GREEK CONCEPTUALIZATIONS OF PERSIAN TRADITIONS: GIFT-GIVING AND FRIENDSHIP IN THE PERSIAN EMPIRE. (May 2021)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- GREEK CONCEPTUALIZATIONS OF PERSIAN TRADITIONS: GIFT-GIVING AND FRIENDSHIP IN THE PERSIAN EMPIRE. (May 2021)
- Main Title:
- GREEK CONCEPTUALIZATIONS OF PERSIAN TRADITIONS: GIFT-GIVING AND FRIENDSHIP IN THE PERSIAN EMPIRE
- Authors:
- Ellis, Samuel
- Abstract:
- Abstract: This article examines gift-giving within the Persian empire and its perception in Greek literary sources. Gift-giving in the Greek world was often framed in the language of friendship, and Greek authors subsequently articulated Persian traditions using the language and cultural norms of their intended audience. There were fundamental differences in the concepts of gift-exchange and reciprocity between the Greeks and the Persians. This article will examine Persian traditions of gift-giving followed by Greek traditions of gift-giving, and will argue that the Greek misrepresentation of Persian customs led to numerous misunderstandings in relations between Greek and Persian individuals. The use of Greek descriptive language, rather than more accurate terminology, to describe Persian traditions has hindered our understanding of gift-giving in the Persian empire. In addressing these misconceptions, this article will demonstrate the successful use of gift-giving in the Persian empire and the perils of Greek misrepresentation of foreign customs.
- Is Part Of:
- Classical quarterly. Volume 71:Number 1(2021)
- Journal:
- Classical quarterly
- Issue:
- Volume 71:Number 1(2021)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 71, Issue 1 (2021)
- Year:
- 2021
- Volume:
- 71
- Issue:
- 1
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2021-0071-0001-0000
- Page Start:
- 77
- Page End:
- 88
- Publication Date:
- 2021-05
- Subjects:
- gifts -- philia -- Greece -- Persia -- friendship -- reciprocity -- status
Classical philology -- Periodicals
Classical literature -- Periodicals
880 - Journal URLs:
- http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=CAQ ↗
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S0009838821000525 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 0009-8388
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital Store
- Ingest File:
- 17452.xml