Defending Demokratia: A New Interpretation of the Trial of the Arginousai Generals.

This paper offers a new interpretation of the well-known Athenian trial of the Arginousai generals in 406. The trial, in which Socrates plays a momentary but critical role, is described in detail by Xenophon's Hellenika. Its fame or infamy derives from later references to it, and - especially - from centuries of scholarship that has taken the trial for granted as the principal example of Athenian democracy as an impassioned mob -- reckless, lawless, and self-destructive. This impression has given rise to the nearly universal condemnation of the democracy at Athens as a regime without restraint or respect for the rule of law. This paper examines the trial and concludes that the harsh action taken by the Athenian democracy on this particular occasion, when seen in its proper context (namely, recent political affairs in Athens), was both deliberate and warranted, as a defense of demokratia at Athens -- notwithstanding the disruptive consequences of this action in prosecuting the war against Sparta and preserving the Athenian empire. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]