The second edition of William Smith’s Smaller History of Greece has remained a popular introduction for students of classics. This revised second edition of his famous text begins with the geography of Greece and the origins of its people. The early histories of Sparta and Athens and the Greek colonies are noted before he moves on to his extensive treatment of the Persian and Peloponnesian wars. The Thirty Tyrants are considered as well as the Greeks under Cyrus. The supremacy of Sparta and Thebes are explored, and the Sicilian Greeks until Philip of Macedon. Alexander the Great and the Roman conquest round out the historical material. A brief sketch of the history of Greek literature completes this introduction which still retains its utility despite the years since its initial publication.

Sir William Smith (1813-1893) was a British lexicographer and self-taught classicist. He studied at University College London and taught at University College School. In addition to being a prolific writer on classical studies, he also edited the Quarterly Review, sat on the Senate of the University of London, and was honored with a knighthood.

Carleton Lewis Brownson (1866-1948) was a classicist who taught at Yale University and the City College of New York. He eventually became Dean of the latter institution. He is known for his translations in the Loeb Classical Library.