The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians by Xenophon
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"The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians" by Xenophon is a historical account likely written in the 4th century BC. The work examines and compares the governing structures and societal institutions of Athens and Sparta, two prominent city-states of ancient Greece. It delves into the nature of Athenian democracy and Spartan oligarchy, highlighting how each polity functions and the roles of different classes within their respective societies. At the start of
the text, Xenophon outlines his intention to analyze the Athenian political system, expressing reservations about its democratic foundations that favor the lower classes at the expense of the elite. He argues that the strength of the Athenian navy is rooted in the contributions of its poorer citizens, who play a vital role in the city’s defense and prosperity. He discusses how Athens operates on principles that allow broad participation in governance while also addressing the balance of powers. This initial portion sets the stage for a rigorous exploration of both Athens' democratic practices and Sparta's strict militaristic regime, emphasizing concepts like social justice, political stability, and the importance of class dynamics within each city-state. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Xenophon, 432 BCE-351? BCE |
|---|---|
| Translator | Dakyns, Henry Graham, 1838-1911 |
| Title | The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians |
| Credits | Produced by John Bickers, and David Widger |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 68.0 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PA: Language and Literatures: Classical Languages and Literature |
| Subject | Classical literature |
| Subject | Greece -- Politics and government -- Early works to 1800 |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 1178 |
| Release Date | Jan 1, 1998 |
| Last Update | Jan 16, 2013 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 1335 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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