The Treasures Of Greece

"The Treasures of Ancient Greece illustrates and describes the most important and famous masterpieces of Greek art"--Back cover.

"The roots of Greek civilization reach back into legend but the artifacts the Greeks produced can still be appreciated. Although much of the Grecian achievement was destroyed by later conquerors, the buildings which remain prove that the Greek ideal in art and architecture is still valid today. As early as the Bronze Age, the Minoan culture demonstrated the Greeks' love of beauty. Bronze cult figurines and superb wall paintings show the heights artistic talents had reached. Greek civilization reached its zenith under Pericles in the Classical Period. The magnificent remains of the Acropolis, and especially the Parthenon, built of Pentelicus marble, bear witness to the flowering of Greek culture. The famous remains at Delphi include many buildings of this period, including the inspiring temple of Zeus. Alexander conquered most of the known world, and the Hellenic culture flourished from Greece to India. The legendary library at Alexandria is still the epitome of excellence and Greek statues still the standard by which others are judged. Red-glazed and painted vases are treasured exhibits in museums throughout the world. Treasures of Ancient Greece is a lively account of Ancient Greece as revealed through its material culture. This beautifully illustrated book will delight both the art historian and the general reader."--Jacket

The two hundred fragments of these stelai which have survived are the only evidence for these cult objects, gifts to Athena, and treasures of the city, since the items themselves have long since vanished - either stolen, melted down, or disintegrated. This volume presents the evidence for these ancient treasures for the first time, and provides data with important implications for the history of Athens and Greek religion. Chapters include a history of the treasures on the Acropolis, catalogues of each object kept in the Opisthodomus, Proneos, Parthenon, Hekatompedos Neos, and Erechtheion, and an analysis of the individual worshippers and allied-city states who gave gifts and offerings to their goddess, Athena.

This lavishly illustrated volume invites readers to delve into the source of the oldest and most authentic roots of Western civilization, and to immerse themselves in the world of the ancient Greeks-their historical development, cultural horizons, art, and architecture. Hundreds of photographs, aerial views, three-dimensional reconstructions, and details of artifacts reveal the groundbreaking genius of this remarkable civilization. From Minos to the Roman conquest, historical milestones in Greek civilization are examined in an authoritative yet accessible text that presents the most up-to-date findings on the development of Greek art, architecture, and religion. Encompassing its artistic and architectural legacy, military victories, aspects of everyday life, and its inevitable decline, this volume is at once meticulously researched and highly engaging, presenting a well-rounded perspective on the breadth of Greek culture. Chapters include: The Origins of Ancient Greece, The Rise of Greece, Greek Dark Ages: Social and Political Conflicts, The Dominance of Athens, The Rise of Macedon, The Conquest of Alexander, and Greek Society.

Structured like an easily handled guide, but with the addition of drawings and photographs, 'Greece' has simple yet exhaustive itineraries of the rooms and museums in the country. It breaks down the subject matter by chronology and theme into chapters dedicated to the most important collections.

Foreword: Pierre Brunel -- Traveling in Greece -- The Gods have decided to dwell in Greece -- Heroic journeys -- Kings and palaces -- Pilgrims in Classical Greece -- A city tour in classical times -- Looking outwards -- Games and banquets: molding a Greek identity -- Christianity in Greece -- The Ottoman occupation -- Discovering modern Greece.