Benefactors and the Polis: The Public Gift in the Greek Cities from the Homeric World to Late Antiquity

Elite public gift-giving in ancient Greek cities was a structural feature of polis society from its origins in the early Archaic age to the world of the Christian Greek city in the early Byzantine period, according to a new book. The contributors challenge this perspective and offer analyses of various manifestations of elite public giving from Homeric times until Late Antiquity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 377 pages
Publication date: 10 March 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Historians have traditionally studied elite public gift-giving in ancient Greek cities, primarily during the Hellenistic and Roman imperial periods. However, this volume's contributors challenge this notion by presenting comprehensive analyses of various manifestations of elite public giving in Greek cities from Homeric times until Late Antiquity. They argue that this practice was a fundamental structural element of polis society from its early Archaic origins to the Christian Greek city in the early Byzantine period. The contributors discuss existing interpretations, offer fresh ideas and arguments, and emphasize both continuities and changes throughout time. The volume is accessible to both ancient historians and scholars interested in gift-giving in other periods and locations, with a substantial Introduction and Conclusion to provide context.

Introduction:
Historians have traditionally focused on elite public gift-giving in ancient Greek cities, primarily during the Hellenistic and Roman imperial periods. This perspective suggests that this practice emerged only in these later periods and was not a fundamental feature of Greek society earlier. However, the contributors to this volume challenge this notion by presenting a comprehensive analysis of various manifestations of elite public giving in Greek cities from Homeric times until Late Antiquity. They argue that this practice was a fundamental structural element of polis society from its early Archaic origins to the Christian Greek city in the early Byzantine period.

Chapter 1:
In the first chapter, the contributors discuss the historical context of elite public gift-giving in Greek cities. They explore the political, social, and economic factors that shaped this practice and argue that it was deeply intertwined with the broader structure of polis society. They also discuss the different types of gifts that were exchanged, including material goods, services, and political favors.

Chapter 2:
In the second chapter, the contributors present a detailed analysis of the gift-giving practices in Homeric epic poetry. They argue that the Homeric poems provide valuable insights into the social and political dynamics of ancient Greek society and that gift-giving was a central aspect of these dynamics. They explore the different roles that gifts played in Homeric society, including the establishment of social bonds, the expression of gratitude, and the negotiation of power.

Chapter 3:
In the third chapter, the contributors analyze the gift-giving practices in the Greek poleis during the Archaic and Classical periods. They argue that these periods saw significant changes in the nature and significance of gift-giving, as well as in the social and political dynamics that shaped it. They explore the different types of gifts that were exchanged, including material goods, services, and political favors, and the changing roles that these gifts played in the social hierarchy.

Chapter 4:
In the fourth chapter, the contributors examine the gift-giving practices in the Greek cities during the Hellenistic and Roman imperial periods. They argue that these periods saw a significant increase in the scale and complexity of gift-giving, as well as in the political and social significance of these practices. They explore the different types of gifts that were exchanged, including material goods, services, and political favors, and the changing roles that these gifts played in the social and political hierarchy of the Greek cities.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this volume offers a fresh and innovative perspective on elite public gift-giving in ancient Greek cities. By presenting a comprehensive analysis of various manifestations of elite public giving from Homeric times until Late Antiquity, the contributors challenge the traditional view that this practice emerged only in the Hellenistic and Roman imperial periods. They demonstrate that gift-giving was a fundamental structural element of polis society from its early Archaic origins to the Christian Greek city in the early Byzantine period. The volume provides valuable insights into the social, political, and economic dynamics of ancient Greek society and sheds light on the complex and multifaceted nature of gift-giving in this period.

Weight: 612g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108816199
Edition number: New ed