The Greek Superpower
Sparta in the Self-Definitions of Athenians
edited by Paul Cartledge and Anton Powell
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.
Introductory Note Anton Powell Foreword Paul Cartledge 1 Sparta in Pericles' Funeral Oration Paula Debnar 2 Athens, Sparta, and the tekhne of deliberation Ellen Millender 3 Athens as New Sparta? Lakonism and the Athenian revolution of 4043 BC Anton Powell 4 Viewing Sparta through Athenian engagement with art and architecture Michael Scott 5 Euripides, Sparta and the self-definition of Athens Edith Hall 6 Sparta and Spartans in Old Comedy Ralph M. Rosen 7 Imagined superpowers: Isocrates' opposition of Athens and Sparta Carol Atack 8 Spartan echoes in Plato's Republic Fritz-Gregor Herrmann 9 Aristotle's critique of Spartan imperialism Malcolm Schofield Index
- Edited by Paul Cartledge
- Edited by Anton Powell
Other Titles in this Series
Sparta’s German Children
The ideal of ancient Sparta in the Royal Prussian Cadet-Corps, 1818-1920, and in National-Socialist elite schools (the Napolas), 1933-1945
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