ΑΡΕΤΗ of a Revolutionary

This article attempts to prove that the most important shade of meaning of αρετή in THUC. VIII,68,1 is “a willingness to face the consequences of one’s efforts in the face of mortal danger”. Further, arguments are presented for holding on to the traditional picture of Antiphon as an éminence grise who coordinated oligar- chic clubs to prepare a bloody putsch in Athens in 411 BC. When the oligarchy collapsed, he was brought to trial, where he probably did not seek to justify his involvement in the coup, but tried to deny it outright. This strategy, which, it is argued, does not contradict the definition of αρετή suggested above, proved unsuccessful, despite Antiphon’s masterly rhetoric.