Elective course. Federalism and Federal States in Ancient Greece 2900-HAMC-EL-FSG-JR
The political and constitutional history of Greece centres primarily on the polis. It must be acknowledged that even historians specialising in the history of the ancient world underestimate or fail to understand the unique phenomenon that was the Greek federal state. Events, institutions, and theories of political organisation associated with this historical phenomenon are barely known outside a narrow circle of specialists. This proposed class aims to be a remedy against this state of general (un)awareness regarding the Greek federations.
Individual meetings will focus on one of the lesser-known aspects of ancient federalism, such as:
1. Greek terminology and federal theory.
2. Mechanisms leading to unity beyond the boundaries of the polis;
3. The origins of Greek federalism: were Greek federations alliances of cities or decentralised tribal states?
4. The amphictyonies and early federations: a comparison
5. The formation of brand-new leagues (the Chalcidian League; the Achaeans of Phthiotis);
6-7. Test case 1: Boeotia
8-9. Test case 2: Achaea
9-11. Test case 3: Aetolia
12. Test case 4: Lycia
12. Citizens’ rights in federal territories, so-called dual citizenship and multiple citizenship;
13. Globalisation and the mobility of citizens;
14. The influence of Greek federations on the development of Western political thought – the Achaean League and the Lycian League.
Koordynatorzy przedmiotu
Rodzaj przedmiotu
Tryb prowadzenia
Efekty uczenia się
Upon successful completion of the course, the student:
– critically analyses accounts and evidence concerning the functioning of federal states in antiquity; critically assesses the shortcomings of much of the modern literature on antiquity concerning Greek federal states.
– identifies features that attest to the federal (non-unitary) nature of the ancient state structure.
– explains the basic concepts relating to Greek federalism, as well as the key differences between the political systems of antiquity and the modern era.
Kryteria oceniania
A mix of lecture and seminar discussions.
To pass the course, students must attend the majority of classes, give a presentation on an agreed topic from the course programme, and pass a test on the topics covered during the class.
Literatura
Beck H. and Funke P. (eds.), Federalism in Greek Antiquity, Cambridge 2015
Larsen J.A.O., Representative government in Greek and Roman History, Sathers Classical Lectures, Berkeley 1955.
Larsen J.A.O., Greek Federal States, Oxford 1968.
Mackil E., Creating a Common Polity: : Religion, Economy, and Politics in the Making of the Greek Koinon, Berkeley 2013.
Rzepka J., Greek Federal Terminology, Gdansk 2017.
Siewert P./Aigner Foresti L., Foederalismus in der griechischen und roemischen Antike, Stuttgart 2006.