Discusses the history of cultural life in ancient Greece, from the Bronze Age to the Roman conquest, and includes information on the birth of the city-state, the growth of literature, and changes in religious life. Grade 7 Up—Serving as updates to the "Cultural Atlas" series (Facts On File), these redesigned titles offer students a wealth of information on all aspects of these ancient civilizations. Both works are packed with well-chosen, pertinent photos and artwork that add stunning detail to the study of these cultures. Whether exploring the Athens of Pericles or retracing the footsteps of the pharaohs down the Nile, both books offer intricately detailed topographical and historical maps that bring to life both rich cultures and stunning landscapes. Succinct captions, legends, and appropriate scales accompany each map. While many historical atlases offers colorful maps of both civilizations, these books stand out with excellent maps inserted within lucid, relevant text. The authors open with a discussion of the geography of each area and then skillfully follow the development of economics, demographics, military, political, and religious history through ancient times. As these titles can be employed across the curriculum from history to literature, they will be useful in most libraries.— Brian Odom, Pelham Public Library, AL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. This volume is an adaptation of an edition published by Facts On File’s Checkmark Books imprint in 1990. It begins with a time line followed by an introduction, and it ends with a glossary, an updated further-readings list, the bibliography from the original edition, and an index. Arrangement is thematic, with content organized under “The Land in Context,” “The Age of Bronze,” “The Age of Tyranny,” “The Age of Pericles,” “The Age of Alexander,” and “The Fates of Hellenism.” Each of these parts is divided into sections discussing more discrete topics, such as “The Homeric World,” “The Birth of the City-States,” and “The Roman Conquest.” Information in provided in a concise manner that is easy to utilize for a wide range of research assignments. The numerous illustrations, photographs, and maps make for an attractive presentation. In addition to being available as a stand-alone title, the atlas can be purchased as part of a set (for $399.60) that also includes The New Cultural Atlas of China, The New Cultural Atlas of Egypt, and The New Cultural Atlas of the Islamic World. Although the fact that each of these has a different arrangement will make it difficult for students to use them in assignments comparing cultures, all are recommended for public and college libraries. Libraries owning the volumes from which they were adapted may not need to update. --Sara Marcus