Great Civilisations is a richly illustrated reference book published by Parragon Books, first released in 1999 with several updated editions over the following years. It offers a broad overview of the rise and fall of many of the world's most influential civilizations, making it an engaging introduction to world history rather than an academic textbook.

The book traces the development of civilizations from ancient times through the medieval era, covering cultures such as Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Persia, China, the Maya, the Aztecs, the Incas, and many others. It explores their political systems, rulers, military campaigns, religious beliefs, scientific achievements, architecture, art, trade, and everyday life, explaining how these societies shaped the modern world.

Designed as an accessible reference, each chapter combines concise historical explanations with timelines, maps, photographs, illustrations, and fact boxes. Rather than focusing deeply on a single civilization, the book presents a panoramic survey, helping readers compare different cultures and understand their contributions to human history. Its clear writing and visual presentation make it suitable for students, history enthusiasts, and general readers.

Although comprehensive in scope, Great Civilisations is intended as an introductory guide. Readers seeking detailed scholarly analysis of individual civilizations will need more specialized works, but as a visually engaging overview, it succeeds in presenting thousands of years of world history in an approachable format.