Archaic and Classical Greece
A Selection of Ancient Sources in Translation

All students and teachers of the history of ancient Greece or of classical civilisation generally will find this book an invaluable tool.

Michael H. Crawford (Author), David Whitehead (Author)

9780521296380, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 January 1983

660 pages
23.3 x 15.6 x 3.6 cm, 0.9 kg

The aim of this book is to collect in one comprehensive volume a representative selection of ancient sources in translation, with commentary, on the history, institutions, society and economy of the Greek world from c. 750 to 338 BC - that is, the period best known and most important for the evolution of the polis, a form of political community which combined the aspects of city and state in a physical and psychological unity unparalleled either before or since. For us, the inheritors of much that the Greeks created, there is an inherent interest in the way in which they organised their society during these centuries. Although this book assumes no knowledge of Greek, the reader is introduced to a range of key Greek words and concepts which offer a direct insight into the mentality, both collective and individual, of the times. The sources themselves (all of which have been translated by the authors) are supported by introductory commentary, notes, bibliographies, chronological tables and maps. All students and teachers of the history of ancient Greece or of classical civilisation generally will find this book an invaluable tool.

List of figures
List of maps
Preface
Conventions and abbreviations
Glossary
Weights, measures, money
Introduction I: Greek society
Introduction II: the sources
Part I. The Archaic Period: 1. The development of the polis and its values
2. Exploration and colonisation
3. Tyranny
4. The institutions of the polis
5. Sparta
6. Athens
7. Kleisthenes and the d?mos
8. Diversity and unity
9. The Persian Empire
10. Persia and the Greeks
Part II. The Fifth Century: 11. The development of Athenian democracy
12. The Athenian Empire
13. Athenian political life
14. The culture of Athens
15. Economic and social developments in Athens
16. Athens and Sparta in the Pentekontaëtia
17. The prelude to the Peloponnesian War
Part III. The Peloponnesian War: 18. Spartan strategy in the Archidamian War
19. Athenian strategy in the Archidamian War
20. The uneasy peace, 421–416
21. Athenian politics during the war
22. Athens and Sicily
23. The Spartan offensive
24. The defeat of Athens
25. Post-war Athens, 404–399
Part IV. The Fourth Century: 26. Spartan imperialism
27. The resurgence of Athens
28. Sparta, Athens and Thebes
29. The polis and its economy
30. War and revolution
31. Athenian politics and society
32. Thessaly and Persia
33. The rise of Makedonia
34. Philippos and Greece
Chronological table
Table of rulers
Index of ancient sources
Index of Greek words
Index of names
Index of subjects.

Subject Areas: General & world history [HBG]