Proxenia : inter-polis networks and relations in the Classical and Hellenistic world
This thesis examines the Greek institution of proxenia and uses it to explore how inter-polis institutions functioned in shaping the behaviour of both individuals and communities in the ancient world. In response to continuing debate concerning the nature of proxenia, I demonstrate that, throughout the Classical and Hellenistic periods, it was defined as an honorific status by the practical intermediary role which it performed in facilitating interactions between different poleis. As such proxenia was a central element of a broader system of inter-polis institutions which constituted the dominant interstate discourse in the ancient Mediterranean. This thesis shows that Proxenia with its particularly rich epigraphic record allows us to explore how poleis made use of this institutional language of status and legitimacy to assert membership of an interstate system which was conceived of as a society of poleis. In Chapter 1 I propose a new model for reconstructing how proxenia was understood based on the expectations â of what proxenoi should be and do â which poleis communicated in their stereotypical descriptions of honorands in proxeny decrees. Chapter 2 then explores how this abstract understanding of
Mack, William Joseph Behm Garner
History of the ancient world ; International studies ; proxeny ; polis ; Greek epigraphy ; interstate relations ; euergetism
Proxenia : inter-polis networks and relations in the Classical and Hellenistic world. This thesis examines the Greek institution of proxenia and uses it to explore how inter-polis institutions functioned in shaping the behaviour of both individuals and communities in the ancient world. In response to continuing debate concerning the nature of proxenia, I demonstrate that, throughout the Classical and Hellenistic periods, it was defined as an honorific status by the practical intermediary role which it performed in facilitating interactions between different poleis. As such proxenia was a central element of a broader system of inter-polis institutions which constituted the dominant interstate discourse in the ancient Mediterranean. This thesis shows that Proxenia with its particularly rich epigraphic record allows us to explore how poleis made use of this institutional language of status and legitimacy to assert membership of an interstate system which was conceived of as a society of poleis. In Chapter 1 I propose a new model for reconstructing how proxenia was understood based on the expectations â of what proxenoi should be and do â which poleis communicated in their stereotypical descriptions of honorands in proxeny decrees. Chapter 2 then explores how this abstract understanding of
inter polis network relation classical_hellenistic world examines greek institution use explore inter polis institution function shape behaviour_individual community ancient_world response continue debate_concern nature throughout classical_hellenistic period define honorific status practical intermediary role perform interaction different poleis central_element broader system inter polis institution constitute dominant interstate discourse ancient_mediterranean show particularly rich epigraphic record allow explore poleis make_use institutional language status legitimacy assert membership interstate system conceive society poleis propose_new model reconstruct understood base expectation poleis communicate stereotypical description decree explores abstract