Πολιτικά (Politiká)
1492
- politics and government
- incunabula
- aesthetics
- économie politique
- theory
- literary form
- history and criticism
- poetry
- great_books_of_the_western_world
- constitution of athens
The story
"This new translation of one of the fundamental texts of Western political thought combines strict fidelity to Aristotle's Greek with a contemporary English prose style. Lord's intention throughout is to retain Aristotle's distinctive style. The accompanying notes provide literary and historical references, call attention to textual problems, and supply other essential information and interpretation. A glossary supplies working definitions of key terms in Aristotle's philosophical-political vocabulary as well as a guide to linguistic relationships that are not always reflected in equivalent English terms. Lord's extensive introduction presents a detailed account of Aristotle's life in relation to the political situation and events of his time and then discusses the problematic character and history of Aristotle's writings in general and of the Politics in particular. Lord also outlines Aristotle's conception of political science, tracing its relation to theoretical science on the one hand and to ethics on the other. In conclusion, he briefly traces the subsequent history and influence of the Politics up to modern times."--Publisher's description.
What it’s like
Dense, austere reading with the texture of a heavy scholarly volume: a sparse, carefully argued prose voice that keeps close to Aristotle's Greek, broken up by footnotes, a glossary of key terms, and a long introduction. Its mood is quiet and intellectual, closer to a study lamp and a desk covered in marked pages than to any story world. The reading rhythm is slow and deliberate, with long sentences that turn on distinctions and definitions, and the gears of the argument are visible on the page. Its register is calm and analytical, with no violence, gore, or sensual content, though it does treat hard subjects such as slavery, tyranny, and the ranking of citizens in a plainly clinical way. It suits a rainy weekend with time to spare, a seminar reading list, or a late evening spent working through a difficult passage with a pencil. It is written for readers who enjoy close argument, students of political thought, and anyone who wants to see how the foundations of Western political theory were first laid out.
More books like Πολιτικά (Politiká)
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Πολιτικά (Politiká)and we’ll explain which ones fit you.
