This impressive volume was written to commemorate the 2004 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Athens. The chapters, by scholars who are affiliated with institutions in Greece, give the history of Athens from the classical period through the present. Architecture, sculpture, philosophy, urban development and planning, and Byzantine art and architecture receive extensive treatment in separate chapters. The volume is well illustrated with b&w and color plates. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)