An epic tale of Odysseus and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War forms one of the earliest and greatest works of Western literature. Confronted by natural and supernatural threats - shipwrecks, battles, monsters and the implacable enmity of the sea-god Poseidon - Odysseus must test his bravery and cunning to the full.

Tells the story of Achilles, the greatest warrior-champion of the Greeks, and his refusal to fight after being humiliated by his leader Agamemnon. But when the Trojan Hector kills Achilles' close friend Patroclus, he storms back into battle to take revenge - although knowing this will ensure his own early death.

Describes how a small and quarrelsome band of Greek city states united to repel the might of the Persian empire. Frequently giving rise to colorful digressions, this book blends fact and legend to offer a compelling Greek view of the world of the fifth century BC.

In the Oresteia - the only trilogy in Greek drama which survives from antiquity - Aeschylus took as his subject the bloody chain of murder and revenge within the royal family of Argos. Moving from darkness to light, from rage to self-governance, from primitive ritual to civilized institution, its spirit of struggle and regeneration is eternal.

Presented in the form of a dialogue between Socrates and three different interlocutors, Republic is an enquiry into the notion of a perfect community and the ideal individual within it. This work addresses the purpose of education and the role of both women and men as 'guardians' of the people.

Presents a contemporary account of the long life-and-death struggle between Athens and Sparta. This title compiles a factual record of this disastrous conflict.

Free when packaged with any Damrosch World Literature title.

This volume aims to bring to life for the modern reader, the Greek, Roman and Norse myths that are the keystone of Western culture - the stories of gods and heroes that have inspired human creativity from antiquity to the present.

The trial and condemnation of Socrates for heresy and corrupting young minds is a defining moment in the history of Classical Athens. In tracing these events through four dialogues, Plato also developed his own philosophy, based on Socrates' manifesto for a life guided by self-responsibilty.

An epic heroic novel, set in Ancient Greece, and based on the true story of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. This is the story of Xeones, the only survivor of 300 Spartan warriors ordered to delay for as long as possible the million-strong invading army of King Xerxes of Persia.

Suitable for both the serious scholar and the casual inquirer, this title tells the adventures of the important gods and heroes worshipped by the ancient Greeks. Each entry provides a full commentary which examines problems of interpretation in both historical and anthropological terms, and in light of contemporary research.

In this re-creation of a powerful myth, Mary Renault brings to life the world of ancient Greece and the adventure of Theseus, famous for slaying the Minotaur, defeating the Amazons and rescuing Persephone from the underworld.

The Greeks influence contemporary man through their drama, philosophy and art, their political cognizance and knowledge of science. This work offers the formation of the people as a nation, the nature of the country, the impact of Homer, and the rise and decline of the city-state. It looks at the Greek mind, myths and religion, life and character.

Sets out to examine the nature of happiness. This book argues that happiness consists in 'activity of the soul in accordance with virtue', for example with moral virtues, such as courage, generosity and justice, and intellectual virtues, such as knowledge, wisdom and insight.

Illustrates the rise and fall of Athens, from the legendary days of Theseus, the city's founder, through Solon, Themistocles, Aristides, Cimon, Pericles, Nicias, and Alcibiades, to the razing of its walls by Lysander.

Presents an analysis based on a study of over 150 city constitutions, covering a range of political issues in order to establish which types of constitution are best - both ideally and in particular circumstances - and how they may be maintained.

The aim of this work is not a history of events but an account of the achievement and spirit of Greece. Edith Hamilton is also the author of The Roman Way .

The Stalingrad of the ancient world, this is an immensely readable, brilliant, brutal and vivid history of the greatest and bloodiest war of ancient Greece.

Homer bidding farewell to his wife, Odysseus bound to the mast, Penelope at the loom, Achilles dragging Hector's body round the walls of Troy - scenes from Homer have been portrayed in every generation. Chapman's translations are argued to be two of the liveliest and readable.

The exploits of the famous army of Greek mercenaries in Turkey, Syria, and Iraq were described by one of their leaders, the Athenian historian and philosopher Xenophon. This title presents the story of the march of the Ten Thousand, across mountains and plateaux to the sight of 'The sea! The sea!', and back to the fringes of the Greek world.