Aristocracy' in Antiquity - 9781910589014

Aristocracy' in AntiquityRedefining Greek and Roman Elites\nAuthor(s): Nick Fisher, Hans van Wees\nFormat: Hardback\nPublisher: Classical Press of Wales, United Kingdom\nImprint: Classical Press of Wales\nISBN-13: 9781910589014, 978-1910589014\nSynopsis\nThe words 'aristocrats', 'aristocracy' and 'aristocratic values' appear in many a study of ancient history and culture. Sometimes these terms are used with a precise meaning. More often they are casual shorthand for 'upper class', 'ruling elite' and 'high standards'. This book brings together 12 new studies by an impressive international cast of specialists. It demonstrates not only that true aristocracies were rare in the ancient world, but also that the modern use of 'aristocracy' in a looser sense is misleading. The word comes with connotations derived from medieval and modern history. Antiquity, it is here argued, was different. Aristocracy in Antiquity explores and challenges the common assumption that hereditary 'aristocrats' w.