Morality and Custom in Ancient Greece

Athenian society is brought vividly to life in John M. Dillon's exploration of how the ancient Greeks behaved toward each other. How did husbands treat their wives, and parents their children? What were the rights enjoyed, and the perils faced, by a courtesan? What were the obligations of love and friendship between men and men, men and women, and men and boys? Morality and Custom in Ancient Greece shows how slaves were to be treated and what it was like to be a slave or a slave's child; and asks how, when, and why duties to the gods were fulfilled. The problems of inheritance and the position of widows, daughters, and sons are also examined. In each chapter, two or more stories drawn from ancient sources give contrasting perspectives on the Greeks' attitudes and beliefs, and lead to discussions of the works of literature, history, and philosophy they used to guide their lives. This is a thoughtful and entertaining book that shows the practical outcomes of ancient Greek thought and literature and how the strange and familiar are mixed in the customs and habits of people living two and half thousand years ago.

John M. Dillon is Regius Professor of Greek at Trinity College Dublin, and director of the Centre for the Study of the Platonic Tradition.