Take a brief and introductory voyage to the dawn of Western civilization and explore the fascinating seaside country whose culture and politics shaped the foundations of our modern society.

Theatre, sculpture, the Olympics, and democracy: Ancient Greece paved the way for modern civilization. Its stories–about Oedipus, Hercules, and the Odyssey–still thrill us today.

But what about the ancient Greek world makes it so pivotal? Why, thousands of years later, does it still captivate our imaginations, not to mention form the basis for streams of legal and political proceedings?

Maybe you’re curious about the origins of science and medicine or the true story behind myths like the Trojan War and legends like Alexander the Great–stories still alive and the subject of major motion pictures thousands of years later.

The cultural legacy of the Greeks was so significant that even Rome, who conquered Greece, assimilated much of their culture, adopting Greece’s political traditions as their own. Encompassing art, mythology, science, and history, Greek civilization laid the groundwork for many elements of contemporary life.

In this book, you’ll explore Ancient Greece's history, culture, and politics. In a concise, entertaining, and easy-to-read narrative, you’ll discover:

• How Greece’s unique geographical pockets influenced its growth
• What prehistoric and “Dark Age” civilizations contributed to later culture
• Where modern traditions like marathons and the Olympics came from
• Why the fifth century BCE is known as the “Golden Age” of Athens
• What caused the decades-long Peloponnesian war between Athens and Sparta
• Why military leaders like Darius of Persia, Pericles, and Alexander the Great had so much influence
• How revolutions in thought, art, and politics were the crucible of Ancient Greece

And much more.

Whether you’re looking for an introduction to Ancient Greece or a new source of study or documentary, this book will give you a clear overview of the Hellenistic world and the significant figures, events, and ideas that influenced it.

From Troy to Athens and beyond, you’ll journey through early Greece, bask in the light of its Golden Age, and retrace the stories, military campaigns, and artistic and scientific developments that paved the way for Western culture.

Reading this book will help you:

• Grasp the historical significance of ancient Greek events
• Familiarize yourself with some of the world’s most famous philosophers
• Appreciate the long-lasting impact of ancient Greek art and culture
• Gain a solid understanding of the role Greece played on the world stage

Ready to meet the founders of philosophy, science, art, and politics? Want to visit the Parthenon and follow Alexander the Great across the Aegean Sea? Scroll up and click the “Add to Cart” button to begin your odyssey.