The past couple of weeks I seem to have been running into a lot of references to Ancient Greece. And now I notice this week's theme. Clearly the universe is trying to tell me something. Or maybe I'm just having a case of the Baader-Meinhofs. Either way:
Where can I go to find something somewhat deeper than, oh, the d’Aulaires Book Of Greek Myths that I read over and over again as a kid? And all the half-assed caricatures of toga'd philosophers and gods turning into animals to get laid that drift around Western culture.
Not very specific, I know. Just "what were some of the fun and fascinating books you've read on Ancient Greece?". Modern works, great translations of the stories that remain, whatever. More along the lines of stuff you'd throw at a theoretical "Intro to Ancient Greece" class than Serious, Thorough, Dry References.
There are so many fantastic classical scholars out there I could recommend to you, but if you haven't read Herodotus go do that, probably with a commentary if you feel like really understanding the context. As far as mythology read the Greek tragedies that will stand you in good stead there. if you want more modern authors you cant go wrong with Simon Hornblower. oh and Homer, read Homer.