Presents an account of ancient Greek theories of the origins of the world. This book covers the period from 800 BC to 600 AD, beginning with myths concerning the creation of the world. It covers the cosmogonies of the major Greek and Roman thinkers, as well as the debate between Greek philosophical cosmogony and early Christian views.

This books also deals with the related issues of the origins of life and of the elements for the ancient Greeks, and looks at how views of how the cosmos will come to an end. It argues that there were several interesting debates between Greek philosophers on the fundamental principles of cosmogony, and that these debates were influential on the development of Greek philosophy and science.