Greek myth owes its immortality - often in many varied versions - to the fact that it was cultivated for at least fourteen centuries in the places where it was born by a host of epic, lyric and dramatic poets, who wished to make of it a vehicle for the ideals of the Greek world. Many typical features of the Greek spirit are imprinted on the myth - a tendency towards competition, the affirmation of life, the worship of beauty, and the interest of the Greeks in man as man, leading to the creation of an idealised picture of him, which served to promote rules of life of general authority. A great...

One of the most important monuments of human civilisation and the new architectural jewel of Athens are both presented through informative, easy to read texts in a fully illustrated edition with colour representations and detailed site plans. This brand new book begins with a look at the history of Athens and the Acropolis. Starting at prehistoric times, this historical overview describes the town's development, from a quite modest Mycenaean settlement to one of the most powerful city-states of the classical era, the one that gave birth to democracy and theatre, and then its downfall to a...

Map of Athens, The history of Athens, The environs of the Acropolis, Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, South Slope of the Acropolis, Areopagos Hill of the Nymphs, Pnyx, Hill of Philopappos, Canellopoulos Museum, Plaka, Museum of Greek Folk Art, Centre of Folk Art and Tradition, Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments, Aerides Bath-House, The area of the Ancient Agora, Ancient Agora, Museum of the Ancient Agora Roman Agora, Library of Hadrian, Monastiraki, Kerameikos, Kerameikos Museum, Area of the Olympieion, Olympieion, Hadrian's Arch, Sanctuaries on the banks of the Ilissos, Zappeion, National...