Palaces and elite residences in the Hellenistic East, late fourth to early first century BC : formation and purpose
This thesis investigates the morphology and the purpose of palaces in major and minor kingdoms of the Hellenistic World. Elements of architecture, spatial organisation and decoration are analysed in the attempt to clarify issues of chronology and in order to identify function. The analysis places the material into its social and ideological context by taking into consideration the role of kingship ideologies in the formation of space used by royal courts. Comparison with residences of the elite demonstrates the reception of palaces not only as architectural models, but also as mechanisms of power manifestation. Macedonia is the starting point of the discussion as the homeland of the first Hellenistic kings. In the light of evidence recovered in the last twenty years and not comparatively studied before, the chapter brings together various chronological phases of the buildings. Questions of definition and on sources of inspiration are clarified further in the following chapters. The third chapter uses textual evidence and finds from the royal district of Alexandria to understand the meaning of palace architecture for the Ptolemies, while the seat of a local official in Transjordania reveals mechanisms of emulation.
Kopsacheili, Maria
Architecture ; Visual art and representation ; Archeology ; Greek archeology ; History of the ancient world ; History of Architecture ; Hellenistic architecture ; Hellenistic kingship ; palaces ; spatial function ; Antigonids ; Hellenistic Middle East
Palaces and elite residences in the Hellenistic East, late fourth to early first century BC : formation and purpose. This thesis investigates the morphology and the purpose of palaces in major and minor kingdoms of the Hellenistic World. Elements of architecture, spatial organisation and decoration are analysed in the attempt to clarify issues of chronology and in order to identify function. The analysis places the material into its social and ideological context by taking into consideration the role of kingship ideologies in the formation of space used by royal courts. Comparison with residences of the elite demonstrates the reception of palaces not only as architectural models, but also as mechanisms of power manifestation. Macedonia is the starting point of the discussion as the homeland of the first Hellenistic kings. In the light of evidence recovered in the last twenty years and not comparatively studied before, the chapter brings together various chronological phases of the buildings. Questions of definition and on sources of inspiration are clarified further in the following chapters. The third chapter uses textual evidence and finds from the royal district of Alexandria to understand the meaning of palace architecture for the Ptolemies, while the seat of a local official in Transjordania reveals mechanisms of emulation.
elite residence hellenistic east formation purpose investigates morphology purpose palace major_minor kingdom hellenistic_world elements architecture spatial_organisation decoration analyse attempt_clarify issue chronology order_identify function analysis place material social_ideological context take_consideration role kingship formation space use royal_court comparison elite demonstrates reception architectural model also mechanisms power manifestation macedonia start_point discussion homeland first hellenistic king light evidence recover comparatively study bring_together various chronological phase building questions definition source inspiration clarify follow chapter third textual_evidence find royal district alexandria meaning palace architecture seat local_official reveal mechanism emulation