Slaves, Warfare, and Ideology in the Greek Historians [Paperback]

Peter Hunt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 9, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0521893909 | ISBN-13: 978-0521893909

The warring Greek city-states of the classical period often found it advantageous to use slaves in their armed forces and to encourage rebellion or desertion among the slaves of their enemies. But since military service was highly esteemed, while the state of slavery was despised, classical Greek historians such as Herodotus, Thucydides and Xenophon tended not to discuss slave participation in war. This book examines the actual role of slaves in war, the neglect of it by historians, and the reasons for this reticence.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hunt's important book challenges some of the most fundamental premises of Greek historiography. ...this book will interest all students of Greek history and historiography. Undergraduates and above." Choice

"Hunt has written a wide-ranging and ambitious book." Jeremy Trevett, Phoenix

"Coolly and elegantly written and almost wholly persuasive, it is an original and powerful contribution to the study of Greek warfare and Greek ideologies of slavery and serfdom...the book is a major contribution to the understanding of the contradictions inherent in the functioning and the ideology of slave systems." American Historical Journal

"...this book is a worthwhile and readable study of Greek attitudes about war and slavery...As a sensible and well-reasoned challenge to the current orthodoxy this book is to be welcomed." Red River Historical Journal

Book Description

The warring Greek city-states of the classical period often found it advantageous to use slaves in their armed forces and to encourage rebellion or desertion amongst the slaves of their enemies. But since military service was highly esteemed while the state of slavery was despised, classical Greek historians such as Herodotus, Thucydides and Xenophon tended not to discuss slave participation in war. This book examines the actual role of slaves in war, the neglect of it by historians, and the reasons for this reticence.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (May 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521893909
• ISBN-13: 978-0521893909
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,703,341 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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