Pleonexia, the Abuse of Power, and the Downfall of Democracies in Ancient Greek Thought
Pleonexia, the Abuse of Power, and the Downfall of Democracies in Ancient Greek Thought
Buying pre-order items
Ebooks and Audiobook
You will receive an email with a download link for the ebook or audiobook on the publication date.
Payment
You will not be charged for pre-ordered books until they are available to be shipped. Pre-ordered ebooks will not be charged for until they are available for download.
Amending or cancelling your order
For orders that have not been shipped you can usually make changes to pre-orders up to 72 hours before the publishing date.
Payment for this pre-order will be taken when the item becomes available
- Delivery and returns info
-
Free CA delivery on orders $40 or over
Description
From the collapse of governments in Thucydides' Histories to the moral dilemmas in Plato's Republic and the forecasts of the end of the Roman Republic in the works of Polybius and Diodorus Siculus, this volume explores the ancient Greek concept of pleonexia, a term that encapsulates the idea of seeking gain at the expense of others through the abuse of power. Shown to be a driving force in the disintegration of communities, William Burghart's study demonstrates how ancient Greek authors created a cohesive model of societal collapse driven by parasitic greed. This model not only shaped their historical narratives but continues to resonate with contemporary theories of social decline.
By tracing the evolution of pleonexia across four centuries of Greek thought, it situates this ancient concept within modern discussions of political and cultural tensions. It demonstrates how the ancient Greek understanding of abusing power and community collapse can offer insights into the challenges facing democracies today. This book bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern scholarship, making it an essential resource for understanding both the past and the present dynamics of societal collapse.
Table of Contents
Chapter 2: The Start of the Paradigm: Pleonexia and decline in the Histories of Herodotus, Thucydides, and Xenophon
Chapter Three: Defining the Pleonektes: Pleonexia and Classical Greek Philosophers
Chapter Four: Pleonexia among the People: Pleonexia in fourth century Attic Oratory
Chapter Five: A more violent Pleonexia: Polybius' Histories
Chapter Six: Pleonexia enters Rome: Greek Historians of the First Century
Conclusion: Continuity and Pleonexia in the 21st-Century
Notes
Bibliography
Appendices
Index
Product details
| Published | Jan 07 2027 |
|---|---|
| Format | Hardback |
| Edition | 1st |
| Pages | 256 |
| ISBN | 9781350539198 |
| Imprint | Bloomsbury Academic |
| Dimensions | 234 x 156 mm |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
Related Titles
