Being Good Towards the People or the Democracy?

Andrea Giannotti

doi:10.1163/1568525x-12342622

Abstract

Abstract In this paper I investigate the formulaic language of fifth-century BCE honorific decrees and the extent to which the Athenians used specifically democratic language: were men honoured for benefiting the city or specifically the democracy? Despite the general belief that the rhetorical formula ‘being good towards the demos’ had a democratic meaning, consideration of all the readable fifth-century BCE honorific decrees demonstrates that a standard formula to indicate the addressee of the benefits did not exist; rather, it is apparent that honorific decrees enacted under the democracy used indifferently the formulae ‘being good towards the demos’, ‘being good towards the polis’ and ‘being good towards the Athenians’. Moreover, a final consideration of an oligarchic honorific decree will show that oligarchs were perhaps more careful with their language (avoiding ‘demos’ and preferring ‘polis’) than the democrats might have been.

Highlights

In 2011, Julia Shear argued that the Dionysia of 409 bce was an example of democratic ideology in action “as the demos honoured its benefactors”.1 Shear highlights the fact that in that year Athens, having been freed from via free access
Since honorific decrees predating IG I3 102 do not attest to a public proclamation in the theatre during the Dionysia, the honours to Thrasyboulus are the first example of public proclamation, and seemingly indicate a new ceremony of the Dionysia
Since the decree for Thrasyboulus is an honorific decree, I wonder (a) if the rhetorical formulation ‘good man/men towards the people of the Athenians’ was regular in honorific decrees enacted under the democracy, and (b) if those honorific decrees which reported a public crowning in the theatre might always present the power of democracy

Summary

Introduction

In 2011, Julia Shear argued that the Dionysia of 409 bce was an example of democratic ideology in action “as the demos honoured its benefactors”.1 Shear highlights the fact that in that year Athens, having been freed from via free access.

Results

Conclusion