Archaic and Classical Greece: A Selection of Ancient Sources in Translation

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.

Table of Contents:
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 dēmos; 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.