The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization

by Paul Cartledge

A companion to the PBS series offers information about fifteen Greek men and women who helped shape history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Ancient History

280 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Paul Anthony Cartledge is the 1st A.G. Leventis Professor of Greek Culture at Cambridge University, having previously held a personal chair in Greek History at Cambridge. He was educated at St Paul's School & New College, Oxford where he took his 1st degree & completed his doctoral thesis in Spartan archaeology in 1975 under Prof. Sir John Boardman. After a period at the University of Warwick he moved in 10/79 to Cambridge University where he's a fellow of Clare College.
He's a world expert on Athens & Sparta in the Classical Age & has been described as a Laconophile. He was chief historical consultant for the BBC TV series The Greeks & the Channel 4 series The Spartans, presented by Bettany Hughes. He's also a holder of the Gold Cross of the Order of Honour & an Honorary Citizen of modern Sparta. Besides the Leventis Professorship, he holds a visiting Global Distinguished Professorship at New York University, funded by the Greek Parliament.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable quick read. Each chapter focuses on an aspect of Greek history by examining a historical figure who reflects that aspect. Despite Cartledge's stated goal to shine light on times and places other than 5th century BC Athens, it still receives a disproportionate share of the attention.

There are some odd choices for the art here - most of it is 19th century paintings of classical themes. I would much rather see actual Greek art, even if that means a bunch of pottery.

Also, due to how small each chapter is, it sometimes seems like we are just skimming the surface of each topic.

[Katherine Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

hmmmmmmmm

that’s the main thing i have to say tbh

so basically, ol cartledgey boi wrote a book about different ancient greek figures who reflected and influenced society at the time, and it’s a pretty cool read. helped me to piece together what i knew a bit more, as it feels a lot like an overview and it honestly talks about a number of different aspects. pretty cool read

two main criticisms: honestly a bit athenian focused, which i get to an extent as we do have a lot of information on athens compared to other poleis, but i still think it could have been spread around a bit better. also, it’s a pretty academic book but it’s written like cartledge is trying to write a novel. bit of a weird mix, and i dont think he carries it off super well. could prolly be a bit more succinct sometimes, but i certainly enjoyed his humour interspersedly

also ngl, the would have liked to rate it 3.5 stars, but i chose 4 in the end because there’s a whole chapter about sappho and on god, my boi talks about homosexuality more than i expected, so big bless

to reiterate:

hmmmmmmmm

[James Pitter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an informative read if you are looking for an overview of some of the more salient achievements attributed to Classical Greece. The narrative is told through reference to the life and deeds of fifteen characters selected by the author and academic Paul Anthony Cartledge as being instrumental in the rise and fall of the Ancient Civilization.

It's the second time that I've ready this book. The first coincided with a televised documentary screened some time ago in the UK on which the book was based. It takes an accomplished historian to even attempt to dissect and unify such an expansive and crucial history such as that of Ancient Greece, but the author manages to achieve it with aplomb.

From Homer, author of The Iliad and The Odyssey, the first two recognised books of European literature, to the military expansionism of Alexander The Great, The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the early years of Western political theory and modern thought.

So great is the debt owed to the Ancient Greeks, that Shelley was claimed to have once pronounced We are all Greeks. It's an appropriate epitaph to a great Civilization.

[Michael Steger · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introductory-level overview, using biographies of notable figures as a means of approaching Greek culture, from Homer to Alexander. Elegantly written and not without humor.

[Saurabh Odak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading and comprehensive. Could have elaborated on some more aspects

[Stephanie Dotson]

update 1: pages 7-40
pages 7-18 only timelines, maps, acknowledgements, & “Note on Pronunciation”
19-40 introduction to the Greeks
culturally interesting point brought up : homosexuality seen as different now, the cultural difference in marriage also seen as different, a man could have more than one wife and still have a male partner, or few.

update 2:
pages 41- 108
Chapters 1-5
These chapters covered Homer, Sappho, Cleisthenes, Artemisia, and Pericles.
Interesting Cultural points :
Homer : quote from Apollo of Delos (“the blind man from Chios”) widely assumed about Homer, even though it was not exactly proven that’s where Homer was from or if he was even real. (p. 42)
Sappho: the term “lesbian” comes from Sappho.(p.54)
Cleisthenes: said to have “created the tribes and democracy for the Athenians” (p.76)
Artemisia : was not actually Greek. (p.79)
Pericles: said to have been embarrassed by the “onion shape” of his head and insisted on being depicted wearing a helmet. (p.98)


Update 3:
Pages 109-174
Chapters 6-10 covered Aspasia, Socrates, Cynisca, Epaminondas, and Diotima.
Interesting Cultural points:
Aspasia: came originally from Miletus on which is now known as the west coast of modern Turkey. (p.116)
Socrates: was famously ugly and was documented to have joked that his bug eyes were superior to normal eyes. (p. 126)
Cynisca:became first woman to ever win a victory in the Olympic Games. (p. 143)
Epaminondas: DOB uncertain and was presumably too young to experience the Peloponnesian War personally as a warrior, but old enough to “profit by absorbing the lessons of the experiences of his father’s generation” (p. 153)
Diotima: possible that she is just a creation of Plato’s literature because what is known about her is only what Plato wrote. (p. 165)

Update 4:
Pages 175-230
Chapters 11-15
Covered Pasion, Neaera, Aristotle, Olympias, and Alexander.
Interesting Cultural Points:
Pasion: not known where he is from, when he came to Athens, and Pasion was presumably not his birth name. (p. 182) When Athens was in military difficulties, made the city a gift of shields. (p. 186)
Neaera: was a prostitute. (p. 195)
Aristotle: the original “Renaissance man”, pioneered virtually all then recognized branches of learning and knowledge. (p. 202)
Olympias: mother of Alexander the Great. (p. 215)
Alexander: claimed his “so-called” father was a god, not Phillip- who his mother was married to. (p.214)



What is the summary of this text?
- This book is a list of Ancient Greece's men and women including brief history of each and the connections they had with other ancient Greeks.Each chapter is a story individualized for each man and woman and their contribution to Ancient Greek history.
What is different culturally from American culture?
-This book focuses on persons who are widely known in Ancient Greek history, the difference between American history and Greek history are vast just because we are located in different areas of the world ad have ultimately different histories.
What was the author's purpose in writing this text?
- to educate and inform the readers.
What is the theme of this text?
-The theme of this text is ancient Greek history.
Would you recommend this text?
-I would recommend this text to anyone interested in world history because it's all about Ancient Greece.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to bone up on my history, this is a good survey of Greek History broken up by 15 significant Greeks, some very well known and some more obscure; a companion book to the PBS miniseries of the same name.