Greek Political Imagery from Homer to Aristotle [Paperback]

The great helmsman, the watchdog of the people, the medicine the state needs: all these images originated in ancient Greece, yet retain the capacity to influence an audience today. This is the first systematic study of political imagery in ancient Greek literature, history and thought, tracing it from its appearance, influenced by Near Eastern precursors, in Homer and Hesiod, to the end of the classical period and Plato's deployment of images like the helmsman and the doctor in the service of his political philosophy. The historical narrative is complemented by thematic studies of influential complexes of images such as the ship of state, the shepherd of the people, and the state as a household, and enhanced by parallels from later literature and history which illustrate the persistence of Greek concepts in later eras.

Introduction
Gods as Kings, Kings as Gods
The State as a Household
The Shepherd of the People
The Ship of State
The Body Politic
Leaders and Communities: The Archaic Period
Democracy and Autocracy: The Fifth Century
Orators and Philosophers: The Fourth Century
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index

An investigation of the political imagery found in ancient Greek history, literature and culture.

Roger Brockis Senior Lecturer in Classics, University of Leeds, UK.