Morality and Behaviour in Democratic Athens A Social History [Paperback]

Provides a model for societal behaviour and morality in ancient Athens.This groundbreaking work explores behaviour in ancient Athenian society. It provides a new model for that society, derived from analytical methods traditionally applied in behavioural sciences, which shows it as exceptionally stable and law-abiding. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, it will stimulate debate among students of ancient Athens and social anthropology.This groundbreaking work explores behaviour in ancient Athenian society. It provides a new model for that society, derived from analytical methods traditionally applied in behavioural sciences, which shows it as exceptionally stable and law-abiding. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, it will stimulate debate among students of ancient Athens and social anthropology.How were moral ideas and behaviour in ancient Athens formulated and made manifest? How did democratic Athens defuse the inevitable tensions that surface in society? In this work, Professor Herman argues that rather than endorse the Mediterranean ethic of retaliation, democratic Athens looked to the courts to dispense justice. Drawing on a method of analysis taken from the behavioural sciences, he describes the exceptional strategy of inter-personal relationships that the Athenian democrats developed to resolve conflict, to increase co-operation and to achieve collective objectives. In a departure, this work investigates moral ideas and behaviour alongside each other and expands the focus of the study to include all aspects of Athenian life, be it societal or economic. Highly illustrated throughout and interdisciplinary in approach, this work offers light on society and behaviour in ancient Athens, which might also serve as a model for similar ancient societies.1. Moral precepts and society; 2. Athenian society and government; 3. The moral image of the Athenian democracy; 4. Representations and distortions; 5. The structure of conflicts; 6. Revenge and punishment; 7. The lþ