Basilissa. The queen in Hellenism

Monograph and source volume on the queens of the Hellenistic period

The two-volume work "Basilissa. Die Königin im Hellenismus" offers for the first time a collection of sources (II) and a monograph (I) on a central theme of Hellenism (323-30 BC): the Hellenistic monarchy.

The source volume (II) not only provides an overview of the literary texts and the narratives of female kingship contained therein, but above all brings together contemporary material: epigraphic evidence such as decrees, endowments and honors as well as papyri with documents and act prescripts from Egypt. There are also a limited number of coins and statues. Based on the literary depiction of Hellenistic kingship and existing role models for the queen in archaic times and in the Persian Empire, the sources on individual queens from Olympias to Cleopatra are presented along the individual dynasties. Beginning with the women of the Argeads and ending with the women around Alexander the Great, the queens and consorts of the Hellenistic empires of the Antigonids, Seleucids, Ptolemies and Attalids are presented. The bilingual, comprehensive collection of texts thus provides a direct view of the sources of Hellenism and thus of the basilissa herself.

The monograph (I) shows how the Hellenistic queen was involved in all areas of the king's life and must be considered an indispensable part of his monarchical rule. She always appeared in public alongside the king, sometimes even alone. Individual queens also ruled in their own right. In three steps, Monarchy comprehensively analyzes this new type of woman "Basilissa" that emerged with the Hellenistic monarchy. First, it looks at older role models and embeds the basilissa in the history of her time and the court. The second part reconstructs individual biographies of all known queens of the Antigonids, Seleucids and Ptolemies. In the final part, the role of the queen is examined in terms of structural history in the three areas of dynasty, cult and power.

 Monograph and source volume on the homepage of the publisher Marie Leidorf.