Unthinking the Greek Polis: Ancient Greek History beyond Eurocentrism - Softcover

Vlassopoulos, Kostas

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521188075 ISBN 13: 9780521188074

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2011

Synopsis

This 2007 study explores how modern scholars came to write Greek history from a Eurocentric perspective and challenges orthodox readings of Greek history as part of the history of the West. Since the Greeks lacked a national state or a unified society, economy or culture, the polis has helped to create a homogenising national narrative. This book re-examines old polarities such as those between the Greek poleis and Eastern monarchies, or between the ancient consumer and the modern producer city, in order to show the fallacies of standard approaches. It argues for the relevance of Aristotle's concept of the polis, which is interpreted in an intriguing manner. Finally, it proposes an alternative way of looking at Greek history as part of a Mediterranean world-system. This interdisciplinary study engages with debates on globalisation, nationalism, Orientalism and history writing, while also debating developments in classical studies.

About this title

Book Description

This 2007 study explores how modern scholars came to write Greek history from a Eurocentric perspective and challenges orthodox readings of Greek history centred on the polis. It proposes an intriguing way of writing Greek history, by situating the Greek world within the wider Mediterranean and Near Eastern world-system.

About the Author

Kostas Vlassopoulos is Lecturer in Greek History at the University of Nottingham.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0521188075
• ISBN 13: 9780521188074
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 304