Greek Perspectives on the Achaemenid Empire: Persia Through the Looking Glass

In The Aftermath Of The Greco-persian Wars, Greek Communities Produced A Variety Of Images Of The Achaemenids And Their Empire In Texts And On Vases And Architecture. These Perspectives Have Traditionally Been Explained As Responses To Victory In Wars. However, Janett Morgan Shows That These Responses Fit Into Wider Patterns Of Greek Engagements With The East And Reflect Dialogues Of Elite Identity Rather Than Hubristic Celebration. Through A Study Of Ancient Texts And Material Evidence From The Archaic And Classical Periods, She Investigates The Historical, Political And Social Factors That Inspired And Manipulated Different Identities For Persia, And The Persians Within Different Greek Communities--