Description
Book SynopsisOne of classical Greece's most worldly and lucid writers, Xenophon across his many works gave a restless criticism of power: democratic, oligarchic and autocratic. From military campaigns (in which he took part), through the great powers of his day (Sparta, Persia, Athens) to modes of control within the household, he observed intimately and often with partisan passion. In this work a leading French Hellenist, Vincent Azoulay, analyses across Xenophon's diverse texts the techniques by which the Greek writer recommends that leaders should manipulate. Through gifts and personal allure, though mystique, dazzling appearance, exemplary behaviour, strategic absences – and occasional terror, Xenophon analyses ways in which a powerful few might triumphantly replace the erratic democracies and selfindulgent oligarchies of his day.
Table of ContentsFOREWORD INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 –
CHARIS AND ITS CHALLENGES I. The Law of
Charis III.
Charis in Democracy CHAPTER 2 – LEGITIMATE FAVORS I. Xenophon’s Three Graces II. Supreme Benefits: Feeding Bodies and Minds III. Contextualizing Favors: The Differential Effectiveness of Gifts CHAPTER 3 – FROM GOOD DEEDS TO MISDEEDS: THE CORRUPTING POWER OF
CHARIS I. The Ambiguities of
Xenia II. Agesilaus and Xenophon: The Incorruptibles? III. From Material Corruption to Spiritual Corruption CHAPTER 4 – BETWEEN CHARIS ANDMISTHOS : XENOPHON AGAINST THE MERCHANTS? I. ‘The Hostile World’ of Goods II. The Ambiguous Virtues of Commercial Exchange CHAPTER 5 –
CHARIS AND ENVY I. The Omnipresence of
Phthonos: The Social Genesis of a Feeling II. Leveling From the Bottom or Redistributing from the Top? III.
Phthonos and
Charis: Dangerous Liaisons CHAPTER 6 –
CHARIS AND
PHILIA: THE POLITICS OF FRIENDSHIP I. The Debate over
Philia II.
Philia and Patronage III. From
Philia to
Philanthropia CHAPTER 7 –
CHARIS AND PATERNITY I. From Fraternal Union to Paternal Love II. Paternal Power: An Unattainable Dream? III. Cyrus, or the Universal Father CHAPTER 8 – THE GRACES OF LOVE I. Erotic Reciprocity and Its Dangers II. The Political Power of the
Eromenos III. From Socrates to Cyrus: The Rivalry of Two Graces IV. Epilogue: On the Love of Men and the Veneration of the Gods CONCLUSION PHILOLOGICAL ANNEX:
CHARIS IN XENOPHON’S CORPUS
Contents NOTES BIBLIOGRAPHY GENERAL INDEX INDEX LOCORUM
