Unthinking the Greek Polis: Ancient Greek History beyond Eurocentrism

by Kostas Vlassopoulos

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.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Taryn Janati · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is important for marxist historiography n stuff bc he recenters imperialism discursively ((the western left has a horrible analysis of imperialism)) and he reconceptualizes the development of capitalism outside of europe. the book is primarily abt the failuers of teh western left and not so much recuperating ancient greece from occidentalist mythos on culture/nationalism. also he takes lenin's theory of imperialism ((it is the highest stage of capitalism and the era of finance capitalism represents a new epoch of competing imperialisms)) n disagrees n says capitalism from its inception has been imperialist. i dont rly get the value of his reformulation of imperialism tho n i think Amin mostly dissagrees w lenin, so i dont really understand the value beyond minor corrective