Conventional Values of the Hellenistic Greeks

The contributors to this volume seek to decipher the Hellenistic citizens’ views on vital elements of: the society; the city, the ruler, religion, magic and astrology; everyday life and social relations (family and gender); morality, uses of the past; and the iconography of death. The conquests of Alexander the Great created important political and social changes, influencing the world-view and everyday life of ordinary people living in the Hellenistic age. How did the changes in political and social ideas affect actions and practices, which in turn again altered concepts? Moreover, the authors distinguish between the views of the common people and the elite, the evidence from inscriptions (seen as popular sentiment) and the evidence from literature (from the elite). The authors’ conclusions have broad ramifications for future scholars. The volume provides useful detail on the early development of individualism and the history of ideas. Contributors include: Dale B. Martin, Pauline Schmitt Pante, Burkhard Fehr, Richard Gordon, Tomas Haegg, Sanne Houby-Nielsen, Sarah B. Pomeroy, Halvor Moxnes, Lise Hannestad and David Konstan.