Athenian Proxeny Decree Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Athenian Proxeny Decree - Essay ExampleWhatever the authorities and the Greek leaders have in mind in the granting and institution of proxenia is the concern of this paper. The researcher shall attempt to make a comprehensive discussion of what the word really means. It shall trace its origin and the conditional relation of its institution in the history and the struggle of capital of Greece as an imperialist imperium. Specifically, this paper shall deal with the political implication of the word by answering the by-line questions (1) How did proxenia help to articulate the relations between Athens and her allies (2) How do the extant proxeny decrees enhance our understanding of proxenia And (3) What specific problems of interpretation do the epigraphically attested proxeny decrees largessThis paper is a significant study as it shall provide the students better understanding of what proxenos means. It also provides understanding of the significance of proxeny decrees and the impa ct of such to the early societies of Athens and its allies. The rationale of the proxeny decrees shall be unraveled which provides the researcher rich understanding as regards to what Athens want to achieve from its allies for the good of its people and for the great elader of Athens. Most importantly this study is significant to the society as it shall be able to provide some theories that other researchers can use in conducting deeper studies not only of Athenian Proxeny decrees but on the political and cultural life of the Athenians. Proxenia in the Articulation of Athens Relations with her AlliesAs Athens rose to its imperialistic force out it was necessary to hold on to many of its allies. It call for to make peace with different nations such that of Persia. It needed to make Sparta recognize the 30 years of peace. It needed to establish alliances to different countries in order to win several wars. Athens implemented policies that could not only reform its own cities but it also do changes on policies concerning their foreign activities however, these provoked war and affected many of its intimate allies as they were called to fight and play their roles in the battles. Athens at that luff needed to have people who would be more concerned in establishing good relationship with other nations. Proxeny decrees were found out for instance to have entered into by several nations to be come allies of the Athenian empire. Athens created and imposed several proxeny decrees creating the proxenos and granting such individuals several privileges making sure that they would serve Athenian empire with utmost loyalty. Having served for the glory of the Athenian empire proxeny decrees were later established to honor and grant privileges to these foreign benefactors. Oaths of allegiance were also imposed on defeated allies. As regards to their enemies and allies that turned against the Athenian empire proxy decrees were also imposed depriving them of opportunities f or better political and economic standing. Mattingly (1996) described explicitly in his book the betrothal of Chios that remained autonomous ally of the Athenian empire but when they begun to build a new wall that brought suspicions to the powerful Athenian empire, they were told to put down the wall to which they complied with