The cradle of Western civilization, Ancient Greece was a land filled with contradictions and conflicts. Although the Greek city-states were intensely warlike and competitive, they never managed to unite. Nevertheless, they were at the same time one of the most dynamic and productive ancient states. The Greeks not only colonized the regions of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, but also set standards in mimetic art that have endured for nearly 2500 years. The book records a variety of topics such as the Minoan civilization, the Persian wars, the Golden Age of Athens, and the conquests of Alexander the Great, tracing the development of this creative and restless people and assessing their impact not only on the ancient world but also on our own attitudes and environment. The authentic narrative, illustrated with over sixty colored maps and more than seventy plates, makes this book an essential manual for history students and history enthusiasts.