Showing results by author "George William Cox" in All Categories

The British historian, George W. Cox writes that the "whole duration of the Athenian empire extends over little more than two generations." This confederation of Greek city states with Athens at its head was an attempt to present a unified front to the Persian Empire. But ultimately, the strife between democratic and oligarchic factions within each polis, combined with the tangle of alliances between the various city states, led to the ruinous and protracted Peloponnesian War. In this short work, Cox describes the battles on land and sea, and such personalities as the Athenian general, Nikias,...

In the darkest days of the Persian War when the armies of Xerxes were overrunning northern Greece, Athens faced destruction. The desperate Athenians consulted the oracle at Delphi, who answered, "For thus saith Zeus, that when all else within the land of Cecrops is wasted, the wooden wall alone shall not be taken." The British historian, George Cox agrees with many other authorities that the Greek statesman, Themistocles, bribed the oracle. Realizing that their survival depended upon a strong navy, he declared that the prophesy meant that the Persians would be defeated, not by fortifying ...

The Crusades were a tumultuous series of religious wars waged between 1096 and 1272, aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Islamic control. To the Latin Church, Crusaders were seen as penitent pilgrims, their sins absolved in their quest for spiritual redemption. British historian George Cox delves into the lives of churchmen, noble warriors leaving behind their families, cunning Venetian merchants, and Byzantine emperors who took advantage of the knights’ fervor. He narrates tales of profound sacrifice and brutal violence, the intricate dynastic struggles within the Crusader States, and ...

J.B. Burys History of Greece‚ offers a captivating exploration of classical Greek history, written before World War I yet remaining a staple in academia well into the late 1960s. This enduring work presents a rich overview of artistic, literary, political, and military developments, while also incorporating insights from new archaeological discoveries in its updated editions. Bury‚s clear and engaging writing style makes learning both enjoyable and enlightening. Covering regions from western Asia Minor to the Aegean archipelago and Greater Greece‚ (including Sicily and Southern Italy), ...