"Wonderful…a thoughtful discussion of what made [the Greeks] so important, in their own time and in ours." —Natalie Haynes, Independent The ancient Greeks invented democracy, theater, rational science, and philosophy. They built the Parthenon and the Library of Alexandria. Yet this accomplished people never formed a single unified social or political identity. In Introducing the Ancient Greeks, acclaimed classics scholar Edith Hall offers a bold synthesis of the full 2,000 years of Hellenic history to show how the ancient Greeks were the right people, at the right time, to take up the baton of human progress. Hall portrays a uniquely rebellious, inquisitive, individualistic people whose ideas and creations continue to enthrall thinkers centuries after the Greek world was conquered by Rome. These are the Greeks as you’ve never seen them before.

Takes readers on a journey back in time in order to experience life in ancient Greece, describing clothing, accommodations, foods, local customs, transportation, a few notable personalities, and more.

Chariot racing, peplos weaving, cooking, and helmet making! Anything can happen when you spend the day in ancient Greece! It is over two thousand years ago in Athens, Greece, and you areinvited to join a typical family as they celebrate the birthday ofthe goddess Athena. Take a trip with twelve-year-old Alexander tosee the athletes competing in the pentathlon. Work along withten-year-old Helen as she weaves a gift for Athena. Meet theirfather, Philip, as he tends to sick patients, and their mother,Penelope, as she prepares for the special evening feast. Celebrate the history of ancient Greece with more than a dozenexciting activities! Write a letter using the Greek alphabet. Makea snake bracelet as a gift for a friend. Create masks to wear inyour own play. Build a chariot that you can race on the sidewalksof your town! And at the end of your day, bring your own familytogether with Alexander, Helen, Philip, and Penelope to enjoy afeast under the stars!

The myths of six Greek heroes are told in a simple, straightforward style. "This is the authors' answer to the need they found in their teaching experience for easy versions of Greek hero tales, and the result is most successful . . . vigorous and appealing. Included are Hercules, Perseus, Theseus, Orpheus, Meleager, and Jason." -- School Library Journal, starred review

A meticulous analysis of Hellenistic culture spanning three centuries, from the death of Alexander the Great in 325 B.C. Green surveys every significant aspect of Hellenistic cultural development in this colorful, complex period that will fascinate all readers. 217 illustrations, 30 maps.

A concise survey of the culture and civilization of mankind, The Lessons of History is the result of a lifetime of research from Pulitzer Prize–winning historians Will and Ariel Durant. With their accessible compendium of philosophy and social progress, the Durants take us on a journey through history, exploring the possibilities and limitations of humanity over time. Juxtaposing the great lives, ideas, and accomplishments with cycles of war and conquest, the Durants reveal the towering themes of history and give meaning to our own.

From the leading scholars behind The Greek Plays, a collection of the best translations of the foremost Greek historians, presenting a sweeping history of ancient Greece as recorded by its first chroniclers “Just the thing to remind us that human history, though lamentably a work in progress, is always something we can understand better.”—Sarah Ruden, translator of The Gospels and author of The Face of Water The historians of ancient Greece were pioneers of a new literary craft; their work stands among the world’s most enduring and important legacies and forms the foundation of a major modern discipline. This highly readable edition includes new and newly revised translations of selections from Herodotus—often called the “father of history”—Thucydides, Xenophon, and Plutarch, the four greatest Greek innovators of historical narrative. Here the reader will find their most important, and most widely taught, passages collected in a single volume. The excerpts chart the landmark events of ancient Greece and provide a comprehensive account of the entire classical Greek age. From the start the Greek historians demonstrated how broad and varied historical writing could be and brought their craft beyond a mere chronicle of past events. This volume explores each author’s interest in religion, leadership, character, and the lessons of war. How, for instance, should readers interpret Herodotus’ inclusion of speeches and dialogues, dreams, and oracles as part of the “factual” record? What did Thucydides understand about human nature that (as he said) stays constant throughout time? How did Plutarch frame historical biography as a means of depicting the moral qualities of great men? Complete with introductions to the works of each historian, footnotes providing context and explaining obscurities, maps, and an appendix on the Greek conduct of war, this volume is an invaluable resource for students and passionate readers of history alike.