The Limits of Altruism in Democratic Athens

Examines the behavior of Athenians in the classical period, arguing that Athenians felt little pressure as individuals to help fellow citizens.

Matthew Christ (Author)

9781107029774, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 8 October 2012

223 pages
23.6 x 16 x 1.5 cm, 0.46 kg

'A fine bibliography and excellent indexes augment this well-produced effort. Summing up: highly recommended.' Choice

Athenians in the classical period (508–322 BC) were drawn to an image of themselves as a compassionate and generous people who rushed to the aid of others in distress, both at home and abroad. What relation does this image bear to actual Athenian behavior? This book argues that Athenians felt little pressure as individuals to help fellow citizens whom they did not know. Democratic ideology called on citizens to refrain from harming one another rather than to engage in mutual support, and emphasized the importance of the helping relationship between citizen and city rather than among individual citizens. If the obligation of Athenians to help fellow citizens was fairly tenuous, all the more so was their responsibility to intervene to assist the peoples of other states; a distinct pragmatism prevailed in the city's decisions concerning intervention abroad.

Introduction: the philanthropic Athenian?
1. Helping behavior in classical Athens
2. Helping and democratic citizenship
3. Helping and community in the Athenian law courts
4. 'Helping others' in Athenian interstate relations
Conclusion: helping and the Athenian experience.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]