In association with THE BRITISH MUSEUMBe an eyewitness to the fascinating real lives of the Ancient Greeks over two thousand years ago - from their homes to their gods and myths, and from extraordinary scientists to the first ever Olympic Games.

THE LAND OF GREECE is made up of mainland Greece and the numerous islands scattered throughout the Aegean and Adriatic Seas.It is a mountainous country with hot dry summers and rain only in winter. The early Greek settlements developed as small independent communities cut off from each other by the mountains and otten competing for the best land, because the fertile arable soil is in short supply. Each of the city-states which developed out of these communities had a strong individual identity, and citizens were very loyal to their home state and to its patron deity. This miscellaneous collection of city-states sometimes joined together for mutual defence and did so most successfully against the Persians. The Greeks produced a glorious culture which has had a profound effect on western civilization through succeeding centuries, reverberating right down to the present day. They scaled the heights in literature, the visual and dramatic arts, in philosophy and politics,in sport, and in many other aspects of human life.Greek civilization reached its peak in Athens in the fifth centurv B.C.

The Greek world

Minoan civilization

The Mycenaean civilization

To Troy and back

Greek expansion

Athens, city of Athena

Power and politics in Athens

Gods, goddesses, and heroes

Festivals and oracles

Temples

At home

Women's world

Growing up in Greece

Fun and games

Wining and dining

A day out

Body beautiful

Clothes for comfort

The Greek games

Wisdom and beauty

Vases and vessels

Farming, fishing, and food

Crafts, travel, and trade

Warfare

The state of Sparta

Science and medicine

Death and the afterlife

Alexander and the Hellenistic age

Did you know?

Who's who ?

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Glossary

Index