Ancient and ArchaeologyΒ permalink
New to Ancient History
This discussion has been closed.
-
Message 1.Β
Posted by honeybumble (U3184976) on Friday, 15th December 2006
Hi, I'm new to the messageboards - nice to meet you all.
I was wondering if anyone would be able to recommend any good introductory books on greek and roman history. I have recently returned from a fantastic holiday travelling from the south of turkey up to istanbul and stopped off at places like Ephesus and Troy and am now determined to learn more. My current knowledge is quite limited so if you know of any good beginners guides I would be very grateful! -
Message 2
Posted by generallobus (U1869191) on Friday, 15th December 2006
Hi honeybumble
Welcome to the boards. I too travelled from S Turkey (Antalya) to Istanbul this year. What a fantastic country, I was so impressed. Where did you enjoy most? My favourite was the Artemiseum, which is the ancient temple to Artemis nr Ephesus at Selcuk. We also travelled up to Troy and Cannakale, up near gallipoli. Smoked nargiles, bought a kaftan, melted in a hammam. And those Turks are just the friendliest folk.
To get back to your question, most of the books I know of are rather academic but a very good book, if a little dry, is the Oxford Classical Dictionary. This is an absolute mine of information, and most, if not all, referenced and checkable. I've always been a sucker for the myths of Greece and Rome, and if I'm not being too presumptuous, can I suggest I trip to the Bay of Naples. One of the most evocative places on the planet IMHO. If you're familiar with the Odyssey you'll love it. -
Message 3
Posted by an ex-nordmann - it has ceased to exist (U3472955) on Friday, 15th December 2006
Seton Lloyd's "A traveller's history of Anatolia" accompanied me on a trip to Crete last year and made me wish I was in Turkey. It takes a lot to make me wish not be in Crete when I'm there!
As a beginner's guide to the region's antiquity it's both factually spot on and very entertainingly written. -
Message 4
Posted by honeybumble (U3184976) on Friday, 15th December 2006
Wow - sounds like we had the same holiday! I also started in Antalya, staying in the old part of the city and then took a very enjoyable bus journey through the mountains up to selcuk. I really loved Ephesus - the library in particular was astounding. We also visited the museum in selcuk - the big statue of Artemis intrigued me the most as she seemed so different from all the other greek statues.
I also visited troy - it was much smaller than i imagined. I think i would have appreciated it more if had read up on my greek history before hand though.
Thanks for the book recommendation by the way. I've been abit stuck as to where to start. So far I've looked at a few books but they've either been too "academicy" or the opposite being too "kiddy". Tell me more about Naples - I've actually by coincidence been thinking of going on a interrail trip round italy next year so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! -
Message 5
Posted by PaulRyckier (U1753522) on Friday, 15th December 2006
Generallobus,
"the Bay of Naples". Was always afraid to go to that dangerous South of Italy. If you can enlighten me, perhaps I can overcome my fear...
Warm regards,
Paul.
PS. if I have time (have to leave again for visits in a moment) I will reply to your "concrete blocks Egyptian pyramids". -
Message 6
Posted by generallobus (U1869191) on Friday, 15th December 2006
Hi Paul
Very briefly
Apart from Naples itself, which I must confess was a bit scary at time, the whole bay area stinks of classical history and mythology.
To the south is Capri and Sorrento, where the sirens rocks where located. Going north we find Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius. Further north past naples is puteoli. home of another siren -Sophia Loren. Further north still are the flegrian field, where volcanic activity is still going. Further north again is the wonderful cave dug by 5th century bc Greeks that is their version of the underworld as described in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔr and Virgil. There's even a river styx down there. It's amazing. Again going north there is another entrance to hades and the sibyl of Cumea and Lake Avernus.
I left my heart in that region.
Cheers
ps When in Naples I was shocked to see so many faces straight of of a Carravagio. Beautiful, scary people. The museum also house many of the finds from Pompeii inc. the famous Alexander mosiac. Oh, and the best pizzas in the world! -
Message 7
Posted by TonyG (U1830405) on Monday, 18th December 2006
Difficult to recommend single books, although I am currently reading "A Brief History of Ancient Greece" by Pommeroy, Burstein, Donlan & Roberts. Very authoritative but quite a gentle and informative read.
You might also have a look at Suetonius' "Twelve Caesars" which is in Penguin Classics. As long as you take it with a dose of scepticism, it helps put the early Roman empire into some sort of sensible order. -
Message 8
Posted by PaulRyckier (U1753522) on Monday, 18th December 2006
generallobus;
thank you very much for reading about "the voice of your heart". Will do some research if it is possible to make a trip overthere.
Warm regards,
Paul. -
Message 9
Posted by generallobus (U1869191) on Monday, 18th December 2006
My pleasure Paul.
The next trip will probably be to Sicily. There's a whole heap of temples at Acragas (sp?)I mean to explore. I'm on 'volcano watch' at the moment, just waiting for Etna to blow again so I can coincide the two activities. -
Message 10
Posted by Teresa gardel (U7049329) on Saturday, 17th February 2007
Hi! IΒ΄m new too but IΒ΄ve just recommended to someone else a series of books about ancient Rome which could help you for a start. There are six extraordinary and light novels written in a delightful style by Colleen McCullough. You will learn and enjoy a lot at the same time. The first one I read it was the third without knowing there were two previous ones, and since then I couldnΒ΄t stop. I hope she keeps on the good job writing one more about Octavio Augusto.
Another good one is "I Claudius". About Greek IΒ΄ve only read Alexander the Great by Mary Renault. -
Message 11
Posted by IntheNorth (U7684402) on Sunday, 4th March 2007
A good introduction to Greek History is 'Aspects of Greek History 750-323' by Terry Buckley, it is very schematic but has a lot of sound basic information in it. Another good introduction, which is more focused on the Greek World after the Persian invasions, is 'The Greek World 479-323' by Simon Hornblower. This one is less straight forward but repays close attention.
In terms of Roman Republican History, try, unsuprisingly I suppose, 'The Roman Republic' by Micheal Crawford. I'm not so hot on Imperial Rome, so I won't venture to suggest anything in this field.
Turkey has a fascinating Greek past, if you want to explore this more then pick up, for example, 'Miletos' by Alan Greaves, 'Miletus: The Ornament of Ionia' by Vanessa Gorman and 'The Greeks Overseas' by John Boardman. Also, if you want to have a look at some primary source stuff then 'The Histories' by Herodotus is fascinating and entertaining. Get the translation by Robin Waterfield.
About this Board
The History message boards are now closed. They remain visible as a matter of record but the opportunity to add new comments or open new threads is no longer available. Thank you all for your valued contributions over many years.
or Β to take part in a discussion.
The message board is currently closed for posting.
The message board is closed for posting.
This messageboard is .
Find out more about this board's
Search this Board
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iD
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ navigation
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ links
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Β© 2014 The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.