Le Lunghe Mura e l’isola democratica: Atene e il mare nella pseudosenofontea Costituzione degli Ateniesi

This paper analyzes the oligarchic ideology of the anonymous Constitution of the Athenians, in which the connection between Athens, islands, the sea, and democracy is extensively highlighted: Athens is virtually unassailable from the sea, although it would be totally safe only if it were an island. I suggest that the main message of the pamphlet echoes perfectly Sparta’s decision to destroy the Long Walls, by which the victorious city forced Athens to stop looking at itself as an island, as a maritime city, and thus as a democracy.