Our brave comedians spend much of their time fearlessly attacking politicians, to little or no effect. So did the comic playwright Aristophanes (5th century bc), but he also attacked his audience too if, when meeting in assembly as the dêmos (cf. dêmo-kratia, ‘people-power’), they were in his view too easily persuaded by politicians he hated, such as Cleon, to make bad decisions.
In one comedy (424 bc), Aristophanes imagined the Athenian state as a household, headed up by Dêmos (‘The People’). Dêmos is served by two slaves (= politicians), who are fed up that a foulmouthed new slave Paphlagon (a thinly disguised Cleon) has taken total control of their master.
But they find an oracle saying that Paphlagon will be displaced by a tripe-seller, i.e. someone who will outdo Paphlagon in the revolting behaviour that Dêmos seems to appreciate.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in