Classical Civilization: A History in Ten Chapters

by Nigel Spivey

A concise and accessible study of the foundations, development and enduring legacy of the cultures of Greece and Rome, centred on ten locations of seminal importance in the development of Classical civilisation. Starting with Troy, where history, myth and cosmology fuse to form the origins of Classical civilisation, Nigel Spivey explores the contrasting politics of Athens and Sparta, the diffusion of classical ideals across the Mediterranean world, Classical science and philosophy, the eastward export of Greek culture with the conquests of Alexander the Great, the power and spread of the Roman imperium, and the long Byzantine twilight of Antiquity. A secure grasp of the nature of our Greek and Roman heritage is absolutely fundamental to a true understanding of contemporary European society and culture. Nigel Spivey outlines and explains that heritage with supreme passion, rigour and clarity.

Genres: History, Classics, Nonfiction, Greece, Ancient History

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 13, 2015

Reviews

[Grace Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully informative, if a little sporadic in nature, (a consequence of the persistent and slightly jarring jumps between semi related ideas) however on the whole this unpredictable structure advocates to the passion of the author and compliments the informal narrative that the book follows.

I would definitely recommend to anybody interested in classical civilisation with little prior knowledge, but I would also suggest having google maps open to pinpoint specific locations and regions, it's a real lifesaver!

[Victor Sonkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not tell me anything new; also, the division into cities has almost nothing to do with the actual content of the book — the author starts distracting himself and the reader immediately. However, as an introduction into classical civilization it's okay.

[Mason Masters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light overview of Greek and Roman states.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good introduction to major cities and events in antiquity but a little erratic at times.

[pranasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

it’s rather odd to have chapters named after cities yet revolve around people influential to them
in a fit of even less logical sense, some of these people would refer to poets, or philosophers whose work might’ve influenced someone from said city, or like, the most hellenistic thing about it, to fit with the theme (ie. alexandria, egypt and alexander the great, who, btw, is macedonian, or how the troy chapter can also be known as homer’s biography)

on another note, i found two hyperspecific parts hilarious, namely:
“Diogenes is said to have masturbated openly in the Agora: when rebuked for lack of self-control, he claimed that he was, on the contrary, showing great self-control – if only Paris had done likewise, the Trojan War need never have happened.”
And the fact that a pontifex maximus named Octavian DID exist- rick oh my god

[George Squires · Rating 4 out of 5]

An fantastic overview of this period for people looking for something a bit more academic whilst still being widely accessible. The broad overview of topics with zoomed in details at certain points really complements each other.

[Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. It had a little of everything, literature, law, philosophy, and most importantly for me, mythology.