Description: This engaging volume critically examines previous theories of collapse of ancient complex societies and offers a new one, that of social hubris. The concept is evaluated through examination of ancient Egypt, Rome, Maya, and others.
Review Quotes:
"Across the first 12 chapters of his book, Why did ancient civilizations fail?, Scott Johnson focuses squarely on societies of the past: the Maya, Mesopotamia, Rome, Egypt, the Aztecs and Incas. His final chapter, however, turns to 'Where we are today'--or perhaps more accurately, what we should be doing today if we wish to avoid the same fate as earlier civilisations."-- Robert Witcher, Antiquity