Connecting the Isiac Cults: Formal Modeling in the Hellenistic Mediterranean

After Alexander the Great's death, Egyptian cults, particularly those devoted to Isis and Sarapis, spread throughout the ancient Mediterranean. Tomáš Glomb's book demonstrates that the Ptolemaic dynasty's political channels were a dominant force in the local spread of the Isiac cults in the Hellenistic Aegean and western Asia Minor. This book offers a new approach to understanding the complex interplay of individual factors and provides valuable insights into the historiography of the ancient Mediterranean.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The spread of Egyptian cults, particularly those dedicated to the goddess Isis and god Sarapis, across the ancient Mediterranean following the death of Alexander the Great is a fascinating topic that has been the subject of much scholarly investigation. In his book, Tomáš Glomb explores the various factors that contributed to the success of these cults, including the economy, climate, and politics. However, he argues that the established methodological apparatus of historiography can limit our understanding of this phenomenon. To overcome these limitations, Glomb employs innovative quantitative methods, such as geospatial modeling, mathematical modeling, and network analysis, to shed new light on the complex interplay of individual factors.

In the regions of the Hellenistic Aegean and western Asia Minor, Glomb demonstrates that the political channels created by the Ptolemaic dynasty were a dominant force in the local spread of the Isiac cults. By analyzing the spatial distribution of cult sites and the patterns of interaction between them, he shows how the Ptolemaic kings used their power and influence to promote the cults and establish them as a significant part of local culture.

This book is an important contribution to the historiography of the ancient Mediterranean, as it answers the specific question of "how it happened" as well as "how can we answer it beyond the limits of the established methodological apparatus in historiography." By employing innovative quantitative methods, Glomb provides a fresh perspective on this complex topic and offers valuable insights into the processes that shaped the ancient world.

In conclusion, the spread of Egyptian cults across the ancient Mediterranean following the death of Alexander the Great is a fascinating topic that has been the subject of much scholarly investigation. Tomáš Glomb's book, by employing innovative quantitative methods, sheds new light on the complex interplay of individual factors that contributed to this phenomenon and offers valuable insights into the processes that shaped the ancient world. This book is an important contribution to the historiography of the ancient Mediterranean and will be of interest to scholars and students of history and archaeology alike.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350210691