Greek Superpower
Sparta in the Self-Definitions of Athenians
Anton Powell editor Paul Cartledge editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Classical Press of Wales
Published:28th Sep '18
Should be back in stock very soon
Sparta, notoriously, was for Greeks the greatest Hellenic military, or moral, power for most of the fifth, as well as the early fourth, century.Greeks – in later times – saw Athens as 'the Hellas of Hellas', but in the classical period many Athenians thought otherwise. Athens might be a school of Hellas, but the school of Hellas was Sparta. Militarily and morally, Sparta was supreme. This book explores how Athenians – ordinary citizens as well as writers and politicians – thought about Sparta's superiority. Nine new studies from an international cast examine how Athenians might revere Sparta even as they fought her. This respect led to Plato's literary creation of fantasy cities (in the Republic and Laws) to imitate Spartan methods. And, after its military surrender in 404 BC, ruling Athenian politicians claimed that their city was to be remodelled as itself a New Sparta.
This impressive volume complements its congeners. * Classical Journal *
ISBN: 9781910589632
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 606g
249 pages