One of the best introductions that I read was Democracy and Classical Greece by J. K. Davies. It's a relatively slim volume, but it's readable and covers lots of the bases – plus it's quite cheap on Amazon.
Tom Holland's Persian Fire is a very readable account of the Persian Wars (c.494-478 BCE), which also comes highly recommended. It's generally pretty accurate, although he doesn't shy away from including all the sensational and salacious details, which most 'proper' histories probably wouldn't include.
Finally, I'd recommend G. E. M. de ste. Croix's The Origins of the Peloponnesian War, which (as the title suggests) focuses a little more on the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) rather than the 5th century as a whole. That said, it's very readable and was hugely influential, although it might be a little expensive.
In-fucking-credible book. Another great read for the history is http://www.amazon.co.uk/Persian-Fire-First-Empire-Battle/dp/0349117179/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318348627&sr=8-1
I have two very accessible books for you. One is on Persia, the other on the life of a Roman town. Take a look!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Persian-Fire-First-Empire-Battle/dp/0349117179/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372602655&sr=1-5
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pompeii-Life-Roman-Mary-Beard/dp/1861975961/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372602655&sr=1-4
One of the best introductions that I read was Democracy and Classical Greece by J. K. Davies. It's a relatively slim volume, but it's readable and covers lots of the bases – plus it's quite cheap on Amazon.
Tom Holland's Persian Fire is a very readable account of the Persian Wars (c.494-478 BCE), which also comes highly recommended. It's generally pretty accurate, although he doesn't shy away from including all the sensational and salacious details, which most 'proper' histories probably wouldn't include.
Finally, I'd recommend G. E. M. de ste. Croix's The Origins of the Peloponnesian War, which (as the title suggests) focuses a little more on the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) rather than the 5th century as a whole. That said, it's very readable and was hugely influential, although it might be a little expensive.