Greek Historiography

This volume provides an accessible, comprehensive, and up-to-date survey of the ancient Greek genre of historical writing from its origins before Herodotus to the Greek historians of the Roman imperial era, seven centuries later.

Focuses on the themes of power and human nature, causation, divine justice, leadership, civilization versus barbarism, legacy, and literary reception
Includes thorough summaries alongside textual analysis that signpost key passages and highlight thematic connections, helping readers navigate their way through the original texts
Situates historical writing among the forms of epic and lyric poetry, drama, philosophy, and science
Uses the best current translations and includes a detailed list of further reading that includes important new scholarship

Thomas F. Scanlon is Professor of Classics and Chair of the Department of Comparative Literature and Foreign Languages at the University of California, Riverside. He has published several books on Greek and Roman history, including most recently Sport in the Greek and Roman Worlds (2014) and Eros and Greek Athletics (2002).

Preface vi

Abbreviations ix

Chapter 1: Origins and Early Forms of Greek Historiography 1

Chapter 2: Herodotus and the Limits of Happiness: Beyond Epic, Lyric, and Logography 26

Chapter 3: Thucydides on the Ends of Power 69

Chapter 4: Xenophon on Leadership and Moral Authority 126

Chapter 5: History and Rhetoric in Fourth]Century Historians 160

Chapter 6: Diversity and Innovation in the Hellenistic Era 190

Chapter 7: Polybius on the Supremacy of a Balanced State 202

Chapter 8: Greek Historians in the Roman Era 237

Chapter 9: Concluding Observations on Greek Historical Writing 276

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials