The Greek world of Apuleius : Apuleius and the second sophistic

Studying from the Mycenean to the late Hellenistic period, this work includes new articles by twenty-seven specialists of ancient Greece, and presents an examination of the Greek cultures of mainland Greece, Asia Minor, Egypt and Italy. With the chapters sharing the theme of social history, this fascinating book focuses on women, the poor, and the slaves – all traditionally seen as beyond the margins of powerand includes the study of figures who were on the literal margins of the Greek world. Bringing to the forefront the research into areas previously thought of as marginal, Anton Powell sheds new light on vital topics and authors who are central to the study of Greek culture. Plato’s reforms are illuminated through a consideration of his impatient and revolutionary attitude to women, and Powell also examines how the most potent symbol of central Greek history – the Parthenon – can be understood as a political symbol when viewed with the knowledge of the cosmetic techniques used by classical Athenian women. The Greek World is a stimulating and enlightening interaction of social and political history, comprehensive, and unique to boot, students will undoubtedly benefit from the insight and knowledge it imparts. Library Journal This work presents a smorgasbord of previously unpublished articles designed to stimulate interest in areas of classical studies that are usually ignored. The 27 contributors touch on subjects ranging from ancient Greek engineering and diet to the acceptance of animal sacrifice and piracy in daily life. While most of the scholars rely on traditional sources to formulate their theories, their focus is on the common people, especially women, rather than the elite of society. As with any collection there are writers (Rosalind Thomas, Nigel Spivey, and Sian Lewis) who can reach a general audience and those (J.T. Hooker, Alan Griffiths, and Edward Hussey) with esoteric appeal. It is this variety that makes the work worth considering. The price tag, however, places it in the reference category and may limit its selection to academic libraries specializing in classical studies.-Rose Cichy, Osterhout Free Lib., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. This ground-breaking new collection contains twenty-seven articles by specialists in ancient Greek history. Periods studied range from the Mycenaean to the late Hellenistic; the Greek cultures in question are not only those of mainland Greece, but also include Asia Minor, Egypt and Italy. Many of the essays in The Greek World are concerned with social history, especially the history of those who were at or beyond the margins of society such as women, the poor and slaves. In keeping with modern interests, several of the contributors look at those who were geographically at the edges of the Greek world. However, there is no disengagement here from the more traditional interests of classical scholarship. The Greek World shows how research into areas once considered peripheral can shed vital light on topics traditionally seen as central. Herodotus' work on Egypt is shown to reflect on his credibility as a source for Greek history. Plato's reforms are illuminated through a consideration of his impatient and revolutionary attitude to women. The most potent symbol of old-fashioned 'central' Greek history, the Parthenon, is shown to be understood more fully given a knowledge of the cosmetic techniques of (and gossip about) Athenian women. Social and political history interact in this volume, to the enlightenment of both. Studying From The Mycenean To The Late Hellenistic Period, This Work Includes New Articles By Twenty-seven Specialists Of Ancient Greece, And Presents An Examination Of The Greek Cultures Of Mainland Greece, Asia Minor, Egypt And Italy. With The Chapters Sharing The Theme Of Social History, This Fascinating Book Focuses On Women, The Poor, And The Slaves – All Traditionally Seen As Beyond The Margins Of Powerand Includes The Study Of Figures Who Were On The Literal Margins Of The Greek World. Bringing To The Forefront The Research Into Areas Previously Thought Of As Marginal, Anton Powell Sheds New Light On Vital Topics And Authors Who Are Central To The Study Of Greek Culture. Plato’s Reforms Are Illuminated Through A Consideration Of His Impatient And Revolutionary Attitude To Women, And Powell Also Examines How The Most Potent Symbol Of Central Greek History – The Parthenon – Can Be Understood As A Political Symbol When Viewed With The Knowledge Of The Cosmetic Techniques Used By Classical Athenian Women. The Greek World Is A Stimulating And Enlightening Interaction Of Social And Political History, Comprehensive, And Unique To Boot, Students Will Undoubtedly Benefit From The Insight And Knowledge It Imparts. This is the first attempt since that of Paul Vallette in 1908 to place the Latin writer Apuleius in the context of the (Greek) Second Sophistic. It also paints a larger picture of the character of belles-lettres, rhetoric, Middle Platonism, education, translation and the writing of novels during the Roman Imperial period. This ground-breaking, work is both a reference collection of 27 new essays by leading specialists in their own fields, and also a collective demonstration of major new directions in the study of ancient Greece. The two major civilizations which arose in the Aegean Bronze Age are the 'Minoan' in Crete and the 'Mycenaean' in mainland Greece.