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For 2500 years, the Ancient Greeks have fascinated the West, who look to Greece as the creators of Western culture. Indeed, the Greeks revolutionized warfare, art, architecture, government, philosophy, and more. Of all the Greeks' accomplishments, many can be credited to the two most famous city-states of all: Athens and Sparta.

There have been no shortage of great warrior societies in history, including the Romans, Mongols, Macedonians, and Vikings, the list goes on. Yet one humble city in particular, nestled in a valley near the Eurotas River in the Greek region of the Peloponnese and once ridiculed as little more than a cluster of villages inhabited by uncouth shepherds, produced the most famous warrior elite the world has ever known.

Slavery was a universal and totally accepted feature of ancient Greek society, so much so that while the conditions under which slaves lived and worked varied considerably, many ordinary citizens kept at least one slave, often working alongside their owners, while larger commercial enterprises involved huge numbers, many of whom could rise to positions of authority and wealth. It was possible for some slaves to buy their freedom, while others lived and died in conditions of appalling brutality.

When the Spartans' famous stand at the Battle of Thermopylae ended during the Second Persian War, the Athenian fleet was forced to fall back, and Xerxes' massive Persian army marched into Greece before advancing on Athens. The Greek armies were scattered and unable to face the might of Persia, so Athens was forced to evacuate the entire population of the city to Salamis, from where the Athenians watched in horror as Xerxes' troops plundered the defenseless city, set it aflame, and razed the Acropolis.

This book contains the daily life, culture, training, battles, history, and kings of the Spartan Empire. From the birth of their city to the end, the Spartans endured a history of violence and war. Similar to their stories, the traditional Spartan warrior also lived the daily life of a soldier. From the moment they were born and if they were allowed to live, they were trained and conditioned to be some of the most efficient and lethal killing machines. Dominating the land through some of the most famous battles of all time, the Spartans were a force to be reckoned with.

Ein einzigartiger Einblick in die antike griechische Welt. Mit "Anabasis" bezeichneten die alten Griechen eine Reise weg vom Meer in das Landesinnere. In diesem Fall ist das riesige Perserreich gemeint, das sich vom Gebiet der heutigen Türkei bis zur indischen Grenze erstreckt. Der Athener Xenophon ist ein junger, abenteuerlustiger Grieche, der 401 v. Chr. an einem Feldzug des persischen Prinzen Kyros teilnimmt. Der Feldzug bringt ihn bis in die Nähe Babylons, als Kyros unerwartet umkommt. Fast 10.000 Griechen, die Kyros als Söldner gefolgt sind, sind nun auf sich allein gestellt. Xenophon führt sie durch viele Gefahren nach Hause.

Why are we still arguing over the Parthenon Marbles? This book offers a fresh take on the history of those famous pieces of ancient sculpture removed from the Acropolis in Athens by Lord Elgin’s men in the early 19th century. It explains how they became the cause célèbre of the larger debates around cultural heritage and restitution now taking place. The subject is one that is currently embroiling museums, governments, universities and the public at large.

Tales of lore from f*ckboys and more… Myths and legends would be nothing without their shining star of a hero at the forefront … right? Heroes or Zeroes? looks at the dashingly handsome and oh-so-brave men from antiquity in a whole other light. From 'famous' Heroes, Rowdy Royals, Underdogs...

The kidnap and rape of Io, Europa, and Medea started the conflict between the East and the West. You can throw in Helen if you wish, but Herodotus (484-425 B.C.) dissed Homer on this point. Helen was never in Troy! And Philippides did not run the first Marathon to Athens, announce the victory over the Persians, and die! No.“Herein lies my research as to why the Hellenes and the barbarians, the West and the East, made war on each other,” Herodotus stated. A war we are still fighting today. BECAUSE OF THE WOMEN is a transliteration of Herodotus’s HISTORIES.

For centuries, whispers of a forbidden ritual have haunted archaeologists and historians, a chilling practice woven into the rise and fall of Egypt’s most powerful rulers. In The Pharaoh’s Kill List: Inside the Ancient Egyptian Tradition of Human Sacrifice, bestselling researcher Davis Truman pulls back the curtain on a world where divine kingship demanded blood, loyalty was enforced through death, and every royal tomb carried secrets meant to stay hidden forever.

What if the secret to timeless humor was buried in the ruins of Rome, etched on scrolls, whispered in the agora, or passed down by philosophers with a wicked sense of irony? In Secrets of Ancient Humor, Lucius Aurelius revives the comedic genius of the ancients—so you can master the art of joke-telling that’s endured for millennia. From the sharp satire of Aristophanes to the dry wit of Seneca, this practical and entertaining guide reveals how ancient humor still slaps (and why).

Desde hace más de dos mil años, el Partenón domina la Acrópolis de Atenas como uno de los símbolos universales de la civilización clásica. Pero, ¿qué sabemos realmente de este edificio? En este libro, Mary Beard reconstruye con rigor y agilidad narrativa la historia del templo de Atenea: desde su construcción en el siglo V a.C. hasta sus múltiples transformaciones como iglesia bizantina, mezquita otomana, ruina romántica y epicentro de uno de los debates culturales más encendidos de nuestro tiempo.

The Amazons, a fascinating exploration of the legendary women-warriors who captured the Greek imagination. Rothery draws on classical texts, folklore, anthropology, and comparative histories to trace the myth’s evolution—and to ask: how much of the legend is rooted in fact?

Une réécriture de mythe féministe tragique et intense, lu par Élodie Ducarroir. « J'ai prédit leur mort. J'ai prédit la chute de notre cité. J'ai vu les flammes et les Grecs, Bien avant qu'ils ne tuent, pillent et violent. Ils me croyaient folle, tous. Je suis Cassandre, princesse de Troie. »

According to the ancient writer Arrian, when Alexander attempted to apply proskynesis to his court, his decision was met with massive criticism from both the Macedonians and Greeks. And even when he stopped the practice, the Macedonians continued to witness their king apply a variety of Persian customs in the kingdom. Some said his Persianization played a minor role in his death, while others claimed that he died of natural causes. The sources that tell the story of Alexander often contradict each other, which can be confusing for those hoping to learn about the great king’s eventful life.

Vor 2500 Jahren war Syrakus auf Sizilien für die Griechen das New York des Mittelmeers: Aischylos brachte hier Stücke zur Uraufführung, Platon reiste aus Athen gleich dreimal an, der Tyrann Dionysios ersteigerte die Lyra des Euripides, und die schmachtende Nymphe Arethusa versteckte sich im Papyrushain. Dass all das heute noch präsent ist, erfuhr Joachim Sartorius, als er Syrakus zu seinem zweiten Lebensmittelpunkt machte. An seiner Seite wandern wir mit Nymphen und Zyklopen durch Ortigia, die auf einer Insel liegende Altstadt, und treffen ganz heutige Barone, Polizisten, Künstler und Barbiere.

Winston Churchill said, “History is written by the victors,” and never has this been truer than in the case of the Parthian Empire. The Parthians left few written records, and most of what we know about the empire comes from its two main adversaries—first the Greeks and then, for most of its history, the Romans. Fortunately, modern scholarship and archaeology have recently helped us to understand a little more about this ancient empire.

Although it was an incredibly important period in world history, the era after Alexander the Great's death is sometimes as confusing as it is frustrating for historians because the allegiances of his generals changed constantly and historical sources are often biased in some regards and utterly lacking in others. Although none of these men were able to replicate Alexander the Great’s territorial success, a few carved out sizable empires and were able to establish long-lasting political dynasties.

Explore the ancient world like never before in 500 Interesting Facts About Ancient Greece. Uncover the history and mysteries behind this great civilization, from prehistoric times to Alexander the Great. Learn about Greek mythology and religion and their culture and society. Dive into the military tactics and strategies that led them to victory.

The Dawn of Civilization: An Exploration of the Greek Empire delves into the roots and evolution of this compelling civilization, charting its rise, zenith, and ultimate demise, while examining the indelible marks it has left on the annals of human history.