The Greek Superpower: Sparta in the Self-Definitions of Athenians (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781910589632)

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 a distinguished 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.

Author: Paul Cartledge
ISBN-10: 1910589632
ISBN-13: 9781910589632
Publisher: Classical Press of Wales
Language: English
Published: 06/15/2018
Pages: 249
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.65lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.50w x 1.30d