'Classical' by Anton van Hooff provides a coherent historical overview of the Greco-Roman world. The book covers the development of Greek city-states in the fifth century BC through to the powerful Roman empire, the first great superpower.
This study book places the political narrative as a framework to make the cultural and intellectual achievements of Greeks and Romans insightful through compelling examples. Van Hooff enriches his story with anecdotes, translated quotations, and striking parallels with later times.
“Classical” answers historical questions about the year zero, the origins of sayings such as “money doesn’t stink,” and the connection between President Kennedy’s statement in 1963 and Cicero. This book is a valuable reference work for anyone interested in Greek city-states, the Roman empire, and the broader Greco-Roman world.