Justice and the ancient greeks

The present paper proposes to analyze the possible meanings in which the ancient Stoa has thought about the cosmopolis politically (i.e., in terms of construction and excercise of power) without dismissing the moral dimension. Bearing this in mind, we consider it decisive to analyze the kind of bond that can be established between the idea of "citizen of the world" (kosmopolites) and the notions of justice (dikaiosyne) and common law (koinos nomos). Furthermore, we believe that the articulation between these concepts will allow us to support the following hypothesis: that the cosmopolitan mandate, though ordering a social behaviour form from a set of values, it simultaneously establishes a hierarchic relationship (namely, of power) among those who 'embody' the precepts of common law and justice, and the rest of the citizens, who should obey them.