from: Cambridge University Press
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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 930
EAN num: 9780521521000
ISBN number: 0521521009
Label: Cambridge University Press
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 400
Printing Date: 2002-09
Publishing house: Cambridge University Press
Sale Popularity Level: 517705
Studio: Cambridge University Press
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Sumptuously illustrated in colour and packed with information, The Cambridge Illustrated History of Ancient Greece is now available for the very first time in paperback. Offering fresh interpretations of classical Greek culture, the book devotes as much attention to social, economic and intellectual aspects as to politics and war. Paul Cartledge and his team of contributors ask what it was like for an ordinary person to partake in 'the glory that was Greece.' They examine the influences of the environment and economy; the experience of workers, soldiers, slaves, peasants and women; and the roles of myth and religion, art and culture, and science and education. This is a cultural history from the bottom up, which lays bare the far-reaching linguistic, literary, artistic and political legacy of ancient Greece, and seeks justification for Shelley's claim that 'we are all Greeks.' Paul Cartledge is Professor in Greek History in the Faculty of Classics at the University of Cambridge and is Fellow and Director of Studies in Classics at Clare College, Cambridge. He is the author of several books about ancient Greece, including Spartan Reflections (California, 2001), Hellenistic and Roman Sparta (Routledge, 2001) and Sparta and Lakonia (Routledge, 2002).
Brief Book Summary:
Sumptuously illustrated, The Cambridge Illustrated History of Ancient Greece offers fresh, novel interpretations of classical Greek culture SH devoting as much attention to the social, economic and intellectual aspects as to politics and war. What did it mean to be a fully enfranchised Greek male citizen of a democracy; or his unenfranchised wife; or a non-Greek slave; or a farmer; or a trader? What formed Greece? And what propels her far-reaching legacy?
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Rated by buyers 
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This is a comprehensive study of ancient Greece which is obviously intended for those scholars particularly interested in the cultural history of the ancient world. Except for the magnificent photographs and illustrations, the average reader will likely find much of the material presented somewhat tedious and at times rather boring.
The book is written very much in line with the modern approach to history in that information is not presented in chronological order, and the exploits of those leaders who made the history happen are minimized or all but left out of the story. On the contrary, most of the book's chapters deal with subjects that would only be of interest to true scholars of the ancient world (e.g. the environment; the rich and poor; the average women, children, and men; etc.). Each chapter is written by a different expert in his or her particular field, and each one is essentially a stand-alone entity. All of the authors are obviously erudite, but just as clearly some are better writers than others. This constant shifting of gears and styles eliminates any possible thread of historical continuity.
So, unless you are a true scholar concerned with all things about ancient Greece or are studying ancient Greece, you would be well advised to very first concentrate on reviewing the photographs and reading their captions. Then pick and chose those chapters which are in your realm of interest and skip the rest. In all probability, no one will ever ask you what the average man, woman, or child ate for dinner in ancient Greece and, even if they did you probably wouldn't remember anyway.
Rated by buyers -
I feel the book is really a 3.5-star as Cambridge's Illustrated Series 'Ancient Greece' is a very good introductory text that is not a doctoral socio-political analysis or an advanced level chronological review of Greece's evolution from polis to Hellenism such as the massive Cambridge 'Ancient History' editions. It therefore makes it an ideal text for general readers and beginning students despite having some deficiencies that can be easily supplemented by another publisher's as a companion text.
The book is suited for readers ages 12 and up and treats the subject more as a primarily anthropological and interdisciplinary approach to the subject covering things such art, political intitutions, urban life, and how their legacy remains with us today. A collaboration of various respected scholars with different specialties provides readers with a multi-faceted view of Greek civilization without bogging them down with a tedious chronological approach focusing primarily on a geopolitical evolution of its social and military institutions along with its principal agents. Its subjects are illustrated by a good amount of colour photographs, drawings, and diagrams, giving the reader a useful visual aid for an enhanced perspective of the subject.
Although it has great qualities, I find it insufficient for general education college classes as its subjects are too limited and without enough detail as to social and political topics in particular. Leslie and Roy Adkins' 'A Handbook to Life In Ancient Greece' is more thoroughly edited and organized than this text despite their having grey and white illustrations as opposed to color. The Adkins text is also categorically organized as well, but its approach is more sociopolitical and encyclopedic, giving much more detailed information on a much broader subject range: especially military, economic, and political topics. Its detailed illustrations, maps, and thorough categorical summaries give the reader a better idea how major Greece's impact was on the modern world in its ideas of the city-state, art, philosopy, and cutlure. At the very least, both texts should be bought together as complements for the general reader to really have a complete overview of the progression and impact of Roman history: none are very expensive at $20-$40 each.
Cambridge Illustrated History 'Ancient Greece' is a good introductory text that would appeal to a wide general audience ages 12 and up and that would make a fine high school or general education-level college class as a main text. Covering a broad category of topics from various disciplines, the reader will be informed of Greek civilization's evolution and continuing legacy in the modern world. Its drawback is it may be too general as to some subjects which would be complemented with Leslie and Roy Adkins' equally affordable and outstanding summary text 'A Handbook to Life In Ancient Greece.' Both texts allow the reader appreciate how the small Greeks polis and the culture that created it paved the way for our modern political institutions and secular states that prize democracy, science, and rationalism above anything else. I strongly recommend getting both to anyone who wants a broad yet comprehensive overview of Greek civilization.
Rated by buyers 
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I really like this book. The writing is very informative, but I also appreciated the illustrations. There are lots of them, and they are fully explained. It you take the time to examine each picture and its explanation, you will learn a lot. Sometimes the pictures don't exactly match the accompanying text, and this breaks your train of reading, but that's a minor flaw. This book is good for both beginners and Greek history buffs alike. If you are interested in classical Greek history, read this book.
Rated by buyers -
The Cambridge Illustrated History of Ancient Greece is dedicated to giving an objective perspective of ancient Greek civilization, and culture. Filled with photos of beautiful Greek pottery, this book is a treasure in both the pictures of pottery that it contains, and the well written descriptions it gives of this glorious culture. Although classified as a reference in most local libraries, The Cambridge Illustrated History of Ancient Greece can be read like any other chapter book with a historical perspective. Unlike other works on ancient Greece, this book is dedicated to giving an unbiased, factual record of Greek civilization, while devoting as much attention to ancient wars, as to social structure. It will not lead you to one particular conclusion about Greek civilization, as other books do, but will introduce you to the latest theories, and perspectives of ancient Greek lifestyle, and belief systems. This book covers every aspect of Greek civilization, from Socrates to Plato, to Aristophanes, as well as Greek art, religion, myths, wars, etc., devoting a chapter to each main idea. It is a well written, high quality book, which can be read by beginners, and people who are well versed in Greek history alike, and I would recommend The Cambridge Illustrated History of Ancient Greece to anyone who loves this glorious culture as much as I do.
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