Hellenistic and Roman Sparta : a tale of two cities

A comprehensive account of ancient Sparta over the eight centuries or so following her loss of "great power" status on the battlefield in 371BC. "Hellenistic and Roman Sparta" should be of interest to all those concerned with classical studies, as well as to the non-specialist reader attracted by the ambiguous repetition of this notorious city. Paul Cartledge and Antony Spawforth provide an analysis of social, political and economic changes in the Spartan community which challenges the conventional perception of Spartan "decline" in post-Classical antiquity.