The Hubris of Power on the Pnyx: Why Modern Politics Misreads Classical Athens
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Modern political rhetoric—as exemplified by Marco Rubio's speech at the Pnyx, facing the Athens Acropolis—frequently treats ancient Greece as a mere repository of symbols: democracy, freedom, innovation, and military might. Yet, classical warnings against ambition, imperial violence, and strategic overreach are rarely acknowledged. This selective appropriation twists a civilization deeply preoccupied with the dangers of power into an instrument for celebrating it.
Author: Pappas, John
Language: English
Subfield: Philosophy
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225058753