Why read The Penguin Dictionary of Ancient History?

Book cover of The Penguin Dictionary of Ancient History

Book description

Ranging from the year of the first Olympic Games in 776 BC to the fall of the Roman Empire in AD 476, this dictionary contains over 2000 entries providing a reference guide to the ancient Greco-Roman world. It includes entries on personalities, events, politics, literature, art and society.

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Penguin Dictionary of Ancient History as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Nigel Rodgers

Author

Dictionaries are not usually meant to be fun but this fact-packed book is so well-written that it is a joy to read. Wonder who on earth was Cicero? What the Punic wars were all about? How the Greeks defeated the Persians at the Battle of Salamis? What was so special about Greek theatre? And why Rome conquered Britain? You will find all the answers here. Besides military and political events, it covers literature, philosophy, art, religion, sport, and society, all the way from 776BC and the first Olympic Games to the end of the Roman Empire in the west…

From Nigel's list on The best books showing daily life in ancient Athens and Rome (at their respective peaks).