In this book Dr Low explores the assumptions and principles which determined the conduct and representation of interstate politics in Greece during the fifth and fourth centuries BC. She employs a wide range of ancient evidence, both epigraphic and literary, as well as some contemporary theoretical approaches from the field of International Relations. Taking a thematic rather than a chronological approach, she addresses topics such as the nature of interstate society in the Greek world; the sources, scope and enforcement of 'international law'; the nature of interstate ethics and morality; interventionism and imperialism; and the question of change and stability. She argues that classical Greece's reputation for unrestrained and unsophisticated diplomacy is undeserved, and shows that relations between Greek city-states were shaped by and judged according to a complex network of customs, beliefs and expectations which pervaded all areas of interstate behaviour.
POLLY LOW is Lecturer in Ancient History at the University of Manchester.
Introduction; Part I. International Relations and Ancient History: 1. A case study: Professor Sir Alfred Zimmern; 2. Traditions of international relations: the history of the discipline; 3. International relations and ancient history; 4. Idealism, realism, and the problem of norms; 5. Conclusion: the Ecclesia and the League of Nations; Part II. Structuring Interstate Relations: 1. Introduction: society, system, and anarchy; 2. No such thing as society? A system of reciprocal relationships; 3. Reciprocity as the basis for a society; 4. Multilateral societies and panhellenic communities; 5. Conclusion: some examples; Part III. An Anarchic Society? International Law and International Custom: 1. Introduction: law and society; 2. Greek law, international law and Greek international law; 3. The sources and scope of Greek international law; 4. Application, enforcement and the problem of sanctions; 5. Conclusions; Part IV. Domestic Morality, Interstate Morality: 1. Introduction: a domestic analogy?; 2. Moral language: individuals and groups, selves and others; 3. Assumptions of and arguments for similarity; 4. Arguments for difference? Power, self-interest and justice; 5. Conclusions; Part V. Norms and Politics: The Problem of Intervention: 1. Introduction: the importance of intervention; 2. Helping the wronged: intervention as an ideal; 3. Intervention, autonomy and autonomia; 4. Intervention, imperialism and ideology; 5. Conclusions; Part VI. Stability and Change: 1. Introduction: an evaded dimension; 2. A stable system; 3. The problem of Thucydides; 4. The Athenian Empire: structures, institutions and ethics; 5. Conclusion.
Review of the hardback: 'Polly Low's theoretically-informed study of interstate relations in ancient Greece is … a welcome addition to an emerging dialogue between ancient historians and political scientists.' Scholia Reviews