Olbia was one of the main centers of Greek colonization of the Northern coast of the Black Sea. This book traces the development of this thriving city and its military campaigns against both the forces of Alexander the Great and against the Scythians. Eventually falling under Roman control, the area was abandoned in the 4th century AD. The author uses descriptions of the city written by early historians, such as Herodotus, Strabo and Dio, as well as the archeological record.