Discovering Ancient Greece

Book excerpt: It would be difficult to decide if the ancient Greeks are best known for their literature or mythology, for their philosophy or their government. On all fronts, ancient Greece paved the way for civilizations to come, making momentous contributions to humanity unmatched by other societies. This authoritative, upper elementary volume covers all aspects of Greek society, including daily life, deities and legends, and the political systems of Greek city-states. Important writers and thinkers receive equal treatment, with profiles of Sophocles, Plato, and Homer presented, among others—all amounting to an exploration sure to inspire awe of the might of ancient Greece.