20 Best Books On Ancient Greece (2023 Update)

This text is a challenging work on ancient history and should be of interest to historians of the greco-roman world. it combines sociological acumen with solid historical craftsmanship, to provide an insightful account of the major institutions, social groups and historical developments of some 1400 years of graeco-roman civilization.

Roman and travel through time to visit the most interesting civilizations throughout history in the first four books of her new series. learn what kind of food you might eat in ancient greece, the type of clothing you might wear what your name could be, and what children in the olden days did for fun. if you were me and lived in…does for history what her other award-winning series did for culture. so get on-board this time-travel machine and discover the world through the eyes of a young person just like you.

Mythos is a modern collection of greek myths, stylishly retold by legendary writer, actor, and comedian stephen fry. fry transforms the adventures of zeus and the olympians into emotionally resonant and deeply funny stories, without losing any of their original wonder.this stunning book features classical artwork inspired by the myths, as well as learned notes from the author. – each adventure is infused with fry's distinctive wit, voice, and writing style – connoisseurs of the greek myths will appreciate this fresh-yet-reverential interpretation, while newcomers will feel welcome – retellings brim with humor and emotion and offer rich cultural contextcelebrating the thrills, grandeur, and unabashed fun of the greek myths, mythos breathes life into ancient tales—from pandora's box to prometheus's fire.this gorgeous volume invites you to explore a captivating world with the brilliant storyteller stephen fry as your guide. – a collectible volume complete with a textured case, a foil-stamped jacket, and full-color art throughout – the perfect gift for greek mythology and history buffs, lovers of ancient greece, art aficionados, and devoted fans of stephen fry – add it to the shelf with books like circe by madeline miller, norse mythology by neil gaiman, and mythology: timeless tales of gods and heroes by edith hamilton

The legacy of the ancient greeks has shaped our world. classical greece's military prowess, political sophistication and cultural innovations continue to influence modern society. the first half of the book focuses on political and military history, from mycenae and the golden age of athens to the campaigns of alexander the great. the second half concerns ancient greece's buildings, sculptures, mythology and dramas, including the parthenon, the erechtheum and the works of aristophanes and euripides. this is an outstanding exploration of the world of the ancient greeks and an indispensable resource for both the general and specialist reader.

The subject of greek mythology conjures up mythical stories of glorious and wonderful greek gods, goddesses and heroes with tales of war, love and betrayal. since ancient greece was the birth place of philosophy, theater and politics it is understandable that such a great civilization would be capable of creating an elaborate belief system in which to help understand the world around them. natural phenomena such as the sun, lightening and earthquakes were explained in intriguing, engaging tales that formed the structure of ancient greek understanding. it was this belief system that has been the fascination of many the world over. through the stories of the most prominent gods and goddesses, this book provides an insight into how greek mythology was formed, why the greek gods and goddesses were conceived and explores the fantastically woven stories that link these gods and goddesses together. learn about titans and the olympians, the stories of their existence and why they represented elements of the natural world discover the most prominent greek gods, why they were either titans or olympians and who the demigods and heroes really were. read enthralling stories of prominent gods are such as: cronus atlas prometheus zeus aphrodite hermes and more… how are all these greek mythology stories connected? the study of these gods are both interesting and complex. in order to understand them its necessary to understand how each story relates and the events that gave birth to further gods and their tales. this book delves a little deeper, highlighting the reason for the battles of the gods, the stories of their existence and their relationship to natural phenomena. learn the answers to some of the most interesting questions why did uranus banish his children? how did a group of gods earn the name 'titans'? what plan was in place to overthrow the titans? why did cronus eat his own offspring? why was atlas punished for the war between the titans and the olympians? how does ancient greece influence us today and what relevance does this civilization have to our society? understand how ancient greek mythology gave birth to everyday terms used in modern day language. it is surprising just how many terms are attributed to the ancient greeks. immerse yourself with in this wonderful ancient world with this informative greek mythology book and educate yourself with stories that will transport you into the mindset of this fascinating civilization.

The definitive and comprehensive edition of robert graves's classic retelling of the greek myths'icarus disobeyed his father's instructions and began soaring towards the sun, rejoiced by the lift of his great sweeping wings. presently, when daedalus looked over his shoulder, he could no longer see icarus; but scattered feathers floated on the waves below…' these are the greatest stories ever told – the labours of hercules, the voyage of the argonauts, theseus and the minotaur, midas and his golden touch, the trojan war and odysseus's journey home – brought together into one epic and unforgettable story. ideal for the first time reader, it can be read as a single page-turning narrative, while full commentaries as well as a comprehensive index of names make it equally valuable for anyone seeking an authoritative and detailed account of the spectacular stories that make up the bedrock of western literature.the greek myths is a classic among classics, a treasure trove of extraordinary tales and a masterful work of literature in its own right.

Finally sort out who’s who in greek mythology—from gods, goddesses, heroes, monsters, and everyone in between! greek mythology continues to appear in popular movies and books today but have you ever wondered about where these characters started out? discover the origins of your favorite characters from greek mythology with this collection of profiles to tell you who’s who in classical lore! in greek mythology, you will discover the backstories of the heroes, villains, gods, and goddesses that enjoy popularity in today’s shows and films. with comprehensive entries that outline each character’s name, roles, related symbols, and foundational myths, you can get to know the roots of these personas and better understand the stories they inspire today. with this character-focused, handy reference, you will never be confused about ancient greece!

"philosophy begins in wonder." —platohave you ever wondered about the development of civilization? what topics were discussed in the days of ancient greece? this collection of thoughts from plato, aristotle, and other masters of philosophy will lead your mind on a journey of enlightened exploration into ethics, morality, law, medicine, and more. with an introduction by a distinguished scholar of classic literature, this beautiful canterbury classics bonded-leather volume with gilded edges and specially designed endpapers is sure to be a favorite keepsake edition in your library.

How were the greeks of the sixth century bc able to invent philosophy and tragedy? in this book richard seaford argues that a large part of the answer can be found in another momentous development, the invention and rapid spread of coinage, which produced the first ever thoroughly monetised society. by transforming social relations monetisation contributed to the ideas of the universe as an impersonal system, fundamental to presocratic philosophy, and of the individual alienated from his own kin and from the gods, as found in tragedy.

A juggernaut in the literary world at the apex of history, culture, politics, and art, the greeks altered almost every facet of western ideology and stand alone as a legend in the realm of human history. no other culture can boast such a profound importance on the rest of the known world and the greeks have the mythology to back it up. now the wealth of this glorious empire's mythology is at your fingertips, filled with the triumphs and tragedies of these larger-than-life characters. from the fiery creation of the universe and to the petty jealousies of its lowliest, smallest players, the spectrum of greek mythology is yours to explore. discover the great conflicts that plagued both the lords of the skies as well as the leagues of men who battled against their gods and spun forth these incredible tales. prepare to do battle with the kind of creatures known only to nightmares that the greeks introduced into popular culture and beyond. experience the love, loss, history, infidelity, triumph, and tradition of the these ancient heroes and villains that continue to inspire the masses even thousands of years after their demise.

The greek world after alexander 323-30 bc examines social changes in the old and new cities of the greek world and in the new post-alexandrian kingdoms.an up-to-date appraisal of the momentous military and political changes after the era of alexander, the book considers developments in literature, religion, philosophy, and science and establishes how far they are presented as radical departures from the culture of classical greece or were continuous developments from it.graham shipley explores the culture of the hellenistic world in the context of the social divisions between an educated elite and a general population at once more mobile and less involved in the political life of the greek city.for students and scholars of greek history – this is a book to want.

Greek myths are among the most complex and influential stories ever told. from the first millennium bc until today, the myths have been repeated in an inexhaustible series of variations and reinterpretations. they can be found in the latest movies and television shows and in software for interactive computer games. this book combines a retelling of greek myths with a comprehensive account of the world in which they developed–their themes, their relevance to greek religion and society, and their relationship to the landscape. "contexts, sources, meanings" describes the main literary and artistic sources for greek myths, and their contexts, such as ritual and theater." myths of origin" includes stories about the beginning of the cosmos, the origins of the gods, the first humans, and the founding of communities." the olympians: power, honor, sexuality" examines the activities of all the main divinities." heroic exploits" concentrates on the adventures of perseus, jason, herakles, and other heroes." family sagas" explores the dramas and catastrophes that befall heroes and heroines." a landscape of myths" sets the stories within the context of the mountains, caves, seas, and rivers of greece, crete, troy, and the underworld." greek myths after the greeks" describes the rich tradition of retelling, from the romans, through the renaissance, to the twenty-first century.complemented by lavish illustrations, genealogical tables, box features, and specially commissioned drawings, this will be an essential book for anyone interested in these classic tales and in the world of the ancient greeks.

If your child is interested in ancient greece, there are many facts that they can learn. the greek civilization was active from 800 b.c. to ad 600. the ancient greeks are famous for a variety of developments. they were the first people to develop maths, pottery, and architecture. they also invented pottery and other materials that are used today. the greeks called themselves hellens and their land greece. here are a few interesting facts about ancient greece for kids.the greeks called their country hellas, not greece. they called it hellada or hellas. a common greeting in the modern world is shaking hands. the first historical reference to the yo-yo dates back to around 440 b.c. and is a popular game for young people. in ancient greece, girls typically married at thirteen or fourteen years old. until the myceneans conquered crete, there were no toilet papers.the ancient greeks had animals such as dogs and cats. they also had a very complex system of justice. in fact, the romans copied greek culture so completely that they even renamed the greek gods. one third of the people living in the city-states of ancient greece were slaves. in the city of athens, there were law trials that involved more than 500 citizens as jurors. in the u.s., the jury size is a mere twelve.

So the fifth-century historian herodotus has some athenians declare, in explanation of why they would never betray their fellow greeks to the enemy, the "barbarian" persians. and he might have added further common features, such as clothing, foodways, and political institutions. but if the greeks knew that they were kin, why did many of them side with the persians against fellow greeks, and why, more generally, is ancient greek history so often the history of internecine wars and other forms of competition with one another? this is the question acclaimed historian robin waterfield sets out to explore in this magisterial history of ancient greece. with more information, more engagingly presented, than any similar work, this is the best single-volume account of ancient greece in more than a generation. waterfield gives a comprehensive narrative of seven hundred years of history, from the emergence of the greeks around 750 bce to the roman conquest of the last of the greco-macedonian kingdoms in 30 bce. equal weight is given to all phases of greek history — the archaic, classical, and hellenistic periods. without compromising the readability of the book, waterfield incorporates the most recent scholarship by classical historians and archaeologists and asks his readers to think critically about greek history. a brilliant, up-to-date account of ancient greece, suitable for history buffs and university students alike, creators, conquerors, and citizens presents a compelling and comprehensive story of this remarkable civilization's disunity, underlying cultural solidarity, and eventual political unification.

The classical gods of rome uncoiled from the fertile imaginations of the ancient greeks whose gods were passionate and violent, jealous of their powers and subject to both mighty outbursts of love and all-consuming bouts of vengeful war. the dark forces of the ancient world were held at bay by the resourceful and emerging civilisation that formed the basis of western culture, providing a tradition of fabulous tales that are retold in this new book. flame tree 451: from mystery to crime, supernatural to horror and myth, fantasy and science fiction, flame tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.

Engaging and entertaining reference guide about ancient greece – perfect for younger readers. from famous gods to the inside of temples, let your child get all the homework help they need, and learn all about ancient greece with this comprehensive reference book for kids. eyewitness ancient greece also includes a giant fold-out wall chart full of facts, perfect for bedrooms or classrooms. packed with all the essential information from the previous edition, eyewitness ancient greece is now more interactive and colourful than ever with new infographics, statistics, facts and timelines making the book engaging and educational for your child.

Written by four leading authorities on the classical world, here is a new history of ancient greece that dynamically presents a generation of new scholarship on the birthplace of western civilization. ranging from greece's first beginnings in the bronze age through the tumultuous hellenistic era dominated by alexander the great, this volume offers a truly wide-ranging portrait, blending the traditional political and military approach with a more modern accent on social and cultural history.everything is included here–the sweeping philosophical systems of plato and aristotle, the daily lives of women in athens, dramatic sea battles in the aegean, the epic poetry of homer, the rise of the city-state. the book offers illuminating descriptions of sparta and athens, recounts the persianand peloponnesian wars, evaluates the contributions of notable figures such as solon, cleisthenes, pericles, and philip ii of macedon, and discusses the remarkable rise of alexander the great. throughout the book, the editors trace the slow evolution of greek culture, revealing how the early greeksborrowed from their neighbors, but eventually developed a distinctive culture of their own, marked by astonishing creativity, versatility, and resilience. featuring 17 original maps, over 80 photographs, and numerous "document boxes" which highlight a variety of primary source material, this book provides an account of the greek world that is thoughtful and sophisticated while remaining accessible to the nonscholar. a dynamic collaborationbetween four renowned scholars sarah pomeroy, stanley m. burstein, walter donlan, and jennifer tolbert roberts it is the definitive portrait of the fountainhead of western philosophy, literature, science, and art.

Engaging and entertaining reference guide about ancient greece – perfect for younger readers. from famous gods to the inside of temples, let your child get all the homework help they need, and learn all about ancient greece with this comprehensive reference book for kids. eyewitness ancient greece also includes a giant fold-out wall chart full of facts, perfect for bedrooms or classrooms. packed with all the essential information from the previous edition, eyewitness ancient greece is now more interactive and colourful than ever with new infographics, statistics, facts and timelines making the book engaging and educational for your child.

A rigorously and imaginatively researched anthology of classical literature, bringing together one hundred stories from the rich diversity of the literary canon of ancient greece and rome. striking a balance between the 'classic classic' (such as dryden's translation of the aeneid) and the less familiar or expected, of gods and men ranges from the epic poetry of homer to the histories of arrian and diodorus siculus and the sprawling theogony of hesiod; from the tragedies of aeschylus and euripides to the biographies of suetonius and plutarch and the pen portraits of theophrastus; and from the comedies of plautus to the fictions of petronius and apuleius.of gods and men is embellished by translations from writers as diverse as queen elizabeth i (boethius), percy bysshe shelley (plato), walter pater (apuleius's golden ass), lawrence of arabia (homer's odyssey), louis macneice (aeschylus's agamemnon) and ted hughes (ovid's pygmalion), as well as a number of accomplished translations by daisy dunn herself.

The ancient world that alexander the great transformed in his lifetime was transformed once more by his death. the imperial dynasties of his successors incorporated and reorganised the fallen persian empire, creating a new land empire stretching from the shores of the mediterranean to as far east as bactria. in old greece a fragile balance of power was continually disturbed by wars. then, from the late third century, the military and diplomatic power of rome successively defeated and dismantled every one of the post-alexandrian political structures. the hellenistic period (c. 323-30 bc) was then one of fragmentation, violent antagonism between large states, and struggles by small polities to retain an illusion of independence. yet it was also a period of growth, prosperity, and intellectual achievement. a vast network spread of trade, influence and cultural contact, from italy to afghanistan and from russia to ethiopia, enriching and enlivening centres of wealth, power and intellectual ferment. from alexander the great's early days building an empire, via wars with rome, rampaging pirates, cleopatra's death and the jewish diaspora, right up to the death of hadrian, chaniotis examines the social structures, economic trends, political upheaval and technological progress of an era that spans five centuries and where, perhaps, modernity began.