Chabrias: General and Politician

Abstract

It is customary to see the fourth century B.C. as a period when Athenian generals tended to be professional military specialists, often serving as mercenaries acting independently of their city, and out of touch with the politics of Athens, where specialist orators were the politicians. In spite of modifications accepted by some authors, this view is still widely held. In this thesis I have examined the life of Chabrias, one of the most prominent of Athens' generals of the period, who is often regarded as a professional soldier. My main object has been to determine to what extent the popular interpretation of his life is supported by the evidence. As a preliminary I have discussed the nature of the available sources and the difficulties involved in assessing their relative merits. This is followed by a chapter that explores known and possible family connections and presents evidence of Chabrias' high social and economic status. Included is discussion of a relationship with Plato and Timotheus that has largely gone unnoticed in the past. The evidence for the life of Chabrias is discussed within a chronological framework in the remaining chapters, with emphasis on items relevant to his political orientation. As the establishment of a correct context can be crucial to the interpretation of events, chronological questions are frequently dealt with in detail. Investigation of Chabrias' relationships with other Athenians suggests a close political association with relatives and in-laws, in addition to the association with the orator Callistratus already recognized by scholars. Contrary to accepted opinion, collaboration with his kinsman Timotheus is seen as likely through much of his career. It is concluded that the two periods spent in Egypt were brief and insignificant in comparison with Chabrias' extensive involvement in Athens' wars and that, in any case, he probably had unofficial state approval for his campaigning abroad. The claim that he lived in Egypt by preference is without foundation. Activities of a non-military nature are attested, of which the clearest example is participation in a sacred embassy, an item that also shows an involvement in politics. There are also other indications that suggest such an involvement, showing that it is appropriate to call Chabrias a politician, as well as a general.