De Geschiedenis Van Het Grieksche Volk

What did it mean to be Greek? Eva March Tappan's history answers that question not through dry dates and battles alone, but through the living pulse of a civilization that shaped everything that came after it. This is ancient Greece as a world of fierce debate in the agora, of playwrights who held mirrors to society, of citizens who believed their small city-states embodied the very idea of freedom itself. Tappan traces the arc from mythical beginnings through the golden age of Athens and Sparta, the conquests of Alexander, and the twilight of the Hellenistic world. Along the way, she weaves in the stories that mattered to the Greeks themselves: their gods and heroes, their rivalries and alliances, their art and philosophy. She shows how a people who lived in a scattered archipelago somehow produced ideas about beauty, reason, and democracy that still shape how we think today. For readers who want to understand not just what happened in ancient Greece, but what it felt like to live there, this book offers a window into a world both alien and startlingly familiar.
Editions
X-Ray
The King of the Gods, residing on Mount Olympus, who often intervenes in human affairs and is a source of divine power and judgment.
The God of the Sun, music, and colonization, depicted driving the sun chariot and associated with the oracle at Delphi.
The youthful son of Apollo who recklessly attempted to drive the sun chariot, leading to disaster.
A legendary Athenian hero, son of King Aegeus, famous for slaying the Minotaur and uniting the villages of Attica.
About De Geschiedenis Van Het Grieksche Volk
Chapter Summaries
- I
- This chapter introduces Greek mythology as a means for ancient children to understand their world, recounting tales of Zeus on Mount Olympus, Phaëthon's reckless ride, the Cyclops, and the flood of Deucalion and Pyrrha. It also introduces heroes like Theseus, Oedipus, and Heracles, whose legendary deeds shaped early Greek identity.
- II
- Continuing with myths, this chapter details Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece with the Argonauts, aided by Medea. It then shifts to the Trojan War, initiated by Helena's abduction by Paris, describing the divine involvement, the Trojan Horse, and the epic narratives of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, including Odysseus's arduous return journey.
- III
- This chapter explores the daily life of early Greeks, focusing on their fortified homes, the absence of coined money (using oxen for value), and their appreciation for art in pottery and metalwork. It describes their simple diet, the importance of hospitality, and the practical education of children, emphasizing physical training and music, alongside their beliefs about death and the role of oracles like Delphi and Dodona.
Key Themes
- Mythology and its Influence
- The book extensively details how Greek myths provided foundational explanations for the world, from natural phenomena to the origins of peoples and the deeds of gods and heroes. These stories were integral to Greek identity, shaping their understanding of history, morality, and their place in the cosmos, as seen in tales of Zeus, Apollo, Theseus, and the Trojan War.
- Political Evolution and Governance
- The narrative traces the diverse political systems of Greek city-states, from early monarchies to oligarchies, tyrannies, and the development of Athenian democracy. It highlights the constant experimentation with governance, the struggles between aristocratic and popular rule, and the impact of lawgivers like Solon and Clisthenes on shaping civic life and citizen participation.
- Warfare and its Consequences
- Major conflicts like the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War are central to the book, illustrating military strategies, heroic sacrifices (Thermopylae), and devastating defeats (Sicilian Expedition). The text explores how these wars shaped alliances, led to periods of dominance for different city-states, and ultimately contributed to the exhaustion and vulnerability of Greece to external powers.
Characters
- Zeus(supporting)
- The King of the Gods, residing on Mount Olympus, who often intervenes in human affairs and is a source of divine power and judgment.
- Apollo(supporting)
- The God of the Sun, music, and colonization, depicted driving the sun chariot and associated with the oracle at Delphi.
- Phaëthon(supporting)
- The youthful son of Apollo who recklessly attempted to drive the sun chariot, leading to disaster.
- Theseus(protagonist)
- A legendary Athenian hero, son of King Aegeus, famous for slaying the Minotaur and uniting the villages of Attica.
- Heracles(protagonist)
- The most famous Greek hero, known for his immense strength and twelve labors, eventually achieving godhood.
- Jason(protagonist)
- A hero from Thessaly and leader of the Argonauts, known for his quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece.




