The general history of ancient Greece and Rome is traced separately and then their contribution to the West is looked at under the headings Gods, Rulers, Thinkers, Writers, Artists and Historians. This is the first in a five volume History of the West that is published at the same time. One theme recurs - in what sense was either ancient Greece or Rome civilised? 66,000 words, fully annotated, with chronology. No other book treats this well-worn subject this way.