Religious Life in Late Classical and Hellenistic Rhodes

Abstract

The ancient state of Rhodes was famous for many things in the Hellenistic period; it emerged as an economic powerhouse thanks to its strategic position on maritime trade routes, its status further bolstered by its proud independence in an era of great kings, and its cultural successes and heritage celebrated by contemporaries as well as later writers. But what did this state look like on the inside, and what social and religious forces contributed to its success? This book explores the origins of the Rhodian state in the late fifth century bc, a union born out of three separate city-states, Lindos, Cameiros, and Ialysos. By digging deep into the abundant epigraphic culture that survives, narratives emerge that tell the stories of these Rhodians and their communities. The religious dynamics of this tripartite state are considered through the development and interaction of local pantheons, the social and religious importance of priesthood, and the lived experience of Rhodian religious associations. The resulting picture offers a nuanced insight into the religious life and history of a Hellenistic city-state.