Robin Lane Fox's ''The Classical World: An Epic History of Greece and Rome'' is a comprehensive and enthralling introduction to Ancient civilization. The classical civilizations of Greece and Rome dominated the world for centuries and continue to intrigue and enlighten us with their inventions, whether philosophy, politics, theatre, athletics, celebrity, science or the pleasures of horse racing. Robin Lane Fox's spellbinding history, spans almost a thousand years of change from the foundation of the world's first democracy in Athens to the Roman Republic and the Empire under Hadrian. Bringing great figures such as Homer, Socrates, Cicero, Alexander, Antony and Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Augustus and the first Christian martyrs to life, exploring freedom, justice and luxury, this wonderfully exciting tour brings the turbulent histories of Greece and Rome together in a masterly study. ''Epic in the true sense''. (''The Times'' Books of the Year). ''He writes supremely well ...a keen eye for the telling detail and powerful example ...the humanity of the exercise shines through ...compulsory, and compulsive, reading''. (Peter Jones, ''Sunday Telegraph'').Robin Lane Fox is a Fellow of New College, Oxford, and a University Reader in Ancient History. His other books include ''Alexander the Great'', ''Pagans and Christians'' and ''The Unauthorized Version''. He was historical advisor to Oliver Stone on the making of Stone's film ''Alexander'', for which he waived all his fees on condition that he could take part in the cavalry charge against elephants which Stone staged in the Moroccan desert.