2The Greeks and Romans are part of our history and part of our heritage. In a thousand ways, their legacy continues to live today. Their literature, languages, architecture, drama, religious beliefs and philosophical ideas have inspired and challenged us for centuries.This book provides an introduction to the world of classical culture both for the general reader and for the student. It draws richly on ancient sources and texts, from the well known to the obscure. It serves as a tour guide to Graeco-Roman society, pointing out both the similarities and the differences between the ancient world and our own.