The Greeks and their foreign friendships, 435-336 BC

Abstract

The study of Greek politics must begin with study of friendship in the Greek world as the two are inextricably intertwined. The first chapter devotes itself to considering what friendship was for the Greeks, and who they considered their friends to be, and this becomes the basis for considering friendships in political contexts. This thesis is concerned with Greek interstate affairs in the years between 435 and 336, and considers the Greeks and their friends in other states and the impact this had upon domestic and foreign policy. The role of the institution of πpoξɛvía is considered, as the official medium for liaison between poleis, as well as the unofficial contacts. Domestic appointments are also studied, and the effect that "foreign" friendships had on selection for magistracies. Yet the Greeks did not only deal with Greeks, but, within this century, were compelled to look outside their own world and interact with states outside Greece, such as the Persian Empire or Thrace, as well as those on the fringes of their world, particularly Macedon. But these other cultures did not always have the same understanding of what friendship was and what duties and rights were due to friends as the Greeks did, and this led to misunderstandings and difficulties in the relations between Greeks a-Greeks. The differences that could exist were exemplified by the Greeks’ dealings with Philip of Macedon, and the Greeks' failure to realise this contributed largely to their ultimate defeat at Philip's hands. Appendices list holders of diplomatic and military appointments during the period 435-336 for whom we have evidence.