Freedom, Equality, and the Rule of Law in the Hellenistic Age

Despite the traditional view in classical scholarship that the politically salient concepts of freedom, equality, and the rule of law were exclusively ancient Greek formulations, especially during the Classical Age (479-323 BCE), scholars in ancient Near Eastern studies have increasingly recognized that there was a much earlier and longer history of liberatory political thought and consensus building in the ancient Middle East. In the Hellenistic Age, when these concepts appear in the textual evidence, scholars have generally assumed that this reflects Greek political traditions. However, this paper argues that non-Greek political traditions were the foundations for liberatory, egalitarian, and legal ways of thinking in the ancient world.

Although the Hellenistic Age was a highly dynamic and vibrant period in history, it is usually relegated to a subordinate status in classical studies because kings, particularly from the Seleucid, Ptolemaic, and Antigonid dynasties, dominated international affairs and limited the freedom and autonomy of city-states and leagues, particularly on the Greek mainland. Nevertheless, there was significant continuity with earlier periods with their constantly shifting balances of power and leaders appealing to the politically charged concepts of freedom, equality, and the rule of law. By providing close readings across genres and perspectives of archaeological and documentary sources from the Hellenistic Age, this paper will provide a fresh starting point for integrating this period into the broader historical discipline and demonstrate ways to move beyond the dichotomy between East and West.