The Athenian Acropolis: History, Mythology, and Archaeology from the Neolithic Era to the Present (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

'... a magisterial study ... [Hurwit] displays immense erudition and command of the scholarly literature ... Yet far from producing a dryly academic treatise, Hurwit constructs a vivid picture of this multipurpose hub of urban life and details just how the Acropolis was used, when and by whom.' New York Times Book Review

'For sheer volume of information presented in an accessible format ... the book has no peer and it certainly should be part of the library of every serious student of ancient Athens ... Hurwit gives us what must be pretty much the last word on the Acropolis of the 20th century. Thanks to this book, it is a monument we can revisit again and again.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review

'This is a monumental undertaking, and the resulting book is a very wide-ranging and detailed survey of the most famous site in the Greek world.' The Classical Review

Product Description

This is a comprehensive study of the art, archaeology, myths, cults, and function of one of the most illustrious sites in the West. Providing an extensive treatment of the significance of the site during the 'Golden Age' of classical Greece, Jeffrey Hurwit discusses the development of the Acropolis throughout its long history, up to and including the recent discoveries of the Acropolis restoration project, which have prompted important re-evaluations of the site and its major buildings. Throughout, the author describes the role of the Acropolis in everyday life, always placing it within the context of Athenian cultural and intellectual history. Accompanied by 10 color plates, 172 halftones, and 70 line drawings, this is the most thorough book on the Acropolis to be published in English in nearly a century.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 408 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521417864
• ISBN-13: 978-0521417860
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #820,425 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thorough and Fresh Look at Ancient Greece's Acropolis, July 8, 1999

By A Customer

Jeffrey Hurwit's compelling way of introducing the reader to an Ancient Greek marvel is both fun and informative. You learn anwsers to things you would personally want to know like "Could the average Greek enter the Parthenon?" A great "bread and butter" book to have on hand if you are at all interested in art or architecture.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive reference book on the Acropolis, May 23, 2003

By	Diotima "Mantinea" (Western Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Athenian Acropolis: History, Mythology, and Archaeology from the Neolithic Era to the Present (Paperback)

This book distils generations of research and provides up-to-date information.

My only quibble is that the author accepts the art historians' view on the refinements in the Parthenon rather than having presented a practical architectural examination of the building. Otherwise it's a tour de force.

One more thing: don't be put off by the out of focus photograph on the cover.