One of classical Greece's most worldly and lucid writers, Xenophon across his many works gave a restless criticism of power: democratic, oligarchic and autocratic. From military campaigns (in which he took part), through the great powers of his day (Sparta, Persia, Athens) to modes of control within the household, he observed intimately and often with partisan passion. In this work a leading French Hellenist, Vincent Azoulay, analyses across Xenophon's diverse texts the techniques by which the Greek writer recommends that leaders should manipulate. Through gifts and personal allure, though mystique, dazzling appearance, exemplary behaviour, strategic absences - and occasional terror, Xenophon analyses ways in which a powerful few might triumphantly replace the erratic democracies and selfindulgent oligarchies of his day.

In this work a leading French Hellenist, Vincent Azoulay, analyses across Xenophon's diverse texts the techniques by which the Greek writer recommends that leaders should manipulate.

About the Author
Vincent Azoulay is one of France's leading historians of classical Greek society. He has published widely on Xenophon and other 4th-century authors in connection with Sparta, Athens and Persia. He is also author of the monograph Pericles of Athens (Princeton, 2014). Vincent Azoulay is directeur d'etudes at the Ecole des hautes etudes en sciences sociales (EHESS), Paris.


Book Information
ISBN 9781910589694
Author Vincent Azoulay
Format Hardback
Page Count 440
Imprint Classical Press of Wales
Publisher Classical Press of Wales
Weight(grams) 928g