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A 'dynasty' is a family of rulers, who wielded power over a period of time as well as over a territory. Some are known by their geographical territory (Cappadocia, Baktria, Parthia), others by the name of their founder (Arsakids, Antigonids, Cerdings), others by their city (Athens, Syracuse, Damascus), or by the people they ruled (Visigoths, Vandals, West Saxons). Three major divisions have been imposed, apart from segregating the Roman Republican dynasties as a separate set. Several dynasties stand out as imperial, while others are civic, and these have been brought into separate parts of the Catalogue. This mammoth unique study of the ruling families of the ancient world known to the Greeks and Romans is a book of two parts. The first offers analysis and discussion of various features including the leading families and examines patterns, similarities and contrasts, categorises types of dynasty and explores common themes such as how they were founded and maintained, the role of women, and the various reasons for their decline. The second part is a catalogue of all known dynasties, over 150 of them, known to have existed between approximately 1000BC and AD750, from the Atlantic Ocean to Baktria, roughly modern Afghanistan. It gives genealogical tables and tells where and when they held power. And the whole forms a valuable study and reference to the families who ruled the Classical world. Of course it also covers usurpations, coup d'état, restorations, election, chieftains, complications and more. 512 pages, many tables.