splendid book (Telegraph)[L]ovely little anthology ... an engaging approach to ancient literature (Times Higher Education)We know now that we are driven to share knowledge and thought because, as a species, we can imagine the potential consequence of communicating ideas. How thrilling then to have the voices - and ideas - of twelve of the very greatest ancients communicated to us by two of the 21st century's finest classical scholars. Through the painstaking and pleasure-rich work of Pelling and Wyke here we learn both about the minds and, critically, the lives and histories of key players in the story of civilisation. Fresh scholarship is combined with a deep and charismatic understanding. What more could anyone ask for in one book? (Bettany Hughes)A wonderful reader's guide to classical literature: these ancient voices, so vividly brought to life by Pelling and Wyke, speak with freshness, immediacy and urgency. (Charlotte Higgins)