From the heights of empire to the depths of Roman subjugation, Athens' fortunes seemed to be on a downward spiral after Alexander the Great's effective takeover in 323 BC. Yet even though foreign policy and foreign domination was effectively taken out of her hands, Greece's greatest polis never lost autonomy in internal affairs. Culturally, intellectually and socially, Athens retained a leading role throughout the Hellenistic period; in this book, Habicht documents both the struggles and the continuing vitality of one of the most important cities in Western civilization.