Ancient Greece

The contribution of the Ancient Greeks to modern western culture is incalculable. In the worlds of art, architecture, myth, literature, and philosophy, the world we live in would be unrecognizably different without the formative influence of Ancient Greek models. Ancient Greek civilization was defined by the city - in Greek, the polis, from which we derive 'politics'. It is above all this feature of Greek civilization that has formed its most enduring legacy, spawning such key terms as aristocracy, oligarchy, tyranny and - last but by no means least - democracy. This highly stimulating introduction to Ancient Greece takes the polis as its starting point. Paul Cartledge uses the history of eleven major Greek cities to illuminate the most important and informative themes in Ancient Greek history, from the first documented use of the Greek language around 1400 BCE, through the glories of the Classical and Hellenistic periods, to the foundation of the Byzantine empire in around CE 330. Covering everything from politics, trade, and travel to slavery, gender, religion, and philosophy, it provides the ideal concise introduction to the history and culture of this remarkable civilization that helped give birth to the world as we know it.

ISBN 0199233381   Pages 288 ISBN13 9780199233380 (What's this?)   Weight (grammes) 334 Publisher Oxford University Press   Published in Oxford Imprint Oxford University Press   Height (mm) 202 Format Hardback   Width (mm) 138 Publication date 22 Oct 2009   Spine width (mm) 23 DEWEY 938   Academic level General DEWEY edition DC22

		Note on Spelling of Greek Names/Words
		Greek Measures of Money and Distance
		List of Maps
		List of Plans and Figures
		List of Plates
1		Introduction		1
Pt. I		Prehistory		9
2		Cnossos		11
3		Mycenae		23
Pt. II		Early History (to 500 BCE): Dark Age and Archaic		35
4		Argos		37
5		Miletus		46
6		Massalia		61
7		Sparta		70
Pt. III		Classical (500-3 30 BCE)		87
8		Athens		89
9		Syracuse		113
10		Thebes		131
Pt. IV		Hellenistic		143
11		Alexandria		145
Pt. V		Retrospect and Prospect		165
12		Byzantion		167
13		Epilogue		177
App		The Panhellenic Sanctuaries		190
		Further Reading		203
		Timeline		219
		Glossary		225
		Who's Who		233
		Picture Acknowledgments		248
		Index		251

Cartledge's success lies in his ability to negotiate a path between similarity and difference; with proper scholarly detachment, he stresses how different the Greeks were; with an eye to broader historical trajectories, he reflects on the grounds for their continuing fascination. Tim Rood, Times Literary Supplement A rare work, a compelling historical narrative. Peter Stothard, Wall Street Journal Thoroughly stimulating book. Tom Holland, BBC History Cartledge is master of his subject. Peter Jones, Literary Review Paul Cartledge... once again shows why he is the surest and most engaging guide to the ancient world. Justin Marozzi, Evening Standard A tremendously readable tour d'horizon that goes far beyond Athens and Sparta to explore the roots of Greek civilization. Justin Marozzi, Evening Standard There are many pleasures to be had along Cartledge's mind-broadening route through time and space. Charlotte Higgins, The Guardian

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