The children (and men) of the Piraeus

It is a great honor for me to be speaking tonight at the University of Piraeus. I have devoted much of my professional life to this beautiful and historic port city. Zea, which is the famous harbor next to the university, was, of course, the center of the ancient Athenian fleet. Tens of thousands of working-class Athenians served in this fleet and lived right here in the Piraeus.

For decades, I have sought to show that the classical Athenian dēmos ("people") held these sailors in high regard. I have always tried to give as much dignity as possible to the non-elite citizens that ran Athenian democracy.

Kastella, which is the high hill close to the university, is a historic place for this famous dēmokratia. Called Mounukhia in ancient times, it was here that "the Men in the Piraeus" fought a historic battle. In 404 BC, a junta overthrew Athenian democracy and massacred...