The Problem of Hellenistic Syria*
The Problem of Hellenistic Syria*
This chapter investigates the problem of Hellenistic rule in Syria. In seeking the nature or limits of Hellenisation, it attempts to find evidence of continued survival of native cultures or fusion of Greek and native cultures, Greek or Macedonian military settlement in the surrounding territories, and changes in literacy. It first discusses excavations on several sites to find archaeological evidence of earlier Hellenistic periods: Samaria, Pella, Dura, and Epiphaneia. The chapter then illustrates the presence in Syria of Ptolemaic soldiers from various parts of the Greek world. The inscription from Ras Ibn Hani on the coast eight kilometres north of Laodicea records their presence. Excavations on this site have shown that a fortified Greek town was established there in the same period, probably by the Ptolemies.
Keywords: Hellenistic rule, Syria, Hellinisation, native cultures, military settlement, literacy, Samaria, Pella, Dura, Epiphaneia
North Carolina Scholarship Online requires a subscription or purchase to access the full text of books within the service. Public users can however freely search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter.
Please, subscribe or login to access full text content.
If you think you should have access to this title, please contact your librarian.
To troubleshoot, please check our FAQs , and if you can't find the answer there, please contact us .