Politics
Embark on a journey through the labyrinthine corridors of power in ancient Greece with our thoughtfully curated reading list on the politics of ancient Greece.
Delve into the rich tapestry of political systems, institutions, and ideologies that shaped the governance of city-states like Athens, Sparta, and Corinth. From the democratic experiment in Athens to the oligarchic regimes of Sparta and the shifting alliances of the Peloponnesian League, our selection of texts offers a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic and often turbulent political landscape of ancient Greece. Uncover the theories of political philosophy expounded by thinkers like Plato and Aristotle, whose enduring insights continue to inform our understanding of governance and democracy. Examine the role of citizenship, assembly, and law in shaping the social fabric of ancient Greek society, and trace the evolution of political thought from the archaic period to the Hellenistic age. Whether you’re a seasoned scholar or an enthusiastic newcomer, our reading list invites you to engage with the complexities of ancient Greek politics and gain new perspectives on the enduring legacy of one of history’s most influential civilizations.
General
- Balot, R.K., Greek political thought, Malden MA, 2006.
- Lewis, S., Greek tyranny, Exeter, 2009.
- Rhodes, P.J., Athenian democracy, Edinburgh, 2004.
- Rowe, C. & Schofield, M., (ed.) The Cambridge history of Greek and Roman political thought, Cambridge, 2000.
Further Reading
- Berger, S., Revolution and society in Greek Sicily and Southern Italy, Stuttgart, 1992.
- Brock, R. & Hodkinson, S., Alternatives to Athens: varieties of political organization and community in ancient Greece, Oxford, 2000.
- Hansen, M.M., Flensted-Jenson, P., Nielsen, T.H. & Rubinstein, L., (ed.) Polis & politics: studies in ancient Greek history : presented to Mogens Herman Hansen on his sixtieth birthday, August 20, 2000, Copenhagen, 2000.
- Larsen, J.A.O., Greek federal states: their institutions and history, Oxford, 1968.
- Lintott, A., Violence, civil strife and revolution in the classical city, 750-330 BC, London, 1987.
- Mitchell, L.G., ‘Greek government‘ in A companion to the classical Greek world, Malden MA, 2006, 367-386.
- Ober, J., The Athenian revolution: essays on ancient Greek democracy and political theory, Princeton, 1996.
- Ostwald, M., Oligarchia: the development of a constitutional form in Ancient Greece, Stuttgart, 2000.
- Ostwald, M., ‘Oligarchy and oligarchs in Ancient Greece’ in Polis & politics: studies in ancient Greek history : presented to Mogens Herman Hansen on his sixtieth birthday, August 20, 2000, Copenhagen, 2000, 385-396.
