The words 'aristocrats', 'aristocracy' and 'aristocratic values' appear
in many a study of ancient history and culture. Sometimes these terms
are used with a precise meaning. More often they are casual shorthand
for 'upper class', 'ruling elite' and 'high standards'. This book brings
together 12 new studies by an impressive international cast of
specialists. It demonstrates not only that true aristocracies were rare
in the ancient world, but also that the modern use of 'aristocracy' in a
looser sense is misleading. The word comes with connotations derived
from medieval and modern history. Antiquity, it is here argued, was
different. An introductory chapter by the editors argues that
'aristocracy' is rarely a helpful concept for the analysis of political
struggles, of historical developments or of ideology. The editors call
instead for close study of the varied nature of social inequalities and
relationships in particular times and places. The following eleven
chapters explore and in most cases challenge the common assumption that
hereditary 'aristocrats' who derive much of their status, privilege and
power from their ancestors are identifiable at most times and places in
the ancient world. They question, too, the related notion that deep
ideological divisions existed between 'aristocratic values', such as
hospitality, generosity and a disdain for commerce or trade, and the
norms and ideals of lower or 'middling' classes. They do so by detailed
analysis of archaeological and literary evidence for the rise and nature
of elites and leisure classes, diverse elite strategies, and political
conflicts in a variety of states across the Mediterranean. Chapters deal
with archaic and classical Athens, Samos, Aigina and Crete; the Greek
'colonial' settlements such as Sicily; archaic Rome and central Italy;
and the Roman empire under the Principate.
