Three thousand years of European history plays out across the pages of this sumptuously illustrated first volume in the accessible History of Europe series. The narrative begins with the first stirrings of Bronze Age Greek culture on Crete, then follows Alexander the Great on his far-flung conquests, and traces the stunning rise and fall of Rome. This is no mere dusty recounting of names and dates; rather, the saga of classical Europe is recounted through lively discussions of the religious and cultural motivations, ambitious personalities, and behind-the-scenes struggles for political power that would lead to history's most pivotal moments. Color photographs, maps, and concise biographies of key figures make it easy to understand the events that set the course for today's Europe.