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
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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.
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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 | Dec 10 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | Ebook (Epub & Mobi) |
| Edition | 1st |
| Pages | 256 |
| ISBN | 9781350539211 |
| Imprint | Bloomsbury Academic |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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