The Greek Superpower: Sparta in the Self-Definitions of Athenians

Description

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. Table of Contents Introductory Note Foreword 1 Sparta in Pericles' Funeral Oration 2 Athens, Sparta, and the τέχνη of deliberation 3 Athens as New Sparta? Lakonism and the Athenian revolution of 404-3 BC 4 Viewing Sparta through Athenian engagement with art and architecture 5 Euripides, Sparta and the self-definition of Athens 6 Sparta and Spartans in Old Comedy 7 Imagined superpowers: Isocrates’ opposition of Athens and Sparta 8 Spartan echoes in Plato’s Republic 9 Aristotle’s critique of Spartan imperialism Index