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

Athenian Proxeny Decree - Essay Example Whatever 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 significance of its institution in the history and the struggle of Athens as an imperialist empire. Specifically, this paper shall deal with the political implication of the word by answering the following 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 present This 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 impact 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 Allies As Athens rose to its imperialistic power it was necessary to hold on to many of its allies. It needed 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 made 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 point 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 for better political and economic standing. Mattingly (1996) described explicitly in his book the plight 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