Chapter Eleven. From Oikos To Polis: Democracy And More Civic Virtues In Fourth Century Athens

Abstract

During the waning years of the Athenian democracy (378-322) Athens transformed her civic virtues, such as demokratia and tykhe into cult personifications. In his efforts to renew Athens' fortunes after 338, Lykourgos (re)built temples and sanctuaries including one for Tykhe. The evidence for new cult personifications in 4th-century Attika comes from a diverse range of material. No sources indicate the direct relationship of Philia to Agathe Tykhe, but their joint association in cult implies a civic dimension that went beyond the traditional household reverence for Agathos Daimon and Agathe Tykhe. The only other evidence of the cult status of Philia is Hesykhios' mention of an altar to Philia on the Athenian Akropolis. Homonoia, concord, like philia, is a favourite concept of the fifth-century sophists and other pre-Socratic thinkers. Homonoia is said to have been the sister of Arete, and Ktesis, both daughters of Zeus Soter and Praxidike.Keywords: Arete; Athenian Akropolis; Athens; Attika; Demokratia; Homonoia; personification; Philia; tykhe