Taming Ares: War, Interstate Law, and Humanitarian Discourse in Classical Greece Emiliano J. Buis *

Abstract

Emiliano J. Buis examines the sources of classical Greece to challenge both the state-centeredness of mainstream international legal history and the omnipresence of war and excessive violence in ancient times. Making ample use of epigraphic as well as literary, rhetorical, and historiographical sources, the book offers the first widespread account of the narrative foundations of the (il)legality of warfare in the classical Hellenic world. In a clear yet sophisticated manner, Buis convincingly proves that the traditionally neglected study of the performance of ancient Greek poleis can contribute to a better historical understanding of those principles of international law underlying the practices and applicable rules on the use of force and the conduct of hostilities. Foreword / Randall Lesaffer -- Introduction -- Normativity, hegemony, and democratic performance : the case of classical Athens -- Greek poleis and international subjectivity -- The outbreak of war of and its limits in inter-polis law -- The conduct of war and its inter-polis law -- Conclusions: About apples, branches, and humanitarian strategies.