In Search of the Greeks (Second Edition)

Description

In Search of the Greeks offers an engaging introduction to the societies of Classical Greece. Making extensive use of ancient sources and illustrated with some hundred and fifty photographs, drawings, maps and plans, many now for the first time in colour, the book introduces key topics of ancient Greece. The new edition opens with a new chapter that provides an historical overview of the key events, figures and eras, and continues with updated chapters on key topics in Greek history: religion and thought, Athenian democracy, Athenian society, Athenian drama, the Olympic Games and Sparta. Activity boxes and further reading lists throughout each chapter aid students' understanding of the subject. Appendices provide further information on Greek currency values, Greek musical instruments and the Greek calendar. Review questions throughout this book challenge students to read further and reflect on some of the most important social, political and cultural issues of classical Greece. Many topics raise issues of contemporary relevance, such as the rights of citizens in a democracy, forced marriage and approaches to education. The book is supported by a website which, contains comprehensive resources on the social, political and cultural issues of classical Greece.

James Renshaw teaches Classics at Godolphin and Latymer School, UK. His books include In Search of the Romans (Bloomsbury, 2012) and he is General Editor of the suite of books for OCR Classical Civilisation and Ancient History (Bloomsbury, 2017).

[A] big handsome book, beautifully presented and lavishly illustrated ... Everything is done to facilitate the introduction of the non-specialist to key aspects of the ancient Greek world ... This is surely the most comprehensive introduction to Greek civilisation on the market ... the most attractive. * Classics For All Reviews * Any teacher of Classical Civilisation, or, indeed, Ancient Greek will wish to have a copy of this book to hand for easy reference. I have no doubt that it should be the standard classroom text for some time to come ... There is in this volume, and the accompanying website, more than enough resources for any teacher to choose from. * The Classical Review * In search of the Greeks offers readers a cogent and engaging overview of the ancient Greek world. James Renshaw manages to make complex aspects of Greek society such as religion and class easily accessible, without reducing the richness and endless variety of life in ancient Greece. The book is handsomely produced, with a number of helpful tables and appendices, as well as an excellent range of supporting illustrations that help bring the ancient world to life. Students and general readers alike will learn much about the social, political and cultural life of ancient Greece in this splendid book. -- Jan Haywood is Teaching Fellow in Ancient History at Leicester University, UK This is probably the most user-friendly textbook-type account of the Ancient Greeks currently on the market. Do not hesitate to join in James Renshaw's open-minded search, in a true spirit of historia, enquiry - the characteristic attitude of the very best of the ancient Greeks themselves. * Paul Cartledge, A.G. Leventis Professor of Greek Culture, Cambridge University, UK * This book has something for everyone: it will be used with profit by school students and undergraduates. Every page shows the hand of a gifted and experienced teacher. Excellent and plentiful colour pictures, maps and text boxes make the new edition a visual treat for the reader. * John Taylor, University of Manchester, UK, formerly Tonbridge School *