ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to examine two specific ways in which religious discourse contributes to the presentation and recognition of aspects of political identity: first, the references to the interconnection between religion and civic spirit/patriotism; and second, the religious dimension of the examples of ideal statesmen and mythical heroes, which strengthen the bonds that keep the community together. The orators construct an ideal communal identity that is defined by the adherence of the Athenians both to an idealized civic spirit/patriotism and to religion, while also constructing the identity of opponents in such a way as to illustrate their rejection of the values of patriotism and piety that mark the communal identity.
