Readings in Greek History Sources and Interpretations

by Nagle, D. Brendan; Burstein, Stanley M.

• ISBN13: 9780195178258
• ISBN10: 0195178254
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-12-15
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

An ideal reader for courses in Greek history, Greek civilization, and Western civilization, this comprehensive collection of more than 180 historical source documents covers major aspects of Greek civilization from the Archaic Age through the end of the Hellenistic Period. Featuring a diverse and extensive array of selections from the works of major authors, Readings in Greek History: Sources and Interpretations offers balanced coverage of political, social, cultural, intellectual, economic, and technological developments in Greek life. It provides selections drawn from historical, philosophical, and oratorical Greek literary texts and from documentary sources, including inscriptions and papyri. Many of the readings have been newly translated especially for this volume.

Readings in Greek History: Sources and Interpretations is organized chronologically but also addresses various themes throughout--including religion, war, and gender relations--motivating students to explore essential historical topics from a variety of perspectives. Substantial introductions to each chapter and selection offer useful background information, while more than thirty photographs, images, and maps further illustrate key components of Greek culture.

Table of Contents

List of Maps and Figures Introduction 1. THE ORIGIN AND SPREAD OF THE POLIS SYSTEM A. Greece in the Second Millennium B.C. 1. The Mycenaean Kingdoms (ca. 1650-1150 BC) 2. Mycenaean Relations with the Hittites: the Tawagalawas Letter (Selections) B. Greek Definitions of the Polis 1. The Natural Origins of the Polis: "Man Is by Nature a Political Animal" 2. The Nature of Citizenship: "He Who Has the Right to Take Part in Deliberative or Judicial Administration Is a Citizen" C. Greek Life in the Eighth Century B.C. 1. Homer: The Shield of Achilles 2. Hesiod's Works and Days D. Colonization and the Expansion of the Polis System: The Case of Cyrene 1. Herodotus' Account 2. The Oath of the Colonists E. Greeks and Non-Greeks in the Greek Colonies: The Foundation of Lampsacus F. Greeks and Scythians in the Black Sea: Coexistence and Interaction G. The Aristocratic Warrior 1. The Warrior Ideal 2. The Warrior and Society: The Drinking Song of Hybrias H. The Hoplite Revolution and the Citizen Soldier 1. The Reality of Battle 2. A Good Citizen: Tellus of Athens 3. Only Farmers Can Be Good Citizens I. The Hoplite Polis: Sparta J. The Role of Athletics 1. An Athletic Dynasty: The Diagorids of Rhodes 2. Athletics and the Polis: A Philosophical Critique 2. THE RISE AND FALL OF THE GREEK ARISTOCRACY IN THE ARCHAIC PERIOD A. Aristocratic Privilege 1. The Gortyn Code 2. How a Boy Becomes a Man in Crete B. Aspects of Aristocratic Life at Its Peak 1. A Fine Symposium: Xenophanes 2. The Life of an Aristocrat: Alcaeus 3. When You Are "Repulsive to Boys and a Laughing Stock to Women": Mimnermus on Old Age 4. A Woman's View of Aristocratic Life: Sappho's "To Anactoria" C. Heroic Athletics: The Chariot Race at Patroclus' Funeral Games D. The Aristocracy and Its International Connections 1. A Greek Officer in Egyptian Service 2. Greek Mercenaries in the Egyptian Army 3. The Life of a Soldier: An Order for Rations at Arad in the Kingdom of Judah 4. An Aristocratic Exile: Antimenides of Mitylene 5. Sappho on Intermarriage Among Aristocrats E. The Crisis of the Aristocracy 1. The Lament of Theognis 2. Vulgar Upstarts: Artemon and Rhodopis 3. The Crisis of the Aristocracy at Corinth: Cypselus and Periander 4. The Crisis of the Aristocracy at Athens: Solon 3. THE PERSIAN WARS A. The Persian Empire 1. The King and His Subjects: The Cyrus Cylinder 2. "By the Grace of Ahurimazda I Am King": Persian Imperial Ideology B. The Persian Wars 1. How the Wars Began: The Problems of Aristagoras 2. Aristagoras Seeks Help from Sparta 3. Aristagoras at Athens 4. The Battle of Marathon C. The Second Persian Invasion of 480 B.C. 1. The Muddled Greek Response: "It Was Plain That the Greater Number of the States Would Take No Part in the War but Warmly Favored the Persians" 2. Themistocles and the "Alliance of the Willing" 3. The Themistocles Decree 4. Why Gelo of Syracuse Refused Help 5. The Battle of Thermopylae 6. Athens Evacuated 7. The Great Debate: Fight at Salamis or Defend the Isthmus of Corinth? 8. The Battle of Plataea 9. Revenge for Thermopylae: The Humanity of Pausanias 4. LIFE IN THE POLIS A. The Household: Family Relations 1. "What Is