Twelve Greeks and Romans Who Changed the World

by Carl J. Richard author of The Founders and the Classics: Greece, Rome, and the American Enl

Overview

In Twelve Greeks and Romans Who Changed the World, Carl J. Richard brings to life a group of men whose contributions fundamentally altered western society. In this compelling narrative, readers encounter a rich cast of characters, including eloquent Homer, shrewd Pericles, fiery Alexander, idealistic Plato, ambitious Caesar, dedicated Paul, and passionate Augustine. As he vibrantly describes the contributions of the individuals, Richard details the historical context in which each lived, showing how these men influenced their world and ours.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780585466804
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	09/01/2004
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Carl J. Richard is associate professor of history at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and author of The Founders and the Classics: Greece, Rome, and the American Enlightenment.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface
Chapter 2 Introduction
Chapter 3 Homer: Founder of Western Literature
Chapter 4 Thales: Founder of Western Science
Chapter 5 Themistocles: Defender of Greek Civilization
Chapter 6 Pericles: Democratic Reformer
Chapter 7 Plato: Founder of Western Philosophy
Chapter 8 Alexander the Great: Disseminator of Greek Culture
Chapter 9 Scipio Africanus: Defender of the Roman Republic
Chapter 10 Julius Caesar: Destroyer of the Roman Republic
Chapter 11 Cicero: Statesman, Philosopher, and Republican Martyr
Chapter 12 Augustus: Founder of the Roman Empire
Chapter 13 Paul of Tarsus: Christian Evangelist
Chapter 14 Augustine: Christian Theologian
Chapter 15 Brief Bibliographical Suggestions for General Readers

Editorial Reviews

Readers will enjoy learning about how the lives and works of such figures as Plato, Alexander the Great, Julius Ceaser, and Cicero became part of modern political debates, and about the debt that Western writers owe to Homer.

History

Carl Richard's book is easy to read and highly recommended for those waiting to take a course on Western Civilization or who are rediscovering classical Greek and Roman history.

Great Lakes Bulletin

By setting these biographical essays deeply within their subjects' historical contexts, Carl Richard has given us an accessible and concise guide not only to these twelve major figures of ancient literature, philosophy, and history, but to the principal events of the Greek and Roman world from the Mycenaean Bronze Age to the Christian world of Augustine. The prose is lively, the anecdotes are entertaining and apt, and the range is remarkable in a text of this size....

Ward Briggs

Carl Richard's lively tour through the lives of twelve Greeks and Romans who created the Western world is a liberal education in itself, clearly telling us not just what we should know but why we should know it. For those tired of the melodrama of Western wickedness, Twelve Greeks and Romans will provide them with the necessary corrective: a clear overview of the unique virtues of the West and their origins among the Greeks and Romans.

Bruce S. Thornton

This book is a breathtaking accomplishment. There is a wealth here of information, wisdom, and wit. The author of The Founders and the Classics has written another classic.

Susan Ford Wiltshire

A valuable overview of ancient history, politics, economics, science, literature, art, philosophy, and religion in Greece and Rome. Recommended.

Choice Reviews

A valuable overview of ancient history, politics, economics, science, literature, art, philosophy, and religion in Greece and Rome. Recommended.

Choice

A valuable overview of ancient history, politics, economics, science, literature, art, philosophy, and religion in Greece and Rome. Recommended.

CHOICE

Carl Richard's lively tour through the lives of twelve Greeks and Romans who created the Western world is a liberal education in itself, clearly telling us not just what we should know but why we should know it. For those tired of the melodrama of Western wickedness, Twelve Greeks and Romans will provide them with the necessary corrective: a clear overview of the unique virtues of the West and their origins among the Greeks and Romans.--Bruce S. Thornton, California State University, Fresno

This book is a breathtaking accomplishment. There is a wealth here of information, wisdom, and wit. The author of The Founders and the Classics has written another classic.--Susan Ford Wiltshire, Vanderbilt University

Carl Richard's book is easy to read and highly recommended for those waiting to take a course on Western Civilization or who are rediscovering classical Greek and Roman history.--Great Lakes Bulletin

From the Publisher