Leonard Cottrell (1913-1974) was most famous for his books on history and archaeology. He was also a commentator, writer and producer for the BBC, responsible for a popular series of radio programmes on Egypt's archaeological treasures. In 1960 he resigned to become a full-time writer and wrote several bestselling books, including The Lost Pharaohs, Enemy of Rome, Queens of the Pharaohs and Realms of Gold.

'The story of the heroic discoveries grips him and communicates itself to his readers, who must welcome a book both scholarly and easy, painstaking and alive.' - Freya Stark, Time and Tide; 'This book is a stimulating introduction to the Mycenaean Age of Greece.' - Sir John Forsdyke, Sunday Times; 'Cottrell has not only passionately studied the literature of Aegean archaeology, but he has visited most of the important sites and conveys vividly his sense of excitement and discovery.' - The Guardian; '[Cottrell is] at his best when communicating that fresh and fateful sense of life which must have prevailed in very ancient times when gods walked the earth like men. It is this feeling of epiphany which makes Mr. Cottrell's book a most worthwhile popularisation of its subject.' - E.B. Garside

• AcknowledgementsIntroduction by Professor Alan WacePrologueI Homer and the HistoriansII Schliemann the RomanticIII The 'Treasure of Priam'IV 'Golden Mycenae'V Pause for ReflectionVI 'Here Begins an Entirely New Science'VII The Quest ContinuesVIII Prelude to CreteIX Island of LegendX A Challenged Accepted XI The Birth-cave of ZeusXII 'And Still the Wonder Grew'XIII Into the LabyrinthXIV The Villa AriadneXV Palace of the Sea-kingsXVI 'The Old Traditions Were True'EpilogueAppendixIndex to Books ConsultedIndex

Leonard Cottrell (1913-1974) was most famous for his books on history and archaeology. He was also a commentator, writer and producer for the BBC, responsible for a popular series of radio programmes on Egypt's archaeological treasures. In 1960 he resigned to become a full-time writer and wrote several bestselling books, including The Lost Pharaohs, Enemy of Rome, Queens of the Pharaohs and Realms of Gold.

'The story of the heroic discoveries grips him and communicates itself to his readers, who must welcome a book both scholarly and easy, painstaking and alive.' - Freya Stark, Time and Tide; 'This book is a stimulating introduction to the Mycenaean Age of Greece.' - Sir John Forsdyke, Sunday Times; 'Cottrell has not only passionately studied the literature of Aegean archaeology, but he has visited most of the important sites and conveys vividly his sense of excitement and discovery.' - The Guardian; '[Cottrell is] at his best when communicating that fresh and fateful sense of life which must have prevailed in very ancient times when gods walked the earth like men. It is this feeling of epiphany which makes Mr. Cottrell's book a most worthwhile popularisation of its subject.' - E.B. Garside

• AcknowledgementsIntroduction by Professor Alan WacePrologueI Homer and the HistoriansII Schliemann the RomanticIII The 'Treasure of Priam'IV 'Golden Mycenae'V Pause for ReflectionVI 'Here Begins an Entirely New Science'VII The Quest ContinuesVIII Prelude to CreteIX Island of LegendX A Challenged Accepted XI The Birth-cave of ZeusXII 'And Still the Wonder Grew'XIII Into the LabyrinthXIV The Villa AriadneXV Palace of the Sea-kingsXVI 'The Old Traditions Were True'EpilogueAppendixIndex to Books ConsultedIndex