Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World - Hardcover

As a work that "attempts to give all the essential information about the ancient Greek world" to the general reader, this volume is, for the most part, successful. Clearly intended as a companion volume to Matthew Bunson's Encyclopedia of the Roman Empire [RBB Je 1 94] and Margaret Bunson's Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt [RBB S 15 91] from the same publisher, this ready-reference source features articles ranging from 100 to 3,000 words on all aspects of the Greek world. Sacks, who has written articles on current cultural topics in such publications as the New York Times Book Review and Vanity Fair, has an M.A. in Greek and Roman history and literature from Oxford. The 525 articles are accompanied by line drawings that generally reproduce famous artwork. A bibliography and index conclude the work.

Sacks covers almost every topic of interest, ranging from mythological figures (Cassandra, Paris), historical people (Arion, Sappho), events (Peloponnesian War the longest entry in the work), and places (Argos, Megara) to general topics (Clothing, Ships and Seafaring). Though coverage spans the approximately 2,000 years from the third millennium B.C. to the Roman annexation of Greece in 146 B.C, "the encyclopedia gives most attention to the classical era--that is, roughly the 400s and 300s B.C."

Users wishing to verify facts are not likely to be disappointed with this work, as most topics of interest are included. Sacks has also written articles giving an overview of life in the Greek world in general: Homosexuality, Religion, Women, etc. Those wishing to pursue the topics further will not likely be satisfied, however, with the concluding bibliography of 140 secondary works and 50 primary works arranged alphabetically by the authors' last names. Although Sacks lists the major works in this field, bibliographies concluding each article would have been more helpful. Also missed are maps--the solitary one at the beginning of the book does not suffice. The volume is also missing some "extras" that made Bunson's volume generally more appealing--a chronology, various tables, charts, etc.

Though the topics covered in this volume can be found in several places (including general encyclopedias), having a concise, ready-reference work like this on an ever-popular topic is certainly a plus. Not a "must buy," but given the price, definitely worth considering for public and academic libraries. Facts On File will follow up this month with another title in this series, Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages, by Matthew Bunson ($45, 0-8160-2456-1).

Originally published in England, this encyclopedia covers ancient Greece for the 2000 years up to 146 B.C. A lively, readable text by Sacks, a book reviewer for the New York Times and frequent author of journal articles, is authoritatively supported by the contributions of consultant Oswyn Murray (Oxford History of the Classical World, LJ 1/87). Important places, events, topics, and people are covered in 525 articles, ranging from a paragraph (Aegean Sea) to five pages (Peloponnesian War). There are cross references to related topics and a detailed index. Most terms are also found in Praeger Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Civilization (1967), and this reviewer finds the photographs in Praeger more effective than the original line drawings by Margaret Bunson in Sacks's work. However, the expanded essays on general topics, e.g., homosexuality, women, etc., provide more insight into the typical lifestyles of the period. A two-part bibliography of nearly 200 basic works is included but no bibliographic documentation. An excellent source for high school and undergraduate students.?Stanley P. Hodge, Ball State Univ., Muncie, Ind.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.