"Hosted by History Channel personality Zay Harding, this series offers an interpretation of ancient societies that emphasizes their complex social and economic structures and cultural achievements rather than the more widely accepted militaristic interpretations that were advanced by the early archaeologists and anthropologists who viewed the ancient world through the lenses of the wars that their own societies were experiencing..... The two titles on ancient Greece trace the development of the city-states; the importance of Athens as the center of Greek culture; and the lasting legacy of Greek architecture, art, theater, literature, and science. The entire series has the same male narration, supplemented by comments and analysis from historians, anthropologists, and other experts.The visuals feature beautiful footage of the remaining sites from each culture and the artifacts that it left behind. Live-action footage is supplemented by maps, drawings, and illustrations. This series' emphasis on each society's development and achievements will help students gain a better understanding of the sophistication of these ancient cultures, making it a very good choice for middle- and high-school library collections."

"The Greek City-State and Democracy examines the development of the Greek city state around 700 B.C. and the subsequent emergence of democracy at a time when the rest of the ancient world was governed by dictatorial monarchies that recognized no individual freedoms. The idea of self-rule tied to the concept of citizenship laid the foundation for modern Western democratic countries such as the United States. Hosted by Globe Trekker's Zay Harding, the program also highlights social and architectural features of the most important city-states (especially Athens), and details the birth of the Olympic games. Boasting fine prouction values (The program was shot in HD), DVD extras here include printable maps and a teacher's guide (with lesson plan, quiz, and timeline), as well as a Spanish subtitle option... Recommended" -3 Stars