An overview of the classical world that ranges from the Minoan civilizations (about 2000 b.c.) to the fall of the Roman Empire in a.d. 476. Bardi covers so much by providing a little information on a lot of subjects, conveyed mostly in pictures and captions. Greek and Roman statesmen, colonies, trade, political systems, war, culture, and daily life are covered. Some highlights include a map of Rome (with notable buildings keyed), an explanation of Greek contributions to science and literature, and a few pages on Etruscan civilization. The illustrations are high-quality and include small but clear reproductions of hundreds of artifacts. While this is an excellent visual reference for classical studies, with sweeping coverage, the text lacks the arresting qualities of a good narrative. (maps, diagrams, chronology, index) (Nonfiction. 8-10)