Aristomenes of Messene

Legends of Sparta's Nemesis

Inbunden, Engelska, 2004

1 069 kr

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The legends of Aristomenes, hero of the Messenian resistance to Sparta, were designed to excite, gratify and amuse. Yet they remain almost unknown even to specialist ancient historians. This book, the first monograph to be devoted to Aristomenes, redirects attention to his adventures, which at times resemble those of King Arthur, Robin Hood and even Sinbad the Sailor. The book goes beyond the question of the historicity of Aristomenes, and examines the meaning and symbolism of the stories in their own right. The study will be welcomed by those with an interest in the history of Sparta, in Pausanias (our principal source for the tales), and in Greek traditional narrative. Famously, Sparta tried to suppress the identity and self-confidence of its Messenian helots. Yet here are stories which give access to the imagination of this long-muted but ultimately liberated people.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2004-01-12
Mått156 x 234 x undefined mm
Vikt622 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
SerieSparta and Its Influence
Antal sidor243
FörlagClassical Press of Wales
ISBN9780954384548

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Daniel Ogden is Professor of Ancient History in the University of Exeter, after teaching in Swansea between 1991 and 2003. With the Classical Press of Wales he has also published Aristomenes of Messene (2003); In Search of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice: The Traditional Tales of Lucian’s Lover of Lies (2007); and, as editor, The Hellenistic World: New Perspectives (2002). His books for other presses include Greek Bastardy (1996); Greek and Roman Necromancy (2001); Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds (2nd ed., 2009); Alexander the Great: Myth, Genesis and Sexuality (2011); Drakon: Dragon Myth and Serpent Cult in the Greek and Roman World (2013); Dragons, Serpents and Slayers in the Classical and Early Christian Worlds (2013); The Legend of Seleucus (2017); The Werewolf in the Ancient World (2021); The Strix-Witch (2021); and The Dragon in the West (2021). Polygamy, Alexander and Seleucus together form a loose trilogy.