Open Seminar: In the Gardens of the Gods: Metaphors for Political Power from the Sumerian to the Seleucids

Location: The Ithacan Philanthropic Society, Level 2, 329 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne (NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE)
Date: 6/4/2017 @ 7:00pm
Presenter: Dr Eva Anagnostou-Laoutides
Entry: FREE

Synopsis

My presentation, drawing on chapter four of my recent book In the Garden of the Gods, discusses the appropriation of eastern cults by Seleucus I Nicator (Σέλευκος Νικάτωρ) and his son Antiochus in their struggle to establish their dynasty. I examine the roles of Zeus and Apollo, the foremost divine protectors of the Seleucids, against near eastern royal traditions.

I argue that the founding members of the dynasty had an intimate knowledge of Babylonian traditions that celebrated Šamaš, the Sun god, as protector of royal legitimacy and Marduk as warrantor of military supremacy and that they employed these traditions meticulously in order to promote their claim to kingship. By encouraging the identification of Marduk and Nabû with Zeus and Apollo respectively, Seleucus and Antiochus mirrored the father-son relationship of the gods.

The paper also examines the importance of royal gardens under the Seleucids in connection with “sacred marriage” and akītu (New Year) ceremonies which the Hellenistic kings embraced enthusiastically.

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