'Nothing has changed our understanding of Greek culture more than the uncovering in the past thirty years of its debt to the East. In this wide-ranging, amply illustrated and thought-provoking book, Morgan offers a longue durée view of Greek engagement with Persia through elite use of cultural imports.' Margaret C. Miller, University of Sydney 'The Greek response to Achaemenid Iran is sometimes seen as a special case within the wider story of interaction between the Greek and non-Greek worlds. Janett Morgan insists that this is not so, and her claim is one to which students of Greek cultural history will have to pay serious attention.' Christopher Tuplin, University of Liverpool Greek views of the Achaemenids and their Empire In the aftermath of the Greco-Persian Wars, Greek communities produced a variety of images of the Achaemenids and their Empire in texts and on vases and architecture. These perspectives have traditionally been explained as responses to victory in wars. However, Janett Morgan shows that these responses fit into wider patterns of Greek engagements with the east and reflect dialogues of elite identity rather than hubristic celebration. Through a study of ancient texts and material evidence from the archaic and classical periods, she investigates the historical, political and social factors that inspired and manipulated different identities for Persia, and the Persians within different Greek communities. Janett Morgan is Honorary Research Associate at Royal Holloway, University of London. Cover image: Relief sculpture possibly representing a eunuch courtier; Palace of Darius, Persepolis, Iran (c) Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones Cover design: [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com