The approach to ancient tragedy in K. Papaioannou and in Cornelius Castoriadis

Abstract

This article examines the original and significant contributions of Kostas Papaioannou regarding the relationship between ancient Greek politics and classical Attic dramaturgy, specifically ancient tragedy in the 5th century BC. The author explores Papaioannou's concept of "Theatrocracy," which describes the integration of tragedy into the political functions of the Athenian state as a central institution for public reflection and the political education of the "mass". The study also draws parallels with the thought of Cornelius Castoriadis, who similarly highlights tragedy as a primary institution of democratic self-limitation and critical reflection within the polis. By comparing these two thinkers, Schismenos analyzes how tragedy allowed the Athenian Demos to confront the "tragic depth of freedom" and the destructive potential of human agency through the metaphysical framework of Dike (Justice) and Hubris. Ultimately, the paper argues that tragedy served as a vital mechanism for the transformation of an unorganized mass into a conscious, self-governing political community.