Greeks Bearing Gifts: The Public Use of Private Relationships in the Greek World, 435323 BC [Hardcover]

This book examines the political role of personal relationships in classical Greece.Using models from social anthropology as its basis, this book takes a new look at the political role of personal relationships in classical Greece. It examines what friendship and exchange meant in classical Greece, how this differed from gift-giving and exchange in non-Greek societies, and what the impact of friends and friendship was on domestic and interstate politics and how the differences in understanding affected Greek relations with their non-Greek neighbours.Using models from social anthropology as its basis, this book takes a new look at the political role of personal relationships in classical Greece. It examines what friendship and exchange meant in classical Greece, how this differed from gift-giving and exchange in non-Greek societies, and what the impact of friends and friendship was on domestic and interstate politics and how the differences in understanding affected Greek relations with their non-Greek neighbours.Using models from social anthropology as its basis, this book takes a new look at the political role of personal relationships in classical Greece. It examines what friendship and exchange meant in classical Greece, how this differed from gift giving and exchange in non-Greek societies, and what the impact of friends and friendship was on domestic and interstate politics and how the differences in understanding affected Greek relations with their non-Greek neighbors.1. Philia; 2. Philia and the polis; 3. Philia and political activity; 4. Magisterial appointments: Sparta; 5. Magisterial appointments: Athens; 6. Persia and the Greeks; 7. Athenians and Thracians; 8. Philip and the Greeks; 9. Alexander; 10. Friendship and ideology; Appendix I. Magistrates with connections; Appendix II. Notes on magistrates for the years 435323 BC. Along with classical scholars, the book will be especially valuable for biblicists interested in the Persian Period and early Hellinls5