In centuries long past, which reached their summit in the few years of the Great Age of Pericles, literature, science, philosophy, art, democracy, religion the main achievements of the modern world developed almost overnight, full blown in many cases and as perfect as they could ever be. Edith Hamilton has illumined it for us with a spirit similar to its own, a complete sympathy and identification, and in a style that is an echo of the Greek grace, clarity, simplicity and warmth.