To designate collaborating with Persia, the Greeks employed the verb Μηδίζω ‘side with the Medes’ or the noun Μηδισμός ‘leaning toward the Medes, Medism’, both derived from Μῆδος. Since this seemingly inappropriate terminology has attracted only limited consideration, a thorough discussion of its usage in Greek literature may help to clarify Greek relations with the Achaemenid empire throughout the classical period. After a brief preliminary discussion I consider the more problematic aspects of this terminus technicus.
It may be observed initially that such terms characterized the political relationships within the Greek world, and were encouraged by the struggle of each polis to maintain its independence and preserve its distinctive cultural qualities. For example, such terms as ‘Atticizing’ (Thuc. iii 62.2, 64.5) and ‘Laconizing’ (X. Hell. iv 4.2) arise during the contention for leadership in the Greek world in the late fifth and early fourth centuries.
