This compelling reference presents the history ancient Greece--the culture that brought us democracy, the Olympics, Socrates, and Alexander the Great--through gripping stories: the rise and fall of the phenomenal empire, the powerful legacy left by ancient Greece for the modern world, the new discoveries shedding light on these ancient people that are still so much with us.Greek art and architecture dominate our cities; modern military strategists still study and employ Hellenic war tactics; Greek poetry, plays, and philosophy are widely read and enjoyed; and science, mathematics, medicine, and astronomy all build on the fundamentals of early Greek thinking.Gain fascinating insights into Greek island living, ancient social networking, and the extreme priority Greeks placed on athletic competition. Learn of spectacular discoveries such as buried palaces, the Uluburun shipwreck, and the earliest writing ever found in Europe. A stunning treasure, this uniquely comprehensive and accessible history of ancient Greece is perfect for anyone interested in the origins of our modern world.