The Greeks and Greek Civilization

This landmark work by one of the greatest historians of the nineteenth century was renounced by the autor for fear of a hostile reception from contemporary critics, who clung to an idealized image of ancient Greece as the embodiment of aesthetic perfection and democracy. It is only now, over a century later, that Jacob Burckhardt's revolucionary portrayal of Athenian culture is available to English-language readers. Challenging the stereotype of Greek civilization, this work should be read by all who wish to understand the origins of our society.