ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book highlights problems and to demonstrate explicitly some of the more important techniques of criticism and construction used by professional historians. It suggests something of the contribution which Greek history can make to a liberal education, and to communicate the enjoyment to be had from careful exploitation of the Greek sources. The book applies the observation that great blocks of prolegomena are off-putting to the student. It presents an unusually large selection of the ancient evidence, and to provide clear analysis and narrative. The book tries to inoculate the readers against a recurrent fault in the presentation of subject, which consists in encouraging a patronising attitude towards the ancient Greeks. It stresses the rational in the belief that the prior assumption of reasonableness is more conducive than it is opposite to reflection and discovery in this field.
