Eureka!: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Ancient Greeks but Were Afraid to Ask

by Peter V. Jones

The Ancient Greeks gave us our alphabet and much of our scientific, medical and cultural language; they invented democracy, atomic theory and the rules of logic and geometry; established artistic and architectural canons visible to this day on all our high streets; laid the foundations of philosophy, history, tragedy and comedy and debated everything from the good life and the role of women, to making sense of foreigners and the best form of government, all in the most sophisticated terms.

In Eureka! Peter Jones, author of Veni, Vedi, Vici, tackles the gamut of Ancient Greece from the Trojan War to the advent of the Romans. Along the way he introduces the major figures of the age, including Homer, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Euclid and Archimedes. Exploring Greek myths he provides a glimpse of everyday life in ancient times and shows us the very foundations of Western culture.

In this thoroughly entertaining romp through the world of the Ancient Greeks, Peter will demonstrate just how much of our world finds its origins in theirs.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Ancient History, Greece, Classical Studies, Classics, Mythology

372 pages, Hardcover

First published November 6, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Peter Jones (sometimes credited as Peter V. Jones) is a former lecturer in Classics at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, a writer and journalist. Jones has regularly written on Classics for major newspapers, and was awarded the MBE in 1983. He is a Cambridge graduate.

Jones' popular work has been focused on introducing new generations to Ancient Rome and Greece, from newspaper columns to crossword collections, popular non-fiction, and charitable organisations devoted to helping keep Classics subjects in schools.

Reviews

[Claire Huston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does what it says on the cover! 4/5 stars.

This review was originally posted on my book blog.

This review may be more about me and my relationship with non-fiction than this specific book and for that I can only apologise.

I try to read at least 2 non-fiction books a year. I’m aware that 2 is a low number, but I tend to struggle with non-fiction. I find my attention wanders, mostly because I read far slower than I read fiction.

Firstly, all credit for me having found and read this book must go to my local library. Their display stands of interesting non-fiction books are the main reason I ever pick up non-fiction.

In a nutshell, my review of Eureka! would be: if you have any interest in knowing about the Ancient Greeks, and would like the information in an easy-to-digest format, then I can’t recommend this book enough.

I liked how every chapter was split into small chunks of information. It meant my attention didn’t wander because I could see it wouldn’t be long until the next topic heading where I could always take a break.

There were lots of highlights, and I particularly enjoyed the parts about Troy and Greek myths and legends. However, I think my favourite comment was about Aristotle being hired by Alexander the Great’s father to tutor his son. The author points out that this was the equivalent of an ambitious father wanting a maths teacher for his son and accidentally hiring Stephen Hawking!

Also, the book made me appreciate how much we still owe to the Greeks in all sort of fields: astronomy, mathematics, biology, physics… In fact, apart from technological advances, there doesn’t seem to be much today that the Greeks hadn’t already figured out thousands of years ago. I’m still not sure if that’s amazing or depressing… or both!

The only thing that makes me sad is that with my addled baby brain I doubt I’ll be able to retain much of what I’ve read. The author’s similar book about the Romans is already on my TBR list and I’m trusting my local library to come up trumps again.

Overall: an accessible read full of fascinating facts. I just wish I could retain more of them!

[Martine Gjermundsen Ræstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any book about a special topic aimed for a general audience will struggle with the balance between either going too much into detail and presuming too much foreknowledge, or being too general - and so I assume reviews for this book vary greatly. All I can say is that it fit me very well and that I liked it.

I came in with quite a lot of detail-level knowledge about specific wars and eras, having taken a course in Attic Greek, and some general cloudy knowledge of the overall history. With my foreknowledge in hand, navigating the bite-sized structure worked out fine, and I still learned a lot - both big and small things. It's split into bits and pieces, some extremely narrow and specific (and often a lot of fun), and some much more general and more your typical history - it's chaotic at times, but I feel the strategy fits the subject of the book. The Greeks were a bit messy, and they viewed themselves as a collection of individual pieces and stories, not a single entity with a single story - so you get the right vibe from it all. (the book was admittedly not at its strongest after the Macedonian empire fell apart and it largely turned into not much more than a summary of the following events)

One of my favourite things about this book is that it's aimed for a general audience, but keeps the sources and the academic work always in mind - something incredibly important that's sadly often neglected when information travels outside the academic sphere. There are stories not only of the myth of Theseus, but how the Athenians later inserted themselves into it probably for political and social reasons, and not only stories of Mycaenean Greeks, but also of the 19th century historians who changed the remains of this civilisation to fit what they wanted to find.

It makes it clear that we are many steps removed from the real events and it's often hard to know what the truth is - but hey, digging through all that uncertainty, you find a lot of really cool stuff on the way!

[Iset · Rating 2 out of 5]

I knew that this would be a book aimed at complete newcomers but even so I didn’t expect it to be as basic as it is. Really more of a coffee table book than anything else. If I were recommending a book to beginners, I’d suggest Thomas Martin’s Ancient Greece instead.

[Dorin Lazăr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good introductory book in the topic of Ancient Greece. I think it's a nice introduction, the kind of book you read before getting into more reading and research. A lovely synthesis, focused on skimming the topics and also looking at some adjacent issues (like how did the texts survive?).

It's not „Everything”. It is a lot of information, it should be treated as light reading and not as a reference book. But it's a nice introduction and it should be treated as such.

[M. Chéwl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am of the opinion that if you know very little about a subject, it is best to start with a simple text to begin with. There’s no shame in picking up a book which is aimed at the adolescent reader if it helps you get to grips with the basics before proceeding with more sophisticated works such as Plutarch, Herodotus etc. My knowledge of the Ancient Greeks is nebulous at best, so I would recommend this as a good starting point as it was quite an accessible read.

Peter Jones has interposed a number of devices that I found were effective in helping me to retain certain facts and anecdotes. There is a degree of repetition, but this didn't bother me. What I found useful, were the stories and analogies that he uses to illustrate a point; they are succinct, yet evocative and easy to commit to memory. For instance, Jones likes to detail the etymology of a word, place name or event. The inauguration myth of the first Olympic Games features the brazen Pelops, who, accepting the challenge of a chariot race from King Oinomaus of Pisa to win his daughter's hand in marriage, sabotages the chariot by replacing the linchpins with wax ones. As the race begins, the linchpins melt and Oinomaus is propelled from his chariot to his death. Pelops becomes king and names the entire southern part of Greece after himself: the Peloponnese.

The final parts focus on the Romans' fascination, and steady usurpation, of the Hellenes. It is both comical and sad how the Romans seemed to be enamoured with this fading empire and it’s people, whose reputation and feats of accomplishment rendered them spellbound. At the same time, however, they treated them begrudgingly like some decrepit, incontinent grandfather who needs money for bingo in exchange for lessons on culture.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did learn quite a bit about the ancient Greeks, so, to that end, the book served it's purpose.

The author adopted a chronological, disjointed approach: at times lively, at others deathly dull.

It has clarified for me the aspects of ancient history that I find interesting (culture, philosophy, poetry, words Aristophanes used to describe genitals) and which are a snooze fest (war, political structure, trade, boats, stuff dug up in various places).

One thing I found very offputting was the tone deaf approach to issues such as homosexuality and women in Homer. I thought about uploading my rantings about this, but decided against; it would be unfair to take up a disproportionate amount of review space for what essentially bubbles down to a (repeatedly) clumsy use of language.

[Paul Convery · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars

The eureka moment in Eureka! is probably when you discover that it definitely isn't going to answer everything you ever wanted to know about the Ancient Greeks but were afraid to ask. The book simply doesn't have the depth to live up to the claim the title makes.

What you do get is a very light overview of Greek history covering about 2000 years from the early bronze age through to the dominance of Imperial Rome with some interesting facts sprinkled throughout, though again the book never ventures into much detail on any subject. If you are totally new to the subject, or just want something to pick up and flick through at your leisure it might offer some value to you, but there are no shortage of books on the Ancient Greeks that could offer you so much more.

[Ian Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

As long and as deep as the ocean; where Poseidon, God of the Sea, rules over all man and porpoise alike.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

would have like a bit more substance in the last few chapters, i felt there was more to explore in the Alexander and post-Alexander to Roman era. but overall an enjoyable book that was easy to read and digest

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and illuminating survey of the history of ancient Greece, why it matters, and how we know what we know about this dynamic and influential culture. A great primer before diving more deeply into specific topics.

[John Matthew IV · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history of Ancient Greece from the beginning to the end in 27 BC.

p. 40: "The idea that differing accounts of the world and of the past were to be welcomed and challenged is very characteristically Greek."

p. 66: Religion without dogma. "Greeks possessed no definitive sacred books, such as the Bible or Koran. There was no centralized religious authority like a church. So beliefs, creeds and dogmas were not a feature of religion in the Greek world, nor did it make moral or spiritual dreams. Consequently, you did not 'believe in' ancient gods as Christians 'believes in Christ.' Rather, you acknowledge them."

p. 71: Tips for the good peasant life from Hesiod

p. 80: Three types of Spartans:
1) Spartiates, the warrior elite
2) Perioikoi, neighbours
3) Helots, slaves

p. 95: Leucipppus: "Nothing happens at random, but everything from a scientific principle and necessity."

p. 96: Thales (c.624-546 BC) - the first philosopher: "Know yourself."

p. 96: Greek Seven Sages

p. 112: Herodotus: "It is plain enough, not in this instance only but everywhere else too, that freedom is an excellent thing."

p 169: "That is how the people treat unwanted leaders."

p. 174: Humorous Medicine

p. 175: Diet

p. 192: Thucydides on Athens: "Nominally a democracy but in fact the empire of the first man [Pericles]."

p . 198: "Plato complained that things had got so bad that the crowd had established a sort of 'boxoffice-ocracy'."

p. 247: Amnesty: "no was to remember that past misdeeds of anyone."

p. 262: "Socrates drew his conclusions from talking to people around him, while Plato elevated Socrates' beliefs into a metaphysical theory about a divinely constructed universe, in which man's purpose was to search for knowledge of, and commitment to, ultimate 'Goodness'."

p. 274: Wenlock Olympic Games in Shropshire: http://www.wenlock-olympian-society.o...

p. 306: The Greek Alexander Romance

READING LIST
The Traveller's Guide to Classical Philosophy
Alexander the Great: A Life in Legend

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a bit of a light hearted read and this fit the bill perfectly! This book gives the reader the entire history of Ancient Greece in chronological format, but in a very simple, need to know basis. Infused in this narrative is all sorts of interesting information in regard to culture, religion, art, buildings, war, politics, people, trade, nature, science, literature and sex. There’s a lot of sexual references and language, so I would not recommend this for an underage reader. However, it is a fun book for someone who doesn’t know much about the Greeks and enjoys pop history, or for someone who needs to learn about the Greeks in a simple, nugget based format. When I say nugget based, Jones does a great job of breaking down each chapter into smaller paragraph length headers, each dealing with a different topic. You’ll learn about the Battle of Salamis in one Paragraph, and in the next you may learn about how Olive Oil was highly valued in Greece, and where it thrived and didn’t thrive based on climate. It’s a good break up from serious reading as well as academic reading where things require your full attention. This one is more fun, whimsical and gives you a break, while still feeling like you’re reading the book that you bought and not letting it hang around the house never to be read!

[Raj · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a slightly odd book. It's very "bitty". It covers a lot of breadth, but with sections a short as a third of page, there's very little in the way of depth. I often found myself wanting more information about a person, a topic or a war. On the other hand, the very breadth is very useful for someone like me who has very little knowledge of ancient Greece. If nothing else, the book got across the very fractured nature of Greece in this period very well. The way the city-states would constantly bicker with each other, and their shifting pattern of alliances as they sought to prevent one or the other gaining dominance.

For covering a large period of history, you've got to paint in broad brush strokes but it does feel like the dots could have been better connected here to make a more cohesive narrative. Still, there's a lot of worth here, and the narrative voice is rather wry and occasionally throws in sarcastic asides for the reader.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although extremely informative, the formatting of this book was strange.

Delivered in sections no larger than half a page, but generally more like a third of a page, the subject is brushed upon lightly. I found myself wanting to know more about a topic, but being pulled swiftly onto the next.

I am very well versed in Greek Mythology regarding the gifs and heroes but less so with the politics, war and the constant, constant bickering between the city-states.

It does cover an enormously large period of history, so being brief did keep the book at a reasonable length. However, unfortunately the narrative was in-cohesive in places, disjointed, and would have served better with some clever editing and linking of the sections in a more engaging way.

However, the book does deliver a lot of information, very useful for anyone who is a novice around Ancient Greece.

[Stacey Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a LOT of names and dates in this book. I managed to finish this book in one day and although it presented some interesting facts I did feel that there was a lack of order to the different sections. One minute the author is providing facts about a battle that happened, the next he introduces us to a famous tragedy or play? It felt very disjointed and at times very boring to read.

This book is by no means an in-depth book about Ancient Greece, it instead skims over important topics. Overall I did learn some interesting facts about the Ancient Greeks and the section on Alexander the Great was interesting. However in my opinion the only exciting thing about this book is the front cover.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to agree with the majority of other reviews on Goodreads that dislike the disjointed and "bitty" nature of the information given. At some points I felt rather confused about the time period or person being discussed as there were too many jumps between topics and people which made the book less enjoyable.

However, I didn't rate this a 1 star read as I have learnt something and have enjoyed some of rather humerous tidbits and facts given by Peter Jones, but I wouldn't recommend this on the whole to the majority of people.

[Will Dorrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick compendium of stories and facts about the Ancient Greeks.

I like reading on the loo, sue me. This was a great book for that: it's written in little bite-size chunks (100 words on this battle, 200 words on tragedies) so you can dip in and out. The writing style is pretty fun and I now have a nice overview of Greek history that I can fit other things into (Alexander the Great's Empire was crazy).

I wouldn't read it in a normal setting, but if you too like toilet reading I strongly recommend it.

[Willow Rankin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its been a few weeks since Ive finished this book, and whilst the information contained is informative, it does not tell a good story.
Each chapter focuses on between 100 to 50 years of ancient Greek History, but the dullest part is the number of battles.
So many battles. Who knew war was so boring.
That was my overarching issue with this book, it reminded me of those boring history classes.
The title is incredibly wrong for this book - Everything you ever wanted to know, but too afraid to ask - this title alludes to questions of hygiene, daily life etc. Not war.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found several parts very interesting, some parts a bit dull and some parts plain confusing mainly due to the structure of the book. In all a positive experience but not a super one. Informative but a bit scattered so difficult to fully understand in places. I did love the comparisons to modern democracy, the unpicking of some of the presumptions as regards the ancient Greeks, as well as that it went into some of the mundane everyday concerns instead of purely highfalutin politics and wars.

[Gary Leeming · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and lightly written

The book is a good overview of Greek history and culture but it can be a bit fragmentary and difficult to follow when the subject changes from paragraph to paragraph. Helpful as an introduction to dip into before looking through the bibliography for next steps.

[William Rigby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. I've also read Jone's other version of this book veni vidi vici which covers rome's history. I can say that I liked this book as much as the other. Both good starting points for the time periods, gives you a good foundation for which to work with on the topics without over loading you with information. Definitely an entertaining read

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel really mean leaving such a low rating, as it seems to be a very well researched book! Whilst the layout initially appealed, as a person new to this topic, I found it very hard to keep track of all the information presented. I wish I could like it more, but it has taken me even longer than I’ve had Good Reads to finish it!

[Ashlee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very informational, but I thought the organization was very disjointed and disorienting. I found myself paging forward and backward to refamiliarize myself with what a certain section was referencing, weakening the overall experience of reading the book.

[Manuel Barrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jones has a loose and laid back style and appears knowledgeable about Greek history. At times, he seems "too cute by half". For a primer on ancient Greece, this book does well. It created in me a desire to learn more in depth and prepare my study as I plan to visit Greece in the near future.

[Michael Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read, again. You have to wonder about the way things are now, with the knowledge ancient societies had back then.

I can, as a novice in the ancient history buff, recommend to any would/wanna be history student to read and get a better understanding of the subject matter.


Michael

[Kitschyanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history of the ancient Greeks in bite sized chunks. Some things I knew before but also some information that was new to me.

[Jeroen Van de Crommenacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book really. Written in a very light and witty style, but there is a lot to be learned and it is engaging throughout. Does exactly what it promises, in bite sized, easily digestible chunks.

[Ishan Gohel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave a lot of good history, but contains some mature topics.

[Cat · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF not great

[Maan Kawas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, I really loved. Highly recommend