Democracy and Informers (Following the Example of Hellenistic Athens)

Authors:

Pages: 62-71
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/HRXK1617

Abstract:

In the present paper, on the basis of source material, the reasons for the appearance of informers/sycophants in democratic Athens are scrutinized. Several topics are discussed: tale-bearing as sorrowful occupation of young and poor Athenian citizens who were paid to press charges; hiring of sycophants for payment; the presence of sycophants among the Athenian artists and magistrates. It is proved that the specific character of some of the legal proceedings allowed persons who did not have citizen rights like women, slaves and metics to inform as well. On the background of such data, an attempt is made to demonstrate the mixed social composition of all those who blackmailed and who were part of the shortcomings of the Athenian democratic model.

Keywords:

ancient Hellas, ancient Athens, ancient democracy, tale-bearing, sycophants, social composition.

Download

United States / Canada / NA / Russian Federation / China / Bulgaria / Ukraine