Gymnasia and Greek identity in Ptolemaic and early Roman Egypt
My work is a socio-historical study of the institution of the gymnasium in Egypt, of its evolution and role in the assertion of certain aspects of âGreek identityâ in Ptolemaic and early Roman times. It is divided into four sections. (1) Attention is devoted to the study of the gymnasium itself, as institution, analysing its diffusion, foundation, internal organisation and the role played by associations which were hosted therein. The constitution and the characteristics of the governing body (with special attention to the role of the gymnasiarchs) and the financial matters relevant to the gymnasium allow one to draw conclusions on its legal status and social role: it is shown how the gymnasium of Egypt operated in a completely different way from the traditional one which is normally assumed for the Greek poleis, especially of mainland Greece and above all Athens. A possible model of influence is suggested. (2) Starting from the rules of admission into the gymnasium and from the treatment of the outsiders, the social status and social composition of the members of the gymnasium are object of enquiry, focusing on the links with the army and the public administration. It is argued that the gymnasial community
Paganini, Mario Carlo Donato
Economic and Social History ; History of the ancient world ; History of Africa ; Egypt ; gymnasium ; education ; identity ; status ; ancient society ; Greeks
Gymnasia and Greek identity in Ptolemaic and early Roman Egypt. My work is a socio-historical study of the institution of the gymnasium in Egypt, of its evolution and role in the assertion of certain aspects of âGreek identityâ in Ptolemaic and early Roman times. It is divided into four sections. (1) Attention is devoted to the study of the gymnasium itself, as institution, analysing its diffusion, foundation, internal organisation and the role played by associations which were hosted therein. The constitution and the characteristics of the governing body (with special attention to the role of the gymnasiarchs) and the financial matters relevant to the gymnasium allow one to draw conclusions on its legal status and social role: it is shown how the gymnasium of Egypt operated in a completely different way from the traditional one which is normally assumed for the Greek poleis, especially of mainland Greece and above all Athens. A possible model of influence is suggested. (2) Starting from the rules of admission into the gymnasium and from the treatment of the outsiders, the social status and social composition of the members of the gymnasium are object of enquiry, focusing on the links with the army and the public administration. It is argued that the gymnasial community
greek identity ptolemaic early_roman egypt work socio_historical study institution egypt evolution role assertion certain_aspect greek identity ptolemaic early_roman time divide_four section attention_devote study institution analyse diffusion foundation internal organisation role_play association host therein constitution characteristic govern_body special_attention role financial matter relevant allow draw_conclusion legal_status social_role show egypt operate completely_different way traditional normally assume greek_poleis especially mainland_greece athens possible model influence suggest starting rule admission treatment outsider social_status social_composition member object enquiry focus link army public administration argue community