A Cabinet of Greek Curiosities

Strange Tales and Surprising Facts from the Cradle of Western Civilization

Nonfiction, History, Ancient History, Greece, Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism
Cover of the book A Cabinet of Greek Curiosities by J. C. McKeown, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: J. C. McKeown ISBN: 9780199982127
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: April 29, 2013
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: J. C. McKeown
ISBN: 9780199982127
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: April 29, 2013
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

The ancient Greeks were a wonderful people. They gave us democracy, drama, and philosophy, and many forms of art and branches of science would be inconceivable without their influence. And yet, they were capable of the most outlandish behavior, preposterous beliefs, and ludicrous opinions. Like its companion volume, A Cabinet of Roman Curiosities, this is an uproarious miscellany of odd stories and facts, culled from a lifetime of teaching ancient Greek civilization. In some ways, the book demonstrates how much the Greeks were like us. Politicians were regarded as shallow and self-serving; overweight people resorted to implausible diets; Socrates and the king of Sparta used to entertain their children by riding around on a stick pretending it was a horse. Of course, their differences from us are abundantly documented too and the book may leave readers with a few incredulous questions. To ward off evil, were scapegoats thrown down from cliffs, though fitted out with feathers and live birds to give them a sporting chance of survival? Did a werewolf really win the boxing event at the Olympic Games? Were prisoners released on bail so that they could enjoy dramatic festivals? Did anyone really believe that Pythagoras flew about on a magic arrow? Other such mysteries abound in this quirky and richly illustrated journey into the "glory that was Greece." "The loveliest thing on the black earth." Sappho of Lesbos "Well worth getting a copy." Pisistratus of Athens "Meticulously written, a must for every library." Ptolemy of Alexandria "Unputdownable." Atlas the Titan "Fantastic! Incredible!" Cassandra, priestess of Apollo "The ideal gift." Laocoon of Troy "Not too long." Callimachus of Cyrene "I find something new every time I dip in." Archimedes of Syracuse

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The ancient Greeks were a wonderful people. They gave us democracy, drama, and philosophy, and many forms of art and branches of science would be inconceivable without their influence. And yet, they were capable of the most outlandish behavior, preposterous beliefs, and ludicrous opinions. Like its companion volume, A Cabinet of Roman Curiosities, this is an uproarious miscellany of odd stories and facts, culled from a lifetime of teaching ancient Greek civilization. In some ways, the book demonstrates how much the Greeks were like us. Politicians were regarded as shallow and self-serving; overweight people resorted to implausible diets; Socrates and the king of Sparta used to entertain their children by riding around on a stick pretending it was a horse. Of course, their differences from us are abundantly documented too and the book may leave readers with a few incredulous questions. To ward off evil, were scapegoats thrown down from cliffs, though fitted out with feathers and live birds to give them a sporting chance of survival? Did a werewolf really win the boxing event at the Olympic Games? Were prisoners released on bail so that they could enjoy dramatic festivals? Did anyone really believe that Pythagoras flew about on a magic arrow? Other such mysteries abound in this quirky and richly illustrated journey into the "glory that was Greece." "The loveliest thing on the black earth." Sappho of Lesbos "Well worth getting a copy." Pisistratus of Athens "Meticulously written, a must for every library." Ptolemy of Alexandria "Unputdownable." Atlas the Titan "Fantastic! Incredible!" Cassandra, priestess of Apollo "The ideal gift." Laocoon of Troy "Not too long." Callimachus of Cyrene "I find something new every time I dip in." Archimedes of Syracuse

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book The Oxford Introductions to U.S. Law by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book Wayward Christian Soldiers by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book Ireland's Exiled Children by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book Introduction to Neuropsychopharmacology by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book The Science and Psychology of Music Performance by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book Religion in China by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book William Harvey by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book The Strange Career of Jim Crow by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book Handbook of Culture and Creativity by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book Crossroads of Freedom : Antietam by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book Textbook of Palliative Care Communication by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book How the Brain Evolved Language by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book Fulfilling Social and Economic Rights by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book The Linguistics Wars by J. C. McKeown
Cover of the book Clinical Acupuncture and Ancient Chinese Medicine by J. C. McKeown
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy