Customer Reviews

A Guide to the Ancient World: A Dictionary of Classical Place Names (Specialized Dictionaries)

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Michael Grant has assembled a valuable dictionary of the classical world. It is one that I often refer to first when I want to know not only the location of a site but some of its history as well

For example, there is a two-page article on Thessalonica. The city was founded c 316 BCE by one of the successors of Alexander the Great. Grant continues his history through the late 5th century CE and ends with a mention of a 1978 earthquake.

Grant's more than 700 page book includes a series of maps which are found at the beginning of the book. There is also a list of ancient sources found in a bibliography at the end of the book.

Readers whose interest focuses upon the Ancient Near East will find that Grant focuses primarily upon the Greco-Roman world. Grant sets a timeframe which usually begins with the first millennium BCE.

And though there are articles on Elephantine, Syria, and Babylon, there are no articles on Sumer, Mari, Israel, and only a handful on any site whose name begins with Tel. Also the short two/thirds page article on Egypt is under Aegyptus.

It's a valuable dictionary. However if one's interest focused upon the Greco-Roman world, one would find Michael Grant's _Guide to the Ancient World_ even more valuable than I did.

The subtitle is "A Dictionary of Classical Place Names", and that's exactly what this book is. Let's face it, we all don't know exactly where the heck Halicarnassus was, let alone what other cities or empires were its neighbors (SE Asia Minor, interdicting the sea route to Cos, in case you're wondering). Entries range from Abdera to Zeugma, each with a concise history describing its significance, along with several pages of maps and cross-indexed names. This makes it extremely useful for a student or as a companion to a general interest reader. Naturally, any history book requires a focus, and this one is the Classical World of Greece, Roman and the Etruscans. I found it especially useful for looking up the Roman names of modern European cities. Highly recommended.

Michael Grant proved himself many times over to be a master of the ancient Mediterranean world. The depth of his knowledge was astounding. This guide, like many of his others, offers scholars and laymen alike a comprehensive guide to the ancient Mediterranean world: cities, towns, rivers, countries, mountains, etc. But us goes beyond simple data listings. It is replete with insights into their origins and surrounding history and events, people associated with, the later impact of, and myths and legends of each and place in the book.

Thank goodness Michael Grant was so very prolific and loved to share his immense knowledge with the world. We owe him a substantial debt.