This broad work covers world cultures from prehistory through the year 700 CE. Its three volumes stretch beyond the boundaries of the ancient world of Greece, Rome and Egypt to provide world coverage. The set begins with 20 overview essays which cover topics ranging from agriculture to writing systems. This is followed by alphabetically arranged essays on persons, cultures, wars, battles, documents or works, traditions or cultural phenomena, structures or artificats, places or sites, terms and groups or civilizations from 'Abd al-Malik through Zurvanism. The encyclopaedia contains guides for pronunciation, geography, word usage, and time lines.