Thebes Rediscovered: Ancient Greece's Lost City

“Effortless and exhaustive, Mr. Cartledge commands the historical material, persuasively appreciating Thebes,” according to the Wall Street Journal. “This masterful book written by a master historian is an incisive, inspiring, and vitally illuminating account,” adds bestselling author Bettany Hughes, famous for Istanbul and Helen of Troy. Paul Cartledge, acclaimed classicist and historian, presents the definitive and riveting story of Thebes, the ancient Greek city, in Thebes: The Forgotten City of Ancient Greece, following his success with The Spartans. Despite the wealth of literature on ancient Greece, little has been written about the city-state of Thebes. Overshadowed by its well-known rivals, Athens and Sparta, Thebes, once the most powerful city in ancient Greece, so crucial to understanding the Greeks’ achievements, politically and culturally, has been overlooked. In Thebes, Cartledge brings the city to vibrant life, establishing its significance in the wider politico-cultural traditions of Western Europe, the Americas, and the world. With chapters on the City of Myth, the City of Prehistory and Protohistory, Religion, Politics, Foreign Affairs, and the City of Song, Cartledge explores every aspect of Thebes. He also covers the Peloponnesian and Corinthian Wars and the city's rise, fall, and eventual restoration by Alexander the Great's successor after its destruction as punishment for a failed revolt. Displaying deep clarity and mastery of the subject, Cartledge uncovers the differences and interconnections between the myth and history of Thebes. Thebes, written in clear prose, provides a gripping reading experience for ancient history students and those seeking to delve into the reality behind the legends of Cadmus, Hercules, and Oedipus.

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