Corruption in Ancient Athens - “Betrayal” of Democratic Values or Social Norm?
The study aims to analyse correlation between anti-corruption measures and protection of democratic values in Ancient Athens. The article reviews the anti-corruption mechanisms and methods used in Ancient Athens in order to protect democratic principles, as well as peculiarities of attitude to corruption exhibited by the Athenian society compared to modern understanding of social essence of this phenomenon. Acts of gifting and giving a bribe-gift are demarcated with consideration to social context. The author explains why, despite the fact that modern scientific discourse has formed the idea of corruption as an integral part of the Athenian society, corruption in Ancient Athens was considered a social phenomenon undermining democracy and being highly uncharacteristic of its citizens. Scientific novelty of the study lies in examining the anti-corruption methods employed in Ancient Athens through the lens of protecting democratic values. As a result of the research, correlation between the democratic governance of Ancient Athens and understanding of corruption in social context is discovered.