Kings and Court Exam Notes

Kings and Kingdoms

  • Kings were warriors, benefactors and seen as Gods.
  • The Hellenistic world was defined by inter-marrying and warring dynasts.
  • Key figures accompanying Alexander: Ptolemy, Seleucus, Lysimachus. Antigonus the One-eyed controlled Alexander’s rear.

Conception of a Kingdom

  • Decree of Ilion indicates prayers for the King, Queen, friends (philoi), and military forces.

Warriors

  • Monarchy was based on the ability to command an army and handle affairs competently, not descent or legitimacy.
  • Demetrius almost died during a siege when struck by a catapult bolt.
  • Pyrrhus was known for his bravery and skill in combat, challenging opponents like Pantauchus.

Benefactors

  • Kings were benefactors (Euergetes)(\text{Euergetes}) providing for their people.
  • Examples include dealing with grain crises, building projects (temples, stoas), and disaster relief (earthquakes).
  • Kings were a source of justice, receiving petitions.

Royal Ancestry

  • Argeads: Heracles
  • Seleucids: Apollo
  • Ptolemies: Heracles (e.g. Theocritus 17)
  • Antigonids: Heracles (with Pan as patron)
  • Pyrrhus: Achilles

Ruler Cult

  • Civic cults initiated by cities included altars, sanctuaries, priests, sacrifices, festivals, cult statues, and renaming months.
  • Dynastic cults promoted by the kings themselves, such as the Ptolemies in Egypt.

Courts

  • Courts consisted of royal women and intellectuals.
  • The court was where the king bestowed status, and members affirmed the king's superior status.

Composition of the Court

  • Included Philoi (friends), royal family, doctors, and cultural figures.
  • Royal women from other dynasties brought their own entourage.

Royal Women

  • Arsinoe II Philadelphos held significant status, receiving cult honors.

Dancing in Arms

  • Dancing under arms was a custom at the court of Antiochus the Great.
  • Banquet/symposium was important in court society, with the king as host and arbiter.

Intellectual Culture

  • Alexandria was home to the Ptolemaic court, housing the Museum and Library.
  • Scholars could act as royal tutors.
  • Freedom of speech was noted at the court of Antigonus Gonatas.

Risks

  • A new king was risky for senior advisors.
  • Example: the assassination of Hermeias at the court of Antiochus III.