Skip to main content

University of Chicago Readings in Western Civilization, Volume 1

The Greek Polis

John W. Boyer and Julius Kirshner, General Editors
The University of Chicago Readings in Western Civilization (nine volumes) makes available to students and teachers a unique selection of primary documents, many in new translations. These readings, prepared for the highly praised Western civilization sequence at the University of Chicago, were chosen by an outstanding group of scholars whose experience teaching that course spans almost four decades. Each volume includes rarely anthologized selections as well as standard, more familiar texts; a bibliography of recommended parallel readings; and introductions providing background for the selections. Beginning with Periclean Athens and concluding with twentieth-century Europe, these source materials enable teachers and students to explore a variety of critical approaches to important events and themes in Western history.

Individual volumes provide essential background reading for courses covering specific eras and periods. The complete nine-volume series is ideal for general courses in history and Western civilization sequences.

The table of contents for all nine volumes in the RWC series.


360 pages | 6 x 9 | © 1986

Readings in Western Civilization

Ancient Studies

History: Ancient and Classical History

Table of Contents

Series Editors’ Foreword
General Introduction


Homer
Introduction
1. Homer, Odyssey, Book 2: The Assembly at Ithaca
2. Homer, Iliad 18.474-617: The Shield of Achilles


Tyrtaeus, Solon, Theognis
Introduction
3. Two Poems by Tyrtaeus
Tyrtaeus 10W: Exhortation to the Young Hoplite
Tyrtaeus 11W: The Hoplite’s Handbook
4. Two Poems by Solon
Solon 4W: Eunomia and Dusnomia
Solon 13W: Prosperity, Justice, and the Hazards of Life
5. Three Poems by Theognis
Theognis 53-68W: Social Upheaval
Theognis 173-78W: Poverty and the Agathos
Theognis 183-92W: Breeding, Good and Bad


Pindar
Introduction
6. Pindar, Sixth Nemean Ode


Herodotus
Introduction
7. Three Selections from Herodotus’ History
Herodotus, History 1.59-63: The Installation of the Pisistratid Tyranny
Herodotus, History 5.62-73: The Overthrow of the Pisistratids and the Oganization of the Cleisthenic Democracy
Herodotus, History 3.80-84: The Debate in Persia about Constitutions


The Old Oligarch
Introduction
8. The Old Oligarch, The Athenian Constitution


Aristophanes
Introduction
9. Aristophanes, The Wasps


Lysias
Introduction
10. Lysias, On the Killing of Eratosthenes


Demosthenes
Introduction
11. Demosthenes, The Oration against Eubulides


Plato
Introduction
12. Plato, The Apology
13. Plato, The Crito
14. Plato, Protagoras 320c-328d: Protagoras’ Myth
15. Plato, Republic 5.471c-473e: The Philosopher-Ruler


Aristotle
Introduction
16. Aristotle, The Constitution of Athens
17. Aristotle, Politics, Book 1.1-2 and Books 7 and 8
18. Aristotle, Economics, Book 1


Epicurus
Introduction
19. Epicurus, Letter to Menoeceus


Epictetus
Introduction
20. Epictetus, Encheiridion

Index

Be the first to know

Get the latest updates on new releases, special offers, and media highlights when you subscribe to our email lists!

Sign up here for updates about the Press