Luxury and Wealth in Sparta and the Peloponnese

Stephen Hodkinson editor Chrysanthi Gallou editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Classical Press of Wales

Published:27th Oct '22

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Luxury and Wealth in Sparta and the Peloponnese cover

Explores the role of luxury and wealth at Sparta and among its Peloponnesian neighbours from the Iron Age to the Hellenistic period.

A Spartan lifestyle proverbially describes austerity; ancient Greek luxury was associated with Ionia and the oriental world. The contributions to this book, first presented at a conference held by the University of Nottingham's Centre for Spartan and Peloponnesian Studies, reverse the stereotype and explore the role of luxury and wealth at Sparta and among its Peloponnesian neighbours from the Iron Age to the Hellenistic period.

Using literary, archaeological, epigraphic and numismatic evidence, an international team of specialists investigates the definition and changing meanings of the term luxury and its nearest ancient Greek equivalents, providing new insights into Sparta's supposed abstention from luxury, and the way that this was portrayed by ancient writers. They analyse wealth production and private and public spending, emphasising features that were distinctive to Sparta and the Peloponnese compared with other parts of ancient Greece. Other chapters investigate issues still familiar in the contemporary world: economic crisis and debt, austerity measures, and relief provisions for the poor.

ISBN: 9781910589830

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

300 pages