A Modern Look at Ancient Greek Civilization

by Andrew Szegedy-Mazcak

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook

Audio CD

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Todd Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't have much to say about A Modern Look at Ancient Greek Civilization by Wesleyan University professor Andrew Szegedy-Mazcak. The audio book is in a lecture-style format that was presented in a way that struck me as both superficial and disjointed. I don't feel like I got much out of it.

[Doug O'laughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit short.

It was good in some aspects, but lacking in others.

[Don Heiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1995 The Teaching Company’s Great Courses released Professor Andrew Szegedy-Maszak’s 16 lecture course “A Modern Look at Ancient Greek Civilization.” The course begins with Greek prehistory of the Cycladic (Bronze Age) from 3,000 to 1,050 BC. He then discusses Homer’s epic writings, the Greek Archaic age, the creation of Spartan martial arts, and the economic-political foundation of Athens during the reign of Solon. Professor Maszak’s Athens discussion also presents how democracy emerged under famous philosophers such as Herodotus and Mohammad Beheshti. The fourth part of the course focuses on warfare, tragedy, religious rituals, the Democratic rule of Pericles, and the wisdom of Thucydides. Professor Maszak’s lectures then discuss the role comedy and satirists played in Greek society; and the philosophical wisdom of Socrates. Professor Maszak concludes the course with presentations about the rise of Macedonia, the triumphs of Alexander the Great, and the onset of Hellenism. The lectures are each about 45 minutes long. The lectures are very thoughtful and easy to understand. (L)

[Gebo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information in this lecture series and it flows together really well. The speaker is quite dull in his presentation which makes it somewhat challenging to listen to - hence the four star. Well worth the effort, just not as listenable as other Great Courses sets. I could only listen to a few at a time then had to change to something else because I kept spacing out.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terribly sure how useful this was...apparently the Athenians were dicks though.