The Book of the Ancient Greeks

by Dorothy Mills

Dorothy Mills wrote some wonderful history books in the 1920s for use by middle school students, and Memoria Press is proud to bring these books back into publication - with added illustrations! Mills' books include quotes from great classical historians such as Herodotus and Cicero, making them a great preparation for reading these authors in high school. In The Book of the Ancient Greeks, the journey starts in Crete and ends in the Hellenistic Age, ushered in by Alexander the Great. Students learn about the development of democracy, the primordial defense of democracy in the Persian wars, the heyday of Athens (also known as the Golden Age), and the sad self-destruction known as the Peloponnesian Wars.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, School, Greece, Read For School, World History

399 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1925

About the author

Agnes Dorothy Mills M.A. (1879 -1966) was an American historian and educator.

She graduated from the University of St. Andrews (LLA; 1915) & Columbia University (AM; Education; 1915). Miss Mills was a teacher of history & chairman of the department of history at the Brearley School in New York City.

Reviews

[elena ✧˖° · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, only because history like this isn't totally my thing.

This was a solid book on Greek History. I would never have read it if I hadn't been forced to for my history, but in the end I was glad I did. It was a nice overview that went quite in depth. I learned a lot more than I ever could've anywhere else. The writing is captivating in some parts and dry in others. I think I would've been bored if I didn't have my companion worksheets to go along with it.

[Mimi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to read this book for my humanities class and it felt like a chore every time I looked in the direction of the book. It was so terribly boring and it’s language was worse than the King James Version of the Bible. I was utterly fatigued by the subjects of this book and dare I say it was quite the repetitive piece of literature. If you despise yourself and have nothing else to do with your time and this book is for someone like you. But if you value yourself and your time then never pick up this book if you can help it.

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I said of Dorothy Mills' book on the Romans applies here. This is how history should be written--and has not been written since political "correctness" made history a dull, pointless affair which neither edifies, instructs, nor informs. If you want to read a historian who is both enjoyable to read and not afraid to praise Western Civilization, read Dorothy Mills.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent living history book. I’m using it for homeschooling high schoolers, and while they were less enthusiastic about the book than I was, they agreed it is “not boring.” It definitely makes the case for why you should study the Greeks. I loved all the excerpts from Greek literature.

[Lydia · Rating 2 out of 5]

explicitness: 0/5 (sex: none)
violence: 2/5
-There was definitely a lot of violence during the time this book talks about; however, Mills does not go into detail about any of it, you just know it happened.
language: 0/5
alcohol/drugs/smoking: 1/5
-The Ancient Greeks were big on wine and libations are sometimes mentioned.
intense scenes: 1.5/5
-Talk of death and some generally sad parts.
age rating: 11+

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is incredibly informative, but very monotonous. It's hard to get into but I appreciate the work the author must have put in.

A quote:
"But the Athenian succeeded in being civilized without being comfortable; his well-being was in no way dependant on things, and believing that his wealth was something to be used for the good of the whole community, he spent it on the temples and public buildings of the city rather than on his own private dwelling."

I think we could stand to be a little more like an Athenian.

[Hilary Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my kids this year and REALLY enjoyed it. I appreciated the occasional illustrations and the quotes from original sources. The book covers the beginnings of Greece through the conquest of Greece by the Romans. We were introduced to many famous Greeks and their enemies. It was easy to read aloud and engaged my 10 year old through 16 year old.

[Kane Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put the book down. It reads really well and covers quite a bit about every aspect of Ancient Greek history. I have the first edition hardcover, the book is nearly 100 years old and in amazing condition. I’ll be taking a trip to Greece soon and will be thinking about this book the entire time and whose sandals treaded the ground I’ll be walking on.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my student, and we learned a lot about the ancient Greeks. It is a good resource.

[Hailey Bysterbusch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, pretty slow history book. Lost interest half way through but I pushed through to the end.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully and eloquently written book explaining the culture, history, and life of the Ancient Greeks.

[Echo · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was for school so it was skimmed but pretty good and very interesting.

[Macey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and informative

I always was confused by ancient Greece, so this was a great, easy to read primer on how things were done in Greece. Both on a day to day level and a global level.

[Macey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily read and understood. Gives a great primer to those who want to understand more about ancient Greece and their day to day lives as well as global influence.

[riley :p · Rating 2 out of 5]

boring but had to read it for school

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my favorite book on ancient Greece ever. I have enjoyed many books in the past on this subject including Edith Hamilton's great books but this Dorothy Mills book made me feel that if all I did was study the Greeks for the rest of my life, I would not have wasted my time. Truth, beauty and goodness, oh, my!

[Cleo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could hardly put this book down. The writing was very engaging and the information was presented logically, making it easy to follow. A great overview of Ancient Greece for middle-schooler to adult.

[Cambria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book if you are interested in the Greek culture or Greek history. You learn about Alexander the Great, the Great Persian Invasion, the Greek Olympics and you can learn about an Athenian man's day. I can't wait to read Dorothy Mills' next book about the Romans.!!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the Minneapolis Public Library book sale. It tells about daily lives of the ancient greeks. Quite interesting if you like that kind of nerdy stuff.

[Michelle Sandoval · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting journey through Greek history. My biggest complaint is that it needs an index!

[Sam Gaylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one for school. AGHHHHHHH!