Hellenistic court culture developed from the Argead household of Philip and Alexander (see ARGEADS), absorbing diverse Greek, Iranian, and other influences. The Hellenistic courts in turn profoundly influenced the development of the Roman imperial court. Court culture in the smaller Hellenistic kingdoms (Pontos, Bithynia, Kommagene, Judaea, and Armenia) underwent the influence of the Macedonian, particularly Seleucid, courts too. Due to intermarriage, diplomatic exchange, competition, and a shared Greco-Macedonian background, the courts of the three major Hellenistic empires were strikingly similar. There were also differences, of course. The Ptolemaic court was firmly based in Alexandria, while the Seleucid court moved around the empire almost continually. The SELEUCIDS and notably Ptolemies maintained an elaborate court culture, while the later Antigonid court (see ANTIGONIDS) retained a more simple Macedonian appearance (see ANTIGONIDS). Royal women played a more prominent roleat the courts of the Ptolemies and Seleucids than at the Antigonid court.
Because Hellenistic kingship was personal and charismatic (see KINGSHIP, HELLENISTIC), the royal court was essentially the household of the royal family and is often referred to as oikos in Greek sources. Another common designation is aule, literally “court,” probably derived from the fact that the core of Hellenistic palaces was an open courtyard surrounded by banqueting rooms (see PALACES, HELLENISTIC). However, in ancient historiography and documentary evidence, the royal court is usually defined in social terms like “retinue” (therapeia), “courtiers” (hoi peri ten aulen or aulikoi), and notably “the friends of the king” (hoi philoi tou basileos).
Because Hellenistic kingship was personal and charismatic (see KINGSHIP, HELLENISTIC), the royal court was essentially the household of the royal family and is often referred to as oikos in Greek sources. Another common designation is aule, literally “court,” probably derived from the fact that the core of Hellenistic palaces was an open courtyard surrounded by banqueting rooms (see PALACES, HELLENISTIC). However, in ancient historiography and documentary evidence, the royal court is usually defined in social terms like “retinue” (therapeia), “courtiers” (hoi peri ten aulen or aulikoi), and notably “the friends of the king” (hoi philoi tou basileos).
(c) 2012 Rolf Strootman, Utrecht University, History and Art history, Faculty Member
Source: Academia.edu
Source: Academia.edu
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