Athens and Sparta : constructing Greek political and social history from 478 BC

Athens and Sparta has established itself as a handbook to the main topics of Greek history in the classical period. It deals not only with the established areas of political history, but also with some of the most important aspects of Greek social history and historical methods to the main topics of Greek history in the classical period. Athens and Sparta is an essential handbook to the study of fifth century Greek history and society. It encourages the reader to engage critically with the evidence, presenting a wide selection of ancient source material along with clear analysis and narrative.
This fully revised and updated second edition contains a new appendix on the controversy over the truthfulness of Thucydides, and fresh material on the representation of Athenian women in vase painting. Athens and Sparta is a thorough and enjoyable text that makes the complexities of fifth-century Greek history and society clear. It encourages the reader to engage critically with the evidence, presenting a large selection of ancient source material along with clear analysis and narrative. This fully revised and updated edition contains much that is new, including an appendix on Thucydides and further material on the portrayal of Athenian women. Content: 1. The Delian League: Its Origins and Early History -- 2. From Delian League to Athenian Empire -- 3. The Athenian Empire -- 4. Sparta: Her Problems and Her Ingenuity, 478-431 -- 5. The Peloponnesian War, 431-404 -- 6. Life within Sparta -- 7. Athenian Demokratia -- 8. Citizen Women of Athens -- 9. Religious Prophecy at Athens -- App. Did Thucydides write "pure fiction"? Ancient history and modern passion. Athens and Sparta were the two leading powers in the Classical Greek world. They represented two opposite systems of social organization, whose differences led to continuing ideological rivalry, culminating in the Peloponnesian War. This book looks at the two societies and their systems. Athens and Sparta is an essential handbook to the study of fifth century Greek history and society. Abstract: Athens and Sparta is an essential handbook to the study of fifth century Greek history and society In 479 BC the city of Athens was in ruins.