Politics of Identity in Greek Sicily and Southern Italy

The Politics of Identity in Greek Sicily and Southern Italy explores the relationship between collective identity and politics in the Greek West from 600-200 BCE, presenting a compelling new account of the role of identity in Greek politics. It covers cities, ethnic groups, and tyrants, and is an essential contribution to the history, societies, cultures, and identities of Greek Sicily and southern Italy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The Politics of Identity in Greek Sicily and Southern Italy is a groundbreaking exploration of the intricate relationship between collective identity and politics in the Greek West during the period from c. 600 BCE to 200 BCE. Greeks defined their communities in diverse and multifaceted ways, encompassing a distinct polis identity for each city-state, sub-Hellenic ethnicities like Dorian and Ionian, regional identities, and a profound sense of Greekness. In his meticulous analysis, Mark Thatcher skillfully untangles the complex web of these plural identities and delves into their intricate interplay, offering a fresh and compelling perspective on the role of identity in Greek politics.

Identity formation was a dynamic process often shaped by conflict and reshaped by changing political conditions. It played a crucial role in establishing legitimacy for kings and tyrants, as well as influencing the decision-making processes of poleis. A series of detailed case studies, drawing upon a wide range of source materials such as historiography, epinician poetry, coinage, inscriptions, religious practices, and material culture, shed light on these aspects. The comprehensive analysis spans both Sicily and southern Italy, encompassing cities like Syracuse, Camarina, Croton, and Metapontion, as well as ethnic groups like the Dorians and Achaeans, and tyrants and politicians from the Deinomenids and Hermocrates to Pyrrhus and Hieron II. This study, spanning the Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods, constitutes a vital contribution to the history, societies, cultures, and identities of Greek Sicily and southern Italy.

Weight: 600g
Dimension: 164 x 244 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197586440