Pocket Museum: Ancient Greece

by David Michael Smith

The numerous treasures of ancient Greece are scattered all over the world, impossible to view in the context of fellow objects, or in some cases impossible to see at all, without visiting institutions across the globe. This magnificently illustrated book presents more than 200 objects currently housed in public collections around the world that offer both context and immediacy to the rich culture of ancient Greece. From the bifacial hand tools of the Lower Palaeolithic to the Hellenistic Great Altar of Pergamon,the artifacts presented here reveal a complex sociocultural history of shifting priorities, spiritual beliefs, and cultural traditions. Objects from across the Greek world, valued in life and in death, reflect the transmission of shared ideals across vast distances through relationships maintained for centuries at a time.Pocket Ancient Greece also offers an insight into the history of collecting and methods of interpretation, examining how the perception of objects has changed over time. Beautifully illustrated with photographs of each featured artifact, this is an absorbing introduction to a culture that has exerted an unparalleled influence on Western civilization.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Art, Ancient History

288 pages, Hardcover

Published June 20, 2017

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final of the three Pocket Museum books and like the rest a superb book, more of a reference book than a book to devour and be done with. I certainly will be revisiting it many times.

A great book for people both with or without an interest in Ancient Greece, it is hard not be amazed by the skill of the craftsmen and artisans who made beauitful statues and vessels that have withstood millenniums and can still be enjoyed today.

This is a fantastic series of books, the only sad part is only 200 pieces are shown in each book, you could easily make books with thousands of representations included.

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is no disputing that this is an excellent reference book just like the others in the series on Vikings, Egypt and Rome. (I have read the first two but not the third).
This one didn’t captivate me as much as the previous two but still worth reading. What never ceases to amaze me is the craftsmanship of the work produced so long ago with limited tools.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lux edition of Ancient Greek artifacts from prehistory to 300 bc

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this after just seeing some of it in person.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always fun to see new items I never heard of! A fun light read before bed or when I need a brain break

[Sinbad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and with very good pictures.

Highly recommend to everyone who is interested in Greek history and who plans to visit many museums that are scattered throughout this beautiful and ancient country.