This volume explores the ancient Greek concept of pleonexia, a term that encapsulates the idea of individuals or groups seeking gain at the expense of others. William Burghart offers an examination of how Greek authors from the fifth to the first centuries BCE understood and employed pleonexia in their works. From the collapse of governments in Thucydides' Histories to the moral dilemmas in Plato's Republic, pleonexia is shown to be a driving force in the disintegration of communities. This study argues that Greek authors created a cohesive model of societal collapse driven by parasitic greed, a model that not only shaped their historical narratives but also resonates with contemporary theories of societal decline.

By tracing the evolution of pleonexia across four centuries of Greek thought, this book situates this ancient concept within modern discussions of political and cultural tensions. It demonstrates how the ancient Greek understanding of greed and community collapse can offer insights into the challenges facing democracies today. This book bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern scholarship, making it an essential resource for understanding both the past and the present dynamics of societal collapse.