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Herodotus, Sparta and Austerity

Herodotus, Sparta and Austerity

Published by The Classical Press of Wales

English 367 pages 2025 ISBN 9781914535451
Estimated reading time: 6 h 44 min
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About this book

Herodotus' 'History', is our earliest historical source for Sparta. His work focuses on the later sixth and early fifth centuries BC, the period before and during the Persian Wars. His account is often thought to be relatively unsullied by the distorting effects of the 'Spartan mirage', which reached its apogee after his death. Yet his mythologised narrative of the Spartans' defeat at the battle of Thermopylai in 480 BC continues to influence idealised accounts in modern popular media and politics. Since he wrote about a period when Sparta's classical institutions were still being formed, his work is often interrogated by historians investigating the origins and nature of its famous 'austerity'. In this volume eleven international scholars examine Herodotus' presentation of Sparta, the implications for our understanding of its internal and external politics, and the development and character of its engagement with material culture. This book is the fourth in a Classical Press of Wales series focused on major sources for Sparta, following earlier volumes on Xenophon and Sparta (2020), Thucydides and Sparta (2021) and Sparta in Plutarch's Lives (2023).

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Herodotus, Sparta and Austerity is available as PDF at 9 online bookshops. Bookshops carrying it include Bajalibros Argentina, Bajalibros Latam, Bookshop Uruguay.

Language
English
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In what formats is Herodotus, Sparta and Austerity available?
Herodotus, Sparta and Austerity is available as PDF at 9 online bookshops.
Where can I buy Herodotus, Sparta and Austerity?
You can buy Herodotus, Sparta and Austerity at Bajalibros Argentina, Bajalibros Latam, Bookshop Uruguay. Compare every option in the list on this page.
How long does it take to read Herodotus, Sparta and Austerity?
At an average reading pace, Herodotus, Sparta and Austerity takes about 6 h 44 min to read (367 pages).

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