Athens 415: The City in Crisis (Key Dates in the Ancient World) - Softcover

Hardy, Clara Shaw

  • 3.33 out of 5 stars
    6 ratings by Goodreads
 
9780472054466: Athens 415: The City in Crisis (Key Dates in the Ancient World)
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0472054465 ISBN 13: 9780472054466
Publisher: University of Michigan Press, 2020

Synopsis

On a summer night in 415 BCE, unknown persons systematically mutilated most of the domestic “herms”—guardian statues of the god Hermes—in Athens. The reaction was immediate and extreme:  the Athenians feared a terrifying conspiracy was underway against the city and its large fleet—and possibly against democracy itself.   The city established a board of investigators, which led to informants, accusations, and flight by many of the accused.  Ultimately, dozens were exiled or executed, their property confiscated.

This dramatic period offers the opportunity to observe the city in crisis. Sequential events allow us to see the workings of the major institutions of the city (assembly, council, law courts, and theater, as well as public and private religion). Remarkably, the primary sources for these tumultuous months name conspirators and informants from a very wide range of status-groups: citizens, women, slaves, and free residents. Thus the incident provides a particularly effective entry-point into a full multifaceted view of the way Athens worked in the late fifth century.

Designed for classroom use, Athens 415 is no potted history, but rather a source-based presentation of ancient urban life ideal for the study of a people and their institutions and beliefs.  Original texts—all translated by poet Robert B. Hardy—are presented along with thoughtful discussion and analyses by Clara Shaw Hardy in an engaging narrative that draws students into Athens’ crisis.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Clara Shaw Hardy is Professor of Classics at Carleton College.

Robert B. Hardy is Research Associate of Classics at Carleton College.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
University of Michigan Press
Publication date
2020
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0472054465
ISBN 13 
9780472054466
Binding
Paperback
Number of pages
210
Rating
  • 3.33 out of 5 stars
    6 ratings by Goodreads

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780472074464: Athens 415: The City in Crisis (Key Dates in the Ancient World)

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0472074466 ISBN 13:  9780472074464
Publisher: University of Michigan Press, 2020
Hardcover