Book Description

Voices from Ancient Greece: Sources for Greek History, Society, and Culture provides students with an engaging exploration of one of the most influential ancient civilizations of the world. Through translated ancient text discussing historical events and social and cultural practices, readers learn about aspects of ancient Greece that are often overlooked, including traveling practices, the interaction between different social groups, and the perception of foreigners, and also gain insight into the ancient Greeks' hopes, dreams, fears, and prejudices. The sources within this book are organized thematically, allowing readers to easily explore Greek authors' responses to important cultural and social issues, many of which remain top of mind today, including gender equality, sexual discrimination, the value of education, and the role religion plays in our daily lives. Introductory paragraphs to each ancient source add rich context to the readings and also offer a number of clues that students may use to assess the ancient source's historical reliability. Presenting the ancient Greeks in a highly relatable and humanistic light, Voices from Ancient Greece is ideal for courses on the history, culture, and writings of ancient Greece. Nikolaos Lazaridis is an associate professor in the Department of History at California State University, Sacramento, where he teaches courses in ancient Mediterranean history. He earned his doctorate in Egyptology and Classics from Oxford University, with expertise in ancient Egyptian and Greek languages and literatures. Currently, Dr. Lazaridis is working on ancient storytelling styles and ancient ethics, and is the head epigrapher of the North Kharga Oasis Survey team, examining ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman graffiti left behind by travelers who crossed Egypt's Western Desert.