Because the histories of theater, politics, art, poetry, athletics, and philosophy tend to be studied separately, it is easy to forget how interconnected they were in Western Greece--the coastal areas of Southern Italy and Sicily settled by Hellenes in the 8th and 7th centuries BCE. Hieron I of Syracuse may be remembered as a tyrant, but his political power was inseparable from the theater. Hieron was the patron of the dramatist Epicharmus, who was as much a philosopher as Xenophanes, who was a poet in his own right like Pindar, who was also supported by the tyrant and whose work---like all the others'--was performed for political ends. Even Plato's adventures in Syracuse can be seen as a performance of his own political poetry. This collection of essays from a variety of disciplinary perspectives including archaeology, classics, philosophy, and art history, offers a refreshing new outlook on the ancient cultural interactions of politics and performance in Western Greece.

An Encyclopedic Chronology of Greece and Its History

The Story of Civilization, Volume II: A history of Greek civilization from the beginnings, and of civilization in the Near East from the Death of Alexander to the Roman Conquest. This is the second volume of the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning series.

The chef behind San Francisco’s renowned Greek taverna shares recipes that bring old world Mediterranean cuisine to life with contemporary flare. Kokkari Estiatorio has been a pioneer of Greek-inspired fine dining for decades. Its uniquely welcoming ambiance draws on traditional family recipes and the ancient Hellenic custom of philoxenia: welcoming the stranger as a friend. Through its use of fresh seasonal ingredients, Kokkari brings a refined, cosmopolitan sensibility to a beloved Mediterranean culinary tradition. Now the owners invite you to try some of their favorite dishes at home with this delectable collection of recipes. From their kitchen to yours, they wish you a Greek bon appetit: kali orexi!