Ancient Greece

At Ephesus during the fifth century B.C., writes Colin Davies, the philosophy of Heracleitus combined elements from Eastern visionaries and from Greek rationalism.

Colin Davies describes how, in the sixth century B.C., two philosophers emerged upon the Asian shore of the Aegean Sea to develop the ideas of Thales.

Michael Grant describes how the Greeks borrowed from other civilizations, and how they transformed their borrowing.

Colin Davies describes how, in the 6th century B.C., Miletus became the birthplace of Western science and philosophy.

A.F. Tilley explains how the Greeks propelled their boats.

Stephen Usher describes how Pericles became the embodiment of Athenian imperialism; which he exalted because, like General De Gaulle, he believed that his own country had a mighty civilizing mission. 

For two thousand years poets, writes Michael Grant, composers and painters have drawn upon the great archetypal myth of Orpheus—one of the myths that will always stir humanity.

Thanks to his gift of foresight, aided by his natural intelligence and a flair for improvization, Themistocles carried through a long-term programme, aimed at making his native city a great imperial power. By Stephen Usher.

James Shiel describes how, as one of those writers who forged a link between classical antiquity and medieval Christendom, Boethius was executed in 524 at the command of the barbarian king he served.

Charles Seltman introduces Pythagoras, a man of great personal authority and astonishingly diverse gifts, who founded one of the most influential schools of philosophy in the ancient world.