The Rise of Athens: The Story of the World's Greatest Civilization

A magisterial account of how a tiny city-state in ancient Greece became history's most influential civilization, from the bestselling author of acclaimed biographies of Cicero, Augustus, and Hadrian. Filled with tales of adventure and astounding reversals of fortune, The Rise of Athens celebrates the city-state that transformed the world—from the democratic revolution that marked its beginning, through the city's political and cultural golden age, to its decline into the ancient equivalent of a modern-day university town. Anthony Everitt constructs his history with unforgettable portraits of the talented, tricky, ambitious, and unscrupulous Athenians who fueled the city's rise: Themistocles, Pericles, Alcibiades, and others. The book includes accounts of key battles such as Thermopylae, Marathon, and Salamis. Everitt combines erudite analysis with stirring narrative, bringing to life the dramatic world of ancient Greece. Although less known than other empires, Athens' influence inspired figures like Alexander the Great, the Romans, and America's Founding Fathers. This vivid history highlights how Athenians shaped the modern world.