Research Details
PhD DEPT/SUBJECT AREA: Classics, Ancient History and Egyptology
SUPERVISOR(S): Dr Maria Pretzler, Prof. Mark Humphries.
PhD THESIS TITLE: From Boeotia to Achaea: The Development of Federalism in Greek Antiquity
From Phocis to Achaea: Ethnicity and Federalism in Greek Antiquity
Research Synopsis
My PhD investigated the connections between layers of ethnic identity and federalism in four regions of Ancient Greece: Phocis, Boeotia, Arcadia, and Aetolia. This project looked at federalism beyond institutions and investigate the interconnection between federalism and various levels of identity.
I researched ethnic identity as a multi-layered process, particularly looking at levels such as Hellenicity, trans-regional-, regional-, sub-regional-, and polis ethnic. This involved applying an ethnosymbolic approach, with a focus on myths, festivals, memories, and symbols and their links to the development of ethnicity and federalism in ancient Greece.
The four regions provide case studies; I started with sixth century Phocis, as a set-up for the project, highlighting the significance of local and sub-regional groups in this region to the end of the Third Sacred War in the fourth century. Next, I examined the Boeotians and Arcadians; more evidence survives for both these regions, which allows me to refine my argument.
Throughout these three case studies, I highlighted the importance of flexibility in the mythical stories for various levels of identity and their links with federal states in ancient Greece. My final case study is Classical and Hellenistic Aetolia.
This region developed from a tribal confederate system in the fifth century into a federal state based on the regional identity in the fourth century. In the Hellenistic period, the Aetolian federal state expanded far beyond its traditional ethnic territory, and non-Aetolian members were organised into districts based on their regional ethnic groups, such as the Ozolian Locrians, Dorians, and Agraioi.
I started each case study by analysing archaic origin myths and their connections to an ethnic homeland, followed by an investigation of the historical development of these groups using a narrative approach. My conclusion brought all the data together and applies it to the Hellenistic Achaean federal state from 251 to 222.
