Greece: An Oxford Archaeological Guide (Oxford Archaeological Guides) - Softcover

Mee, Christopher

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0192880586 ISBN 13: 9780192880581

Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A., 2001

Synopsis

Greece, with all its temples, cities, and sanctuaries created by Europe's most formative ancient civilization, is a must-see for the archaeological traveler. This valuable new addition to the acclaimed Oxford Archaeological Guides series provides coverage of all the main archaeological sites in Greece, ranging from prehistory to the sixth century A.D. . The individual sites are arranged by region, and include Philip's Tomb at Vergina, the Palace complex at Mycenae, the Temples of the Acropolis, the Hellenistic city of the Messene, and the Roman colony of Corinth. Also included in the book are 'partner factor' ratings that rank the most worthwhile sites for travelers to visit during their stay. An up-to-date introduction surveys Greece's landscape, history, and archaeology from the Neolithic period to the end of antiquity, and places the sites in their cultural context. Finally, there is a chronology for reference and a glossary of essential terms.

About this title

Review:

In Greece: an Oxford Archaeological Guide, Christopher Mee and Antony Spawforth write from an on-the-ground point of view to orientate readers with significant ruins and points of interest at more than 100 sites. Some of them, such as the Acropolis of Athens, Sparta and Pylos, are well known to archaeologically inclined travellers; only the most seasoned of them, however, will have attained the authors' knowledge, helpfully shared, of how to gain the best view of Mount Olympus or the Temple of Athena Nike or how to find the Sacred Spring at Corinth. Other sites, such as the Middle Helladic ruins of Tiryns and the Temple of Apollo at Bassai, are somewhat more obscure, but, in the authors' estimation, well worth a visit for their historical and scenic value alike. The book is well illustrated with maps, architectural plans, drawings and photographs and includes abundant sidebars that expand on historical and cultural points in the text.

Mee and Spawforth's book makes a first-rate companion for travellers to Greece and a useful reference for the home library as well. --Gregory McNamee

About the Author:

Tony Spawforth was formerly Assistant Director of the British School at Athens, and is now Professor of Ancient History and Greek Archaeology at Newcastle University and Curator of the Shefton Museum of Greek Art there. His other books include co-editing the new edition of the Oxford Classical Dictionary (1996) and The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization (1998). He is also a well-known presenter of television programmes in the BBC series 'Ancient Voices'. His other publications include Hellenistic and Roman Sparta: A Tale of Two Cities. Christopher Mee was formerly Assistant Director of the British School at Athens, and is now Professor of Classical Archaeology at the University of Liverpool. He specializes in the prehistory of Greece and has directed field projects in Laconia and on the Methana peninsula.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A.
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0192880586
• ISBN 13: 9780192880581
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 480