Greece: An Oxford Archaeological Guide (Oxford Archaeological Guides) (Paperback)

~ Christopher Mee (Author), Tony Spawforth (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In the mid-second century A.D., a widely traveled geographer named Pausanias made an exhaustive survey of the major cities, temples, and byways of Greece, writing one of the world's first travel books in the bargain. Two millennia later, British archaeologists Mee and Spawforth follow in Pausanias's footsteps, correcting and updating his observations and providing clear directions on how to reach such fabled places as Orchomenos, Thermopylae, and Eleusis.

Mee and Spawforth write from an on-the-ground point of view, orienting readers toward significant ruins and points of interest at more than a hundred sites. Some of them, such as the Acropolis of Athens, Sparta, and Pylos, are well known to archaeologically inclined travelers; only the most seasoned of them, however, will have attained the authors' knowledge, helpfully shared, of how to gain the best view of Mount Olympos or the Temple of Athena Nike or how to find the Sacred Spring at Corinth. Other sites, such as the Middle Helladic ruins of Tiryns and the Temple of Apollo at Bassai, are somewhat more obscure, but, in the authors' estimation, well worth a visit for their historical and scenic value alike. The book is well illustrated with maps, architectural plans, drawings, and photographs, and includes abundant sidebars that expand on historical and cultural points in the text.

Mee and Spawforth's book makes a first-rate companion for travelers to Greece, and a useful reference for the home library as well. --Gregory McNamee

Product Description

Greece, with all its temples, cities, and sanctuaries created by Europe's most formative ancient civilization, is a must-see for the archaeological traveler. This valuable new addition to the acclaimed Oxford Archaeological Guides series provides coverage of all the main archaeological sites in Greece, ranging from prehistory to the sixth century AD. The individual sites are arranged by region, and include Philip's Tomb at Vergina, the Palace complex at Mycenae, the Temples of the Acropolis, the Hellenistic city of the Messene, and the Roman colony of Corinth. Also included in the book are 'partner factor' ratings that rank the most worthwhile sites for travelers to visit during their stay. An up-to-date introduction surveys Greece's landscape, history, and archaeology from the Neolithic period to the end of antiquity, and places the sites in their cultural context. Finally, there is a chronology for reference and a glossary of essential terms.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; illustrated edition edition (July 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192880586
• ISBN-13: 978-0192880581
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #720,771 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good maps, great details, even some picnic spots included, August 26, 2001

By A Customer

The new edition of the Oxford Archeological Guide to Greece (part of a excellent series on various parts of the ancient world)will be useful to any interested visitor to over 100 sites of mainland Greece and to Evia, Aegina and Thassos. The guide includes clear maps and a solid introduction to the history and geography of Greece and offers a clear glossary of deities and important figures. It also contains famous quotes and their explanations to add dimension to sites which have been mentioned by classical authors.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great guidebook, December 11, 2007

By	Edward Yarborough (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This guide doesn't cover as much territory as the "Blue Guide Greece", but it generally offers more detailed info on the places it does cover, and you can never have enough info on places to visit when you're touring around a foreign country, so such in-depth coverage of sites is very welcome. This book also includes interesting info on even some well known sites that I've never seen in any other book (and I've read a lot). If you're interested in archaeology you shouldn't visit Greece without this guide; I only wish I'd had it with me the last time I was there.