Classical Athenian democracy is rightly famous, but democracy flourished in other parts of the Greek world as well. In this clear and fascinating book, Matthew Simonton traces the emergence, growth, consolidation, and decline of democratic city-states over the millennium down to the fifth century CE. He argues for the widespread and highly participatory nature of democratic constitutions across the Greek world, particularly in the fourth, third, and second centuries BCE. Readers will also learn to appreciate the characteristic ideological, institutional, and material-cultural features of democratic poleis. The evidence marshaled includes literary texts, inscriptions, coins, archaeological remains, and monumental art. The book does not shy away from the fact that ancient Greek democracies both empowered lowerclass men and rested on a series of exclusions (of women, enslaved people, and foreigners). Nevertheless, demokratia emerges as a major facet of ancient Greek culture and society.
| ISBN: | 9781108844543 |
| Publication date: | 31st May 2026 |
| Author: | Matthew Simonton |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 238 pages |
| Series: | Key Themes in Ancient History |
| Genres: |
Ancient history Political structures: democracy Political science and theory |
Classical Athenian democracy is rightly famous, but democracy flourished in other parts of the Greek world as well. In this clear and fascinating book, Matthew Simonton traces the emergence, growth, consolidation, and decline of democratic city-states over the millennium down to the fifth century CE. He argues for the widespread and highly participatory nature of democratic constitutions across the Greek world, particularly in the fourth, third, and second centuries BCE. Readers will also learn to appreciate the characteristic ideological, institutional, and material-cultural features of democratic poleis. The evidence marshaled includes literary texts, inscriptions, coins, archaeological remains, and monumental art. The book does not shy away from the fact that ancient Greek democracies both empowered lowerclass men and rested on a series of exclusions (of women, enslaved people, and foreigners). Nevertheless, demokratia emerges as a major facet of ancient Greek culture and society.
Ancient Greek Democracies features in the following genres: Ancient history, Political structures: democracy, Political science and theory
Ancient Greek Democracies is available in Hardback, Paperback
Ancient Greek Democracies was written by Matthew Simonton and published by Cambridge University Press
Ancient Greek Democracies has 238 pages
Yes it is part of Key Themes in Ancient History series
£72.00