From the earliest prehistoric Greek colonies on the Black Sea coast to the Greek settlements in southern Italy, from today's India to Spain in Europe, Greek civilization was by no means limited to the classical era centered on Athens, but once crossed the Mediterranean and built cities near the second waterfall of the Nile and in the shadow of the Himalayas. Through the conquests of Alexander the Great and the glory of the Hellenistic era, this book depicts a broader Greek world that is not yet familiar to us, which contains amazing ideological energy, outstanding humanism and wonderful aesthetic taste. In addition, most of the Greek philosophers, scientists, and artists we know are not from mainland Greece, such as the poetess Sappho of Lesbos, Archimedes of Syracuse, and Herodotus, who was born in Asia Minor and was a citizen of the Persian Empire... The stories of these Greeks from outside the region will provide a new perspective on the ancient Greeks and the significance of their civilization.
Reader comments
The characters in the book have distinct personalities and interesting experiences. The conquests of Alexander the Great and the splendor of the Hellenistic era are stunning. Moreover, I especially like the Greeks from different regions mentioned in the book. Their stories gave me a new understanding of ancient Greek civilization. This book is full of intellectual energy and aesthetic interest, and is definitely worth reading!
The characters in the book have distinct personalities and interesting experiences. The conquests of Alexander the Great and the splendor of the Hellenistic era are stunning. Moreover, I especially like the Greeks from different regions mentioned in the book. Their stories gave me a new understanding of ancient Greek civilization. This book is full of intellectual energy and aesthetic interest, and is definitely worth reading!