A. H. M. Jones - Böcker

A representative collection of contemporary documents including inscriptions, coins, papyri and a few official pieces incorporated in literary texts dating from 43 B.C. to A.D. 37.

Professor Jones discusses the career of Augustus in the context of the turbulent times of the breakdown of the Roman Republic into civil war. He shows how dependent Augustus' rise to power was upon his adoption by Julius Caesar, and traces the ruthless and unscrupulous way in which Augustus exploited his unique position as "Caesar's heir." But he demonstrates that Augustus's continuing success was all his own: the adopted son succeeded in solving the political crisis which, because he had failed to do so, had cost the father his life. For Augustus was a consummate politician, and it was his great achievement to establish a form of government which proved more or less stable for over two centuries.

Was ancient Athens the "cradle of democracy" or, as many have charged, a society based on slave labor and ruled by an irresponsible mob of idlers who would neither fight nor pay taxes? In this classic work, one of the twentieth century's most distinguished ancient historians provides a succinct and elegant appraisal of Athenian democracy's merits and short-coming.Relying almost exclusively on close and careful analysis of primary sources, A. H. M. Jones examines the economic, social, and governmental structues that formed the basis of democracy in Athens. He also discusses the criticisms leveled against Athenian society by its own philosophers, histroians, and statemen. Athenian Democracy remains an indispensable resource for anyone with an interest in classical Athenian society.

Originally published in 1952, this book contains the text of a lecture delivered at the University of Cambridge that year by prominent Classical historian Arnold Jones on the Athenian audience to the orations of Demosthenes. Demosthenes famously castigated his fellow Athenians at many points in his career, and Jones examines the evidence provided by Demosthenes and his fellow orators for clues as to the real disposition of their listeners and how they could have been persuaded by the politicians of the day. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in ancient history or ancient oratory.