This volume in The Edinburgh Leventis Studies series collects the papers presented at the sixth A. G. Leventis conference organised under the auspices of the Department of Classics at the University of Edinburgh. As with earlier volumes, it engages with new research and new approaches to the Greek past, and brings the fruits of that research to a wider audience. Although Greek historians were fundamental in the enterprise of preserving the memory of great deeds in antiquity, they were not alone in their interest in the past. The Greeks themselves, quite apart from their historians and in a variety of non-historiographical media, were constantly creating pasts for themselves that answered to the needs - political, social, moral and even religious - of their society. In this volume eighteen scholars discuss the variety of ways in which the Greeks constructed de-constructed, engaged with, alluded to, and relied on their pasts whether it was in the poetry of Homer, in the victory odes of Pindar, in tragedy and comedy on the Athenian stage, in their pictorial art, in their political assemblies, or in their religious practices. What emerges is a comprehensive overview of the importance of and presence of the past at every level of Greek society. In the final chapter the three discussants present at the conference (Simon Goldhill, Christopher Pelling and Suzanne Said) survey the contributions to the volume, summarise its overall contributions as well as indicate new directions that further scholarship might follow.

This volume in The Edinburgh Leventis Studies series collects the papers presented at the sixth A. G. Leventis conference, It engages with new research and new approaches to the Greek past, and brings the fruits of that research to a wider audience.

A History of the Archaic Greek World offers a theme-based approach to the development of the Greek world in the years 1200-479 BCE. Updated and extended in this edition to include two new sections, expanded geographical coverage, a guide to electronic resources, and more illustrations Takes a critical and analytical look at evidence about the history of the archaic Greek World Involves the reader in the practice of history by questioning and reevaluating conventional beliefs Casts new light on traditional themes such as the rise of the city-state, citizen militias, and the origins of egalitarianism Provides a wealth of archaeological evidence, in a number of different specialties, including ceramics, architecture, and mortuary studies

Explore the History and Mythology of the Ancient Greeks! There are few things as fascinating and exciting as the world of Ancient Greece, and in the following book, you are going to learn everything you

"We Greeks are one in blood and one in language; we have temples to the gods and religious rites in common, and a common way of life." 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. But history is not just facts; it is also a matter of how we interpret the evidence. 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.

A major new history of classical Greece—how it rose, how it fell, and what we can learn from it Lord Byron described Greece as great, fallen, and immortal, a characterization more apt than he knew. Through most of its long history, Greece was poor. But in the classical era, Greece was densely populated and highly urbanized. Many surprisingly healthy Greeks lived in remarkably big houses and worked for high wages at specialized occupations. Middle-class spending drove sustained economic growth and classical wealth produced a stunning cultural efflorescence lasting hundreds of years. Why did Greece reach such heights in the classical period—and why only then? And how, after "the Greek miracle" had endured for centuries, did the Macedonians defeat the Greeks, seemingly bringing an end to their glory? Drawing on a massive body of newly available data and employing novel approaches to evidence, Josiah Ober offers a major new history of classical Greece and an unprecedented account of its rise and fall. Ober argues that Greece's rise was no miracle but rather the result of political breakthroughs and economic development. The extraordinary emergence of citizen-centered city-states transformed Greece into a society that defeated the mighty Persian Empire. Yet Philip and Alexander of Macedon were able to beat the Greeks in the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BCE, a victory made possible by the Macedonians' appropriation of Greek innovations. After Alexander's death, battle-hardened warlords fought ruthlessly over the remnants of his empire. But Greek cities remained populous and wealthy, their economy and culture surviving to be passed on to the Romans—and to us. A compelling narrative filled with uncanny modern parallels, this is a book for anyone interested in how great civilizations are born and die. This book is based on evidence available on a new interactive website. To learn more, please visit: http://polis.stanford.edu/.

Did you know that the classical Greek philosophers were the earliest people to believe that the earth was a sphere? Among them was Aristotle, the personal mentor of Alexander the Great, the man famous for conquering the whole (known) world. Classical Greece is a period of only two hundred years, but it is filled with exciting events that shaped the political thought of modern Western civilization. In these two hundred years, the idea of democracy was born and developed, although their concept of democracy was much different than in modern times. Through the development of the polis, the ancient Greek society developed into its recognizable form of those with political rights and those without them. With strictly defined social norms, the culture of classical Greece started developing in its own unique way. Art, architecture, tragedies, comedies, philosophy, athletic competitions, and religious ceremonies became recognizable staples of Greeks as citizens of their highly developed poleis. And although Greece was able to develop its culture during this period, its territory was ravaged by many conflicts. They started as an uprising to bring down tyrants and oligarchs and as a defensive effort to fend off the Persian Empire. With aspirations to add Greece to its multi-ethnic empire, the Persian kings constantly attacked, prompting Greece to unite. But once the threat of conquest passed, the Greeks turned against each other and fought wars to determine which polis should become the predominant one. Read the History of Classical Greece, and learn how an ancient civilization reshaped itself into a democratic society. Discover how Philip II and his son, Alexander the Great, united the whole Greek world into one force able to explore vast territories to the east, all the way to India. Among the pages of this book, you will find details such as: The structure of poleis and their politics Women's rights, or the lack of them Oligarchy, tyranny, and democracy through the lens of the ancient world How Greek poleis won their autonomy Why Athens rose to power How the Greeks educated their young What the relationship between the people and the gods was like How tragedy and comedy shaped popular opinion Why Sparta and Athens fought the Peloponnesian War How a kingdom in the north, Macedon, came to dominate the whole of Greece The conquest of Alexander the Great Flip the pages of History of Classical Greece, and let your mind rediscover the past of a civilization that shaped modern Western political thought.

What do you know about Greek history? The ancient Greeks loom large in legend and lore. In ancient myth, names such as Hercules, Achilles, and Prometheus scream out to us from the primordial past. Who are these strange, mysterious figures? More importantly, who were they to the Greeks? Greek mythology provides a key to Greek culture itself. The Greeks always valued noble virtues such as courage and strength, which was reflected in their ancient mythologies. And these same strains of character can be seen interwoven throughout Greek history itself. Even when the chips were down, the Greeks stood strong against insurmountable odds. The Greeks battled Persians, Macedonians, Romans, and Ottomans, and although they didn't always win the wars of the battlefield, they almost always won over the hearts and minds of the conquered and conquerors alike. Greek culture was so strong that it was passed around the world like a valued commodity by whoever just so happened to come into contact with it. Greek arts, philosophy, science, and political discourse were a true gift to the world. In this book, you will explore the ancient Greeks, the Byzantine Empire, the Greek War of Independence, the Megali Idea, the military junta, and modern-day governance-this book covers Greek history from start to finish. In this book, you will learn more about: Ancient Greek mythology The rise of Greek city-states and democracy Ancient Greek warfare Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic era Greco-Roman culture The Byzantine Empire Greece under Ottoman rule Greek independence 20th-century Greece Modern Greece And more! Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the History of Greece, scroll up and click the "add to cart" button!