First published 1764
This historical account examines ancient Greek civilization through the lens of ordinary citizens and extraordinary leaders. Coolidge presents the routines of merchants, farmers, and craftsmen alongside the deeds of warriors and statesmen. The narrative moves between marketplace haggling and battlefield strategy, between temple rituals and political assemblies. Readers witness how Greeks balanced their devotion to the gods with their pursuit of knowledge, how they built democracy while waging constant wars. The book captures both the mundane details of household management and the grand spectacle of Olympic competitions. Coolidge shows how individual Greeks shaped their society through daily choices and momentous decisions. The account reveals a civilization where philosophy and warfare, art and commerce, religion and politics intertwined to create a culture that still influences our world.
Genres: historical, historical-fiction, ancient, ancient-history
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-drama, slice-of-life
Setting: Greece
Period: Ancient
224 pages · Library Binding · HarperCollins