On The Structure of Greek Tribal Society: An Essay

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Gutenberg ID

26341

Title

On The Structure of Greek Tribal Society: An Essay

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Hugh E. Seebohm's scholarly essay examines the foundational structure of ancient Greek tribal society, focusing on the inseparable bond between kinship, land tenure, and civic identity. Through analysis of Homeric epics and legal codes, the work explores how tribal bloodlines dictated rights to property, succession, and religious participation. This text offers a rigorous historical perspective on the evolution from tribal customs to early city-state life, revealing how the Greek concept of the family unit shaped their political and social organization.

Summary up to 500 words

In 'On The Structure of Greek Tribal Society: An Essay,' Hugh E. Seebohm argues that ancient Greek society was not an isolated phenomenon but a continuation of broader European tribal developments. The work investigates the fundamental connections between bloodline, land ownership, and community duty, positing that full tribal membership was a prerequisite for holding property. Seebohm distinguishes between the *temenos*, the exclusive estate reserved for princes and gods, and the *kleros*, the common allotment held by ordinary tribesmen. Drawing heavily on Homeric texts, he illustrates the stark contrast between the wealthy *basileus*, who possessed a select *temenos* with orchards and gardens, and the common tribesman who worked strips of land in the open fields. Seebohm explores the *oikos*, the household unit comprising both human members and property, which served as the basis for social status and maintenance. He demonstrates that citizenship at Athens mirrored these ancient tribal privileges, bound by a threefold bond of blood, religion, and maintenance. The essay details legal mechanisms of succession, the role of adoption in preserving family lines, and specific laws regarding inheritance. It further examines unique tenure systems in colonies like Salamis and Lesbos, where citizens held land leased from the state or worked conquered populations, illustrating the complex interplay of ownership and servitude. Ultimately, Seebohm posits that the Greek family was viewed as a continuing unit of past and future representatives. This perspective prevented individuals from acting as absolute masters of property, ensuring the land remained a source of livelihood and social standing for generations. The work concludes that the continuity of city life from earlier tribal stages provides the natural explanation for the structure of the kindred in classical Athens, highlighting remarkable analogies with other tribal societies like the Israelites and Welsh. By analyzing these structures, Seebohm reveals how the possession of land was inseparable from one's identity within the tribe or city-state.

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4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• History
• Social Science