Robert Garland Bücher

A vivid, engaging, and colorful description of life in Ancient Greece from the perspective of ordinary people.

An entertaining romp through the myths of Ancient Rome, retold by Robert Garland.

"Death for the Greeks was not an instantaneous event, rather a process or passage which required strenuous efforts on the part of the living to ensure that the dead achieved full and final transfer to the next world. The central questions which this book attempts to answer are: the extent to which death was a preoccupying concern among the Greeks; the feelings with which the individual may have anticipated his death; the nature of the bonds between the living and the dead; and the light shed by burial practices upon characteristic elements of Greek society. While the beliefs of ordinary Greeks about their ordinary dead form the book's central focus, there is also a chapter on 'special dead' - the unburied, murderers and their victims, children, and suicides."--BOOK JACKET.

Focussing on Athens in 490-323 BCE, How to Survive in Ancient Greece is ex- pat's guide to living in the ancient city. Covers all areas of everyday life in this ancient civilisation, from religious beliefs and travel through to what to wear.

Most classical authors and modern historians depict the ancient Greek world as essentially stable and even static, once the so-called colonisation movement came to an end. But Robert Garland argues that the Greeks were highly mobile, that their movement was essential to the survival, success and sheer sustainability of their society and that this wandering became a defining characteristic of their culture. Addressing a neglected but essential subject, this work focuses on the diaspora of tens of thousands of people between about 700 and 325 BCE, demonstrating the degree to which Greeks were liable to be forced to leave their homes due to political upheaval, oppression, poverty, warfare, or simply a desire to better themselves

No areaof Greek life was wholly untouched by religion, and a basic knowledge ofthis aspect of life is essential to anyone seeking a proper understanding ofthe classical world. In this engaging survey Robert Garland brings out theunique quality of Greek religion - its practical and worldly approach toman's relationship with the divine -and shows how religious ritual was integral to the daily routine of bothpublic and private life.

Greek mythology differs significantly from religious texts like the Bible or the Qur'an, as there is no standardized version of any myth, and myths are not considered sacred. Each storyteller, whether ancient or modern, has the freedom to interpret and narrate these myths in their own way. For instance, the tale of Oedipus varies: in Homer's account, he continues to rule in Thebes after realizing he has fulfilled the oracle's prophecy, while Sophocles' version portrays him blinding himself and going into exile. However, certain core elements remain unchanged: Oedipus must be unaware that he has killed his father and married his mother, must fulfill the oracle's dreadful prophecy, and must ultimately recognize his tragic actions. Greek mythology remains vibrant in contemporary culture, with numerous narrative interpretations available. This book takes a unique approach by allowing the characters to narrate their own stories. By doing so, both gods and mortals can reflect on their experiences and, at times, justify their choices, presenting them as relatable figures akin to those found in the works of ancient dramatists.

You'll explore all aspects of Greek life: literacy, household chores, education, illness, festivals, economy and trade, coinage, law and order, military service, the Olympic Games, theatrical performances, mythology, and more.