Product Description

This volume introduces the reader to every important aspect of the society of Sparta, the dominant power in southern Greece from the seventh century BC and the great rival of democratic Athens in the fifth and fourth centuries. During this period Sparta evolved a unique social and political system that combined egalitarian structures, military ideals and brutal oppression, and permitted male citizens to focus on the practice of war. The system fascinated scholars at the time and has done so ever since: its outlines are clear, but because of the nature of the evidence almost all detailed aspects of Spartan social practices and constitutional affairs are open to debate. Michael Whitby introduces and presents some of the most outstanding contributions to the history of Sparta. Together they cover the key aspects of Spartan history and society: its problematic early history, social and economic organisation (especially the different categories of citizens and non-citizens), international relations and military achievements, religious practices and culture, the role of women, and sexual conduct and values. He has chosen them partly for their clarity and importance, and partly too for the questions they raise about the problems of studying Sparta - what evidence to consider, what precautions need to be observed in considering it, and what sorts of conclusions it is reasonable to draw. His intention is not to pretend that definitive answers can be offered to the main problems of Sparta but to encourage readers to formulate their own approaches and judgements with due respect for the limitations of the evidence and awareness of the benefits of informed speculation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #855927 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 276 pages

Review
Academics and students alike will welcome this addition to the useful Edinburgh Readings on the Ancient World series ! as an introductory reader for the advanced study of Sparta, it is difficult to see how [the] book could be bettered. Academics and students alike will welcome this addition to the useful Edinburgh Readings on the Ancient World series ! as an introductory reader for the advanced study of Sparta, it is difficult to see how [the] book could be bettered.

About the Author
Michael Whitby studied Classics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. After several years at St Andrews, where he became Professor of Ancient History, he was appointed Professor of Classics and Ancient History at Warwick University in 1995. He is co-editor of Classical Review, Cambridge Ancient History XIV, and the forthcoming Cambridge History of Ancient Warfare. His publications include Theophylact Simocatta (OUP); The Emperor Maurice and his Historian (OUP); and Evagrius Scholasticus (LUP).

Customer Reviews

Very good
This book is colection of 14 essays about different aspects of Spartan society. It covers eraly history, government, trials, ownership of the land, social interactions, values, viwes, religion, periokoi (non-citizen free men), helots (2 essays), forign policy, Peloponesian League and decline.

Each essay balances original (=ancient greek) and modern sources concerning these topics. Ecah essay is full of notes and references.

I would recomend it to people who are beginners in Spartan affairs and to pople who already have some knowledge and want a book that is compact, yet covers all important aspects.

Good Resource for the Serious Student of Sparta
Sparta was compiled by Michael Whitby as a reader for college students. It follows the familiar academic pattern of a brief topic introduction followed by relevant essays.

Who should NOT consider reading this book?

Readers of "popular" histories are likely to find this material dry. Indeed "Sparta" doesn't even have a cohesive narrative story.

The book will also likely not satisfy readers looking for THE ANSWER to any particular question. The approach is academic, which means that frequently you'll be presented with contradictory evidence, various researchers' opinions, and then the current author's attempt to adjudicating the "facts". The reader can expect a lot of conversation about uncertainty, with discussions of why this or that authoritative source bears listening to. Arguments will be along the lines of: XXX says this about how Herodotus may have misunderstood or misrepresented the term YYY. With a discussion following of how this affects the interpretation of the inheritance laws, or some such similar topic.

Who should consider reading this book?

This book should appeal to people who have an interest in one of the selected topics (see Table of Contents). The reader who will be best served by the book will have a broad (but not necessarily in-depth) background in ancient Greek history, politics and literary sources. Which is not to say that you have to be an expert. I certainly am not a classicist and I enjoyed the articles.

Considerations and Summary :::
If you are looking for an introduction to Sparta and things Grecian, continue on with your search. "Sparta" is not a book for novices. You don't need to know any ancient Greek, but you aren't going to get much from this volume unless you already have a basic grasp of Greek sources and history.

In this book, the authors deal with problems of evidence. How to evaluate and weigh historical records. They adjudicate facts and address the problems inherent in historical evidence.

A reader, once they engage the material, will certainly emerge not only better educated about Sparta, but in how a historian works and thinks. And overall, I would have no trouble recommending this book to others as long as they know that it's an academic tome.


Pam T.
mom and reviewer at []