Sycophant

Sycophant (from the Greek " SYKON ": the fig, " phasis " Display, unveiling ) citizens were called in ancient Athens, the one commercial made ​​from it to threaten others, mostly wealthy citizens in blackmail intention in by false information and slander bring disrepute.

Term

Plutarch pointed out the ancient Greek term for fig, " SYKON " it had originally traded to citizens, the other denounced for illegal export of figs. But this interpretation is very probably wrong, because a ban on the export fig is nowhere else occupied. About the meaning of the "fig Gazette " there was disagreement in antiquity. The appearance would be comparable to the Frederick Kaffeeriechern, only that it there was not a prohibited exports, but the collection of luxury taxes.

Generalization

The term was used in ancient times figuratively for all informers. The sycophants were able to get a peculiarity of the Athenian legal system advantage, according to which a convicted person to be paid fined not (as often in modern law) was to be paid to the state or a nonprofit organization, but to the Prosecutor, and may institute proceedings was each free citizens. Thus, the sycophants could accuse other commercially citizens as soon as they found a suitable pretext for it, and to enrich themselves at their assets.

404 BC, several so-called sycophants were executed under the reign of the Thirty. After the restoration of democracy but also the Sykophantenwesen flourished again.

Adaptations

In English, sycophant today means sycophants, toadies, toady. Several bands have title this term:

• " Fall of the Sycophants " is a song by metal band Soulfly.
• The band Viva l' American Death Ray Music has a title called " Sycophant ".
• The band Exodus has a song called "March Of The Sycophants ".
• From the punk band NOFX comes the title "My Sycophant Others ".