The Ancient Greeks

The Ancient Greeks by Moses I. Finley offers a concise yet authoritative introduction to ancient Greek life and thought, drawing on extensive historical scholarship and archaeological evidence. Finley begins by posing the fundamental question, Who were the Greeks?, then traces their evolution from the Dark Ages—illuminated by Homeric epics—through the Archaic period’s tyrants and lawgivers, to the rise and decline of the classical city-state. The book reinterprets key aspects of Greek civilization, including literature, philosophy, science, architecture, sculpture, and painting, emphasizing their profound influence on Western culture while highlighting social structures, economic realities, and cultural unity across fragmented poleis.