AbstractsHistory

This thesis examines the local culture of the mainland Greek regions of the Argolid, Euboea, and Boeotia with an eye to reconsidering two preconceptions regarding the period: first, that there is fundamental discontinuity between the Classical and Hellenistic Periods, and second, that the Hellenistic Period was marked by widespread demographic, social, and economic decline in mainland Greece. Considering each of these regions on the local revel instead reveals, I argue, that the rule of Macedon did not disrupt the local traditions and lifestyles of its subject communities. During the third and second centuries BC, each region exhibits a flurry of activity on the economic, religious, political, and social realms, and this local vitality endures as wider networks of extra-regional connections are established.The introduction provides an overview of the opinio communis regarding the Hellenistic Period, and argues against the supposition that there was a large-scale emigration of Greeks from the mainland at its outset. I also review the evidence for continuity of Greek civic traditions outside Greece itself, before turning to a review of scholarly literature on ethnicity, identity, and certain problems that arise from the analytical construct. I propose a turn towards local culture as a means of overcoming the abstract ambiguity of ethnic scholarship.Chapters I-III comprise regional case studies of the Hellenistic Argolid, Euboea, and Boeotia, respectively. In each chapter I review the geography and topography of the region, and sketch its broader history leading up to the opening decades of the Hellenistic Period. I review how broad scholarly preconceptions of the period manifest themselves and influence the more specific literature on each region. The late-Classical trajectory of each region is reconsidered before analysing its Hellenistic trajectory in the realms of relations with the monarchy, external relations, civic and regional politics, economy, settlement patterns, and religion. In each study I consider the region's longer development under the dominion of Rome by means of contrast and epilogue. My conclusion synthesises the regional findings of each case study and uses them to propose some observations on the period as a whole. Using the base of my regional findings, I re-examine the character of relationships between king and city, regional and civic government, demography and settlement patterns, and religion. I chart the intersection of these various elements using the case study of Magnesia on the Meander's quest for asylia in 208 BC. Finally, I use my findings as evidence for the fundamental conservatism of Greek social thought, and provide some comments on the relevance of this study in the context of contemporary approaches to globalisation and cultural change. Cette thèse vise à examiner la culture locale de trois régions de la Grèce – l'Argolide, l'Eubée, et la Béotie – afin de reconsidérer deux idées préconçues sur la caractère générale de l'époque Hellénistique : la première est qu'il y a une… Advisors/Committee Members: Hans Beck (Supervisor).