Turning, Telling Moments in the Classical Political World examines developments in the classical political world which are both turning and telling moments. All the moments—from Theseus's founding of Athens to Augustus's establishment of the Principate—possess the double character of being turning points and revealing fundamental aspects of the ancient political world.
While most books on ancient history are chiefly concerned with questions of literary sources and historical accuracy, this book deals with the significance of the facts and reports themselves. Blits treats the ancient histories as works of reflection rather than works of research. Instead of focusing on whether, or how, the ancient historians meet the professional standards of present-day historiography, Blits reveals the way they themselves understand-and intend us to understand-the ancient world.
