Review by Choice Review
As Errington (emer., Univ. of Marburg, Germany) correctly points out, "the ancient Greeks did not know a Hellenistic world." What they did know were the Macedonian kingdoms that emerged from the posthumous breakup of Alexander's so-called empire and latterly their eclipse by Rome. Recent research has emphasized the "complex and constantly changing network of sociopolitical relationships at differing societal levels," especially in art history, economics, and civic institutions. One thing long lacking in the English-speaking world has been the in-depth, full political narrative so successfully achieved by French scholar Edouard Will. This, a little surprisingly considering its format and title, is what Errington's book provides. It deals with politics and virtually nothing else. The author has a sharp eye for intrigue, a gift for interpreting recalcitrant inscriptions, and a clear, brisk prose style. His command of the sources and the by now vast scholarship is masterly. As a result, his text will be equally invaluable--a rare achievement--for students and fellow scholars. Some, though, may find his Thucydidean distaste for the personal overdone: even Antony and Cleopatra's relationship gets only a couple of perfunctory, sanitized pages. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Most levels/libraries. P. M. Green emeritus, University of Iowa
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
