This article reinterprets Homer’s epics through the lens of “political Prometheanism,” a theoretical concept grounded in Aeschylean and Protagorean thought, symbolising political participation without placing unlimited trust in the human capacity for moral judgment on the other hand. While Homeric society lacks formal democratic institutions, it incorporates core features of participatory politics, most notably in the presence of synaxes (assemblies of public deliberation). Drawing on Hammer, Feldman, Castoriadis and Arendt, I argue that Homer prefigures the democratic concept of the human being as a political animal (zoon politikon), endowed with the capacity for speech, judgment, and collective responsibility. These traits are symbolically represented by the Promethean gift of fire. Through close readings of The Iliad and The Odyssey, I examine how characters such as Achilles, Thersites and Telemachus dramatise both the potential and the limits of public agency. Particular attention is given to the notions of aidōs, aischynē, and themis (or dike, in Protagoras’ terms), which are central to the Promethean emphasis on self-limitation in the wake of the limits of human judgments. Ultimately, this paper presents Homer not merely as a mythmaker but mainly as a political and moral thinker, engaged in an early critique of power and injustice.
Author: Dr. Michail Theodosiadis
Dr. Michail TheodosiadisCultural / Educational diplomacy 2021 – 2022 (KRI)
In December 2021, I was an Academic Communications Manager for the Early Modern Greek Culture […]
Summer Course – Ancient Perspectives − Modern Challenges
The International English-language Summer School, ‘Democracy: Ancient Perspectives − Modern Challenges,’ is hosted by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), led by Professor George Steiris (the Vice President of the Department of Philosophy). It is supported by Study in Greece (SiG), occurring annually each July from 2022 onwards. This two-week program has brought together students from various universities, including the American University of Iraq in Slemani (AUIS) (2022, 2023), the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH) (2023, 2024) and the University of Edinburgh (2024). It is supported by inter-university agreements, and features lectures by prominent scholars from institutions like the University of Athens, University of Crete, Harvard University and the UKH.
Monograph – Ancient Greek Democracy and American Republicanism (2025)
Ancient Greek Democracy and American Republicanism explores the archetype of Prometheus in political theory, representing faith in human agency and self-governance. It borrows perspectives from Hannah Arendt and Christopher Lasch, tracing Promethean elements in the philosophy behind the ancient Athenian polis as well as in early American republican thought, which laid the foundations of the American Revolution and also of the Populist Movement during the nineteenth century.
Προμηθεϊκή Πολιτική και Δημοκρατία, Τόμος Α: Από την Ομηρική Εποχή στη Νεοτερικότητα
This collection in Greek is based on selected articles and book chapters from my previous works. This book reflects on the evolution of my thinking, addressing key issues and exploring new perspectives from the time of Homer to classical modernity. This publication aims to offer Greek-speaking readers a chance to engage with these ideas, expanding the reach of the discussions on the issue of political participation and fostering a broader understanding of the topics explored.
Koç University: on The Promethean philosopher king
An open event at Koç University, “The Promethean Philosopher King and the Pursuit of Ethical Leadership,” offered a compelling exploration of leadership and ethics through the lens of classical philosophy and mythology. The event centred on the concept of the Promethean Philosopher King, a visionary figure who blends the transformative power of Prometheus with the wisdom and ethical governance of a philosopher king. Scholars and attendees examined the relevance of this archetype in addressing modern leadership challenges.
Human potential and meritorious leadership in Anna Komnene, Giovanni Boccaccio and Niccolò Machiavelli
This article identifies a shared set of political concerns present in Anna’s oeuvre with Giovanni Bocaccio’s and Niccolò Machiavelli’s texts . It examines Komnene’s 282 social background, focusing squarely on the literary culture of Byzantine society. It also demonstrates that Komnene’s views on leadership have much in common with those developed by Machiavelli (as outlined in The Discourses and, to a degree, in his misunderstood Prince) and Boccaccio (consider, for example, his famous Decameron). Komnene utilised a distinctly humanist lexicon to craft the image of her father. This image, I explain, approaches those figures Machiavelli and Boccaccio depicted as the prototypes of meritorious leadership.
The Pursuit of Cosmic Wisdom and ‘Promethean’ Leadership in the Pythagorean and Al-Fārābīan Political Philosophy
This study reflects on aspects of the Pythagorean political philosophy and compares them to those of Abu Nasr Muhammad al-Fārābī’s thought. Both share a key assumption: excellent rulers must be political scientists who seek divine guidance to ensure the prevalence of reason over passions in public life while reconciling society with the harmony and wisdom of the cosmos. By imitating God’s perfection and incorporating divine wisdom into governance, virtuous rulers promote felicity, prosperity and peace within a city. We highlight al-Fārābī’s emphasis on the role of religion in enabling citizens to internalize the wisdom of the cosmos, thereby minimising the need for coercion in the pursuit of order and social concord. In addition, the populace leverages the superior knowledge of each governor while observing their behaviour. Thus, the people have a share in the exercise of political power. This insistence on the involvement of the populace in politics aligns with the concept of ‘political Prometheism’.
Strategic Innovation and Leadership Forum
The American University of Iraq in Slemani held its first annual “Strategic Innovation and Leadership Forum”, bringing together international, regional, and local experts to explore transformative leadership and the role of innovation in shaping our community. Speakers included Dr. Vasileios Syros (Cambridge Fellow at Clare Hall), Dr. Nawzad Hama Faraj (Kurdish Institute for Strategic Studies), Dr Michail Theodosius (National Kapodistrian University of Athens), Dr. Hemin Latif (AI Expert at AUIS), and Dr. Randi Rahbar (Professor of Entrepreneurship at AUIS).
The Concept of Religion in Machiavelli: Political Methodology, Propaganda and Ideological Enlightenment
This study explores Machiavelli’s perspective on the interplay between religion and political rule. Rather than being an enemy of religion itself, we argue that the Florentine thinker was critical of its particular interpretations and applications. Specifically, Machiavelli highlights the detrimental effects of certain religions and denominations (particularly Catholic Christianity) on virtue and political engagement, which (in his perspective) foster passivity and fatalism. On the other hand, Machiavelli sees religion as a tool for rulers to serve and defend their power. By dissecting Machiavelli’s views, we unveil his nuanced approach to the political value of religion. In short, we will argue that Machiavelli diverged from classical Greek and Roman philosophical systems; his view of Christianity as a tool for civil obedience marks an important shift towards modern political thought.