Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
(2018)
Description
The world that Alexander remade in his lifetime was transformed once again by his death in 323 BCE. Over time, trade and intellectual achievement resumed, but Cleopatra's death in 30 BCE brought this Hellenistic moment to a close-or so the story goes. Angelos Chaniotis reveals a Hellenistic world that continued to Hadrian's death in 138 CE.
Media reviews
Angelos Chaniotis has written an engaging history of the Greeks in the period between Philip II and Hadrian. The choice of this broad chronological framework draws on recent trends in the study of the Eastern Mediterranean world: the ‘long Hellenistic Age’, as Chaniotis defines this period, has
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been increasingly identified as a suitable time framework to study long-term social and cultural developments which could not be properly framed by the military turning point of Actium. The book is meant for a general audience. The author identifies from the start (p. 5) the main historical trends of the period: the new importance of monarchic power, the imperialistic drive of Hellenistic kingdoms and of Rome, the augmented interdependence of political developments in the Mediterranean and beyond, the spread of urban life and mega-cities, and the more intense circulation of people, objects and ideas with its impact on cultural exchanges and transfers. Chaniotis’ narrative is meant to be read in a flow: footnotes are therefore replaced with a final overview of the mentioned ancient sources and modern references (p. 401-417). Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member Shrike58
The reality here is that I'm still digesting this book, and will be doing so for awhile, but the author's argument that there is a "long" Hellenistic period horizon does seem valid. This is with the additional virtue that this is the most coherent overview I've ever seen about the doings of
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Alexander's "Successors," before Rome swept the board clean in points east of the Ionian Sea. Just give yourself a lot of time, as this is the sort of work that you'll be dipping into, as opposed to making a forced march. Show Less
Awards
Choice Outstanding Academic Title (Winner — 2018)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
480 p.; 6.38 inches
ISBN
1846682967 / 9781846682964
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