“Vedi Napoli e poi muori”; “See Naples and die!” is a saying one often hears, a saying which means that after seeing Naples in all her beauty one has nothing on earth left to admire.And in a certain sense this is true enough: there are but few places which in beauty of scenery can compare with the Bay of Naples. Yet a visit to Naples is not all; equally with the City of the Living, so attractive to the stranger for its life ever freshly throbbing early and late, the City of the Dead...

The deities of the ancient world — from the famous denizens of Olympus to anonymous river nymphs and sea monsters — come to life in the pages of this classic guide. Richly readable, informative, and colorful, it is drawn mostly from the great epics of Homer and the works of Apollodoros, an Athenian scholar of the second century B.C. Not only does it define the myths in terms of their influence on Western literature, it also depicts the role of the deities in everyday life, from the earlies...

This illustrated Travel Guide is designed for optimal navigation on iPad and other electronic devices. It is indexed alphabetically and by category, making it easier to access individual articles. Articles feature information about attractions, landmarks, districts, transportation, cultural venues, dining, history and much more. Addresses, telephones, hours of operation and admissions information are included. The guide is complemented by clearly marked maps that are linked to city attract...

The legendary Stephen Fry retells the adventures of Odysseus for the fourth and final installment in the internationally bestselling Mythos series.Odysseus’s journey from the battlefields of Troy to his home in Ithaca is one of the greatest stories ever told. From the lotus-eaters to the sirens, from Circe to the Cyclops, this is a tale of thrilling adventures, cunning escapes, and enduring devotion. Stephen Fry breathes new life into the ancient poem with humor an...

Towering across time as the creator of the Mona Lisa, forever famous as a sculptor and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest minds of both the Italian Renaissance and Western civilization. His keen scientific imagination and, most of all, his aesthetic and creative genius have forever changed the course of our culture. Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and recent in-depth biographies have stimulated renewed interest in da Vinci and his complex and inquiring intelligence....

The eminent classicist delivers "an evocative history of Europe's first great road" from Rome to the heel of Italy in this "slim but evocative volume" ( The Guardian, UK).The 1st century Roman poet Statius called the Via Appia "the Queen of Roads," and for nearly a thousand years that description held true, as countless travelers trod its path from the center of Rome to the Southern Italian city of Brindisi. Today, the road is all but gone, destro...

**“Wilson’s Iliad is clear and brisk, its iambic pentameter a zone of enchantment.” —Ange Mlinko, London Review of BooksThe greatest literary landmark of antiquity masterfully rendered by the most celebrated translator of our time.**When Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017—revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that was “fresh, unpretentious and lean” (Madeline Miller, Washington Post)—critics lauded it ...

In "Venice and Its Story," Thomas Okey offers an eloquent narrative that interlaces the rich tapestry of Venice's history, culture, and architecture with vivid descriptions and insightful analysis. His literary style is characterized by a blend of historical scholarship and engaging prose, making the intricate evolution of this iconic city accessible to the reader. Okey meticulously traces Venice's transformation from a small lagoon settlement to a major maritime power, all while capturing...

In the brilliant third installment of his bestselling Mythos series, legendary author and actor Stephen Fry retells the tale of the Trojan War with his trademark wit and vibrance.Full of tragic heroes, intoxicating love stories, and the unstoppable force of fate, there is no conflict more iconic than the Trojan War. Troy is the story of the epic battle retold by Fry with drama, humor, and vivid emotion. Achilles, Hector, Odysseus,...

According to Wikipedia: "John Ruskin (8 February 1819 20 January 1900) is best known for his work as an art critic, stage writer, and social critic, but is remembered as an author, poet and artist as well. Ruskin's essays on art and architecture were extremely influential in the Victorian and Edwardian eras."

The definitive and comprehensive edition of Robert Graves's classic retelling of the Greek myths'Icarus disobeyed his father's instructions and began soaring towards the sun, rejoiced by the lift of his great sweeping wings. Presently, when Daedalus looked over his shoulder, he could no longer see Icarus; but scattered feathers floated on the waves below...'These are the greatest stories ever told - the labours of Hercules, the voyage of the Argona...

Discover timeless tales of gods and heroes in this bestselling book detailing classic Greek, Roman, and Norse myths and legends—featuring beautiful illustrations throughout.Edith Hamilton’s Mythology succeeds like no other book in bringing to life for the modern reader the myths that are the keystone of Western culture—the stories of gods and heroes that have inspired human creativity from antiquity to the present.Follow the drama of the Trojan War...