is known from the period The Shang ruled in the Yellow River valley, which is commonly held to be the cradle of Chinese civilization. However, Neolithic civilizations originated at various cultural centers along both the Yellow River and Yangtze River. These Yellow River and Yangtze civilizations arose millennia before the Shang. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest civilizations, and is regarded as one of the cradles of civilization.The Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC) supplanted the Shang and introduced the concept of the Mandate of Heaven to justify their rule. The central Zhou government began to weaken due to external and internal pressures in the 8th century BC, and the country eventually splintered into smaller states during the Spring and Autumn period. These states became independent and warred with one another in the following Warring States period. Much of traditional Chinese culture, literature and philosophy first developed during those troubled times.In 221 BC Qin Shi Huang conquered the various warring states and created for himself the title of Huangdi or "emperor" of the Qin, marking the beginning of imperial China. However, the oppressive government fell soon after his death, and was supplanted by the longer-lived Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). Successive dynasties developed bureaucratic systems that enabled the emperor to control vast territories directly. In the 21 centuries from 206 BC until AD 1912, routine administrative tasks were handled by a special elite of scholar-officials. Young men, well-versed in calligraphy, history, literature, and philosophy, were carefully selected through difficult government examinations. China's last dynasty was the Qing (1644–1912), which was replaced by the Republic of China in 1912, and in the mainland by the People's Republic of China in 1949.Chinese history has alternated between periods of political unity and peace, and periods of war and failed statehood – the most recent being the Chinese Civil War (1927–1949). China was occasionally dominated by steppe peoples, most of whom were eventually assimilated into the Han Chinese culture and population. Between eras of multiple kingdoms and warlordism, Chinese dynasties have ruled parts or all of China; in some eras control stretched as far as Xinjiang and Tibet, as at present. Traditional culture, and influences from other parts of Asia and the Western world (carried by waves of immigration, cultural assimilation, expansion, and foreign contact), form the basis of the modern culture of China.

Concepts of heaven and hell are among the oldest, most widespread religious beliefs in history. In Western literature, they are frequently embedded in stories of underworld explorations and celestial journeys--stories examining the nature of the universe, life on earth and the existence of the gods. The author analyzes tales of wonder in both ancient and medieval European literature. Other-worldly narratives appeared in literary contexts in the ancient world, including mythology, poetry and philosophical writings. In medieval times, they remained a popular form of literary expression. These stories are primarily religious in nature, describing fantastic worlds filled with miracles and supernatural beings.