- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
About This Book
Xenophon of Athens (c. 430â354 BCE) has long been considered an uncritical admirer of Sparta who hero-worships the Spartan King Agesilaus and eulogises Spartan practices in his LacedaimoniĂ´n Politeia. By examining his own self-descriptions - especially where he portrays himself as conversing with Socrates and falling short in his appreciation of Socrates' advice - this book finds in Xenophon's overall writing project a Socratic response to his exile and situates his writings about Sparta within this framework. It presents a detailed reading of the LacedaimoniĂ´n Politeia as a critical and philosophical examination of Spartan socio-cultural practices. Evidence from his own Hellenica, Anabasis and Agesilaus is shown to confirm Xenophon's analysis of the weaknesses in the Spartan system, and that he is not enamoured of Agesilaus. Finally, a comparison with contemporary Athenian responses to Sparta, shows remarkable points of convergence with his fellow Socratic Plato, as well as connections with Isocrates too.
Frequently asked questions
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half-title Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Note on Spelling Conventions
- List of Abbreviations
- Introduction
- PART I
- PART II
- PART III
- Conclusion
- Appendix: Text and Translation of the LacedaimoniĂ´n Politeia
- Bibliography
- Index Locorum
- General Index