In this Book
- Athens on Trial: The Antidemocratic Tradition in Western Thought
- Book
- 2011
- Published by: Princeton University Press
The Classical Athenians were the first to articulate and implement the notion that ordinary citizens of no particular affluence or education could make responsible political decisions. For this reason, reactions to Athenian democracy have long provided a prime Rorschach test for political thought. Whether praising Athens's government as the legitimizing ancestor of modern democracies or condemning it as mob rule, commentators throughout history have revealed much about their own notions of politics and society. In this book, Jennifer Roberts charts responses to Athenian democracy from Athens itself through the twentieth century, exploring a debate that touches upon historiography, ethics, political science, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, gender studies, and educational theory.
Table of Contents
- Title Page, Copyright Page
- pp. i-viii
- PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- pp. xi-xviii
- ABBREVIATIONS
- pp. xix-xxii
- CHAPTER ONE: Introduction
- pp. 3-22
- PART ONE: CLASSICAL GREECE
- CHAPTER TWO: The Athenian Experiment
- pp. 25-47
- PART TWO: PLAYING WITH THE PAST
- pp. 93-96
- CHAPTER FIVE: Roman Adaptations
- pp. 97-118
- CHAPTER SIX: Recovering the Greeks
- pp. 119-136
- CHAPTER SEVEN: Monarchists and Republicans
- pp. 137-155
- CHAPTER TEN: A Shift in the Sands
- pp. 208-226
- PART THREE: MODERN TRANSFORMATIONS
- CHAPTER ELEVEN: The Turning of the Tide
- pp. 229-255
- CHAPTER TWELVE: Athenians and Others
- pp. 256-290
- SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
- pp. 379-392