The Social and Economic Structures of the Ancient Novels
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 20052655 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Antonio M Scarcella (corresponding author) |
| Year | 1996 |
| Pages | 221-276 |
| Publication date | 1996-01-01 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | CHAPTER |
| Venue | The Novel in the Ancient World (SOURCE_BOOK) |
| Publisher | Brill (PUBLISHER • NL) |
| DOI | 10.1163/9789004217638_011 |
| OpenAlex | W846336398 |
| ISBN | 9789004217638 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
The societies portrayed by Chariton belong to different states: the democratic polis of Syracuse, the monarchical states of Persia and Egypt. The appearance of democratic attitudes within despotic monarchical structure is surprising. In Syracuse popular masses have some political relevancy; elsewhere they only serve the purpose of decoration. There are lowly and outcast groups: these are the many pirates that wander the sea and replenish the slave market through their robberies and kidnappings. Slaves are everywhere. There appear fortunes and riches, which are boundless in the case of kings. The social structure and the economic features of these states, in their main lines, follow a well-known pattern; however, the appreciation of culture as a justification for power is noteworthy. The young protagonists belong to prominent Syracusan families, though their political prestige differs. Keywords: ancient novels; Chariton; economic structures; social structure
Ancient history · Democracy · Monarchy · Political science · Politics · Prestige · Social structure · Classical Antiquity Studies · History · Law · Philosophy
| Citations per year | 0.15 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 1999 - 2022 (24) |
| Highly cited | No |