Reciprocity in Ancient Greece

In this collection of new essays an international group of experts explores the significance of reciprocity (the principle and practice of voluntary requital of benefit for benefit or harm for harm) in ancient Greek culture. Reciprocity has been seen as an important notion for anthropologists studying economic and social relations. A key question has been whether reciprocity constitutes an alternative pattern to the commercial political and ethical relationships characteristic of modern Western society. This volume takes the question forward in connection with Greek culture from Homer to the Hellenistic period. Building on previous research on this topic (especially on Homeric society) it provides a wide-ranging examination of reciprocity inGreek epic and drama historiography oratory religion and ethical philosophy. It asks fundamental questions about the importance of reciprocity in different phases of Greek history the interplay between reciprocity and the ideology of Athenian democracy and between reciprocity and altruism in ethical thought. Clear and non-technical with all Greek translated this volume will make debate on this important subject available to a wide circle of readers in classical literary anthropological and historical studies.

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• ISBN Reciprocity in Ancient Greece book 384 pages