The concept of 'decline and fall' as a narrative framework for ancient history was largely invented by Gibbon. The Romans themselves used the concept of decline — Sallust, Livy, Tacitus all employed it — but their 'decline' referred to moral corruption, not structural collapse.
Aspasia of Miletus — Pericles' companion, described as his intellectual equal in sources that are also trying to denigrate both of them — is one of the most tantalizing figures in classical Athenian history.
I've been saying this for months! Glad someone finally posted it
The concept of 'decline and fall' as a narrative framework for ancient history was largely invented by Gibbon. The Romans themselves used the concept of decline — Sallust, Livy, Tacitus all employed it — but their 'decline' referred to moral corruption, not structural collapse.
Aspasia of Miletus — Pericles' companion, described as his intellectual equal in sources that are also trying to denigrate both of them — is one of the most tantalizing figures in classical Athenian history.