Aunt Charlotte's Stories of Greek History

Before reaching the battles and rivalries of Greek history, Charlotte M. Yonge introduces young readers to the gods of Olympus and the stories that shaped Greek art and belief. Her account uses familiar Latin names such as Jupiter and Minerva, explaining their Greek equivalents along the way. Chapters on Perseus, Hercules, the Argonauts and Troy lead into the laws of Sparta and Athens and the conflicts between their citizens.

Aunt Charlotte's Stories of Greek History combines myth retelling with a broad historical survey, carrying its chapter sequence through Alexander, Roman rule and the later kingdom of Greece. In the account of the Peloponnesian War, naval commanders, shifting loyalties and Persian support show how rival states weakened one another. The preface explains why children should learn these stories before beginning classical studies. Readers interested in the history of education can see how Yonge introduces ancient beliefs and connects them with the study of art and literature.