An English translated in 1794. Begun in 1757 after Barthélemy accompanied, in 1755, the French ambassador, the comte de Stainville (later duc de Choiseul), to Italy, where he spent three years in archaeological research.

The book became one of the most widely read works in 19^th-century France. The hero is a young Scythian who goes to Greece and returns to his native country where, in his old age, he describes his experiences. Barthélemy describes the laws, government, religion, philosophy, art and antiquities of ancient Greece. A long introduction covers Greek history and there are accounts of Greek music, Athenian literature and the life and society of the surrounding states.

Barthélemy was elected to the Académie Française in August 1789. He was arrested in 1793, and spent 16 hours in prison but was released on orders from the Convention.