National Geographic The Greeks

National Geographic The Greeks, companion to the ground-breaking 3-part PBS series, is a lushly-illustrated, uniquely comprehensive, and accessible history of Ancient Greece. This book is perfect for history lovers and anyone interested in the origins of our modern world.

Discover the culture that brought us democracy, the Olympics, Socrates, and Alexander the Great through lavish illustrations and gripping stories. This reference explores the rise and fall of the phenomenal empire, the powerful legacy left by ancient Greece, and the new discoveries that continue to shed light on these ancient people who remain so influential today.

Even in the present, Greek art and architecture dominate our cities; modern military strategists study Hellenic war tactics; and Greek poetry, plays, and philosophy are widely read and enjoyed. Moreover, science, mathematics, medicine, and astronomy all build on the fundamentals of early Greek thinking.

Included are fascinating insights into Greek island living, ancient social networking, and the extreme emphasis Greeks placed on athletic competition, as evidenced by the fact that warring city-states declared truces during the Olympic games. Learn about spectacular discoveries such as the Uluburun shipwreck, the earliest writing ever found in Europe, and buried palaces.

A stunning treasure, this lushly-illustrated, uniquely comprehensive and accessible history of Ancient Greece is perfect for anyone interested in the origins of our modern world.