Tony Spawforth is emeritus professor of ancient history at Newcastle University, presenter of eight archaeological documentaries in the Ancient Voices series on BBC2, and author of numerous books, including Greece and the Augustan Cultural Revolution.
Interesting and rewarding read -Guy de la Bedoyere, BBC History Magazine Spawforth's book stands out in a crowded field of histories of Greece and Rome for its liveliness and wit -Daisy Dunn, Literary Review Here is a chronicle replete with tales of extraordinary ability and inventiveness, of courage and cowardice, artistic and creative genius, of astonishing savagery and the hubris and failings that brought about disaster, of the love and passions that have continued to course through history, changing little down to our own times -Diana Bentley, Minerva A beautifully written account of ancient history, breathtaking in its ambition and rich in insight. -Professor Paul Cartledge, author of The Spartans An incredibly engaging read, written with scholarly precision and clarity. With great agility, Spawforth mixes literary, inscriptional and archaeological material and offers a nuanced understanding of how civilisations evolve. -Professor Michael Scott, author of Ancient Worlds Informed, informative and thoroughly enjoyable . . . A book that brings the past back to life. -Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads