The Concept of Neutrality in Classical Greece

Robert A. Bauslaugh

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9780520066878
• eBook ISBN: 9780520909335
• Edition: 1
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Ancient History
• Index: History

Looking at Classical warfare from the perspective of the non-belligerents, Robert A. Bauslaugh brings together the scattered evidence testifying to neutral behavior among the Greek city-states and their non-Greek neighbors. Were the Argives of 480/479 B.C. really "Medizers, " as many have accused, or were they pursuing a justifiable policy of neutrality as they claimed? On what basis in international law or custom did the Corcyraeans claim non-alignment? Why were the leading belligerent states willing to accept the inclusion of a "neutrality clause" in the Common Peace of 371? These questions have not been asked by historians of international law, and the answers provide a far more complex and sophisticated picture of interstate relations than has so far been available. Despite the absence of exclusively diplomatic language, the concept of respect for neutrals appears early in Greek history and remains a nearly constant feature of Classical wars. The problems confronting uncommitted states, which have clear parallels in modern history, were balanced by widespread acceptance of the need for limitations on the chaos of warfare.
Looking at Classical warfare from the perspective of the non-belligerents, Robert A. Bauslaugh brings together the scattered evidence testifying to neutral behavior among the Greek city-states and their non-Greek neighbors. Were the Argives of 480/479 B.C

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents 1
• Preface
• Abbreviations
• Introduction
• PART ONE The Classical Concept of Neutrality
• CHAPTER ONE Ancient Greek Diplomatic Terminology for Abstention from Conflict
• CHAPTER TWO The Ancient Sources
• CHAPTER THREE The Origins and Background of the Classical Concept of Neutrality
• CHAPTER FOUR The Realities of Remaining Uncommitted
• CHAPTER FIVE From the Earliest Evidence to the Outbreak of the Peloponnesian War (ca. 600-431)
• CHAPTER SIX The Peloponnesian War to the Peace of Nicias (431—421)
• CHAPTER SEVEN From the Peace of Nicias to the End of the Peloponnesian War (421-404)
• CHAPTER EIGHT From the Carthaginian Invasion of Sicily to the Spartan Defeat at Leuctra (406-371)
• CHAPTER NINE From the Battle at Leuctra to the Victory of Philip II at Chaeronea (371-338)
• Conclusion
• Select Bibliography
• General Index
• Index Locorum