The Greeks at War: From Athens to Alexander

Essential Histories Special #5

by Philip de Souza

Inspiring generations of poets, novelists, scriptwriters and scholars, the rise and fall of the great Empires of the Classical world is an enthralling story of passion and conquest. The leaders, battles and military technologies that dominated the wars between Greece and Persia, and Alexander's conquests are all examined in detail in this book, and their historical significance is discussed. The appendix focuses on the modern treatment of Ancient Greece in film, including behind-the-scenes insights into the filming of battle scenes for Oliver Stone's epic movie, Alexander. This volume combines material previously published as Essential Histories 36, 27 and 26, with a new foreword by renowned historian and author Victor Davis Hanson, and new material on the Wars of the Successors.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Military History, Ancient History

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 20, 2004

About the author

Dr. Philip de Souza is a Dublin-based academic author and historian and has written widely on warfare and conflict in the Ancient World. He is a lecturer in the School of Classics at University College Dublin.

Reviews

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated with many tremendous colour photos.

The first half about the Greek Peloponnesian wars is significantly better than the second half about Alexander. I mean, honestly, you could skip the Alexander half.

But it's the photographs that really make it. Maybe one day I will have conquered my autism enough to make that trip to Greece.

[Tony Szedlak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introductory book. Definitely written for a broad audience. Missing many details, though, and doesn't really cover much of the specific strategies employed in the battles covered.

[Hugh Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good in the Peloponnesian War era, less so with Alexander. Still worth reading.