Ancient history from the monuments: Greek cities & islands of Asia Minor

A sweeping tour of the ancient Greek world unfolds across the rugged coasts and plateau of Asia Minor, guiding listeners from the bustling ports of Cyzicus and Smyrna to the storied ruins of Troy and Pergamon. The author arranges the narrative by province, linking each city and island to the physical remnants that still mark the landscape, while sketching the broader geography that shaped their histories.

Drawing on classical sources, early travelers’ notes, and modern archaeological findings, the work paints vivid pictures of temples, tombs, and agorae that once thrummed with civic life. From the marble columns of Ephesus to the marble travertine terraces of Hierapolis, each description offers insight into how trade routes, mountain passes, and fertile valleys influenced settlement patterns and cultural exchange.

Ideal for anyone fascinated by the layers of history hidden in stone, the book invites listeners to imagine the daily rhythms of these once‑great cities and to appreciate how the ancient monuments continue to echo the legacy of a civilization that once spanned the eastern Mediterranean.