The Orientalizing Revolution: Near Eastern Influence on Greek Culture in the Early Archaic Age (Revealing Antiquity)

Ancient Greek culture is often described as a miracle, owing little to its neighbors. Walter Burkert argues against a distorted view, toward a more balanced picture. “Under the influence of the Semitic East―from writers, craftsmen, merchants, healers―Greek culture began its unique flowering, soon to assume cultural hegemony in the Mediterranean.”