The Classical Greeks

New York,: Charles Scribner, 1989 Book. As New. Hardcover. 1st US Edition. ". the Golden Age of Greek Civilization, the period from the first wars against Persia & Carthage in the early 5th century B.C. to the accession of Alexander the Great in 336 B.C. Never have so many varied talents & so much genius flourished within so short a period: the time of Sophocles, Aristophanes, Herodotus, Aristotle, Socrates & Plato. Much of our culture today was anticipated by the classical Greeks & their work remains fundamental to Western civilization. Focusing primarily on individuals who shaped their own & future civilizations rather than solely on political & military affairs, Michael Grant takes 37 of the great men of the age, whose contributions he considers to have been particularly important, & places them in their historical context. Grant explores the factors that gave rise to such outstanding achievement in the cultural, philosophical, scientific & literary spheres, stressing not only those of Athens & other mainland states, but also of cities far to the west & east, notably in Sicily & on the shores of the Black Sea. Writing for the general reader as well as for the reader with a more specialized knowledge of classical Greece, Michael Grant has captured the most astonishing of civilizations at the height of its powers. In this accessible & endlessly fascinating volume, he brings to life some of the most extraordinary men in all of history." 337p. plates maps bibliography.index.