Divine Honors for Mortal Men in Greek Cities

The Early Cases

Author: Christian Habicht and John Noel Dillon Series: Cultural Legacies

Divine Honors for Mortal Men in Greek Cities

First translation of Christian Habicht's 1970 German Gottmenschentum und Griechische Städte on ruler cults in the Hellenistic period of Greek history. Updated case studies take account of inscriptional discoveries since the original and additional supplemental material, including detailed subject and source indexes and bibliography.

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In the Hellenistic period of Greek history, communities often offered honours and titles to representatives of certain dynasties. Modelled on the earlier civic practice of creating a cult for important mythological or divine figures, the more modern ruler cult signified which figures were important to a city and its region, and represented the city's appreciation in return for favours or military services offered.

This book presents Christian Habicht's argument for the handling of these ruler cults in mainland Greece and the islands, relying upon contemporary testimony, down to 240 BCE. John Noël Dillon's translation of the 1970 German edition also presents the author's updated case studies based on inscriptional discoveries since that time. Includes updated supplemental material, additional bibliography, and detailed subject and source indexes.

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About the Author

Christian Habicht is Professor Emeritus, School of Historical Studies, Institute for Advanced Study, USA. A leading historian of the Hellenistic period, an authority on Greek epigraphy and on the history of Athens. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Greek and Latin Epigraphy.

John Noël Dillon is a freelance translator and editor; he has taught at the universities of Heidelberg, Exeter, and Peking and lectures on Medieval Latin at Yale Divinity School, USA.