Greek History Community

My favorite Greek history books

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seleanor

seleanor

Active member
I can't get enough of these books! Please comment your suggestions, these are just a few that I've read, I'm sure there are many more great ones that I need to check out

-All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
-National Geographic, The Greeks: An Illustrated Biography by Diane Harris Cline
-Greece: Biography of a Modern Nation by Roderick Beaton
 
Here are a few Greek history books that are great to add to your list:

- Ancient Greece: From Prehistoric to Hellenistic Times Paperback – April 16, 2013 by Thomas R. Martin
- The Rise of Athens: The Story of the World's Greatest Civilization Paperback – September 26, 2017 by Anthony Everitt
- Greece: Biography of a Modern Nation Paperback – March 5, 2020 by Roderick Beaton
- The Greeks: A Global History Hardcover – November 2, 2021 by Roderick Beaton
 
This is a great list! Here is a top 10 type of list from Amazon - maybe there are good books here to add... I haven't read any of them:

Amazon Best Sellers: Best Ancient Greek History

Discover the best books in Amazon Best Sellers. Find the top 100 most popular Amazon books.
www.amazon.com
 
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Most forgotten period of Greek history?

I was in Crete once eating at a restaurant and there was a pile of artifacts heaped - broken pottery shards, etc. The restaurant told us that they were going to throw them out. I said, but they are artifacts, why?! They said that no one cares about that time period the artifacts came from - something about an Arabic occupation.

I thought it was interesting and it stayed with me nearly two decades later. This is clearly a forgotten period of Greek history. Does this happen a lot in Greece? Got me thinking about Greek history and what else may be forgotten... Would love your thoughts.

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On the one hand, the idea of citizens participating directly in decision-making was radical. On the other hand, citizenship excluded women, enslaved people, and foreigners, which dramatically narrowed who had a voice. It makes me wonder how “democratic” it really was by its own standards, let alone ours.

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Was Greece officially neutral at first? And how did it eventually end up joining the war on the Allied side?

I’ve also heard the term “National Schism” come up in this context—how significant was that in shaping Greece’s involvement?

If anyone has a clear way of explaining this period, or can point out the key events to focus on, I’d really appreciate it. It feels like an important piece of history I should understand better.

Information about the Battle of Marathon

I'm planning a trip to Greece later this year, and one of the places I'm really hoping to visit is the site of the Battle of Marathon. I've read the basic history and know it was one of the most important battles of the Persian Wars, but I'd love to learn more before I actually stand where it happened.

For those of you who have visited Marathon or have studied this period of Greek history, what details or stories do you think are especially worth knowing? Are there any books, documentaries, or articles you'd recommend beforehand? Is there anything at the site that many visitors overlook or don't fully appreciate without some background?

I'd really like to understand not just the battle itself, but why it became such a defining moment in Greek history. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Themistocles: Hero, Politician, or Master Strategist?

This weekend I met someone named Themistocles, which immediately caught my attention. We ended up having a conversation about the famous Athenian statesman and general, and it got me thinking more about his place in Greek history.

Themistocles is often credited with recognizing the importance of naval power and helping secure the Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis. Without his foresight and strategy, the Persian Wars may have had a very different outcome. At the same time, he was also a politician who made powerful enemies and was eventually ostracized from Athens.

It made me wonder how people today view him. Was he primarily a hero who helped save Greece, a brilliant politician navigating a difficult era, or one of history's greatest military strategists? I'd love to hear your thoughts on his legacy and whether you think he gets the recognition he deserves.
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