A Spartan lifestyle proverbially describes
austerity; ancient Greek luxury was associated with Ionia and the
oriental world.
The contributions to this book, first presented at a conference
held by the University of Nottingham’s Centre for Spartan
and Peloponnesian Studies, reverse the stereotype and explore the
role of luxury and
wealth at Sparta and among its Peloponnesian neighbors from the
Iron Age to the Hellenistic period.
Using literary, archaeological,
epigraphic and numismatic evidence, an international team of specialists
investigates the definition
and changing meanings of the term luxury and its nearest ancient
Greek equivalents, providing new insights into Sparta’s
supposed abstention from luxury, and the way that this was portrayed
by
ancient writers. They analyse wealth production and private and
public spending,
emphasising features that were distinctive to Sparta and the
Peloponnese compared with other parts of ancient Greece. Other
chapters investigate
issues still familiar in the contemporary world: economic crisis
and debt, austerity measures, and relief provisions for the poor.
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