Christoph Michels
Kulturtransfer und monarchischer »Philhellenismus«
Bithynien, Pontos und Kappadokien in hellenistischer Zeit
1. Edition 2009
439 pages
ISBN 978-3-89971-536-1
V&R unipress
Schriften zur politischen Kommunikation -
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Book
The kingdoms of Bithynia, Pontos and Cappadocia lay at the borders of the ancient Hellenistic world. In contrast to the larger kingdoms of that time, they were not under the dominance of the Macedonian, but rather of indigenious dynasties. This situation allows us to take a new look at the oft discussed question of how the spread of Hellenism took place. This study considers the conditions under which cultural contacts occurred in this region. The central emphasis lies on the role of the indigenious kings, who, it is said, purposefully spread Greek culture in their own empires. Although certain aspects of the representation of the kings to a public shaped by Greek norms and values may be considered »philhellenism«, it must still be pointed out that these kings were only reacting to an already existent system of representing authority. To deduce from that an intentional Hellenistic assimilation toward their indigenious subjects remains problematic.
