Athens: Its Rise and Fall Book IV Vol II
The book narrates the story of Athens from its early days to its downfall. It explores the city's development under the guidance of Solon, who introduced democratic reforms and established a new constitution. The narrative then delves into the reign of Pisistratus, a tyrant who ruled Athens with an iron fist, and his eventual overthrow by the Spartans.
By Edward Bulwer-lytton · First published 1837 · Genre: History, Non-fiction, Political Science · 5 chapters
Contents
- Remarks on the Effects of War. - State of Athens. - Interference of Sparta with respect to the Fortifications of Athens. - Dexterous Conduct of Themistocles. - The New Harbour of the Piraeus. - Proposition of the Spartans in the Amphictyonic Council defeated by Themistocles. - Allied Fleet at Cyprus and Byzantium. - Pausanias. - Alteration in his Character. - His ambitious Views and Treason. - The Revolt of the Ionians from the Spartan Command. - Pausanias recalled. - Dorcis replaces him. - The Athenians rise to the Head of the Ionian League. - Delos made the Senate and Treasury of the Allies. - Able and prudent Management of Aristides. - Cimon succeeds to the Command of the Fleet. - Character of Cimon. - Eion besieged. - Scyros colonized by Atticans. - Supposed Discovery of the Bones of Theseus. - Declining Power of Themistocles. - Democratic Change in the Constitution. - Themistocles ostracised. - Death of Aristides
- Popularity and Policy of Cimon. - Naxos revolts from the Ionian League. - Is besieged by Cimon. - Conspiracy and Fate of Pausanias. - Flight and Adventures of Themistocles. - His Death
- Reduction of Naxos. - Actions off Cyprus. - Manners of Cimon. - Improvements in Athens. - Colony at the Nine Ways. - Siege of Thasos. - Earthquake in Sparta. - Revolt of Helots, Occupation of Ithome, and Third Messenian War. - Rise and Character of Pericles. - Prosecution and Acquittal of Cimon. - The Athenians assist the Spartans at Ithome. - Thasos Surrenders. - Breach between the Athenians and Spartans. - Constitutional Innovations at Athens. - Ostracism of Cimon
- War between Megara and Corinth. - Megara and Pegae garrisoned by Athenians. - Review of Affairs at the Persian Court. - Accession of Artaxerxes. - Revolt of Egypt under Inarus. - Athenian Expedition to assist Inarus. - Aegina besieged. - The Corinthians defeated. - Spartan Conspiracy with the Athenian Oligarchy. - Battle of Tanagra. - Campaign and Successes of Myronides. - Plot of the Oligarchy against the Republic. - Recall of Cimon. - Long Walls completed. - Aegina reduced. - Expedition under Tolmides. - Ithome surrenders. - The Insurgents are settled at Naupactus. - Disastrous Termination of the Egyptian Expedition. - The Athenians march into Thessaly to restore Orestes the Tagus. - Campaign under Pericles. - Truce of five Years with the Peloponnesians. - Cimon sets sail for Cyprus. - Pretended Treaty of Peace with Persia. - Death of Cimon
- Change of Manners in Athens. - Begun under the Pisistratidae. - Effects of the Persian War, and the intimate Connexion with Ionia. - The Hetaerae. - The Political Eminence lately acquired by Athens. - The Transfer of the Treasury from Delos to Athens. - Latent Dangers and Evils. - First, the Artificial Greatness of Athens not supported by Natural Strength. - Secondly, her pernicious Reliance on Tribute. - Thirdly, Deterioration of National Spirit commenced by Cimon in the Use of Bribes and Public Tables. - Fourthly, Defects in Popular Courts of Law. - Progress of General Education. - History. - Its Ionian Origin. - Early Historians. - Acusilaus. - Cadmus. - Eugeon. - Hellanicus. - Pherecides. - Xanthus. - View of the Life and Writings of Herodotus. - Progress of Philosophy since Thales. - Philosophers of the Ionian and Eleatic Schools. - Pythagoras. - His Philosophical Tenets and Political Influence. - Effect of these Philosophers on Athens
More by Edward Bulwer-lytton