Mare, potere e demagogia nella commedia attica

Abstract

In the face of a single attestation of thalassokratia in ancient Attic comedy, the ancient exegetes have already traced the numerous passages that lead, in mostly critical or ironic terms, to the concept of thalassokratia and especially to the compelling relationship among sea, demos and political power. Aristophanes' comedies remind the audience that the sea is necessary, but it pushes to the boundless search for absolute supremacy that ultimately leads to destruction: it is better to turn to it with moderation, or stay away. However, in addition to Aristophanes, especially the fragments of missing comedies allow to understand the complex and varied relationship between the Athenian demos and the sea, the reference point of the profit of the danger.