Ancient Greece: An Illustrated History

Ancient Greece: An Illustrated History follows the progress of the Greeks from the early establishment of farming communities around 6500 BCE, to the rise of the great city-states of Sparta and Athens, and on to the dissolution of the empire of Alexander the Great following his death in 323 BCE.

Review:
From Bronze-Age Greece in 6500 BC to the end of the Ancient Greek era in 250 BC, this book offers an in-depth look at ancient Greece including its wars and expansion, artwork and sculptures, and the great contributions the empire made to literature and science. Archaeological digs and other scientific data provide the basis for the information presented throughout the fifteen chapters. Students with some background in Greek history are likely to enjoy the details in the book about Troy, the city-states of Sparta and Athens, the Persian War, and the conquests of Alexander the Great.

There are also chapters discussing Greek religion as well as the birth of drama. The lives and ideas of Pericles, Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, and Pythagoras are also covered in this book. Beautiful art of the time is featured including the palace of Minos, the treasury of Atreus (Mycenae), and the palaces at Phaistos. Insets describe particular topics and/or events including the volcanic eruption at Santorini, human sacrifice, and the role of women. The appendices include a glossary and a listing of major historical figures. Lynn O'Connell