This collection of historical sketches provides a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultures and societies of the Near East. From the ancient empires of Persia and Babylon to the Islamic caliphates of the Middle Ages, this book offers a comprehensive survey of Eastern history. Students of history and enthusiasts of Near Eastern culture will find this book to be a valuable addition to their libraries. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.