Ancient Greece

by Mike Paine

Western civilization began with the Greeks. From the highpoint of the 5th century BC through the cultural triumphs of the Alexandrian era to their impact on the developing Roman empire, the Greeks shaped the philosophy, art, architecture, and literature of the Mediterranean world. Beginning with the Homeric period, once believed to be a realm of myth, Paine takes the reader on a journey through more than 12 centuries of Greek culture. He shows what archaeologists have revealed of the Trojan Wars and Mycenae, outlines the glories of Athens at its height, and provides a gripping narrative of the struggle between the Greeks and the mighty Persian empire. The guide also highlights the careers of great political and military leaders, such as Pericles and Alexander the Great, and explores the importance of great philosophers, including Plato and Aristotle. Dramatists and demagogues, stoics and epicureans, aristocrats and helots all take their place in the unfolding story of Greek achievement.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Greece

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Straw · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly little random summary of thousands of years

[Andrew Ives · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very pleasant little volume, in appearance and layout. Paine's writing is accessible and flowing, but this book only really serves as an introduction to Greek history as it covers a wide timespan, full of activity, in not very many chapters or pages. The first 70% of the book is fine that way, and invites readers to research further on the larger, specific events. Towards the end though, so many names and battles are flung at the reader with every line, taking in Rome, Egypt, Syria, Carthage and all over, that it feels almost a chaotic 'rushed ending'. For all that, I quite enjoyed it and would certainly recommend this book as an introduction or to readers with only a superficial interest in regional history. 4.25/5

[Amanda Robson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally very useful for giving a timeline and key players, but occasionally drifts into too much detail, like maybe it is an srea the author is particularly keen on. At this point the names of people never before mentioned will be thrown as though the reader knows exactly who they are.

[Keith E.R.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief introduction to Ancient Greece, basic summary and information of the 3 main periods of ancient Greece and the basic introduction of the main figures and characters.