W. is eminently qualified to write the sort of history he has in this volume. In addition to translating a staggering array of classical texts, W. has published several books on topics spanning the Greek historical spectrum. The book under review undertakes the daunting task of providing a nearly comprehensive overview of seven centuries of the chaotic world of the Greeks, who not only colonised almost every coast in the Mediterranean but, under Alexander the Great and his successors, also made it as far east as Pakistan and India. The chronological and geographical scope of the project is therefore immense. The lack of political cohesiveness of Greek culture (which W. emphasises) adds an aggravating factor. The Greek world was a battleground of feuding city-states, and ‘Greece’ never developed into a unified political entity in the ancient period. At the peak of the era of the polis, well over 1000 Greek cities strewn across the Mediterranean basin were conducting their own affairs as independent states. In a relatively spare 467 pages of text W. tells the fascinating but convoluted story of this largest city-state culture in history.

The overall approach is one of textbook-like comprehensiveness, which has its strengths and weaknesses. Explicitly rejecting the primacy of the ‘Classical’ period, W. dedicates approximately equal time to the three major eras (Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic). The preface stipulates that the volume focuses ‘a bit more’ on the Greeks of the mainland (pp. x–xi), but W. does not ignore the rest of the Greek world and in fact gives the reader a reasonably clear picture of developments elsewhere, especially Sicily. The chief subject, constantly recurring, is Greek political culture, especially the conflict between Greek identity and the particularism resulting from the city-state organisational structure. On the more constructive side, the distinctively Greek formulations of political principles, especially freedom and democracy, are traced out as well, and their enduring legacy into the modern period is sketched in the conclusion.

Although geared towards a general readership, the book is not a purely narrative history. The chapters alternate between synchronic and diachronic approaches, the latter predominating as the work progresses. Part 1, for instance, is split about evenly between narrative sections and synchronic explorations of topics such as aristocratic life, the experience of the Greek soldier and religious elements of the city-state. Part 2 is heavier on narrative, and Part 3 moves more into the realm of story-telling, but non-narrative chapters are to be found throughout. The strength of such an approach is that W. is able to give due consideration to just about every significant topic within his chosen parameters (political culture in the Greek world, from the Archaic to the Hellenistic Period). On the other hand, the general reader, who may be looking for a true narrative history, could find the fragmentation of the storyline frustrating. The non-specialist will have difficulty keeping up with the bewildering number of exotic Greek names. Characters come and go quickly enough that it can become disorienting, especially in the notoriously complicated Hellenistic Period. These are not points against the book, but merely a recognition of what it is and what it is not. This volume demands a good deal of work from its readers and so will find warmer welcome from academics than amateurs.

As one might expect, the scholarship is impeccable. W. touches on a staggering array of topics, succinctly reviewing the evidence and summarising the most recent scholarly work. The book repeatedly demonstrates intimate familiarity with the primary source material of all areas within its scope. Generally confining himself to elucidating the major points, W. avoids getting entangled in lengthy arguments that would bog down the prose. The authorial voice does come across on some controversial areas, but the original perspectives on the evidence mostly come in the realm of broad trends through the period. Sensationalist interpretation and misreading due to insufficient attention to primary evidence, the bane of popular histories, are absent.

In addition to the well-conceived organisation, the book has effective aids for the reader. The front matter contains a five-page chronological chart, five king lists and six maps of various regions of the Mediterranean world. This reference material provides crucial assistance for a reader struggling with the various cities and regions and (to the Anglophone ear) bizarre-sounding names that roll out, one after another, page by page. The body itself is supplemented by illustrations and additional maps, adding visual examples to support the prose. Finally, the ‘Recommended Reading’ sections for each chapter are excellent, staying brief but suggesting a handful of major monographs on each subject.

Judged by the readability of the prose, the quality of the background scholarship and the comprehensiveness of W.’s vision, the book must be considered a great success. Based on the swiftness of the historical accounts and the extended sections of topical discussion, I do have some concerns about the accessibility to the truly ‘general’ reader, but for a reader willing to undertake the work required, this volume provides an excellent introduction to the first seven centuries of Greek history, probably the best modern treatment.