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The routes through the Eastern Desert of Egypt were critical during the Roman Empire for the distribution of trade goods from the east; the roads that led from the ports of Myos Hormos and Berenike to the Nile emporium of Koptos were especially well travelled by caravans carrying valuable imports and exports. Along both of these roads watering stations, hydreumata, provided protection and respite for travelers. An examination of these stations, taken from archaeological evidence and written sources, provides insight into an additional function of the route from Myos Hormos to Koptos that the Berenike route did not fulfill—namely, that it acted as an internal limes within the desert that was meant to deter bandits and marauders from causing civil unrest. A successful show of force such as this was an effective way for the Empire to protect its revenue stream in a potentially unstable province.

Over the past few decades, there has been a dynamic world-wide societal shift away from traditional routes for finding a partner and establishing intimate relationships. This multidisciplinary volume investigates the impact of online dating and the role of technology in relationship formation; the nature of cohabitation and its relative meaning with marriage; assortative mating patterns; the role of parents and siblings in the selection of a partner; gender and sexuality within dating and mating; evolving forms of non-traditional marriage; the interplay of personality and sociodemographic traits within partner selection; and the role of race, ethnicity, and religion in dating and mating. Together, this collection provides a unique and truly global collection of research on the nature of dating, mating, and coupling, as they occur across a variety of cultures.

Intro -- Contents -- Foreword -- Introduction -- Preface -- Dawson's Table of Contents -- Part I -- I. Sociology and the Idea of Progress -- II. History and the Idea of Progress -- III. Anthropology and the Theory of Progress: The Material Foundations of Culture -- IV. The Comparative Study of Religions and the Spiritual Element in Culture -- Part II -- V. Religion and the Origins of Civilization -- VI. The Rise of the World Religions -- VII. Christianity and the Rise of Western Civilization -- VIII. The Secularization of Western Culture and the Rise of the Religion of Progress -- IX. The Age of Science and Industrialism: The Decline of the Religion of Progress -- X. Conclusion -- Bibliography -- Index of Proper Names.

While rituals surrounding death may vary by geography, culture, and time, experiencing the loss of a loved one is a universal experience. Death has become a focal point during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, forcing many to unexpectedly confront the profound and enduring reality of loss. Understanding death from a multidisciplinary approach, Facing Death compiles contributions from across fields, methodologies, locations, cultures, and circumstances. Facing Death explores beyond loss solely on an individual level, considering instead helpful or harmful emotional reactions from others. Delving into how older adults who experience loss may find themselves without a support system, while those at a young age might find that their peers do not understand or know how to support them in their bereavement, the authors also consider how causes of death can also affect grieving loved ones on a personal and societal level. For example, how might death by suicide complicate the grieving process as family and friends not only have to contend with the loss itself, but also the associated stigmas and judgements surrounding suicide? How might individuals experience fear and anxiety about death during a prolonged illness? Exploring responses to familial illness and death, this edited collection is a detailed investigation of the subject for any scholar interested in discussions and decisions surrounding end of life care and the grief trajectory after loss.