The German archaeologist Ernst Curtius (1814–1896) published his seminal work The History of Greece in 3 volumes between 1857 and 1867. It quickly became a bestseller and was republished in numerous German editions. The work was translated into English by the eminent British historian Adolphus William Ward (1837–1924) who divided it into five volumes, published between 1868 and 1873. Volume 5 covers the twilight of the Greek city-states; the rise of Macedon and Philip's military conquests; and the final struggle for the independence of the Greek states. It contains a general index for all five volumes. Curtius' History was a pioneering work of classical scholarship. For many generations it provided an indispensable guide through the complex history of the Greek world, and it continues to inspire researchers today.