Athens: Its Rise and Fall

by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Oswyn Murray

Originally published in 1837, this is the most important and readable of the Victorian histories of ancient Greece. This new edition includes the text of a never-before-published 'third volume'.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Greece

629 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2004

About the author

Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton PC, was an English novelist, poet, playwright, and politician. Lord Lytton was a florid, popular writer of his day, who coined such phrases as "the great unwashed", "pursuit of the almighty dollar", "the pen is mightier than the sword", and the infamous incipit "It was a dark and stormy night."

He was the youngest son of General William Earle Bulwer of Heydon Hall and Wood Dalling, Norfolk and Elizabeth Barbara Lytton, daughter of Richard Warburton Lytton of Knebworth, Hertfordshire. He had two brothers, William Earle Lytton Bulwer (1799–1877) and Henry Bulwer, 1st Baron Dalling and Bulwer.

Lord Lytton's original surname was Bulwer, the names 'Earle' and 'Lytton' were middle names. On 20 February 1844 he assumed the name and arms of Lytton by royal licence and his surname then became 'Bulwer-Lytton'. His widowed mother had done the same in 1811. His brothers were always simply surnamed 'Bulwer'.

Reviews

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much good insight into the progress of civilization from idolatry and superstition to a desire for freedom and representative government. However it is a long read with sometimes verbose meanderings by the author.