12-14-2011, 07:39 PM
IMO, I do not think that panhellenism was ever a dominant or even popular idea in the Greek world as far as full political union is concerned. Even the likes of Isocrates did not advocate the "everyone under the same sun" motto. To them, losing the political and cultural independence of their state would be inconceivable. On the other hand, hegemonies were a part of their reality, where a hegemon state was the head of an alliance that (although gained and maintained with the force of arms, since this was the only way of ensuring and keeping hegemony) would, when using its position with prudene and goodwill, protect and respect its members, be a philhellen (good to all Greeks and a promoter of their interests) and only wisely preside over their "dependencies" and lead them, inspiring a common Greek front.
This view permeates the works of many Greek writers, when criticising all hegemonies achieved by the major Greek states, especially that of Athens, which was considered the most tyranical. The views of Isocrates were not contrary to general wishful thinking, that anyways demanded such co operation and advertised Greekness as a trait that had to be respected, but he did put it down in words more eloquently, with all the tricks and exaggerations of a skilled orator and demagogue...
In short my answer would be that permanent political unity was not advocated, IMO, by Isocrates or anyone else in that period. Wise, just and phillhelenic hegemony/leadership was, where all Greek states would have retained their independence.
This view permeates the works of many Greek writers, when criticising all hegemonies achieved by the major Greek states, especially that of Athens, which was considered the most tyranical. The views of Isocrates were not contrary to general wishful thinking, that anyways demanded such co operation and advertised Greekness as a trait that had to be respected, but he did put it down in words more eloquently, with all the tricks and exaggerations of a skilled orator and demagogue...
In short my answer would be that permanent political unity was not advocated, IMO, by Isocrates or anyone else in that period. Wise, just and phillhelenic hegemony/leadership was, where all Greek states would have retained their independence.
