Exploring the World of the Ancient Greeks - Book Review

Contemporary Review, Jan, 2003

Exploring the World of the Ancient Greeks. John Camp and Elizabeth Fisher. Thames & Hudson. [pounds sterling]17.95. 224 pages. ISBN 0-500-051127. This is another volume in this highly popular Thames and Hudson series which makes use of illustrations (376 of which 107 are in colour) to introduce readers to new topics.

This survey begins with a chapter devoted to the obvious question, 'Who were the Greeks?' which traces the rise of Greek civilisation which centred round a common language and a shared religion. By reference to anthropology, geology and geography, and by small quotations from original sources, the authors show how the Balkan peninsula helped to shape the nature and history of the Greeks. The text follows a basically chronological format with chapters devoted to Greek mythology, the nature of the city state or polis, the rise and importance of Athens, Greek religion, the marvellous creation that is Greek architecture, the relations of Greeks with Romans and the former's influence on the Roman Empi re, and the influence of Christianity. The Epilogue is devoted to the defeat of the Eastern Empire by the Mohammedans. As the authors conclude, 'the competitive nature of the Greeks drove them to extraordinary achievements in a vast array of endeavours'. These achievements are here chronicled and explained in a manner that brings this dead world and its 'extraordinary achievements' vividly to life. (P.P.F.)