The “good deeds” of Hellenistic queens: benefactresses and political power

Abstract

This work deals with the participation of Hellenistic queens in the euergetism —a system characteristic of Greek and Roman societies— as a mechanism for satisfying needs of civic communities, as well for social control and supporting power. Through benefactions, the queens acted as agents of social cohesion and welfare, and contributed to the support of power of the royal dynasties they belonged. In an international level, these benefactions were a mechanism of royal diplomacy, serving to spread the influence of their kingdoms over the nominally independent Greek cities. By analysing these queen’s activities we will reach a more comprehensive understanding of the euergetism system and the societies that produced it, as it is intersected by gender. And especially this analysis implies a reflection on women’s power, that, when speaking about queens, means political power.