Philia Networks in the Macedonian Court and the Long Accession of Alexander the Great

This paper revaluates key moments in the court politics of Alexander the Great's reign through the introduction of philia-networks governed by gift-exchange as a template for explaining the relationships between key participants. This approach makes it clear that Alexander initially held a pass...

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Bibliographic Details
Author: Guthrie, Julius
Format: article
Publication Date:2020
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repository:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:235322
Online Access:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/235322
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.5565/rev/karanos.51
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Alexander the Great
Philia
Aristotle
Court politics
Conspiracies
Alejandro Magno
Aristóteles
Política judicial
Conspiraciones
Description
Summary:This paper revaluates key moments in the court politics of Alexander the Great's reign through the introduction of philia-networks governed by gift-exchange as a template for explaining the relationships between key participants. This approach makes it clear that Alexander initially held a passive role in the political life of his own court and was dependant on others for his succession. These dynamics shifted in the opening years of the Asian expedition as Alexander sought to break these philia-networks, building his own and surrounding his person with philoi of his own choosing.