The Shadow of Sparta

Book Details

• Publisher: Routledge

• Author: Anton Powell

• Language: English

• ISBN: 9780415642958

• Pages: 416

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches

About the Book

The Spartan Tradition in European Thought examines the evolution of how Sparta has been represented and interpreted in Western thought over the past two millennia. In the last twenty years, the study of Sparta has transformed from simple, often misguided interpretations of the city-state, to a more nuanced understanding of its history and significance. Gone are the days of seeing Spartans merely as hearty warriors or stoic automata; scholars now focus on how Sparta was perceived by other Greek city-states and how these perceptions shaped historical narratives.

In this volume, Anton Powell compiles studies that offer fresh insights into the traditional question: "What actually happened at Sparta?" But Powell goes beyond Laconia to explore how this enigmatic city influenced the broader intellectual landscape of ancient Greece. The book delves into the self-images projected by the Spartans and how other Greek writers, especially those from Athens, reacted to these representations. These studies reveal important implications for understanding how Athenians defined their own city’s achievements or failures in comparison to Sparta.

With a scholarly approach to the shifting perceptions of Sparta, this book is essential for anyone interested in the history, politics, and literature of ancient Greece, providing a deeper understanding of how the Spartan legacy influenced broader Greek thought.