Xenophon of Athens
A Socratic on Sparta

Challenges the long-held view that Xenophon is pro-Spartan, arguing that his stance is, rather, critical and philosophical.

Noreen Humble (Author)

9781108810470, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 30 March 2023

398 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.576 kg

'With this thoroughly researched, well-documented, and generally well-reasoned project, centered upon a close reading of the Constitution of the Lacedaemonians, Humble makes a compelling case for her main thesis and a valuable contribution to Xenophon scholarship.' Lorraine Pangle, Polis, The Journal for Ancient Greek and Roman Political Thought

Xenophon of Athens (c. 430–354 BCE) has long been considered an uncritical admirer of Sparta who hero-worships the Spartan King Agesilaus and eulogises Spartan practices in his Lacedaimoniôn Politeia. By examining his own self-descriptions - especially where he portrays himself as conversing with Socrates and falling short in his appreciation of Socrates' advice - this book finds in Xenophon's overall writing project a Socratic response to his exile and situates his writings about Sparta within this framework. It presents a detailed reading of the Lacedaimoniôn Politeia as a critical and philosophical examination of Spartan socio-cultural practices. Evidence from his own Hellenica, Anabasis and Agesilaus is shown to confirm Xenophon's analysis of the weaknesses in the Spartan system, and that he is not enamoured of Agesilaus. Finally, a comparison with contemporary Athenian responses to Sparta, shows remarkable points of convergence with his fellow Socratic Plato, as well as connections with Isocrates too.

Preface
List of Abbreviations
Note on Spelling Conventions
Introduction
Part I. 1. Xenophon and his Literary Project
2. The Lacedaimoniôn Politeia: Theories, Problems, Assumptions
Part II. 3. Reading Lacedaimoniôn Politeia 1-4
4. Reading Lacedaimoniôn Politeia 5-10
5. Reading Lacedaimoniôn Politeia 11-15
Part III. 6. The Place of the Lacedaimoniôn Politeia within Xenophon's Literary Project
7. Xenophon, Plato and Isocrates
Conclusion
Appendix: Text and Translation of the Lacedaimoniôn Politeia
Bibliography
Index locorum
General Index.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]