The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Greece

I agree with the reviewer who said that this book assumes you are already familiar with Greek history and even Greek geography. It is not an introductory book. Rather, it's a very good book to read after you have read a number of other books. It ties together scholarly opinion. There are still-existing controversies in Greek history, and it may be that this book takes a position in some instances that not everyone agrees with. But I don't see that as a major issue. To be able to read comfortably just about any book on Greek history you should be familiar with the geography. This is hard for us Americans, but it is a gradual learning process, and finally when they mention Argos or Thebes or Delphi or Thrace you will know more or less where these places are located. Of course, the maps in this book can be used to make other books more readable. An example of how this book is enjoyable in the context of other books previously-read, is the subject of Crete, Mycenae and Linear A and Linear B. The most interesting way to learn about this controversy is to read one or better yet both books about the interpretation of Linear B. The significance of the discovery that Linear B was a form of Greek is that it meant that at least by 1450 or 1400 BC Mycenae held sway over Crete instead of vice versa. What this Penguin book does is to emphasize that, according to the author, prior to 1450 BC, and for the previous say 600 years, there is no question that the Minoan civilization (Crete) held sway over Mycenae and much of the eastern mediterranean. I was not aware of that, and I'm not sure there is a consensus on that, but it is an example of how this book is much more meaningful if you have read a lot of Greek history prior to this book. This book is not an introductory course, it is a delicious dessert.

People lose interest in history quickly if they cannot visualize the world of the past. Penguin's historical atlas series brings the past to life in vibrant color with maps, illustrations, and photographs of historical sites and artifacts. The book is not intended for scholarly research. Rather, it's intended to give an overview of Greek history through the centuries from the ages of Cretan and Mycenean domination over the eastern Mediterranean to the triumph of Rome over her elder Greek sibling states. The reader is introduced to the variety of Greek societies and leaders who shaped the first European civilization. Some long-standing myths are disposed of, and the language is concise yet readable. This is a good resource for any middle or high school student, and is an excellent quick reference for any college student who has to wade through dry, unillustrated texts.

I am an inveterate map reader. Whenever I travel there is a map in my pocket. But a recent trip to the Middle East and growing hobby collecting ancient coins had left me lost and confused as I tried to put in context the ruins visited and the coins I collected. With time, the names of cities and regions change so that one needs a separate map for each period. Morkot's superbly written historical atlas not only provides maps, but the rationale and context for their evolution and change. One of the best features in the structure of this book is the use of the overview, followed by a series of in-depth accounts, each from the perspective of the important "players" during a given historical period. This approach is immensely effective in reinforcing the information since the same information is repeated and new information added as each of the regions, their politics and battles, are succesively presented. From the Mycenae to the Parthians are thousands of years, thousands of miles, and thousands of political entities whose ebb and flow of power and reach of influence affect us even today. For the first time after years of puzzling over strange Grecian place names and leaders, I am now able to begin to understand the who what when and where for the 5 millenia preceding the birth of Christ. I wish this had been the first book I read in my study of ancient history. I can hardly wait to start on Penguin's sequel - Acient Rome.

Much more than Egyptian, Persian or Roman history, Greek history is very complicated, because it wasn't just an empire with one emperor or king or whatever. Therefore Greek history is very complicated and it's difficult to obtain a clear overview. This historical atlas is the first I've ever seen which really helps you get this overview of the citystates, the alliances and wars. The maps are beautifully styled, this is simply a very good atlas for not very much money.

Students lined up to borrow my copy of this concise, well written book. The maps are clearly marked, the text readable and accurate. Our professor had not seen it before and added it to his required reading list. Well worth the small price.