The sparsity of ruins from antiquity around the modern city reflects the austerity of the military oligarchy that ruled the spartan citystate from the 6th to the 2nd century bce. Cartledge spans spartas entire existence but concentrates on the century from the persian invasions to its collapse following its triumph over athens in 404 b. Paul cartledges book takes its reader through the different stages of spartas history, starting with the foundation of the citystate by the mythical lycurgus and the rapture of helen by the prince of troy, and going through the successful resistance against the persian empire around 480, the epic confrontation between sparta and athens in. Contact were happy to look for a book, check on an order, or answer any other questions you may have. The ancient capital of the laconia region in the southeast peloponnese in modern day greece, sparta has enjoyed a reputation as one of the fiercest, strongest military powers in the ancient world. This book gives a good overall history of the spartans, but it was hard to read because the grammatical errors made you have to read things twice, in order to.
This book is highly recommended for those who wish to read of the rise and decline of group of brutal warriors who fielded the most fierce armies of the classical age. Just wellwritten, wellresearched, informative and interesting books for historians, history students and history enthusiasts. Archaeological evidence, however, suggests that sparta itself was a new settlement created from the 10th century bce. The central library of sparta has an impressive collection of village history books.
An awesome independent bookstore located in beautiful sparta nj. This volume introduces the reader to every important aspect of the society of sparta, the dominant power in southern greece from the seventh century b. Presenting spartas military and diplomatic policies, the author studs his account with lively sketches of spartan leaders, above all leonidas. Books about sparta ive had a classical education and always had an interest in history. Perhaps youve seen movies about the armies of sparta, but not everything on the big screen can be true. Oct 03, 2003 paul cartledges book takes its reader through the different stages of sparta s history, starting with the foundation of the citystate by the mythical lycurgus and the rapture of helen by the prince of troy, and going through the successful resistance against the persian empire around 480, the epic confrontation between sparta and athens in. Relevant features of its classical history include territorial expansion, war crimes, ethnic conflict, a tyrannical domestic hierarchy, and an agrarian, antiurban ideology. Nov 08, 2002 a partial history of the spartans told mostly through the telling of the history of the kings. Michael whitby presents essays on key aspects of spartan history and society, by some of the leading classicists in the world, such as paul cartledge, anton.
Village history books in the library of sparta spartan. The delphic oracle proclaims king demaratus of sparta a usurper, and king cleomenes is going mad. Sparta, ancient capital of the laconia district of the southeastern peloponnese, southwestern greece. A captivating guide to the fierce warriors of ancient greece, including spartan military tactics, the battle of thermopylae, how sparta was ruled, and more. But it tells the history of the epic war between athens and sparta it is geopolitics, its strategy, its leadership, its lessons in grief, rhetoric, and persuasion. Forrest and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The dolichos footrace is added to the schedule of the olympic games and is won by akanthos of sparta.
The spartans presented in this book could change the popular image of ancient history, making it more compelling and accessible. Peloponnesian league alliance between sparta, corinth, elis and tegea. Nofi, strategy page rahe has written a clear and thorough history of the pentecontaetia. Apr 18, 2020 despite losing to sparta in the peloponnesian war, athens continued to be an important cultural and economic center throughout roman times, and it is the capital of the modern nation of greece. Sparta, argos and paros hold the first documented musical competitions in greece. List of books and articles about ancient sparta online research. Paul cartledge, professor of greek history at the university of. Marriages book may also be purchased in sparta at the alleghany county public library or star route books on main street. Best books on ancient greek history and literature ancient greece. Spartas first attic war is an important read for those with an interest in classical greece or the concept of grand strategy. What are some good books to read to learn about the spartan. It follows the familiar academic pattern of a brief topic introduction followed by relevant essays.
Ancient writers sometimes referred to it as lacedaemon and. Tradition relates that sparta was founded by lacedaemon, son of zeus and taygete, who called the city after the name of his wife, the daughter of eurotas. Also, specialist work always overshadows broad history book. This book focused on the military war and the spartan women of being part of. It seems like you might be looking for books andor documentaries. Along with historic artwork depicting important people, places, and events, the history. Though history has relegated her role to that of a bystander, what if gorgo, queen of sparta, had played a central role in the greek resistance to the persian invasion. Sep 06, 2017 if you are researching in the sparta region, there is a resource you have not yet tapped. Paul rahe has written an important new history of war and strategy in the ancient greek world, examining the contest between the spartans and the persian. The history and culture of ancient sparta comprehensively covers the history and culture of the famous greek citystate, looking at their religious, political, and military past, and examining all their accomplishments.
Sparta would never be the same after 371, and it is with haunting detail and clarity that forrest takes us thru that sad chapter in greek history. Flatt was a sparta resident who gained international fame as a bluegrass music artist and writer. In antiquity, the citystate was known as lacedaemon. Sparta, on the other hand, despite never being conquered by the macedonians, ceased to have much influence on the geopolitics of greece, europe, or asia. Jim, along with hugh, and jims brother harry, were avid fishermen, and their enthusiasm for the sport piqued ediths interest in tying flies.
An electronic book or ebook as they are universally known is a textbased publication in digital form. I like the fact that the book covers the entire history of sparta, as well as explains the society of sparta. List of books and articles about ancient sparta online. A partial history of the spartans told mostly through the telling of the history of the kings.
Best books on ancient greek history and literature 258 books. Proper nonfiction history books, not historical fiction, about any period, event, area or topic you like. For those who really love history about the sparta and some are not, but this book i found it interesting to read this because it gave me insight about the ancient civilization of sparta. Despite losing to sparta in the peloponnesian war, athens continued to be an important cultural and economic center throughout roman times, and it is the capital of the modern nation of greece. Indeed sparta doesnt even have a cohesive narrative story. If you are researching in the sparta region, there is a resource you have not yet tapped. The lakedaimonians were the only full time army in ancient greece and were thus truly an elite force. Sparta differed markedly from all other greek states in several crucial respects. Sparta reconsidered spartan historical novel index. Sep 23, 2017 sparta is a city in laconia, on the peloponnese in greece. This book, written by one of the worlds leading experts on sparta, traces the.
Were happy to look for a book, check on an order, or answer any other questions you may have. And describes sparta in that period in considerable detail. Unfortunately, due to the size of the book 160 pages and the breadth of time which it tries to cover, there is a significant lack of detail. Also tom hollands persian fire focuses on sparta in parts, both late and early archaic, as well as its more mythicallegendary past.
Although spartas early history is not clear, by the end of the 8th century most of the other cities of lakedaimon had been reduced to subject status. Who should not consider reading this book readers of popular histories are likely to find this material dry. The institutions of the state and the system of education were organised with a view to creating superbly trained soldiers. It has a sweet section for children and young adult books. Constructing greek political and social history from 478 bc by. You dont need to know any ancient greek, but you arent going to get much from this volume unless you already have a basic grasp of greek sources and history in this book, the authors deal with problems of evidence.
Sparta books proudly serving the community for over 50 years. Simply fill out the form below and one of our booksellers will get back to you within 24 hours. This 75page book, subtitled a history of southwestern virginia and northwestern north carolina, was first published in sparta, nc in 1900 by dr. Nonfiction but can also include ancient greek literature, myths, poetry, drama and philosophy. This is a decent book covering the overall history of the greek citystate sparta from its founding through the roman conquering. The powerful armies of sparta history books for age 79. The spartans were a society of warriorheroes who were the living exe. T he following alleghany county related items except the marriages book are available for sale directly from the society. Its time you learn about facts presented in a way that appeal to the 79 age group. Not recommended as their are better history books about the spartans out there. Ancient origins articles related to sparta in the sections of history, archaeology, human origins, unexplained, artifacts, ancient places and myths and legends. Shutt examines the history and culture of ancient sparta, a society renowned for military excellence and adherence to the values of courage, discipline, duty, and the overcoming of fear.
Alleghany historicalgenealogical society our books. At the same time its distance from the sea sparta is 27 m. Mar 25, 2020 the newcomer to war history books may do best to start with the latter type of book, as a personal history can often make a relatively unknown topic more compelling and easier to penetrate. Sparta books 29 theatre center, sparta, nj 07871 9737296200.
While they may contain images and graphs of some kind, mostly their formats lead them to be textbased. Best books on ancient greek history and literature. So workbook on pottery art for example, will provide necessary information on spartan art as well. Jeff vansyckle page 3 sparta township historical commission. Applies new techniques, perspectives, and archaeological evidence to the question of what it was to be a. I didnt mean this to be a list of pop history, but i think its too late now, so you might as well go ahead. Sparta was compiled by michael whitby as a reader for college students. These have been researched and written by schoolteachers, historians, or simply people with a deep love of their ancestral home. It has a great selection of psychological thrillers which is my goto genre. The pity is that the book is not more detailed, but for an introduction to sparta. Ship this item qualifies for free shipping buy online, pick up in store is currently unavailable, but this. A precursor of genocidal regimes, ancient sparta shared some characteristics with modern cases. My greecelatin teacher used to tell the most badass tales about these guys. An ok read but for some reason didnt really grab hold of my interest.
The area was first settled in the neolithic period and an important settlement developed in the bronze age. A heroic king fiction, published 2011 the persians are collecting the largest army ever seen. From 1908 through 1912 and 1914 through 1915, he served in the u. Michell professor i politisk okonomi ved hamilton universitetet i canada om sparta i antikken. Especially appreciated were the various highlighted biographies of important spartan figures. The powerful armies of sparta history books for age 79 childrens history books 64. May 28, 20 sparta was located in the fertile eurotas valley of laconia in the southeast peloponnese. Penguin classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and. A new history chronicles the complete history of ancient sparta from its origins to the end of antiquity. Mcfall was born march 1, 1888 in milan, michigan, the son of edward lewis and edith mcfall. Not unlike others during this time in our nations history, mac left home and school at age 14 he never completed 8 th grade. Written in 440 bc in the ionic dialect of classical greek, the histories serves as a record of the ancient traditions, politics, geography, and clashes of various cultures that were known in western asia, northern. The messenian wars and the creation on the peloponesian league are described in great detail, something that you will not find in almost any other book, especially an uptodate one.
Cox was a physician and methodist preacher who was born in floyd co. History early history located in a fertile, mountainwalled valley, the citystate of sparta was created by invading dorian greeks, who later conquered the countryside of laconia and messenia c. This is for the first time that i am reading a book about history of sparta. Sparta was a warrior society in ancient greece that reached the height of its power after defeating rival citystate athens in the peloponnesian war 431404 b. Cartledges crystalline prose, his vivacious storytelling and his lucid historical insights combine here to provide a firstrate history of the spartans, their. Im a reading fanatic so normally id like a larger bookstore but sparta books is such an intimate lovely store. Helps bridge the gap between the common conceptions of sparta and what specialists believe and dispute about spartan history. Plutarchs vivid and engaging portraits of the spartans and their customs are a major source of our knowledge about the rise and fall of their remarkable greek citystate between the sixth and third centuries bc. Two women are captured in a raid and sold into slavery at the same time. The great thing about this book is that it is one of the rare books about archaic greek history. Written in 440 bc in the ionic dialect of classical greek, the histories serves as a record of the ancient traditions, politics, geography, and clashes of various. The casual military history enthusiast will enjoy picking at a book with a bit of information on lots of topics. Sparta founds the colony of tarentum in magna graecia.