This book covers one of the most remarkable periods in human thought. In the space of two and a half centuries, philosophy developed from quasi-mythological speculation to a state in which many of the most fundamental questions about the universe, the mind and human conduct had been vigorously pursued and some of the most enduring masterworks of Western thought had been written. Each chapter is written by a recognized authority and takes account of the high-quality work done in the last few decades on Plato and pre-Platonic philosophy. The book is written in an accessible style to meet the needs of the non-specialist, without losing scholarly precision. The book includes a glossary of technical terms and a chronological table of important political events.