The article examines the Greeks' treatment of betrayal in the Classical period (5th-4th centuries B.C.). The Greeks consi- dered some political and military actions as betrayal including the surrender of one's city to the enemy or other forms of colla- boration with the enemy. Besides, they defined as betrayal any action damaging to their city such as desertion from the military service, unfavorable outcome of the military campaign or the battle, diplomatic failures. In the understanding of the Greeks, betrayal was contrary to the spirit of the citizens' body, undermined its morale and cohesion and, therefore, had to be punished severely. In Athens, traitors were punished in accordance with the laws which put betrayal on a par with other serious crimes against the state, such as the desire for tyranny, the intention to overthrow democracy, and blasphemy. All these crimes were punishable by death.
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