Greek images of monarchy and their influence on Rome from Alexander to Augustus
This inter-disciplinary thesis traces the influence of Greek images of monarchy on Rome, between 323 B. C. and A. D. 14. The first chapter examines the evidence for Greek perceptions of kings, tyrants, good citizens and ideal rulers in the fourth century B. C. The second chapter considers some developments in political theory during the Hellenistic period, and the practice of Hellenistic kingship. The visual media used for representing Hellenistic monarchy are discussed. The first section of the third chapter reviews the evidence for the points of contact between Romans of the Republican era, and the monarchs, artworks and political thought of the Greek world. A second section analyses the evidence both for the evolution of Roman attitudes towards monarchs and monarchy, over this period of interaction, and changes in Roman political and military leadership. The conventional notion that Romans had been consistently hostile to kings since the fall of Tarquinius Superbus is questioned. The increasing resort to proven individuals (e. g. Pompey) for solving domestic and external crises is documented. The final section of this chapter charts developments in the positive representation of Republican leaders in both
Smith, Philip Jonathan
Roman rulership; Art and power; Political culture
Greek images of monarchy and their influence on Rome from Alexander to Augustus. This inter-disciplinary thesis traces the influence of Greek images of monarchy on Rome, between 323 B. C. and A. D. 14. The first chapter examines the evidence for Greek perceptions of kings, tyrants, good citizens and ideal rulers in the fourth century B. C. The second chapter considers some developments in political theory during the Hellenistic period, and the practice of Hellenistic kingship. The visual media used for representing Hellenistic monarchy are discussed. The first section of the third chapter reviews the evidence for the points of contact between Romans of the Republican era, and the monarchs, artworks and political thought of the Greek world. A second section analyses the evidence both for the evolution of Roman attitudes towards monarchs and monarchy, over this period of interaction, and changes in Roman political and military leadership. The conventional notion that Romans had been consistently hostile to kings since the fall of Tarquinius Superbus is questioned. The increasing resort to proven individuals (e. g. Pompey) for solving domestic and external crises is documented. The final section of this chapter charts developments in the positive representation of Republican leaders in both
greek image monarchy influence rome alexander augustus inter_disciplinary trace influence greek image monarchy rome first examines evidence greek perception king tyrant good citizen ideal ruler second considers development political_theory hellenistic_period practice hellenistic kingship visual_medium use represent hellenistic monarchy discuss first_section third review evidence point_contact romans republican era monarch political_thought greek_world second_section analyse evidence evolution roman attitudes_towards monarchy period interaction change roman political_military leadership conventional notion romans consistently hostile king since fall question increase resort proven individual solve domestic external crisis document final_section chart_development positive representation republican leader