Edward Dabrowa

Jagiellonian University, Faculty of History, Emeritus

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Professor of Ancient HistoryJagiellonian University in Kraków
Address: Uniwersytet Jagiellonski
Instytut Historii
ul. Golebia 13
PL 31-007 KRAKOW/Poland

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Université du littoral Côte d'Opale

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Eastern Illinois University

Oliver Stoll

Universität Passau

Riccardo Bertolazzi

Università Degli Studi Di Verona

Kai Juntunen

University of Helsinki

Marianne BERAUD

Université de Strasbourg

Daryn Graham

Macquarie University

Coarthur Drinkwater

University of Washington

Robert Suski

University of Bialystok

Carlo Celentano

Università degli Studi di Milano - State University of Milan (Italy)

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Papers by Edward Dabrowa

Roman Fiscal System in Mesopotamia, in: M. Girard (ed.), Fiscalites antiques. Aux origines de l'administration provinciale romaine, 'L' Erma' di Bretschneider, Roma - Bristol 2023, 197-211.

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Introduction, in: E. Dąbrowa, S. Fink (eds.), Autocratic Rule in Antiquity. Proceedings of the 14th Melammu Workshop, Zaphon Verlag, Muenster 2024, 1-6

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Arsacid Crudelitas: Some Observations, "Parthica" 25, 2023, 127-135.

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Dall' autonomia alla dipendenza. Le citta greche e gli Arsacidi nella prima meta del I secolo d. C., "Mesopotamia" 29, 1994, 185-198.

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Le programme de la politique en Occident des derniers Arsacides, "Iranica Antiqua" 19, 1984,149-165.

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The Babylonian Astronomical Diaries as a Source for the History of the Arsacids, in: R. Mattila, R. Rollinger, S. Fink (eds.), Deciphering Assyria. A Tribute to Simo Parpola on the Occasion of his 80th Birthday, Muenster 2023, 101-113.

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Diplomatic Activity of the Governors of Syria, in: W. Eck, F. Santangelo, K. Voessig (eds.), Emperor, Army, and Society. Studies in Roman Imperial History for Anthony R. Birley, Bonn 2022, 211-222

His bond with the history of Rome and its provinces went back to his childhood. He was born on 8 ... more His bond with the history of Rome and its provinces went back to his childhood. He was born on 8 October 1937 in Chesterholm, Northumberland, the ancient auxiliary fort of Vindolanda, just miles to the west. His father Eric had bought the house where the Vindolanda Museum now is. Tony grew up there together with his older brother Robin. That ancient place was to shape both their lives. At Clifton College in Bristol, where his father had been educated decades earlier, Tony's interest in, and talent for the classical languages soon became apparent, and he absorbed them with an energy and depth almost unimaginable today. Anyone who came into contact with him later could feel the self-evident familiarity with which he approached the lived historical experience of the Greek and Roman world. He then went up to Oxford, where he studied Classics from 1956 onwards, in the years 1960-1962 as a Craven Fellow; during that time, he not only completed his MA, but also had the chance to study for several months in Paris with Hans-Georg Pflaum at the École des Hautes Études. Pflaum had been in close contact with Tony's father Eric since the end of the Second World War, just like Sir Ronald Syme. Those three great scholars were bound by many common interests, including their efforts to revive the Prosopographia Imperii Romani at the Berlin Academy in 1952. In light of that family and intellectual background, the topic Tony worked on in his dissertation (begun in 1963) was not such a surprise: 'The Roman High Command from the Death of Hadrian to the Death of Caracalla, with Particular Attention to the Danubian Wars of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus'. His supervisor was Ronald Syme, with whom he retained a very close connection throughout his life; his last major publication was an edition of Syme's select correspondence. After holding positions at Birmingham and Leeds and a visiting professorship at Duke University in North Carolina, he was appointed Professor of Ancient History at Manchester University (1974-1990). He was later elected to the Ancient History Chair at the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, succeeding Dietmar Kienast (1990-2002). After his retirement he was Visiting Professor at Newcastle and Durham. His integration into the German academic world was considerably facilitated by his longstanding and close connection with several colleagues, such as the archaeologist and director of the Rheinisches Landesmuseum in Bonn, Harald von Petrikovits, an old friend of his father's, Géza Alföldy, who worked first in Bonn and Bochum and later in Heidelberg, and Johannes Straub, the Bonn ancient historian, in whose Historia Augusta Colloquia Tony took part early on. His second wife, Heide Birley (1938-2022), was a Roman archaeologist, with a strong expertise in the material

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Parthian-Armenian Relations from the 2nd Century BCE to the Second Half of the 1st Century CE, "Electrum", vol. 28, 2021, 41-57.

The aim of this paper is to present Parthian-Armenian relations from the end of the 2nd century B... more The aim of this paper is to present Parthian-Armenian relations from the end of the 2nd century BCE to the so-called Treaty of Rhandeia (63 CE). This covers the period from the first contact of both states to the final conclusion of long-drawn-out military conflicts over Armenia between the Arsacids ruling the Parthian Empire and Rome. The author discusses reasons for the Parthian involvement in Armenia during the rule of Mithradates II and various efforts of the Arsacids to win control over this area. He also identifies three phases of their politics towards Armenia in the discussed period.

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Hellenistic Elements in Parthian Kingship: the Numismatic Portrait and Titulature, in R. Rollinger & K. Schnegg (eds.), Kulturkontakte in antiken Welten: vom Denkmodell zum Fallbeispiel, Leuven - Paris - Walpole, MA 2014, 301-312.

The aim of this paper is to present a few observations on the influence of Hellenistic political ... more

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Könige Syriens in der Gefangenschaft der Parther. Zwei Episoden aus der Geschichte der Beziehungen der Seleukiden zu den Arsakiden, "Tyche" 7, 1992, 45-54

Andrik Ab ra m e n k 0 (Frankfurt/M.), Die Verschwörung des Alexander Lyncestes und die "f!T)1:rt... more

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The Origins and Functions of Hellenistic Patterns in the Hasmonean Kingship, in: J. Hoffmann-Salz (ed.), The Middle East as Middle Ground? Cultural Interaction in the Ancient Middle East Revisited, Wien 2021, 199-212.

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Il censimento di Quirinio alla luce dei nuovi dati epigrafici: annotazioni, in G. Paximadi & M. Fidanzio (eds.), Terra Sancta. Archeologia ed esegesi. Atti dei convegni 2008 - 2010, Lugano 2013, 192 - 203.

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Samarie entre Jean Hyrcan et Antiochos IX Cyzicene, "Melanges de l'Universite Saint-Joseph" 60, 2007, 447-459

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Rewritten History: 1 Maccabees and Josephus on Simon the Maccabee, in I. Kalimi (ed.), Writing and Rewriting History in Ancient Israel and Near Eastern Cultures, Harrasowitz Verlag, Wiesbaden 2020, 223 - 229.

The phenomenon of rewritten history, meaning an author’s (verbatim or otherwise) use of the conte... more The phenomenon of rewritten history, meaning an author’s (verbatim or otherwise) use of the contents of an existing work(s) and including them in his or her own, rightly attracts scholars’ interest. When analyzing the practice, it is important to remember that the contents of one work used in another might not only paint a different picture of evens from the original. But also have a different ideological import. There is no doubt that certain parts of Antiquitates Judaicae are excellent illustration of Josephus’ use of this practice. The relationship between the content of Antiquitates Judaicae and that of 1 Maccabees has long been subject of analyses, mostly in terms of the amount of use the historian makes of the work as well as the extent and aim of his own additions.

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The Hasmoneans' attitude towards cities, in: R. Oetjen (ed.), New Perspectives in Seleucid History, Archaeology and Numismatics. Studies in Honor of Getzel M. Cohen, De Gruyter, Berlin - Boston 2020, 284 - 295

The foundation of cities (poleis) was one of the governing principles of most Hellenistic rulers.... more The foundation of cities (poleis) was one of the governing principles of most Hellenistic
rulers. However, the Hasmoneans presented the opposite approach to this matter
when ruling over Judea. Not only did they not found any new cities, but they also
deliberately caused the fall of the Greek cities that had found themselves within the
borders of their state due to their conquests of Samaria, Galilee and the Decapolis.
The author tries to identify the reason for such an attitude of the rulers of Judea.
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Poblicius Marcellus and the Bar Kokhba Revolt, "Rivista Storica dell'Antichita" 49, 2019, 69-84.

For a long time scholars have been discussing various aspects of the Bar Kokhba revolt. Among the... more For a long time scholars have been discussing various aspects of the Bar Kokhba revolt. Among them, participation of Roman governors of Syria and Roman military units located in this province and actual reasons for their intervention. Though this issue had already been discussed several times it still seems far from being agreed upon, especially in the light of new evidence that has been discovered in the last few years. The aim of the proposed paper is to put together these old and new data and discuss once more the problems related to the Bar Kokhba revolt as seen from Syria.

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Coinage of the Cilician Cities as a Mirror of Historical and Cultural Changes (V c. BCE - III c. CE), "Studies in Ancient Art and Civilization" vol. 23, 2019, 113 -135

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The Seleukids, Rome and the Jews (134 - 76 BCE), in A. Coskun, D. Engels (eds.) Rome and the Seleukid East Selected Papers from Seleukid Study Day V, Brussels, 21-23 August 2015, Bruxelles 2019, 389 - 399.

The aim of this paper is to discuss the nature and context of the mutual relations of rulers of J... more The aim of this paper is to discuss the nature and context of the mutual relations of rulers of Judaea with the Seleukids and Rome in the period of the rule of John Hyrkanos, Alexander Jannaios, and Alexandra Salome. Even though this question has already been addressed several times, there is still a need to research it. In the period in question, the
rulers of Judaea had contacts with Rome as well as with the Seleukids. These were especially intensive during the rule of John Hyrkanos, when on at least three occasions he sent delegations to Rome requesting her amicitia and support for his territorial claims against the Seleukids. It is interesting that the embassies coincided with Hyrkanos’ successes at the cost of the Seleukids. Why did Hyrkanos need Roman approval? Another aspect of Hyrkanos’ external policy is his expansion to areas that had formerly been under Seleukid administration. This policy of encroachment into Seleukid territory was continued by Alexander Jannaios. His achievements were quite impressive, but Demetrios III and Antiochos XII posed very serious threats to his rule. Why did he not appeal to Rome for support, and why did he not even try to renew any formal relations with the Romans during his reign? For these questions, and others too, the author offers some responses.

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The Arsacid Empire, in T. Daryaee (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Iranian History, Oxford University Press, New York 2012, 164-186.

Oxford Handbooks Online, 2012

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Arsacid Dynastic Marriages

"Electrum" 25, 2018, 73 - 83, 2018

Dynastic marriages in the Hellenistic world were an important diplomatic tool that provided dist... more Dynastic marriages in the Hellenistic world were an important diplomatic tool that provided distinct political benefi ts to one or both of the parties involved. The Parthian rulers from the Arsacid dynasty also engaged in such unions with other ruling houses. Surviving sources contain information on such marriages with the members of the Seleucid family, the Artaxiad dynasty, which ruled in Armenia, but also ruling houses in Commagene and Media Atropatene. Not all of these links resulted from a bilateral agreement, however; some were the result of imposition of the Arsacids’ will. The author attempts to demonstrate the circumstances in which each of the known dynastic marriages of the rulers of Parthia came about, as well as the objectives they hoped to
achieve as a result.

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Roman Fiscal System in Mesopotamia, in: M. Girard (ed.), Fiscalites antiques. Aux origines de l'administration provinciale romaine, 'L' Erma' di Bretschneider, Roma - Bristol 2023, 197-211.

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Introduction, in: E. Dąbrowa, S. Fink (eds.), Autocratic Rule in Antiquity. Proceedings of the 14th Melammu Workshop, Zaphon Verlag, Muenster 2024, 1-6

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Arsacid Crudelitas: Some Observations, "Parthica" 25, 2023, 127-135.

Pdf on demand

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Dall' autonomia alla dipendenza. Le citta greche e gli Arsacidi nella prima meta del I secolo d. C., "Mesopotamia" 29, 1994, 185-198.

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Le programme de la politique en Occident des derniers Arsacides, "Iranica Antiqua" 19, 1984,149-165.

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Diplomatic Activity of the Governors of Syria, in: W. Eck, F. Santangelo, K. Voessig (eds.), Emperor, Army, and Society. Studies in Roman Imperial History for Anthony R. Birley, Bonn 2022, 211-222

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Parthian-Armenian Relations from the 2nd Century BCE to the Second Half of the 1st Century CE, "Electrum", vol. 28, 2021, 41-57.

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The aim of this paper is to present a few observations on the influence of Hellenistic political ... more

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Könige Syriens in der Gefangenschaft der Parther. Zwei Episoden aus der Geschichte der Beziehungen der Seleukiden zu den Arsakiden, "Tyche" 7, 1992, 45-54

Andrik Ab ra m e n k 0 (Frankfurt/M.), Die Verschwörung des Alexander Lyncestes und die "f!T)1:rt... more

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Samarie entre Jean Hyrcan et Antiochos IX Cyzicene, "Melanges de l'Universite Saint-Joseph" 60, 2007, 447-459

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Poblicius Marcellus and the Bar Kokhba Revolt, "Rivista Storica dell'Antichita" 49, 2019, 69-84.

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Coinage of the Cilician Cities as a Mirror of Historical and Cultural Changes (V c. BCE - III c. CE), "Studies in Ancient Art and Civilization" vol. 23, 2019, 113 -135

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The Arsacid Empire, in T. Daryaee (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Iranian History, Oxford University Press, New York 2012, 164-186.

Oxford Handbooks Online, 2012

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Arsacid Dynastic Marriages

"Electrum" 25, 2018, 73 - 83, 2018

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Autocratic Rule in Antiquity. Proceedings of the 14th Melammu Workshop, Kraków, 4-6 Octoober 2021, Zaphon Verlag, Muenster

The volume is now listed online: https://www.zaphon.de/autocratic-rule-in-antiquity (German) ht... more

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Materiality of the Roman Soldier: from stone monuments to domestic artefacts, "Electrum", vol. 31, 2024.

which counts as the original-is published in the journals section of the Jagiellonian University ... more

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Religious Life in Ancient Cities, "Electrum" vol. 30, 2023

which counts as the original-is published in the journals section of the Jagiellonian University ... more

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Rozwój i organizacja armii rzymskiej (do początku III weku n.e.), ["Filomata". Numer specjalny 3], Kraków 1990, 98 pp.

Short popular presentation of history and organization of Roman army from the Republican period u... more

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Genethliakon. Studies on Occasion of the Centenary of the Establishment of the Department of Ancient History of the Jagiellonian University, "Electrum", vol. 29, 2022.

which counts as the original-is published in the journals section of the Jagiellonian University ... more

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Ancient Armenia in Context: The Kingdom of Greater Armenia and Its Neighbours, "Electrum", vol. 28, 2021.

by Edward Dabrowa, Achim Lichtenberger, and Giusto Traina

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New Studies on Cyprus, Crete and the Aegean Islands in Antiquity, "Electrum" vol. 27, 2020

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The Roman and Byzantine Army in the East. Proceedings of a Colloq[u]ium held at the Jagiellonian University, Kraków in September 1992, Kraków 1994

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Camps, campaigns, colonies. Roman Military Presence in Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and the Near East. Selected Studies (Philippika - 138), Harrasowitz Verlag, Wiesbaden 2020, pp. 216

for more details, see harrasowitz-verlag.de/reihe_238.ahtml

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Jerusalem and Judaea ("Electrum", vol. 26), Jagiellonian University Press, Kraków 2019

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Diplomacy and Inter-State Relations in the Hellenistic World ("Electrum", vol. 25), Jagiellonian University Press, Kraków 2018

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Looking East: Iranian History and Culture under Western Eyes ("Electrum", vol. 24), Kraków 2017

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Cyprus, Crete and the Aegean Islands in Antiquity, ("Electrum", vol. 23), Krakow 2016

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Central Asia and Iran: Greeks, Parthians, Kushans and Sasanians ("Electrum", vol. 22), Jagiellonian University Press, Kraków 2015.

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The Hasmoneans and their State. A Study in History, Ideology, and the Institutions ("Electrum" - 16), Kraków 2010

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Roman military studies

Ancient Iran and the Mediterranean world: proceedings of an international conference in honour of Professor Józef Wolski, held at the Jagiellonian …

"Electrum". Journal of Ancient History, Jagiellonian University Press, Kraków. Updated file

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"Scripta Judaica Cracoviensia". Studies in Jewish History, Culture and Religion

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L' Asie Mineure sous les Flaviens. Recherches sur la politique provinciale, Wrocław - Warszawa - Kraków - Gdańsk 1980

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Rev. of P. Saenger, S. Scheuble-Reiter (eds.), Soldner and Berufssoldaten in der griechischen Welt. Soziale und politische Gestaltungsraeume, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart 2022, "Electrum" 31, 2024, 197-200.

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rev. of D. Ogden (ed.), The Hellenistic World: New Perspectives, (paper edition), The Classical Press of Wales, Swansea 2023, "Electrum" 31, 2024, 193-196.

The ongoing flourishing of studies on the Hellenistic period, especially those devoted to the his... more The ongoing flourishing of studies on the Hellenistic period, especially those devoted to the history of the Seleucid state and its neighbours, can be traced back to the late 1980s/ early 1990s. Its initial impetus came from two books by A. Kuhrt and S. Sherwin-White, in which the authors offered a new perspective on the role of Hellenism in the eastern Hellenistic world 1 and the history of the Seleucid empire. 2 The critical and polemical response to these two monographs led to a growing scholarly interest both in the regional history of the Hellenistic world and in understudied aspects of its history (with the political and military aspects hitherto prioritised over social and economic ones), resulting in a number of monographs and edited volumes. The latter usually collate proceedings of numerous conferences concerning selected aspects of the Hellenistic world. Among such proceedings one may include The Hellenistic World: New Perspectives, edited by Daniel Ogden from the proceedings of a conference organised at the University of Wales in 2000. First published in 2002 by G. Duckworth & Co. Ltd, London and The Classical Press of Wales, the volume was subsequently reissued by The Classical Press of Wales (2023) with a new graphic layout. Although the content of the reprint has not been updated and the original run has already been appraised, reviewing the reissue may bring it to the attention of younger generations of researchers. The book consists of fourteen chapters, each assigned to one of five thematic sections, determined by the editor according to the subject matter of the texts presented in them. In the first of these parts, entitled "Structure and System," the editor included two chapters. J. Davies, who authored the first one ("The Interpretation of Hellenistic Sovereignties," pp. 1-21), explores the close and complex relationships between the rulers of the Hellenistic world, ones that wove a network of mutual family ties. Such relationships had an enormous impact on the development of this world and events taking place within. The author distinguishes two types of these relationships: between dynasties and between rulers and their subjects. In the case of the latter, various forms of interdependence (whether between the ruler and their entourage or between the ruler and the communities under their rule) served to strengthen the rulers' control over the ruled territory. In the second chapter, K. Zimmermann ("Eratosthenes' Chlamys-Shaped World: A Misunderstood Metaphor,"

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Rev. of Julian Degen, Alexander III. zwischen Ost und West. Indigene Traditionen und Herrschaftsinszenierung im makedonischen Weltimperium, (Oriens et Occidens – 39), Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart 2022, "Electrum" 31, 2024, 185-188

Such a great volume of books and studies have been devoted to Alexander of Macedon and his times ... more Such a great volume of books and studies have been devoted to Alexander of Macedon and his times that it would seem that hardly anything new can be added to the body of the research; however, such a superficial conclusion cannot be justified. New research methods and new sources, as well as the growing capacity to identify research-worthy problems, constantly contribute to our ever-expanding knowledge of the past. Such factors are also at play in regard to the Macedonian ruler's life, times and deeds, continuously attracting keen scholarly interest. The sheer scope of that interest is made evident by J. Degen's comprehensive monograph, a printed version of his doctoral dissertation (defended in 2020 at the University of Innsbruck). Although Alexander's reign has been repeatedly covered and analysed by generations of scholars, Julian Degen proposes to examine it from a slightly different perspective, focusing on the methods and policies Alexander employed to rule and administer the empire he created, and on the manner in which Alexander used local customs to build relations with the subjects living across his dominion (p. 29). The specific topics that fell within Degen's research scope were: the methods and practices of governance, as shown through different types of testimony ("Herrschaftsverständnis," pp. 29-30), the behaviour of the ruler, as aimed at different groups of subjects ("Symbolhandlungen," pp. 30-31), the roles that Alexander performed in different contexts to legitimise his leadership ("Rollenverständnis," p. 31), the way in which Alexander crafted his own image through public speeches, the language used during such speeches ("Positionierungsstrategie," p. 31) 1 and the language used by his officials, as well as the content of official propaganda ("Außendarstellung, Herrschersprache, offizielle Sprache und ,Propaganda'," p. 32). At the same time, the author avers that his study does not address events related to the person and era of Alexander in the Near East and Egypt, due to the author's lack of proficiency in the languages in which the sources produced in these areas were written (p. 33). The work comprises a fairly extensive introduction ("Einleitung," pp. 11-51), three chapters and a conclusion. It is supplemented by a very substantial bibliography (pp. 419-476) and three types of indexes ("Ortsregister"; "Register der Personen-, Götternamen und Ethnonyme"; "Sach-, Institutionen-, Titel-Ämterrgister, historische Ereignisse").

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Rev. of M. Hoo, Eurasian Localisms. Towards a translocal approach to Hellenism and inbetweenness in central Eurasia, third to first centuries BCE, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart 2022, "Electrum" 31, 2024, 201-203.

The dynamic development of Hellenistic studies, ongoing for some time now, has borne fruit in a l... more The dynamic development of Hellenistic studies, ongoing for some time now, has borne fruit in a large number of important publications, the authors of which offer insights different from those hitherto prevailing. These new approaches manifest themselves in their novel research methods, in their greater attention to aspects of social, economic, political and religious history that have long been regarded as marginal, and in their innovative interpretations of Hellenistic phenomena. Many researchers are making renewed attempts to answer comprehensively what constituted the essence of Hellenism. The said question remains pertinent because, over the years, its ever-shifting answer has been determined by both historiographical and ideological attitudes au courant at a given time, in turn greatly shaping the perception of the Hellenistic era. We can trace a fairly detailed history of these transitions in Milinda Hoo's recently published monograph, based on her doctoral dissertation defended in 2018 at the Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel. The very title of the book indicates the focus of the author's research, naming concepts which, although known for a long time, have not yet been used all too often in historical research but mainly in the discussions on the phenomenon of globalisation in the ancient world. The meaning of one of these terms-'inbetweenness'-is amply explained by the author in the "Introduction" (pp. 17-37). The term is used to refer to the area where culturally distinct worlds interact, producing new cultural values and meanings. In the author's opinion, by studying such interface areas we can better comprehend their past and appreciate their role in history (cf. pp. 17-21, 36-37). 1 As the subject of her research, the author has chosen the area of Central Asia, where the interplay between the Greek culture and the local cultures is relatively well documented in the archaeological material (pp. 21-33). 2 The concept of Hellenism, a term that has been and continues to be employed by scholars in a variety of contexts, becomes crucial to Hoo's research. In order to establish her own stance in this regard, the author, in the chapter "Hellenism's Great Debates" (pp. 38-70), has succinctly presented a gamut of definitions of Hellenism, as expressed by scholars ranging from the first half of the nineteenth century to the

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rev. of S. Manning, Armed Forces in the Teispid-Achaemenid Empire: Past Approaches, Future Prospects, Franz Steiner Verlag 2021, "Electrum" 30, 2023, 441-443

The image of the Achaemenid army that survives to this day has been shaped by testimonies of Gree... more The image of the Achaemenid army that survives to this day has been shaped by testimonies of Greek authors writing on the Greco-Persian wars of the 5 th and 4 th c. BCE. From the 19 th c. onwards, the said testimonies and data found within capture the attention of scholars, constantly stir up major controversies and remain open to reinterpretation. New research methods in philology, history and archaeology challenge the scholarly consensus on the Achaemenid military history, open new research avenues and produce newer, exacter data. Although the voluminous research on the Persian army comprises scores of articles, treatises and monographs, the scholars continue to discuss its makeup, organisational structure and operation. One scholar who reinterprets the available evidence and questions commonly held beliefs is Sean Manning, whose monograph, Armed Force in the Teispid-Achaemenid Empire: Past Approaches, Future Prospects (an expanded version of his doctoral dissertation at the University of Innsbruck, 2018), is the subject of this review. Crucially, the monograph in question does not concern wars waged by the Achaemenids; instead, its focus lies on the land army of Persia under the Teispids and Achaemenids. The author excluded the navy due to his unfamiliarity with this topic. 1 What distinguishes Manning's perspective is his conscious shift of perspective: since the majority of scholars employ chiefly Greek sources on the Persian military, they inherit Greek cognitive biases. Manning proposes to paint a more comprehensive picture of the Persian army: first, to consider Greek, Persian and Babylonian sources side-by-side; second, to reexamine the image of the army in the sources through the lens of historical traditions that shaped it. The author underscores that the majority of scholars ignore the Persian's army embedment in the Eastern (non-Greek) military culture. To consider this army solely from the perspective of Greek sources and cultural codes will misinterpret peculiarities of the Persian culture (cf. pp. 61-63). The reviewed monograph, comprising seven chapters, is capped with a sizeable works cited section (pp. 359-415) and five indices. 2 The first chapter ('A History of Research,' pp. 21-64) surveys the history of research on the Achaemenid army, from the very first publications in the 19 th c. up to the dissertation's completion in 2018. The author traces the evolution of main research trends in the studied interval and characterises key approaches.

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rev. of M. Bloemer et al., Common Dwelling Place of all the Gods: Commagene in its Local, Regional and Global Hellenistic Context, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart 2021, "Electrum" 30, 2023, 449-451.

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rev. of Ch. Larouge-Cohen, Souvenirs du passe perse a l'epoque hellenistique (Armenie, Cappadoce, Commagene, Perside, Pont, Royaume arsacide), Peter Lang, Bruxelles 2022, "Electrum" 30, 2023, 457-459. ...

The lands once held by the Achaemenids and later incorporated into the Hellenistic empires largel... more The lands once held by the Achaemenids and later incorporated into the Hellenistic empires largely preserved their Persian heritage (administrative structure, culture, and religion), with new rulers underlining their genealogical ties to the Achaemenids. The Achaemenid heritage played a particularly significant part for states ruled by Hellenistic dynasties of Iranian descent. Although histories of these states have been thoroughly studied by the scholarly community, it has not been satisfactorily answered so far why (and how) rulers of certain Hellenistic states of Iran and eastern Anatolia would build their political ideology on their Achaemenid heritage. The recently published monograph by Chr. Lerouge-Cohen attempts to fill this gap in our knowledge. A preeminent specialist on history of ancient Parthia, Chr. Lerouge-Cohen (Université Paris Nanterre) has long examined its reception in ancient texts, with her voluminous output (such as her book on images of the Parthians in ancient literature 1) valued by other scholars in the field. Her newest monograph, Souvenirs du passé perse à l'époque hellé-nistique…, builds upon her previous historical studies of the Iranian world. The author's focus lies on durability of the Achaemenid heritage in states that rose upon the ruins of ancient Persia, and on its political and ideological significance. The extant sources on the Hellenistic polities indicate that rulers of Armenia, Cappadocia, Commagene, Pontus, Persis and Parthia, influenced by the Iranian culture, readily alluded to and maintained customs of imperial Persia. These monarchs would either highlight their genealogical ties to the Achaemenids or other Persian notables, imitate the Persian royal titulature, include elements of the ceremonial Persian garb in their public image, or emulate customs of the Persian courtly etiquette. The monograph comprises a lengthy introduction (presenting the status quaestionis and discussing analyzed types of sources, pp. 29-65) and three topical sections (two chapters each). The volume is capped by a short conclusions section (pp. 445-450), a works cited section (pp. 451-494), and a brief index nominorum (pp. 499-502). The first section of the monograph discusses the origin, chronology, history, culture, and religion of the above mentioned Hellenistic states, not only giving the reader an idea of their history but also highlighting their complex ties.

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rev. of David M. Jacobson & Nikos Kokkinos (eds.), Herod and Augustus. Papers prresented at the IJS Conference, 21st - 23rd June 2005, Brill, Leiden-Boston 2009, "Scripta Judaica Cracoviensia" 8, 2010, 111-113.

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Rev. of D. T. Ariel , J.-Ph. Fontanille, The Coins of Herod. A Modern Analysis an Die Classification, Brill, Leiden-Boston 2012, "Scripta Judaica Cracoviensia" 10, 2012, 135-137.

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rev. of S. Pfeiffer, G. Weber (eds.), Gesellschaftliche Spaltungen im Zeitalter des Hellenismus (4.-1. Jahrhundert v. Chr.), Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart 2021, "Electrum" 29, 2022, 337-339, Electrum 29,

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rev. of Amanda Jo Coles, Roman Colonies in Republic and Empire, Brill, Leiden-Boston 2020, "Electrum" 29, 2022, 351-353.

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rev. of H. Cameron, Making Mesopotamia: Geography and Empire in a Romano-Iranian Borderland, Brill, Leiden-Boston 2019, "Electrum" 27, 2020, 263-265.

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rev. of V. Lica, The Coming of Rome in the Dacian World (Xenia. Konstanzer Althistorische Vorträge und Forschungen, 44), Konstanz 2000, "Latomus" 65, 2006, 776-778.

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rev. of Z. Rodgers, M. Daly-Denton, A. Fitzpatric McKinley (eds.), A Wandering Galilean: Essays in Honour of Seán Freyne, (Supplements to the Journal for the Study of Judaism – 132), Brill, Leiden - New York 2009, "Scripta Judaica Cracoviensia" 9, 2011, 203-205.

Scripta Judaica Cracoviensia, Feb 15, 2012

Every academic discipline has its scholars whose achievements leave a deep and lasting imprint. S... more Every academic discipline has its scholars whose achievements leave a deep and lasting imprint. Such a character without doubt in the field of studies of ancient Galilee is Seán Freyne, emeritus professor at Trinity College Dublin, who spent several decades of his working life within the walls of this university. His retirement turned into an opportunity for his pupils and friends to dedicate a book in his honor. Some 28 scholars from Ireland, the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Norway and the Netherlands took part in its preparation. The articles featured in the collection are divided into three subject groups corresponding to Freyne's wide circle of academic interests. Thanks to their diverse range of topics, the book dedicated to him is a collection of extremely interesting articles worthy of the attention of historians, archaeologists and theologians involved in research not only of the past of Galilee (although the affairs of this land are tackled in the majority of the texts), but also the history of the other lands of Palestine and ancient Israel itself. The first group of texts is rather general in character, as expressed by its title: "The Jewish World." Most of these concern various subjects connected to religious issues analyzed from both a theological and a historic point of view. However, it is not only religious subjects that are represented here: Ph.S. Alexander, What Happened to the Jewish Priesthood after 70? (pp. 5-33); G. Bohak, Some "Mass Produced" Scorpion-Amulets from the Cairo Genizah (pp. 35-49); J.J. Collins, Josephus on the Essenes. The Sources of his Information (pp. 51-72); Ph.F. Esler, Judean Ethnic Identity in Josephus' Against Apion (pp. 73-91); A. Fitzpatrick-McKinley, What did Nehemiah do for Judaism? (pp. 93-119); C. Hezser, Ben-Hur and Ancient Jewish Slavery (pp. 121-139); J.S. McLaren, Corruption among the High Priesthood: a Matter of Perspective (pp. 141-157); J. Neusner, The Integrity of the Rabbinic Law of Purity (Misnah Teharot) (pp. 159-172); Z. Rodgers, Monarchy vs. Priesthood: Josephus, Justus of Tiberias, and Agrippa II (pp. 173-184). The next group of texts, its subject matter being the closest to Freyne's research interests, is entitled "The World of Galilee." The majority of the articles included in it concern various affairs concerning the archaeology of Galilee. The strong emphasis on archaeological matters in this part of the book is justified by the major role of this discipline in research on the past of this land, the importance of archaeological evidence for studies of the cultural and ethnic makeup of the inhabitants of Galilee and its historical fate. However, there is also room for articles on other aspects of research on Galilee:

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rev. of M. Blömer, M. Facella, E. Winter (eds.), Lokale Identität im Römischen Osten. Kontexte und Perspektiven. Erträge der Tagung „Lokale Identität im Römischen Nahen Osten”, Münster 19–21 April 2007, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart 2009, "Electrum" 18, 2011, 190-192.

Electrum, Feb 15, 2011

The Roman Near East fascinates scholars with its diversity of local traditions derived from the r... more The Roman Near East fascinates scholars with its diversity of local traditions derived from the region's long and rich history. A close study of them allows us to determine their sources and trace how they combined over time, how they evolved and merged to create new entities. A study of such local traditions yields a vast wealth of new details which permit a better understanding of the history of communities that cultivated them. Local identity in the Roman Near East was the subject of a conference in Münster several years ago. Among those present were a number of historians dealing with the impact of Roman culture on local communities in the East, or, in a broader sense, the cultural aspects of Roman rule in the eastern Mediterranean. Many of them use the new research method, so far employed mainly in archaeological studies, which consists in simultaneous use of written evidence and various types of material evidence to reconstruct and interpret historical events. The volume in question contains ten articles whose subjects concern various aspects and manifestations of local identity. Many touch upon religious matters. For a review of their subject matter, we may quote their titles: M.

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rev. of H. Börm, Prokop und die Perser. Untersuchungen zu den römisch-sasanidischen Kontakten in der ausgehenden Spätantike (Oriens et Occidens 16), Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart 2007, "Electrum" 18, 2011, 193-194.

Procopius of Caesarea's book is unquestionably a valuable source of information for those studyin... more Procopius of Caesarea's book is unquestionably a valuable source of information for those studying the relations between Rome and the Sasanid state. Although he is frequently quoted, no one has so far undertaken the effort of a systematic, critical analysis of Procopius' knowledge of Persian affairs. An attempt to fi ll this gap is this book by Henning Börm, which is based on his doctoral dissertation written under the supervision of J. Wiesehöfer. The author begins his discussion with an introduction (pp. 11-17), in which he defi nes his objectives. These include answering three important questions: 1) What knowledge the Romans had of Persian affairs at the time of Justinian?; 2) How Procopius assessed the Sasanid state and the Persians themselves?; and 3) How far it is possible to characterize Rome's Persian policies and to analyze Roman-Persian relations in the 5 th and 6 th centuries A.D. with Procopius and his contemporary sources (p. 12)? The fi rst chapter sums up the present state of research into Procopius' writing, the history of the eastern Roman Empire at the declining stage of late Antiquity, and the history of the Sasanid state in the same period (Überblick über wichtigste Forschungsliteratur, pp. 18-29). The next chapter focuses on Procopius himself (Prokop: Umwelt, Leben und Werk, pp. 30-69). It presents not only facts about the historian's life and work, but also speculations about his possible sources of knowledge about Persian affairs (pp. 52-57). The author concludes that it is impossible to name a single such source with any certainty, since Procopius most probably used both written and oral sources, adjusting his evidence to his needs and selecting from it the information he needed. It may also be that Procopius' testimony which is not confi rmed elsewhere could have resulted from his erroneous interpretation of whatever source he was using (p. 57). The chapter concludes with a description of other sources from that time: Roman, Syrian, Armenian, Persian, and Arabic (pp. 57-69). The next chapter, like the preceding two, is also general. It concerns the picture of the Persian in antique historiography from Herodotus onward (Das Perserbild in der antiken Historiographie, pp. 70-89). The picture the author creates based on the accounts of ancient historians and writers makes for a reference point in his further discussion of the image of Persians as constructed by Procopius himself (cf. Das Bild der Perser bei Prokop, pp. 247-275). In the longest chapter, Prokops Angaben zu persischen Realien (pp. 90-246), the author makes an effort to analyze all mentions of the Sasanid state in Procopius' works. These concern various issues: monarchy, Persian aristocracy, offi ces and their related titles, military affairs, religion, geography, and history of the Persian state. The author concludes that Procopius' interest in Persian history is quite selective since he devotes little space to events before 400 A.D., and his knowledge of them is random, although probably based on valuable sources. His picture of

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rev. of V. Babota, The Institution of the Hasmonean High Priesthood (Supplements to the Journal for the Study of Judaism – 165), Brill, Leiden – Boston 2014, "Scripta Judaica Cracoviensia" 12, 2014, 143-146.

Scripta Judaica Cracoviensia, Nov 7, 2014

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rev. of K. Mosig-Walburg, Römer und Perser. Vom 3. Jahrhundert bis zum Jahr 363 n.Chr. Computus Druck Satz & Verlag, Gutenberg 2009, "Electrum" 18, 2011, 191-192.

Electrum, Feb 15, 2011

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in Roman-Persian relations in the Sassanid per... more In recent years, there has been a growing interest in Roman-Persian relations in the Sassanid period. This can be seen in the large number of new books and studies devoted to this subject and to other aspects of the Iranian history of the time. This renewed interest was likely spurred by intensifi ed research into the Late Empire (4 th-7 th centuries A.D.) which calls for close analysis of Roman-Persian relations and their impact, whether direct or indirect, on various areas of life in the eastern Roman Empire. Increasingly often, scholars reach for previously disregarded works by Late Roman, Armenian, and Oriental authors. These offer a radically different perspective of long-known events and help to verify their interpretations, some formed many decades ago. One example of the new insight into the subject is the habilitation dissertation by Karin Mosig-Walburg. The author considers Roman-Persian relations from the beginning of the Sassanid state till the peace concluded between Shapur II and Emperor Jovian in 363 A.D., with a focus on the period chronologically marked by the truce between Diocletian and Narses (298) and the peace of 363 A.D. (cf. pp. 11-15). A discussion of Roman-Persian relations from the ascent to power of the Sassanid dynasty's founder Ardashir I to the time of Narses is found in Chapter I: Rom, Persien, und Armenien im 3. Jahrhundert (pp. 19-89). Signifi cantly, it emphasizes the importance of Armenia as a vital part in those relations in the 3 rd century A.D. (pp. 63-89). Chapter II: Der Krieg zwischen Narse und Diocletian und der Friedensvertrag des Jahres 298 (pp. 91-148) describes in detail questions concerning the war Diocletian waged against Narses and the clauses of the truce which concluded it. An assessment of this truce, as seen from both sides, is the subject of Chapter III: Die Bewertung des Friedensvertrages des Jahres 298 vom römischer und von persischer Seite (pp. 149-155). Subsequent chapters present a chronological order of Roman-Persian relations up to the 330s. (IV: Die römisch-persischen Beziehungen vom Jahr 298 bis zum Beginn der 30er Jahre des 4. Jahrhunderts, pp. 157-192) including the period of fi ghting in those years, concluded with a truce in 337, in which Armenia also played a signifi cant role (V: Der Beginn des römisch-persischen Krieges in den 30er Jahren des 4. Jahrhunderts, pp. 193-266). In a separate chapter, the author questions the point, so far fully accepted as true, about Constans I and Constantius II using the religious question in relations between Rome and the Sasanids (VI. Die Rolle der Religion in der Perserpolitik Constantins I. und Constantius' II, pp. 267-282). The last two chapters concern the Persian expedition by Julian the Apostate (VII. Der Perserfeldzug Julians, pp. 283-304) and the truce with Persia which, after this emperor died in 363, was signed by his successor (VIII. Der Friedensvertrag des Jahres 363, pp. 305-324). The book closes with a synthetic summary of the author's fi ndings (IX. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung, pp. 325-332).

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rev. of A. Eich, S.Freund, M. Rühle, Chr. Schubert (eds.), Das dritte Jahrhundert. Kontinuitäten, Brüche, Übergänge. Ergebnisse der Tagung der Mommsen-Gesellschaft am 21.–22.11.2014 an der Bergischen Universität Wuppertal (Palingenesia – 108), Franz Steiner Verlag 2017, "Electrum" 26, 2019, 223-225.

Electrum

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rev. of J. Wiesehöfer, S. Müller (eds.), Parthika: Greek and Roman Authors’ Views of the Arsacid Empire / Grechisch-römische Bilder der Arsakidenreiches (Classica et Orientalia – 15), Harrassowitz Verlag, Wiesbaden 2017, 312 pp., b/w ill., "Electrum" 26, 2019, 215-218.

Electrum

Scholars dealing with the history of ancient Iran are aware that our knowledge of the first two I... more Scholars dealing with the history of ancient Iran are aware that our knowledge of the first two Iranian empires-the Achaemenids and Arsacids-comes mostly from Greek or Roman sources. It is also thanks to their works that these scholars have better tools for understanding and interpreting the data contained in the few epigraphical documents and numismatic evidence (as well as that furnished by archaeological excavations) that come from these two empires and concern their histories. However, these works also cause a number of problems that are sometimes difficult to overcome, since their authors generally describe the political, social and religious realities of the Iranian world from the perspective of concepts and phenomena from the Greek or Roman world. The reason for this might be the fact that many of these authors knew of the matters and events in question from other sources, or deliberately employed concepts that their readers could understand. Many years ago, Robert Rollinger and Josef Weisehöfer launched a series of conferences aiming for a comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the data on the history of Achaemenid Iran contained in the works of ancient authors. One of the last such conferences took place between 27 and 30 June 2012 at Kiel University, with two separate parts. The first examined the works of Megasthenes and the image of India in the works of other ancient authors, while the second focused on issues concerning the form, content and date of the works of Apollodorus of Artemita and Isidore of Charax on the Arsacid state. As a result of the major thematic differences between the two parts of the conference, the papers presented at them were published in separate publications: the first in 2016, 1 followed in 2017 by the second, Parthika: Greek and Roman Authors' Views of the Arsacid Empire / Griechisch-römische Bilder der Arsakidenreiches. The title of this volume suggests that it contains not only texts addressing the works of Apollodorus of Artemita and Isidore of Charax, but also those of other ancient authors writing about the history of the Parthians. And this is indeed the case, since the book is composed of two distinctly separate parts. The first, titled "Überlegungen zu Appolodoros von Artemita und Isidoros von Charax" (pp. 3-220), comprises eight texts. The first

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Ktistes. Mythological and Historical Founders of Ancient Cities and Colonies: Memory, Mythography, Traditions, and Represntation. An International Conference, Kraków, September 25-26, 2023

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University of Bologna, Phd Programme 2019-2020: History and Archaeology. Studies on Heritage, Memory and Cultures

by Federicomaria Muccioli, Edward Dabrowa, Tiziana Lazzari, and Isabella Lazzarini

Brochure of the PhProgramm 2019-2020. Application: 12 april-15 may 2019.

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XIth Congress of the European Association for Jewish Studies.pdf

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W poszukiwaniu korzeni [krótkie sprawozdanie z XI Kongresu EAJS w Krakowie w lipcu 2018]

by Alicja Maslak-Maciejewska and Edward Dabrowa

Opublikowane w "Alma Mater. Miesięcznik Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego", X 2018, nr 202.

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Mithradates I and the Beginning of the Ruler-Cult in Parthia, "Electrum" 15, 2009, 41-51

Electrum, Mar 4, 2015

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Federicomaria Muccioli (1965–2020), "Electrum" 28 (2021), 7-8

by Giusto Traina and Edward Dabrowa

Federicomaria Muccioli, professor of Greek history in the Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bolo... more Federicomaria Muccioli, professor of Greek history in the Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, passed by in Rimini on May 14th, 2020. Although he was only 54 years old, he leaves a deep legacy of learned and innovative research: above all, his masterwork Gli epiteti ufficiali dei re ellenistici (Historia-Einzelschriften, vol. 224, Stuttgart 2013). Federico mastered all the sources and the scientific literature of Greek history: his information was amazingly detailed and updated. His main area of interest was the Hellenistic period: his last book, Storia dell'Ellenismo (Bologna 2019), is a first-rate introduction to this period. He primarily focused on the image and the historiography of power in the Hellenistic age, from his first book Dionisio II. Storia e tradizione letteraria (Bologna 1999). His monograph La storia attraverso gli esempi. Protagonisti e interpretazione del mondo greco in Plutarco (Milano 2012) is a milestone of Plutarch studies (Federico was an active member of the International Plutarch Society). One of his last books, Le orecchie lunghe di Alessandro Magno. Satira del potere nel mondo greco (IV-I secolo a.C.) (Rome 2018), is an original contribution

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Programme of the 12th Melammu Workshop

by Francesca Gazzano and Edward Dabrowa

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