Philosophy Ancient & Classical
Androtion and the Atthis
The Fragments Translated with Introduction and Commentary
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Initial publish date
- Jul 1994
- Category
- Ancient & Classical
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9780198721499
- Publish Date
- Aug 2001
- List Price
- $162.00
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9780198721482
- Publish Date
- Jul 1994
- List Price
- $78.95
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Description
BACKGROUND TO THE ATTHIS Atthis was the name given to the local history of Attica. This genre of historiography was invented in the fifth century by Hellanikos of Lesbos. Written in chronicle form, based upon kings and archons, it covered all aspects of Attic affairs from their mythical beginnings to the contemporary history of the individual author. It was a fascinating blend of patriotic fiction and historical fact. FIRST COMPLETE TRANSLATION Though there were at least seven men who wrote Atthides, none of their works has survived intact. This volume presents in translation for the first time all the fragments of the Atthis of the fourth-century Athenian politician and historian, Androtion, and the testimonia for his life and career. Androtion was one of the most respected Atthidographers. EXTENSIVE INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTARY The extensive Introduction deals with the genre and the individual Atthidographers, and Androtion and his career. The individual fragments are analysed in detail in the Commentary. Throughout particular attention is devoted to Jacoby's theory of the political bias of the Atthidographers, which is shown to be unfounded.
About the author
Contributor Notes
Phillip Harding, Emeritus Professor of Classics, University of British Columbia.
Editorial Reviews
'This is an excellent project and we hope it will inspire others of the same kind. ... a valuable book with a great deal of lively argument ... it is well informed on the controversies and stands as a worthy supplement to Jacoby.' Phoenix, 50, 1996
'The useful collection of testimonia and translation of the surviving fragments of Androtion's Atthis is only exceeded by the thorough and careful commentary...An excellent and welcome work to the study of an important genre of historical literature.' Ancient History Bulletin
'Harding is to be congratulated on his elucidation of Androtion's relation to Aristotle's Athenaion Politeia, which is quite convincing. In sum Harding has used what could be seen as a small topic to apply it to a number of important questions.' John Buckler, University of Illinois, Canadian Journal of History XXIX, August 1994
'An adequate and serviceable translation of and detailed commentary to Androtion's Attis. The excellent bibliography of predominantly British and American secondary literature makes the book most appropriate for English speaking scholars and advanced students.' Thomas Brauch, Central Michigan University, Religious Studies Review, Volume 23, Number 1/January 1997
''...If his appearance in English encourages readers to look steadily at the surviving fragments as a whole, that in itself will make this colume beneficial to advanced scholars as well as to Greekless students. Its appeal is greatly enhanced, however, by H.'s substantial introduction and commentary, which are of major value...Throughout the volume, H.'s strengths as a commentator are evident:...The notes are invariably lucid and well-arranged...This English Androtion will be a great aid to the serious study of Greek history in translation, which has been such a welcome feature of the last generation, and H.'s introduction and commentary are an important contribution to scholarship. Both editor and publisher are to be congratulated.'' Ronald A. Knox, Univ. Glasgow, The Classical Review