Brotherhoods of Faith and Provident Planning: The Non-public Associations of the Greek World

Abstract

Taking a broad view of the private associations in the Greek-speaking world, this article assesses their historical significance. It argues that whereas organizational life in the Classical city-state was dominated by the public associations of citizens, in the Hellenistic period this area was enriched with the emergence of numerous private associations, many of which included non-citizens. Since these new units duplicated the organization and functions of the polis, the result was an expansion of the ‘civic’ space into a new area, and the spreading of sameness over a wide geographical expanse. Accompanying that argument is a discussion of the networking capabilities of private associations in the areas of religion, economy and politics.