Université de Strasbourg

War and democracy in Athens

Guerre et démocratie dans l’Athènes antique et d’aujourd’hui

USIAS Fellow : David Pritchard

Athens developed democracy to higher level than any other society before the modern period. It was the leading cultural innovator of its age. Athens is revered for such achievements. Less known is its extraordinary military record. Athens transformed war and become one of the ancient world’s greatest military powers. There is a strong case that it was its democratic government that brought about this military success. By explaining democracy’s impact on war, this project transforms our understanding of one of the world’s most important states. Political Science has long used ancient Greece as a source of fresh ideas. This project will provide political scientists with new and important lines of enquiry into the wars of today’s democracies.

France 2030