Isocrate, la seconde Confédération maritime et l’Aréopagitique

Abstract

The Areopagiticus [VII], well known for its remarks about the Athenian constitution and internal politics, provides nonetheless an analysis of the naval power. If we date this speech after the Social War, in 354, it looks like a bitter observation connected with a condemnation of the maritime empire. But, if, as I try to prove it, the speech has been composed before, in 357/6, even earlier (Isocrates probably started to think about it as soon as 364-360), its impact and its significance are different. Isocrates would prevent the loss of the naval supremacy of Athens. He never condemns it (such a sentence he could not avoid after writing de Pace in 355). On the contrary, supremacy still remains his major preoccupation and he even praises it. The League of Delos was well working when Areopagos was still powerful. The transformation of the internal Athenian politics, and not the arche, is the reason of the polis’ bane, a polis which can’t keep what generals as Conon or Timothy gave to the Athenians.