Hellenic stereotypes thumb|20th-century painting of Alaric I, leader of the Visigoths 395–410, entering Athens after capturing the city in 395 From classical origins the Hellenic stereotype of barbarism evolved: barbarians are like children, unable to speak or reason properly, cowardly, effeminate, luxurious, cruel, unable to control their appetites and desires, politically unable to govern themselves. Writers voiced these stereotypes with much shrillness – Isocrates in the 4th century B.C., for example, called for a war of conquest against Persia as a panacea for Greek problems.
hellenic stereotypes thumb|20th-century painting of alaric i leader of the visigoths 395–410 entering athens after capturing the city in 395 from classical origins the hellenic stereotype of barbarism evolved barbarians are like children unable to speak or reason properly cowardly effeminate luxurious cruel unable to control their appetites and desires politically unable to govern themselves writers voiced these stereotypes with much shrillness – isocrates in the 4th century bc for example called for a war of conquest against persia as a panacea for greek problems