Book Description

The wealth of inscriptions found scattered throughout the Greek world are an invaluable source for the reconstruction of Greek history. The texts themselves, however, are often fragmented and their subjects and background obscure and difficult to understand. This revised paperback edition of Meiggs and Lewis's standard selection (first published in 1969) includes new addenda, in addition to 95 texts covering the period from c.750 BC up to the end of the Peloponnesian War (404 BC). Each text is presented epigraphically and supplemented with a general description of the inscription's appearance and location, a bibliography, and full historical commentary. Many inscriptions are Athenian, shedding light on the political institutions of Athens (archons and ostracism, for example) and foreign affairs, especially her relations with the allies in the Athenian Empire and her role in the Peloponnesian War. Inscriptions from other city states and areas, though varying in date, present very different institutions and events, and help give a more rounded picture of the history of the period. Addenda and a concordance bring the edition fully up to date.