War in the Hellenistic World (review)

The Hellenistic World was born out of war. From the reign of Philip II of Macedon to the conquests of Alexander the Great, the salient cultural and political features of the world being created were determined by battles and war. The Wars of the Successors continued this process. From Italy to Afghanistan-Pakistan/North India war would be the determinant shaper of society for nearly three hundred years until the close came after a series of battles culminating at Actium in 31BC replaced the political dimension of the Hellenistic World with the Roman Empire.

In this book, which is part of Blackwell Publishing's "Ancient World At War" series, Professor A. Chaniotis of the University of Heidelberg presents the phenomenon of war in society as a complex social and cultural force exercising a positive role in shaping the characteristics of the age. The thousands of papyri from Egypt, hundreds of inscriptions from Asia and Europe, and the fragmented literary accounts provide a vast body of information which frequently cannot be placed in its historical context with any confidence, thereby often serving to confuse rather than enlighten. The absence of a continuous or near continuous literary source leaves the scholar adrift without a reliable means to fix his historical locations with any confidence.

Nevertheless, Professor Chaniotis has succeeded in bringing the fragmented sources together to present a reasonably clear picture of how war served as the shaping force in a variety of areas ranging from confirming the social roles of participants and onlookers regardless of gender, intensifying the development of interlocking relations and alliances, to allowing the conquered to exert a dominating cultural influence on the conquerors (e.g., Greece vis-à-vis Rome). War stimulated inventions and applied sciences in shipbuilding, harbor construction, in urban design and fortification; its ubiquity is reflected in economic redistribution ranging from war plunder to enslavement, ransoming of captives to women assuming male roles, particularly in financial matters, though never attaining equality with males. Wherever one turned the evidence of war was present; in commemorative monuments, royal titles such as Soter (Saviour), Nikator (Conqueror), Nikephoros (Bringer of Victory). To rule meant to command armies and be victorious.

Chaniotis has focused his study on four categories of states: Monarchy, as exemplified in Antigonid Macedonia; the Polis, using Athens; a maritime state, such as Rhodes; and the island of Crete where fifty to sixty poleis engaged in constant war as a means of settling local disputes.

This wide angled focus on the spectrum of Hellenistic polities, rather than only on the monarchies, allows Chaniotis to present a compelling account of the role and place of war as a positive molder of society. By informing us of the activities of the lesser states (e.g., the Cretan poleis) we see that despite the fervent prayers for peace, war was the norm felt in every segment of society ranging from increased professionalism to frequent active service. Even gender perceptions were affected as gender metaphors indicate. The active role of women as causes or prosecutors of war are cited. Not even religion escaped these influences as dedications expressing gratitude to helpful deities to the apotheosis for heroic conduct testify to war as a positive influence. It was war that served as the agent to reveal character traits: courage, generosity, fear, greed. Even territorial possession rested on war. From victory emerged conquest, which led to possession—a brutally simple equation that left no room for misunderstanding.

Professor Chaniotis has provided us with an insightful study into the Hellenistic World, demonstrating the role of war as a shaping agent in what are often regarded as nonmilitary areas. He demonstrates that war was more than a disruptive intruder. This work is a positive contribution to our knowledge of the Hellenistic Age and will serve as a pathfinder directing subsequent inquiries into the regions of that world that are not considered here.

This work is recommended for the interested and informed reader as well...