Pity and Power in Ancient Athens

Description

Ancient Athenians resemble modern Americans in their moral discomfort with empire. Athenians had power and used it ruthlessly, but the infliction of suffering did not mesh well with their civic self-image. Embracing the concepts of democracy and freedom, they proudly pitted themselves against tyranny and oppression, but in practice they were capable of being tyrannical. Pity and Power in Ancient Athens argues that the exercise of power in democratic Athens, especially during its brief fifth-century empire, raised troubling questions about the alleviation and infliction of suffering, and pity emerged as a topic in Athenian culture at this time. The ten essays collectively examine the role of pity in the literature, art, and society of classical Athens by analyzing evidence from tragedy, philosophy, historiography, epic, oratory, vase painting, sculpture, and medical writings.

'This is a fascinating and thought-provoking study of an unusual topic.' CA News '... it brings together experts is this field to give a broad range of views on the subject ... an excellent introduction to the study of accient emotions and pity in particular ... a very worthwhile contribution to the study of ancient emotions.' Journal of Classics Teaching