Rise and fall of empires

"The Islamic empire... in the 7th century ... exercised influence over a large geographic area until its fall to Mongol invaders in the 13th century. The rulers, called caliphs, ushered in a new Islamic civilization with customs and practices both distinct from and partially influenced by those of the areas it conquered. The reigns of these caliphates, including the Abbasid caliphate, which presided at the time of the Islamic Golden Age, are surveyed [in this book and] ... readers will learn about the expansion of Islamic influence and the flourishing of scholarship in science, math, and more during this time"--Amazon.com.

Explores the history of the Roman empire, discussing its 500-years of advances in philosphy, governance, science and the arts and looks at how the empire eventually fell to its Visigoth invaders.

"Ruling from 1299 until 1922, the Ottoman Empire was one of the biggest and longest-lasting empires in history. Although weak leadership, a failing economy, and wars with neighboring Russia and other countries led to its decline, the empire left a lasting legacy for its arts, trade, government, and multiculturalism. This ... volume chronicles the rise and decline of the Ottoman Empire, including its beginnings in nomadic cultures, its toppling of the Byzantine Empire, and its peak under Sleyman the Magnificent, as well as the various conflicts in which it was often embroiled"--Amazon.com.

"Growing on the heels of the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire was in some ways a continuation of its predecessor, extending its history for another 1,000 years. With a new capital at Constantinople, however, it also had a distinctly Eastern character of its own. Readers are transported to Byzantium in this ... volume, which recounts the history of this brilliant and articulate civilization as well as the many cultural and architectural achievements it spawned before falling to the Ottomans in 1453..."--Amazon.com.

Discusses the history of the Ming Dynasty.