The Bad Citizen in Classical Athens - Hardcover

Christ, Matthew R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521864321 ISBN 13: 9780521864329

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2006

Synopsis

This book provides a fresh perspective on Athenian democracy by exploring bad citizenship, both as a reality and an idea, in classical Athens, from the late sixth century down to 322. If called upon, Athenian citizens were expected to support their city through military service and financial outlay. These obligations were fundamental to Athenian understandings of citizenship and it was essential to the city’s well-being that citizens fulfill them. The ancient sources, however, are full of allegations that individuals have avoided these duties or performed them deficiently. Claims of draft evasion, cowardice on the battlefield, and avoidance of liturgies and the war tax are common. By examining the nature and scope of bad citizenship in Athens and the city’s responses―institutional and ideological―to the phenomenon, this study aims to illuminate the relationship between citizen and city under the Athenian democracy, and more broadly, the tension between private interests and public authority in human societies.

About this title

About the Author

Matthew R. Christ is Professor of Classical Studies at Indiana University. He is the author of The Litigious Athenian.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521864321
• ISBN 13: 9780521864329
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 262