Eros and Polis: Desire and Community in Greek Political Theory

by Paul W. Ludwig

Overview

Paul Ludwig examines how and why Greek theorists treated political passions as erotic. Because of the tiny size of ancient Greek cities, contemporary theory and ideology could conceive of entire communities based on desire. A recurrent aspiration was to transform the polity into one great household that would bind the citizens together through ties of mutual affection. In this study, Ludwig evaluates sexuality, love, and civic friendship as sources of political attachment and as bonds of political association.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521810654
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	10/21/2002
Pages:	414
Product dimensions:	6.34(w) x 9.29(h) x 1.26(d)
Lexile:	1470L (what's this?)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements and a note on citations; Introduction; Part I. Political Eros: An Account from the Symposium: 1. Statesmanship and sexuality in Aristophanes' speech; 2. Law and nature in Aristophanes' speech; Part II. The Discourse of Political Eros: 3. Scientific poetic traditions of eros in Thucydides; 4. The problem of aggression; 5. The problem of sublimation; Part III. The Polis as a School for Eros: 6. Civic nudity; 7. Patriotism and imperialism as eros; List of works cited; Abbreviations; Other works cited; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Eros and Polis is wonderful and a much needed contribution to the examination of Classical Greek political thought." Bryn Mawr Classics Review

"Ludwig makes a strong case that there is much to be found in Greek theory that can complete understanding of the role of Eros in modern politics. Recommended." Choice

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