A Spartan lifestyle proverbially describes austerity; ancient Greek
luxury was associated with Ionia and the oriental world. The
contributions to this book, first presented at a conference held by the
University of Nottingham's Centre for Spartan and Peloponnesian Studies,
reverse the stereotype and explore the role of luxury and wealth at
Sparta and among its Peloponnesian neighbors from the Iron Age to the
Hellenistic period. Using literary, archaeological, epigraphic and
numismatic evidence, an international team of specialists investigates
the definition and changing meanings of the term luxury and its nearest
ancient Greek equivalents, providing new insights into Sparta's supposed
abstention from luxury, and the way that this was portrayed by ancient
writers. They analyse wealth production and private and public spending,
emphasising features that were distinctive to Sparta and the Peloponnese
compared with other parts of ancient Greece. Other chapters investigate
issues still familiar in the contemporary world: economic crisis and
debt, austerity measures, and relief provisions for the poor.
