From theatre to politics, no other single civilisation has influenced the Western world more profoundly than that of ancient Greece. From the roots of democracy to philosophy & mathematics, it`s fascinating to learn how much western civilisation has stemmed from that of ancient Greece. This book offers an introduction to the lives of the ancient Greeks, their mythologies & traditions & their culture & learning. With colour illustrations supporting a clear, informative & engaging text, this guide is a perfect companion for both adults & children alike.
Includes:: * Geography
- map of Greece * History
- the different civilizations from the Minoans through to the Hellenistic period * Religion
- gods, festivals, oracles & muses * Mythology
- Homer`s Odyssey, the Minotaur, Icarus * Daily life in Ancient Greece
- everyday life for all levels of society; the jobs, family life, leisure activities * Politics
- democracy & the Athenian council * Learning & knowledge
- philosophy, science, mathematics, medicine & literature * War
- important wars; the army & navy * Greece Today
- temples, archaeology & the monuments that can still be seen today









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This book is a lively & readable overview of the fascinating history of ancient Greece, from its earliest origins through to its legacy in the modern world. Beginning with the rediscovery of the Classical Greeks, the author then traces their evolution from Bronze Age civilizations through the emergence of the city state, discussing topics such as writing & art, government & philosophy, warfare & hunting, trade & colonization, gods & heroes, entertainments & domestic life. This accessible book will appeal to a wide range of general readers, museum visitors, undergraduate students & life-long learners. ...

Ancient Greece is rich in maps, site plans, & photographs providing potential explorers eager to bask in both beauty & history with a wealth of material to ignite the imagination & facilitate trip planning. Authors Meagher & Neave structure the book around four itineraries, three of which correspond to distinct eras & regions. The Minoan itinerary unfolds on Crete; the Mycenaean is focused on the Peloponnese; the Classical itinerary on Athens. The final, eclectic itinerary focuses on the Cyclades & features isl&-hopping & a survey of the full span of Greek antiquity from the late Neolithic Age through the Classical period when the island of Delos, the mythical birthplace of Apollo, was the religious centre of the Aegean. Each itinerary

Includes:: witty & erudite explorations of mythology, history, literature, archaeology, & architecture, as well as concrete help finding the most stunning sites that preserve that history today.

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Created 2, 300 years ago at the wish of Alexander the Great, Alexandria is still the largest city in the Mediterranean world. It evokes a succession of images
- the Tomb of Alexander, the Pharos, the Library, Antony & Cleopatra, Cavafy & Durrell, all reminders of its magnificence & cultural influence. Over the centuries it has known many setbacks. In 1820, with the advent of Mohammed Ali, it began to reawaken, & became a model of cosmopolitanism of which many still regret the passing. Today, with the building of the great new library, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the city is again looking to the future.
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Ancient Greece on a colourful & informative poster from Schofield & Sims, size 53 x 77cm (21” x 30” approx), with maps, drawings, photos & extensive text on subjects such as the rivalry between Athens & Sparta, the Olympic Games, gods & worship, architecture, theatre, etc. Three maps illustrate the allegiances at the time of the Peloponnesian Wars, the battle of Marathon, & the empire of Alexander the Great. A time chart lists the main developments from the times of the Minoan Crete to the annexation of Greece into the Roman Empire. The map is printed on very thick, high quality paper & laminated on both sides.*LAMINATED & ENCAPSULATED WALL MAPS:*- *laminated* wall maps have a thin layer of plastic usually applied to the printed side only. They can be written on with suitable marker pens without any damage to the map but, unless laminated on both sides, they are not damp-proof.- *encapsulated* wall maps are sealed between two sheets of plastic. They are more rigid & heavier than laminated maps of the same size. They are damp-proof & do not crinkle in humid conditions. Encapsulation gives the map a shiny surface, similar to being displayed behind glass.- *please note:* many publishers & retailers often use these two terms interchangeably. Our map titles & descriptions follow the definitions provided above. ...

Carrowkeel Passage Tomb in Sligo is an extensive Neolithic passage tomb undisturbed since its excavation in 1911. Robert Praeger, one of the excavators, described being one of the first to enter the tomb: `I lit three candles & stood awhile, to let my eyes accustom themselves to the dim light. There was everything, just as the last man had left it, three to four thousand years before.` On an isolated hillside, the tomb is in almost the same undisturbed condition today. Ireland is rich in such monuments. Tarquin Blake & Fiona Reilly explore & document over 140 historic sites across the thirty-two counties. These range from megalithic tombs & round towers to monasteries & castles, as well as the more recent Martello towers & windmills. An engrossing catalogue of remarkable heritage sites is revealed. Each site, from Brian Boru`s Fort in County Clare to Moyne Friary in County Mayo, has an intriguing past & is illustrated with Blake`s trademark photographs. ...

Jordan in the Handbooks series from Footprint; comprehensive & leading guides designed & written for independent travellers who enjoy exploring off the beaten track. Footprint guides have an established reputation, built up since 1921, for catering for more adventurous & individual travellers. An unrestrictive editorial style also gives authors the freedom to capture & explore local cultures, sights & areas that are often not covered in other guides. Widely recognised for their reliability & independent writing style, Footprint guides all have the same layout. Introductory sections introduce the reader to the destination, with chapters on planning on your trip & essentials, including practical information & guidance on subjects such as when & where to go, itineraries, sport & activities, arts, getting there & around, eating & drinks, sleeping & a dedicated section on the anticipated carbon footprint involved in travelling to the destination. Each guide is organised geographically by region or country, with individual sections having a particular focus on an extensive range of sights & places of interest. Further, there are also details of accommodation, nightlife, restaurants & any notable local activities. Information boxes throughout the text give readers an insight into local customs, stories & sights of particular interest.A ‘ Background’ section explores the history, economy, government, education, culture, people, land & environment of the destination in significant depth. There is also a ‘ Footnotes’ chapter with a basic language guide for travellers & information about the author. A useful distance chart tailored to the destination is also included in the inside back cover. * Please note:* the series is gradually being revised, reverting to its previous style of ” Handbooks”, published in a hardback format. ...

Ancient Luang Prabang is an illustrated book focusing on the sacred architecture & art to be found in this mist-shrouded mountain town of northern Laos; combining over 315 colour photographs, 63 black & white archive images, as well as 26 temple plans & architectural drawings. Not only is Luang Prabang home to a treasure trove of 33 gilded & frescoed wooden Buddhist temples dating from the seventeenth century, it is also a place where native religious architecture fuses with secular, colonial French buildings from the nineteenth century. Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site & is considered the best preserved town in Southeast Asia. ...

In 1757, when twelve-year-old Samuel Hearne joined the Royal Navy as an apprentice to the famous fighting captain Samuel Hood, he was embarking on a life of high adventure. This young sailor would become the first European to reach the Arctic coast of North America, the author of a classic work of exploration literature, & the man who inspired one of the greatest poems in the English language. Yet, for over two centuries, Hearne's place in history has been a subject of dispute. In ANCIENT MARINER, Ken Mc Googan paints a vivid portrait of life in the eighteenth century, from London through to the farthest reaches of North America. After serving as a midshipman during the Seven Years War, Hearne joined the Hudson's Bay Company & was posted to the Arctic coast. From there he embarked on an overland quest for a fabled copper mine
- also hoping to discover the Northwest Passage. In his epic account, A JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN, Hearne described this trek, marked by hardship, near-starvation & culture shock. Joining forces with the legendary Dene leader Matonabbee, & closely observing the people, wildlife & terrain as he went, Hearne travelled more than 3, 500 miles, mostly on foot. His journey culminated in the infamous massacre at ' Bloody Falls' at the mouth of the Coppermine River
- an event, Mc Googan suggests, that changed him for ever. In a fascinating piece of literary detective work, Mc Googan also determines that, having returned to London to live out his final days, Hearne met Samuel Taylor Coleridge & inspired the poet to write his classic poem, THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER.

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A double sided sheet detailing the history of Central America before the arrival of the Spanish. On one side a thematic map shows the cultural regions of ancient Mesoamerica, with modern day political boundaries overprinted. Insets, with maps & text, explain the Pre-classic, classic & post-classic periods of development. Most of the reverse side is given over to a detailed illustration of the city of Palenque, as it would have been in its hey day, some 13 centuries ago. Along the bottom there is an illustrated time-line showing the development of Mayan civilisation. ...