A History of Greece

by Cyril Edward Robinson

Contents of Volume I: A HISTORY OF GREECE is the thrilling story of the rise to power and influence of the greatest civilization the world has ever known. As Cyril Robinson's exquisite narrative unfolds, we find ourselves plunged into mankind's greatest and most magnificent adventure. The story begins in Minoan Crete, but quickly shifts to a dimly understood mainland culture. We follow the heroic deeds of the Mycenians and the Trojan war, the glorious artistic and intellectual triumphs of the Ionians, the turmoil of the Doric invasion and resultant dark age, the slow recovery culminating in the epic Persian wars and the renewed splendor of Periclean Athens. In the fifth century B.C., philosophy, literature, art and architecture reach a pinnacle in Athens which no civilization has ever equaled. But civil strife soon follows and eventually embroils all of Greece.

Contents of Volume II: A HISTORY OF GREECE continues with the bitter struggle between Sparta and Athens for mastery of the Hellenic world. Though Sparta finally emerges victorious, her victory soon turns to ashes with the ascendancy of Thebes and the still greater power of Philip of Macedon. Philip unites an unwilling Greece with his iron policy. Athens gives up her independence, but maintains an aloof intellectual and artistic leadership in the Greek world. Across this magnificent fabric of history strides Alexander the Great, who takes the banner of Hellenic culture all the way across the Persian Empire and into India itself, a stunning event that altered the course of human history. This is followed by the Hellenistic age and the final subjugation of Greece by Rome. An incredible epic, indeed.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Greece, Audiobook

480 pages, Paperback

First published June 20, 1929

About the author

1884-

Reviews

[Skevos Mavros · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mostly excellent and engaging history of Greece, but be warned, the casual racism delivered in asides seemed to increase in quantity and offensiveness as the book progressed - or perhaps I became more sensitive to them over time. If you can forgive such comments (which were surely anachronistic even when the book was published, in the nineteen-seventies), the book is a good introduction to the history of Greece.

[kevin browning · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a history of Greece on audible and found this one. I wanted a refresher course on the Ancient Greek city-states. For the most part, it did the job. It was written in 1929 so it is dated. The best chapters were on Athens, Sparta, Greco-Persian Wars, Peloponnesian War, and Alexander. They were extremely detailed and gave me the refresher I needed. It is a good read, if you can ignore his biases, prejudices, and racist remarks. Just take into account it was written in 1929.

[David Hollywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me by my teacher (Miss Heron) 55 years ago, and still stands the test of time as a wonderful introduction to the period of history it introduces to the beginner. Definitely a must read for anyone curious about Ancient Greece.

[Miklós Hoffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

From a historical point of view there are even better collections, but the style of it's prose is quite beautiful :)

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic history.

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad one, but quite boring and also annoying because of complete abscence of sources. The author gove us no clue how we know what he tells us we know. Archeology, historical documents - no, never heard of them. However, narration is smooth and you can learn a lot about the subject. It's not a bad book to start exploring ancient Greece.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

The decades have made some asides in this book from quaint to borderline racist, but when it sticks to the point it is a vivid and entertaining telling of one of the most important civilizations to have existed.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction to their part of the world.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cyril Robinson writes a wonderful narrative history. I highly recommend his books.

[Scott Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. The style is dated, but excellent. There are some parts that strike me a pointlessly racist, so be warned.