Honorés à l’égal des dieux et des héros ? La célébration des bienfaiteurs de la démocratie chez les orateurs attiques

Abstract

Attic orators extensively celebrate the deeds of mythical heroes, exemplary figures offered to the admiration of the Athenians, without dwelling on the cults and sacrifices devoted to them within the civic space. To encourage the Athenians to match their exploits, the speeches emphasize the honors rewarding the benefactors of the city. Some citizens indeed were distinguished by the city for their devotion to democracy and enjoyed after their death exceptional honors which are similar in many ways to a cult. We will study in particular the case of Harmodios and Aristogiton as well as the destiny reserved to citizens who died on the battle-field and received specific honors remembered by the Epitaphioi. By analyzing these honors and the vocabulary used to depict them, we will try to determine the new status of these individuals, between immortality and heroization.

Keywords

• orators
• Tyrannicides
• megistai timai
• benefactors
• epitaphios logos