About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their child shows a blossoming interest in archeology or asks big questions about how entire civilizations can simply disappear. It serves as a fascinating introduction to the Parthian and Sassanid Empires, focusing on the remarkable 'Pompeii of the Desert,' Dura-Europos. By exploring a city that was traded between Greeks, Romans, and Persians, the book highlights the fluidity of history and the endurance of human structures. It is ideal for 8 to 12 year olds who are ready to move beyond basic mythology into the concrete world of ancient geopolitics and engineering. Parents will appreciate how it fosters a sense of wonder about the hidden treasures buried beneath the earth and the resilience of cultural heritage across centuries.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book discusses conquest, sieges, and the deportation of populations. These are handled with a direct, secular, and matter-of-fact historical tone suitable for an educational context. The disappearance of the city is presented as an archaeological mystery rather than a tragedy.
