"A masterful must-read for anyone with a passion for the ancient world."
Brilliantly contextualised with reference to the broader purpose of studying history and what democracy means, and with reference to latter-day concerns, such as Brexit and the distinction between being popular and populism, Adrian Goldsworthy’s Athens and Sparta is a mightily impressive work. Sharing incredible detail about both cities, and their rivalry, cultures and ideologies, the author reveals how they might be viewed as a microcosm for human experience beyond their place in time and geography.
Particularly fascinating are the extreme differences between the cities. While Athens was an outward-looking arena of new ideas, free debate and artistic activity, Sparta, in contrast, was militaristic and rigid. At the same time, as Goldsworthy conveys in a richly engaging style, the cities shared the fact that they were both very ordered, and both spawned innovations, albeit in dramatically different fields.
Essential, enlightening reading for anyone with an interest in the ancient world, Athens and Sparta also comes recommended for the way it unpacks wider truths about the nature of society, war, politics, the elite, and class.
Two great cities. One fierce rivalry. Countless untold stories.
| Primary Genre | History |
| Other Genres: |
Two great cities. One fierce rivalry.
Athens and Sparta features in the following genres: History, Ancient history, History and Archaeology, Ancient history
Paperback, Hardback. £27.00, down from the £30.00 cover price. In Stock.
Athens and Sparta was written by Adrian Goldsworthy and published by Apollo an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
Athens and Sparta has 672 pages
£27.00, reduced from £30.00. In Stock.
