Old Greek Education

Old Greek Education by J. P. Mahaffy is an in-depth exploration of the educational practices and philosophies of ancient Greece. The book examines the development of Greek education from its early foundations in Homeric tradition to the sophisticated pedagogical systems of Athens and Sparta. Mahaffy highlights how education was deeply intertwined with Greek culture politics and values emphasizing physical training moral development and intellectual pursuits. The author delves into the distinct approaches of different city-states contrasting the militaristic and discipline-focused system of Sparta with Athens' emphasis on rhetoric philosophy and the arts. He also discusses the roles of teachers like the Sophists and philosophers such as Socrates and Plato in shaping Greek educational thought.