“Promiscuous Nations, Easily Shifting, and Easily Admitting New Commers”: πολιτογραφίαι, Manipulation of the Civic Body and Multiple Citizenships in Deinomenid Sicily

Davide Amendola (author)

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Title	“Promiscuous Nations, Easily Shifting, and Easily Admitting New Commers”: πολιτογραφίαι, Manipulation of the Civic Body and Multiple Citizenships in Deinomenid Sicily
DOI	https://doi.org/10.54103/milanoup.292.c752
Landing page	https://libri.unimi.it/index.php/milanoup/catalog/book/292
Publisher	Milano University Press
Published on	2026-05-14
Long abstract	This paper explores the notion of politographia and its role in addressing central questions of Greek citizenship. To support Pollux’ claim that politographein was originally coined by the historian Philistus of Syracuse, two significant episodes in fifth-century Sicily are examined: the refoundation of Syracuse by Gelon in 485 and the resettlement of Himera by Theron in 476 BCE. Through a close analysis of Diodorus’ account and parallel sources, the discussion focuses on the social and political implications of the restructuring of citizen bodies imposed by tyrants, including the admission of new members or the expulsion of existing ones, as well as the impact of these processes on polis membership.

This paper explores the notion of politographia and its role in addressing central questions of Greek citizenship. To support Pollux’ claim that politographein was originally coined by the historian Philistus of Syracuse, two significant episodes in fifth-century Sicily are examined: the refoundation of Syracuse by Gelon in 485 and the resettlement of Himera by Theron in 476 BCE. Through a close analysis of Diodorus’ account and parallel sources, the discussion focuses on the social and political implications of the restructuring of citizen bodies imposed by tyrants, including the admission of new members or the expulsion of existing ones, as well as the impact of these processes on polis membership.