This title presents a comprehensive history with 1000 photographs. It offers an authoritative account of Greek military and political power, architecture, sculpture and art, drama and philosophy, and their lasting influence on Western culture. Discover how ancient Greece became one of the finest civilizations ever seen and the lives of her great writers, including Plato, Homer and Aristotle. It details the fabulous myths and legends of the great gods of Mount Olympus - from Zeus, Hero and Athena to Apollo, Poseidon and Aphrodite. Accounts of temples, palaces and archaeological sites display the influence of ancient Greece on the birth of Western civilization, architecture and art. Battleplans and maps chart the military history of ancient Greece, including war with Sparta, the Persian Wars and the campaigns of Alexander the Great. With over 1000 magnificent colour photographs, sculptures, paintings and plans, maps and artworks, this lavishly illustrated reference guide evokes the magnificent heritage of classical Greece. The legacy of the ancient Greeks has shaped our world. Classical Greece's military prowess, political sophistication and cultural innovations continue to captivate and influence our modern society. The first half of the book focuses on political and military history, from Mycenae and the Golden Age of Athens to the campaigns of Alexander the Great. The second half concerns ancient Greece's magnificent buildings, sculptures, mythology and dramas, and their influence on world art, architecture and society. This is a breathtaking exploration of the world of the ancient Greeks and an indispensable resource for both the general and specialist reader.