A companion to Greek and Roman political thought / edited by Ryan K. Balot.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

A COMPANION TO GREEK AND ROMAN POLITICAL THOUGHT

Justice, virtue, and citizenship were at the center of political life in ancient Greece and Rome and were frequently discussed by classical poets, historians, and philosophers. This Companion illuminates Greek and Roman political thought in all its range, diversity, and depth. Thirty-four essays from leading scholars in history, classics, philosophy, and political science provide stimulating discussions of classical political thought, ranging from the Archaic Greek epics to the final days of the Roman Empire and beyond. These essays strike a judicious yet thought-provoking balance between theoretical and historical perspectives.

A Companion to Greek and Roman Political Thought is an authoritative guide to the ancient Greek and Roman political questions that continue to shape and challenge the modern world.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

The collection of essays in this impressive volume, edited by Balot (Univ. of Toronto), advances recent efforts to establish the political thought of Greco-Roman antiquity as a "new and distinct subfield." This is not a paean to Greek and Roman culture or a sterile "appreciation" of their beautiful but obsolete civic life. Rather, Balot's topical approach brings the classical texts into contact with the problems of contemporary politics to demonstrate their continuing relevance. The contributors of the 34 chapters come from various disciplines, including political science, philosophy, history, and classical studies. Some of the authors assume that readers possess profound familiarity with the underlying primary sources and contemporary political theory. Especially striking contributions include Debra Nails's account of the juridical context of Socrates' trial, Robert Wallace's assessment of personal liberty in Greece and Rome, and Josiah Ober's innovative chapter on rational choice in classical Greek political theory. Of note is the indispensable list of primary sources and a prodigious bibliography of secondary texts. These alone probably justify the purchase price. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, and research collections. J. E. Herbel Georgia College and State University