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P. J. Rhodes, A History of the Classical Greek World, 478-323 BC. Blackwell History of the Ancient World. Oxford: Blackwell, 2005. Pp. xiv + 407. ISBN 0-631-22565-X. GBP19.99.
Rhodes sets out to describe Greek history from the aftermath of the Persian Wars in 478 BC to the death of Alexander the Great. He has set his goal as follows: 'I have tried to make it a straightforward account, but one which combines analysis with narrative, which combines other aspects of Greek life with political and military matters, and which shows clearly the evidence on which it is based and the considerations which have to be borne in mind in using the evidence' (p. x). This starting point makes this book an unusual handbook for the classical period, though it follows traditional lines: after an introductory chapter, Rhodes guides us from 'The Formation of the Delian League' (chapter 2, pp. 14-21) to 'Alexander the Great: Topics' (chapter 25, pp. 359-83). An epilogue (chapter 26, pp. 384-87), a relatively concise bibliography (pp. 388-95) that partly summarises the useful 'notes on further reading' that conclude every chapter, and a sufficient index conclude the book.
With the exception of the introductory chapter 1, which outlines Greek history before 478 BC, the primary evidence used in every chapter is well documented in the notes. A very convenient feature is that, starting with chapter 2, every chapter is preceded by a time-line and a small list of the main events discussed in it. Rhodes completely fulfils his promise made in the preface to give a straightforward account by clearly showing the evidence on which it is based. At the same time this approach, valuable as it is, partly hides the problem involved with Rhodes's method; the areas and events not covered by the largely Athens-centred evidence remain relatively underexposed. To some extent this has been compensated for by using epigraphic and numismatic evidence wherever possible, but this type of evidence is unfortunately not always made sufficiently clear. In chapter 2 Rhodes explains the difficulties related to the explanation for and meaning of the Delian League and the dominant position Athens reserved for itself in it. In the following chapter (pp. 22-30) he deals with the Peloponnese in the early fifth...