"The abundant riches of ancient Greek texts and artifacts make finding a good introductory text a constant challenge. In this new edition, Sowerby has blended together his substantive, rich, and insightful readings of ancient texts with greatly expanded and revised presentations on the political, social, intellectual, and artistic developments, figures, and accomplishments of the Greeks from the Mycenaeans to the Hellenistic age. Loaded with ancient texts and a most useful array of images, plans, and charts, the old core and the new enhancements make this new edition the first choice for an intro course on the ancient Greeks." - Brad L. Cook, University of Mississippi, USA. "A constant problem for students studying the ancient world for the first time, whether at school or university, is one of context. Who were the important figures discussed in ancient literature and depicted in ancient art? What were the important places and events that shaped this ancient discourse? This volume, with its clear, well informed discussion and well chosen maps and illustrations provides an excellent introduction that will help new students quickly find their way in this ever expanding field of knowledge, while providing lively and thought-provoking reading for the rest of us. It is a useful reference that readers will want to return to again and again." – Adam Bartley, University of Kent, UK.