Ancient Greece: From Prehistoric to Hellenistic Times
Product ID: 1705676
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This compact yet comprehensive history brings ancient Greek civilization alive, from its Stone Age roots to the fourth century B.C. "A highly readable account of ancient Greece."— Kirkus Reviews Focusing on the development of the Greek city-state and the society, culture, and architecture of Athens in its Golden Age, Thomas R. Martin integrates political, military, social, and cultural history in a book that will appeal to students and general readers alike. Now in its second edition, this classic work now features new maps and illustrations, a new introduction, and updates throughout. “A limpidly written, highly accessible, and comprehensive history of Greece and its civilizations from prehistory through the collapse of Alexander the Great’s empire. . . . A highly readable account of ancient Greece, particularly useful as an introductory or review text for the student or the general reader.” —Kirkus Reviews “A polished and informative work that will be useful for general readers and students.”—Daniel Tompkins, Temple University Review: Accessible, enjoyable history - This was a great intro to Greek history that has prompted my interest to explore further in several areas. A great primer that doesn't assume the reader knows too much—very accessible. Highly recommended, particularly for anyone wanting to dive in or get a broad overview refresh of Ancient Greek history! Review: Good introduction - A very good introduction to ancient Greece and its profound cultural achievements. Martin starts with a chapter on prehistory which is not really about Greece at all, and gets sidetracked with speculation - for example, that the development of agricultural society resulted in women taking a subordinate social position. However, from chapter two the book provides a clear, straightforward account of the economic, political, social and cultural development of Greece. Its strength is in description rather than explanation - leaving the reader pondering why Greece's cities concurrently organized themselves into polis with similar concepts of citizenship and popular participation; and more deeply, what were the roots of "the [Greek] view that people must give reasons to explain what they believe to be true" - an astounding development then, which has yet to occur in large parts of today's world. This valuable survey is enhanced by Martin's gift for choosing short quotations from the ancient sources that express the essence of what he is describing, such as the remark of Xenophon about the hatred of helots (community owned slaves) for the Spartans: "They said they would be glad to eat them raw." Throughout, Martin spices the book brilliantly with such extracts. The second edition makes a huge improvement in the reproduction of the book's photographs, which unfortunately are also reduced in number. Martin’s book is very good, but those in search of the best should seek out two classics. One is J. B. Bury’s unsurpassed History of Greece (1900), available in shorter form as History of Greece for Beginners (1903 and subsequent editions). This superbly written political history needs to be supplemented with cultural surveys such as Harold Fowler’s History of Ancient Greek Literature (1903). The other is M. Rostovtzeff’s Greece (1963), which is excerpted from his magisterial and comprehensive History of the Ancient World (1926-7).
| Best Sellers Rank | #81,991 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #11 in Prehistory #27 in Archaeology (Books) #34 in Ancient Greek History (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 566 Reviews |
B**0
Accessible, enjoyable history
This was a great intro to Greek history that has prompted my interest to explore further in several areas. A great primer that doesn't assume the reader knows too much—very accessible. Highly recommended, particularly for anyone wanting to dive in or get a broad overview refresh of Ancient Greek history!
R**G
Good introduction
A very good introduction to ancient Greece and its profound cultural achievements. Martin starts with a chapter on prehistory which is not really about Greece at all, and gets sidetracked with speculation - for example, that the development of agricultural society resulted in women taking a subordinate social position. However, from chapter two the book provides a clear, straightforward account of the economic, political, social and cultural development of Greece. Its strength is in description rather than explanation - leaving the reader pondering why Greece's cities concurrently organized themselves into polis with similar concepts of citizenship and popular participation; and more deeply, what were the roots of "the [Greek] view that people must give reasons to explain what they believe to be true" - an astounding development then, which has yet to occur in large parts of today's world. This valuable survey is enhanced by Martin's gift for choosing short quotations from the ancient sources that express the essence of what he is describing, such as the remark of Xenophon about the hatred of helots (community owned slaves) for the Spartans: "They said they would be glad to eat them raw." Throughout, Martin spices the book brilliantly with such extracts. The second edition makes a huge improvement in the reproduction of the book's photographs, which unfortunately are also reduced in number. Martin’s book is very good, but those in search of the best should seek out two classics. One is J. B. Bury’s unsurpassed History of Greece (1900), available in shorter form as History of Greece for Beginners (1903 and subsequent editions). This superbly written political history needs to be supplemented with cultural surveys such as Harold Fowler’s History of Ancient Greek Literature (1903). The other is M. Rostovtzeff’s Greece (1963), which is excerpted from his magisterial and comprehensive History of the Ancient World (1926-7).
A**E
Exactly what I was looking for
I very much enjoyed reading this book. I am a casual student of antiquity. I learned a lot from this book. I would suggest anyone who is interested in the subject to read this book. I liked the way it was organized. I enjoyed the time I put into reading this book.
A**R
Outstanding introduction
This is a great introduction to Ancient Greek History. It is very consise, and it openly invites the reader to delve deeper by reading the ancient sources. The bibliography pages at the end of the book are very valuable. The author is clear and informative. I would absolutely recommend it to those interested in Ancient Greece.
F**S
Superb overview
This is a superb overview of Greek history. Martin's intent, as other reviews have pointed out, is to get you interested, to get you to keep an open mind, and then to point you to the primary sources for further reading. The section on the Peloponnesian war is excellent and makes me want to read Thucydides. But for now I'm moving on to Martin's similar history of Rome.
D**O
meh...
Quick read with just the driest of overviews regarding ancient Greece. Ok for a textbook I suppose. Was hoping for in depth explantions.
J**S
Extremely small print
This book is informative and very well-written. It does, however, have a major drawback: the print is extremely small. After a half hour of reading, I experienced so much eye strain that I had to buy a magnifying glass- the first magnifying glass I have ever bought. Yale University Press should do justice to this excellent book by re-issuing it in a readable font size.
M**O
Really good condition
Honestly the "good" condition book I received could have easily been "very good". I'm pleased.
A**R
Amazing brief recollection of the major events which shaped Ancient Greece
Incredible introduction to a very interesting time period. One of the best history books I've ever read.
T**S
Ottimo lavoro
Straordinaria storia, quella greca, descritta in questo libro in maniera completa, con approfondimenti sulla società, religione, scienza, condizione femminile e filosofia. È stato un piacere notare che nessun aspetto è stato trascurato, partendo dall' epoca arcaica per giungere sino all'ellenismo. Capitoli che parlano dei tiranni, delle ostilità con l'impero persiano e delle guerre del Peloponneso, per citarne alcuni, non rendono la lettura mai noiosa. Al contrario, stimolano ad approfondire sempre di più. Da notare che sono presenti utili cartine e bellissime foto in bianco e nero.
M**O
A good introduction
This is a very brief introduction to the history of ancient Greece, but still it presents the main ideas and developments of those societies. The book is enriched by the use of a vast amount of quotes from ancient sources.
C**O
Apaixonante e profundamente instrutivo.
História concisa, sem muitos rodeios e com riqueza de detalhes. Um livro para os apaixonados da cultura helenista.
M**O
très bien
Je l'ai acheter pour ma soeur qui fait des études sur la literature dn université Elle est très ravie et satisfaite Livraison rapide et amballage parfait Pour moi amzon et le premier site d'achat sur internet :)
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