For twenty-five years now, the Landmark Ancient Histories series has, in effect if not intention, operated by the principle, “We’ll make them an edition they can’t refuse.” Rival editions do admittedly retain distinctive strengths. Some offer stricter translations; others contain interpretive material from a discipline or school of thought favored by the reader. But each Landmark, aptly described not as mere translations but as “comprehensive guides,” becomes from its appearance indispensable to every kind of reader. Most famous for their detailed and frequent maps, Landmarks also boast outlines, timelines, archaeological and geographic photographs, diagrams, glossaries, and appendices—sometimes dozens of them—examining an array of relevant topics. Each appendix is written by a specialist, but readable to those who don’t know a helot from a hoplite. The maps alone make it almost inconceivable that someone like myself, teaching works in translation in a generalist curriculum, would ever assign a rival edition. At the same time, their wealth of supplemental materials earns Landmarks a place on the shelves of scholars and specialists.
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