Euhormos: Greco Roman Studies in Anchoring Innovation Reading Greek and Hellenistic Spolia

This volume offers in-depth analyses of famous examples of spoliation from Greek and Hellenistic-Roman antiquity. A unique combined approach of historians, archaeologists and literary critics sheds new light on this widespread phenomenon through its focus on objects, appropriation and cultural change. Plundering and taking home precious objects from a defeated enemy was a widespread activity in the Greek and Hellenistic-Roman world. In this volume literary critics, historians and archaeologists join forces in investigating this phenomenon in terms of appropriation and cultural change. In-depth interpretations of famous ancient spoliations, like that of the Greeks after Plataea or the Romans after the capture of Jerusalem, reveal a fascinating paradox: while the material record shows an eager incorporation of new objects, the texts display abhorrence of the negative effects they were thought to bring along. As this volume demonstrates, both reactions testify to the crucial innovative impact objects from abroad may have.