Chapter Five. Philosophy And The Phalerean Regime

A pervasive influence of his philosophical education on Demetrius of Phalerum's legislative programme has, until Gehrke's thorough critique of the issue, been widely assumed in the scholarly literature. That education is well documented. The Suda entry describes him as a Peripatetic philosopher first and foremost, while many sources record the student/ teacher relationship between Demetrius and Theophrastus, and claim that the former was renowned for his wisdom. Demetrius' philosophical background was of great importance in contemporary reactions to his regime. Most notably, the backlash against the Phalerean regime by the restored democracy in 307/6 was not restricted to prosecutions of some key politicians for allegedly overthrowing the democracy, but culminated in an attempt in 307/6 to bring philosophical schools under state control. Demochares' emphasis on tyranny as the outcome of philosophy was thus compatible with the propaganda promoted by the liberators of Athens.Keywords: Demetrius of Phalerum; Peripatetic philosopher; Phalerean regime

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