Ancient History & Archaeology

The untold story of one of WW2's most extraordinary and significant battles which marked the turning of the tide of the war in the jungles of Burma 'A thrilling blow-by-blow...

The essential writings of ancient Egypt, from songs to stories, newly translated 'Man perishes; his corpse turns to dust; all his relatives pass away. But writings make him remembered.' The...

One of the great books in Western history and the very first work of non-fiction, in Tom Holland's compelling new translation The Histories of Herodotus, completed in the second half...

A new translation by Alan H. Sommerstein of four of Aeschylus' most celebrated plays Aeschylus (525-456 BC) brought a new grandeur and epic sweep to the drama of classical Athens,...

Eusebius is regarded as *the* historian of Christian antiquity Eusebius's account is the only surviving historical record of the Church during its crucial first 300 years. Bishop Eusebius, a learned...

John Carter's modern translation conveys the compelling style of the original. His extensive introduction provides an in-depth assessment of Appian as historian and places the work in context Taken from...

The heroic Greek dramas that have moved theatergoers and readers since the fifth century B.C. Towering over the rest of Greek tragedy, the three plays that tell the story of...

The historical account of the end of the Roman Empire Ammianus Marcellinus was the last great Roman historian, and his writings rank alongside those of Livy and Tacitus. The Later...

Caesar's own account of his struggle with Pompey over leadership of Republican Rome A military leader of legendary genius, Caesar was also a great writer, recording the events of his...

A fascinating historical account of Greece at a point of crisis Xenophon's History recounts nearly fifty turbulent years of warfare in Greece between 411 and 362 BC. Continuing the story...

Written four hundred years before the birth of Christ, this detailed contemporary account of the long life-and-death struggle between Athens and Sparta stands an excellent chance of fulfilling its author's...

Edith Hall unpacks the mysterious and successful ancient Greek people through ten uniquely ancient Greek personality traits. They gave us democracy, philosophy, poetry, rational science, the joke. They built the...

READ THE STORY BEHIND THE NEW BBC/NETFLIX EPIC SERIES, TROY- FALL OF A CITY A stunning new translation of Homer's great war epic, the legendary tale of honour, love, loss...

Discover the rise and fall of the world's greatest empire in the stunning second novel in THE GOLDEN AGE series, from the nation's finest historical novelist Pericles returns to Athens...

Two and a half thousand years ago, the Greeks and the Persians fought an epic battle to decide the future of our world. This is their story. 490 B.C. Two...

Based on one of history's most epic stories of adventure, Conn Iggulden's latest bestseller pits Persians against Spartans in a legendary battle In the Ancient World, one army was feared...

The first popular biography of the great warlord, Attila the Hun. The name Attila the Hun has become a byword for barbarism, savagery and violence. His is a truly household...

The story of a lost child, an extraordinary hunter, and a mystery with many answers . . . Tracker is known far and wide for his skills as a hunter...

Why has Aristotle had such an astounding influence on the world? What are his key ideas? What can he still teach us today? There is in Athens a rather plain...

A remarkable retelling of Hindu mythology, from one of Europe's greatest literary figures In Ka, Roberto Calasso delves into the corpus of classical Sanskrit literature recreating and re-imagining the enchanting...

New to Penguin Classics, the international bestseller by one of Europe's pre-eminent literary figures The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony is a masterful retelling of the ancient myths and fables...

The first short narrative history of the continent, from the author of the bestselling A Short History of England Europe has for two millennia been a remarkably successful continent. In...

A new translation of the oldest non-canonical Christian gospels, including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Judas In the early years of Christianity, several...

An extraordinary tale of transformation from the renowned Italian writer, thinker and publisher 'When hunting began, it was not a man who chased an animal. It was a being that...

A deeply comforting and enlightening book on how Stoicism can inspire us to lead more thoughtful lives What aspects of your life do you really control? What do you do...

Authoritative new edition of Plato's Republic by acclaimed translator Christopher Rowe 'We set about founding the best city we could, because we could be confident that if it was good...

Bringing together the masterpieces of classical tragedy in one volume, this is the ideal single-volume introduction for theatre goers, actors, general readers, and students of Classics, English Literature, and Drama....

A selection of Cicero's philosophical writings on 'the good life', in a lively new translation by Thomas Habinek In the first century BC, Marcus Tullius Cicero, orator, statesman, and defender...

A new collection of some of Cicero's greatest and most stirring speeches, translated by Siobhan McElduff Cicero (106-43BC) was the most brilliant orator in Classical history. Even one of the...

Plato's riveting account of the trial and death of Socrates, in a new translation by Christopher Rowe 'Consider just this, and give your minds to this alone- whether or not...

One of the most important philosophical works of all time, in a lively new translation by Adam Beresford 'Right and wrong is a human thing' What does it mean to...

This edition contains a revision of the existing translation, revision of chronology and genealogy, and a new introduction of 4-6000 words, new notes and a new selection of further reading...

Timaeus and Critias has a central place in Western thought and is best known to many for the story of Atlantis Timaeus and Critias is a Socratic dialogue in two...

New translation of One of Plato's major dialogues, popular because of its subject-matter- love Phaedrus is widely recognized as one of Plato's most profound and beautiful works. It takes the...

Sallust (86-c. 35 bc) is the earliest Roman historian of whom complete works survive, a senator of the Roman Republic and younger contemporary of Cicero, Pompey and Julius Caesar. His...

New translation for Penguin Classics Epictetus, a Greek stoic and freed slave, ran a thriving philosophy school in Nicropolis in the early second century AD. His animated discussions were celebrated...

A vivid and richly anecdotal portrait of Spartan society. Plutarch's vivid and engaging portraits of the Spartans and their customs are a major source of our knowledge about the rise...

This revised edition features a new introduction by Robin Seager, putting the lives in the context of Plutarch's biography and literary career, discussing and comparing the individual lives, and analysing...

In the course of a lively drinking party, a group of Athenian intellectuals exchange views on eros, or desire. From their conversation emerge a series of subtle reflections on gender...

A key anthology of early Western thought The works collected in this volume form the true foundation of Western philosophy - the base upon which Plato and Aristotle and their...

First time in Penguin Classics for Scandinavia's best known work of literature and the principal source for knowledge about Norse mythology The Prose Edda is the most renowned of all...

A selection of dialogues and letters of one of the most eloquent - and influential - masters of Latin prose. A major writer and a leading figure in the public...

Recently updated and expanded volume of the landmarks of ancient literary criticism The works collected in this volume have profoundly shaped the history of criticism in the Western world- they...

Penguin Classics relaunch A penetrating account of Greek tragedy, it demonstrates how the elements of plot, character and spectacle combine to produce 'pity and fear' - and why we derive...

A compelling narrative of the life of the greatest conqueror of all time- Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), who led the Macedonian army to victory in Egypt,...

An intriguing document giving insight into the founders of the Roman republic These nine biographies illuminate the careers, personalities and military campaigns of some of Rome's greatest statesmen, whose lives...

Pliny's letters provide a series of fascinating views on imperial Rome A prominent lawyer and administrator, Pliny (c. AD 61-113) was also a prolific letter-writer, who numbered among his correspondents...

Tacitus' Annals of Imperial Rome recount the major historical events from the years shortly before the death of Augustus up to the death of Nero in AD 68. With clarity...