Durand, Jean-LouisBiblio.com
Herman, GabrielBiblio.com
RITUALISED FRIENDSHIP AND THE GREEK CITY
19876120Cambridge University Press. 1987. Hardcover. Very Good in No Dust Jacket dust jacket. Light shelfwear. Spine ends are slightly rounded. Gift inscription from author on ffep "For Professor Habicht with kind regards Gabriel Herman".; 224 pages; In this book Gabriel Herman offers a new interpretation of Greek xenia a term traditionally rendered as 'guest-friendship'. Drawing on contemporary literary sources and inscriptions as well as anthropology sociology and comparative evidence from other times he shows that xenia was a bond of fictitious kinship akin to godparenthood rather than a tie of hospitality or ordinary 'friendship'. Starting off from this proposition he develops a dynamic model of the formation of elite relationships and values. He explores the concepts of obligation and loyalty gift and bribe treason and patriotism and places the Greek city within a new context of power relations. This book which assumes no knowledge of Greek will be of interest to students and teachers of ancient history and classics. It will also appeal to social and political scientists.; Signed by Author . 0521325412 . Cambridge University Press hardcover
