Storia militare e mutamento religioso negli anni ateniesi di Demetrio Poliorcete

Abstract

The religious changes implemented during the years of Demetrius Poliorcetes in Athens can be situated within the framework of reciprocal do ut des between him and the city. This reveals the inherent connection between military and religious history, as evidenced by the phenomenon of ruler cults. Specifically, Athens bestows divine honors upon the individual in exchange for Demetrius providing military protection and action in support of the city. This dynamic is articulated in a distinctive manner through certain emblematic cultic (and civic) innovations introduced during the protagonist’s Athenian career. These innovations serve as valuable tools for contextualizing the relationship between religious transformation and military history within the broader scope of the early Hellenistic period.