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Sparta and Lakonia: A Regional History 1300-362 BC
In this fully revised and updated edition of his groundbreaking study, Paul Cartledge uncovers the realities behind the potent myth of Sparta.
The book explores both the city-state of Sparta and the territory of Lakonia which it unified and exploited. Combining the more traditional written sources with archaeological and environmental perspectives, its coverage extends from the apogee of Mycenaean culture, to Sparta's crucial defeat at the battle of Mantinea in 362 BC.
The book explores both the city-state of Sparta and the territory of Lakonia which it unified and exploited. Combining the more traditional written sources with archaeological and environmental perspectives, its coverage extends from the apogee of Mycenaean culture, to Sparta's crucial defeat at the battle of Mantinea in 362 BC.
354 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
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About the author
Paul Cartledge
73 books249 followersPaul Anthony Cartledge is the 1st A.G. Leventis Professor of Greek Culture at Cambridge University, having previously held a personal chair in Greek History at Cambridge. He was educated at St Paul's School & New College, Oxford where he took his 1st degree & completed his doctoral thesis in Spartan archaeology in 1975 under Prof. Sir John Boardman. After a period at the University of Warwick he moved in 10/79 to Cambridge University where he's a fellow of Clare College.
He's a world expert on Athens & Sparta in the Classical Age & has been described as a Laconophile. He was chief historical consultant for the BBC TV series The Greeks & the Channel 4 series The Spartans, presented by Bettany Hughes. He's also a holder of the Gold Cross of the Order of Honour & an Honorary Citizen of modern Sparta. Besides the Leventis Professorship, he holds a visiting Global Distinguished Professorship at New York University, funded by the Greek Parliament.
He's a world expert on Athens & Sparta in the Classical Age & has been described as a Laconophile. He was chief historical consultant for the BBC TV series The Greeks & the Channel 4 series The Spartans, presented by Bettany Hughes. He's also a holder of the Gold Cross of the Order of Honour & an Honorary Citizen of modern Sparta. Besides the Leventis Professorship, he holds a visiting Global Distinguished Professorship at New York University, funded by the Greek Parliament.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 23, 2021
This book is an excellent academic study of the history of Ancient Sparta.
It goes into exhaustive detail of the history of Lakonia, and is full of interesting details and explanations that I have not found anywhere else.
It is, of all the modern histories of Sparta which I’ve read during my research, the most useful, beside Cartledge’s Spartan Reflections, and Ducat’s Spartan Education.
Highly recommended for anyone with an academic interest in the historical reality of Sparta, rather than the rather skewed modern view.
It goes into exhaustive detail of the history of Lakonia, and is full of interesting details and explanations that I have not found anywhere else.
It is, of all the modern histories of Sparta which I’ve read during my research, the most useful, beside Cartledge’s Spartan Reflections, and Ducat’s Spartan Education.
Highly recommended for anyone with an academic interest in the historical reality of Sparta, rather than the rather skewed modern view.
June 24, 2025
Very academic. Can be a challenging read but the level of detail is incredible.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews