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Penguin Classics

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Ancient History
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7 Results

Ancient History
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The Secret History
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G.A. Williamson, Peter Sarris, Procopius  | Penguin Classics

The Secret History

$8.90

Goodreads rating: 3.84

$8.90

53% off est. retail
If you're fascinated by the underside of history—the clandestine dramas and less-than-saintly deeds of the powerful—then Procopius's "The Secret History" will grip you. The raw honesty and fervor with which he presents the other face of the Byzantine reign, one of vice and intrigue beneath the veneer of piety and power, make for a read as educational as it is scandalously entertaining. It's history with the mask torn off, revealing a narrative that's as human as it is historical.
The Histories - Thryft
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Aubrey de Sélincourt, Herodotus, John M. Marincola  | Penguin Classics

The Histories

$6.61

Goodreads rating: 4.0

$6.61

"The Histories" is a classic narrative that details the Greek city-states uniting to repel a superior Persian army. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in ancient history and warfare. The most unique feature of "The Histories" is the author's use of digressions to describe the wonders of Egypt and recount stories and folk tales, providing a rich cultural backdrop to the main narrative. Overall, readers will be thoroughly engrossed in this fascinating account of ancient events that shaped the course of history.
Caligula - Thryft
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Suetonius | Penguin Classics

Caligula

$3.88

Goodreads rating: 3.63

$3.88

Recommended for history enthusiasts who enjoy dark themes. This book offers a disturbing insight into the twisted mind of Emperor Caligula, known for his brutal, incestuous and insane reign over Rome. The author, Suetonius, provides a detailed account of Caligula's life and actions, which can be both fascinating and disturbing. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in Roman history, especially those who want to explore the darker side of the empire.
The Politics - Thryft
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Aristotle, Trevor J. Saunders, T.A. Sinclair  | Penguin Classics

The Politics

$7.02

Goodreads rating: 3.98

$7.02

An alternate cover for this isbn can be found here.‘Man is by nature a political animal'In The Politics Aristotle addresses the questions that lie at the heart of political science. How should society be ordered to ensure the happiness of the individual? Which forms of government are best and how should they be maintained? By analysing a range of city constitutions – oligarchies, democracies and tyrannies – he seeks to establish the strengths and weaknesses of each system to decide which are the most effective, in theory and in practice. A hugely significant work, which has influenced thinkers as diverse as Aquinas and Machiavelli, The Politics remains an outstanding commentary on fundamental political issues and concerns, and provides fascinating insights into the workings and attitudes of the Greek city-state.The introductions by T. A. Sinclair and Trevor J. Saunders discuss the influence of The Politics on philosophers, its modern relevance and Aristotle’s political beliefs. This edition contains Greek and English glossaries, and a bibliography for further reading.
The Nicomachean Ethics
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Hugh Tredennick, Aristotle, J.A.K. Thomson  | Penguin Classics

The Nicomachean Ethics

$7.90

Goodreads rating: 4.0

$7.90

61% off est. retail
If you've ever pondered what makes a life truly fulfilling and ethical, "The Nicomachean Ethics" might provide some timeless insight. Aristotle's examination of virtue, happiness, and the soul's activity is not just philosophically rich but also practically relevant, offering a foundation for modern thought on personal well-being and moral development. It's a text that nudoespenses with wisdom that has steered Western ideology for centuries, inviting a deep dive into concepts that still resonate today.
Fourteen Byzantine Rulers : The Chronographia of Michael Psellus - Thryft
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Michael Psellus, E.R.A. Sewter  | Penguin Classics

Fourteen Byzantine Rulers : The Chronographia of Michael Psellus

$5.14

Goodreads rating: 4.0

$5.14

This chronicle of the Byzantine Empire, beginning in 1025, shows a profound understanding of the power politics that characterized the empire and led to its decline.
The Madness of Cambyses - Thryft
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Herodotus, Tom Holland  | Penguin Classics

The Madness of Cambyses

$3.88

Goodreads rating: 3.18

$3.88

'Do you see your son, standing over there, in the antechamber? Well, I am going to shoot him.' The story of the great and mad Cambyses, King of Persia, told by part-historian, part-mythmaker Herodotus of Halicarnassus. Introducing Little Black Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th-century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions. Herodotus (c.484-425 BCE) Herodotus's The Histories is also available in Penguin Classics.