AIA-Nashville Society Book Club: 1177 B.C. A Graphic History of the Year Civilization Collapsed
Join us for a free Parthenon Book Club meeting on Monday, February 3, at 6 PM. This event is free and open to the public with RSVP.
THIS QUARTER’S BOOK SELECTION:
We will be discussing the graphic novel 1177 B.C. A Graphic History of the Year Civilization Collapsed illustrated by Glynnis Fawkes, a translation in comics of Eric H. Cline’s bestselling 1177 B.C. Reserve your seat with a free RSVP.
Looking to purchase the book? Head over to Parnassus Books and mention the Archaeological Institute of America-Nashville Society book club at the Parthenon for a 10% discount.
RSVP required. Mention “Book Club” at the Ticket Counter, receive free admission, then proceed to the Treasury on Level 2 for the friendly, informal discussion.
ABOUT THE BOOK: 1177 B.C. A Graphic History of the Year Civilization Collapsed illustrated by Glynnis Fawkes
“1177 B.C. is a spectacular achievement—deftly adapted, beautifully drawn, and captivatingly colored by Glynnis Fawkes. . . . [She] doesn’t just bring history alive, she propels it across the page in an accessible, gripping way.” —Alison Bechdel, New York Times bestselling author of Fun Home
Eric Cline’s 1177 B.C. tells the story of one of history’s greatest mysteries: what caused the ancient civilizations of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean to collapse more than three thousand years ago, bringing the Late Bronze Age to an abrupt end? In this vivid and captivating full-color graphic adaptation of the landmark book, author-illustrator Glynnis Fawkes invites us to follow two young friends living in the aftermath of the cataclysm as they unravel why it happened—and reveal important lessons for today’s interconnected and vulnerable world.
Pel, a member of the marauding Sea Peoples, and Shesha, an Egyptian scribe, visit the kingdoms of the Minoans, Mycenaeans, Hittites, Canaanites, Assyrians, and Egyptians to explore the calamities that brought them down. This graphic history depicts the people, events, art, architecture, and lands that Pel and Shesha encounter. We witness the Sea Peoples’ battles on land and sea, earthquakes on the Greek mainland, droughts and famine in Anatolia, invasions in north Syria, and possible rebellions in Canaan. Along the way, we also learn about the assassination of a Hittite prince traveling to marry an Egyptian queen, the sinking of a merchant ship laden with international goods, and the return of a pair of sandals to Crete by the Babylonian king Hammurabi.
An entertaining adventure story, this dazzling comic is also historically accurate and enlightening, inviting readers of all ages to think about the surprising factors and theories that explain why societies, whether ancient or modern, die or survive when struck by catastrophes.
2025 BOOK CLUB DATES:
Monday, May 5, 2026 - The Last Painting of Sara de Vos: a novel by Dominic Smith
Monday, August 4, 2025 - Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters by Emily Roberson
Monday, November 3, 2025 - The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Wallace Johnson
BOOK CLUB SPONSOR: AIA-Nashville Society
The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) promotes archaeological inquiry and public understanding of the material record of the human past to foster an appreciation of diverse cultures and our shared humanity. The AIA supports archaeologists, their research and its dissemination, and the ethical practice of archaeology. The AIA educates people of all ages about the significance of archaeological discovery and advocates for the preservation of the world’s archaeological heritage. Learn more.
ADDITIONAL BOOK CLUB SPONSORS:
Centennial Park Conservancy
Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation
PREVIOUS AIA-NASHVILLE SOCIETY BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS:
Pericles and Aspasia byYvonne Korshak — discussed November 2024
The Art of the Con: The Most Notorious Fakes, Frauds, and Forgeries in the Art World by Anthony M. Amore — discussed August 2024
Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes — discussed May 2024
Digging For Richard III: The Search for a Lost King by Michael W. Pitts — discussed February 2024
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood — discussed November 2023
Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips — discussed August 2023
Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker — discussed May 2023
Circe by Madeline Miller — discussed February 2023