Athens: Its Rise and Fall Book II Vol I
The novel explores the history of ancient Athens from its founding to its conquest by Macedon. It delves into the city's development, its Golden Age under Pericles, and its downfall in the Peloponnesian War. The narrative focuses on the lives of prominent Athenians, including Solon, Cleisthenes, and Alcibiades, highlighting their contributions to Athens' rise and fall.
By Edward Bulwer-lytton · First published 1837 · Genre: History, Non-fiction, Biography · 5 chapters · 57,752 words
First lines
I. The first symptom in Athens of the political crisis (B. C. 621) which, as in other of the Grecian states, marked the transition of power from the oligarchic to the popular party, may be detected in the laws of Draco. Undue severity in the legislature is the ordinary proof of a general discontent: its success is rarely lasting enough to confirm a government -- its failure, when confessed, invariably strengthens a people. Scarcely had these laws been enacted (B. C. 620) when a formidable conspiracy broke out against the reigning oligarchy [195]. It was during the archonship of Megacles (a scion of the great Alcmaeonic family, which boasted its descent from Nestor) that the aristocracy was menaced by the ambition of an aristocrat.
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Athens: Its Rise and Fall Book II Vol I is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edward Bulwer-lytton, dated 1837 CE.
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- Work type: Novel
- Author: Edward Bulwer-lytton
- Date: 1837 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: History, Non-fiction, Biography, Political Science, Military History
- Length: 57,752 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 581 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Genres
- History — The work is a detailed account of the rise and fall of the city of Athens, focusing on its historical events and figures.
- Non-fiction — The work is based on real events and people, not on fictional characters or plots.
- Biography — The work includes detailed accounts of the lives of significant historical figures from Athens.
- Political Science — The work discusses the political systems and ideologies of Athens, including its democracy.
Tags
Athens · history · ancient Greece · politics · philosophy · culture · warfare · democracy · society · architecture · literature · tragedy
Contents
- The Conspiracy of Cylon. - Loss of Salamis. - First Appearance of Solon. - Success against the Megarians in the Struggle for Salamis. - Cirrhaean War. - Epimenides. - Political State of Athens. - Character of Solon. - His Legislation. - General View of the Athenian Constitution
- The Departure of Solon from Athens. - The Rise of Pisistratus. - Return of Solon. - His Conduct and Death. - The Second and Third Tyranny of Pisistratus. - Capture of Sigeum. - Colony in the Chersonesus founded by the first Miltiades. - Death of Pisistratus
- The Administration of Hippias. - The Conspiracy of Harmodius and Aristogiton. - The Death of Hipparchus. - Cruelties of Hippias. - The young Miltiades sent to the Chersonesus. - The Spartans Combine with the Alcmaeonidae against Hippias. - The fall of the Tyranny. - The Innovations of Clisthenes. - His Expulsion and Restoration. - Embassy to the Satrap of Sardis. - Retrospective View of the Lydian, Medean, and Persian Monarchies. - Result of the Athenian Embassy to Sardis. - Conduct of Cleomenes. - Victory of the Athenians against the Boeotians and Chalcidians. - Hippias arrives at Sparta. - The Speech of Sosicles the Corinthian. - Hippias retires to Sardis
- Histiaeus, Tyrant of Miletus, removed to Persia. - The Government of that City deputed to Aristagoras, who invades Naxos with the aid of the Persians. - Ill Success of that Expedition. - Aristagoras resolves upon Revolting from the Persians. - Repairs to Sparta and to Athens. - The Athenians and Eretrians induced to assist the Ionians. - Burning of Sardis. - The Ionian War. - The Fate of Aristagoras. - Naval Battle of Lade. - Fall of Miletus. - Reduction of Ionia. - Miltiades. - His Character. - Mardonius replaces Artaphernes in the Lydian Satrapy. - Hostilities between Aegina and Athens. - Conduct of Cleomenes. - Demaratus deposed. - Death of Cleomenes. - New Persian Expedition
- The Persian Generals enter Europe. - Invasion of Naxos, Carystus, Eretria. - The Athenians Demand the Aid of Sparta. - The Result of their Mission and the Adventure of their Messenger. - The Persians advance to Marathon. - The Plain Described. - Division of Opinion in the Athenian Camp. - The Advice of Miltiades prevails. - The Dream of Hippias. - The Battle of Marathon