Athletes and Artists in the Roman Empire
The History and Organisation of the Ecumenical Synods

The first comprehensive study of these unique and important associations in the cultural and social life of the Roman empire.

Bram Fauconnier (Author)

9781009202831, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 February 2023

380 pages, 3 b/w illus. 1 table
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.7 cm, 0.73 kg

This is the first comprehensive study of the associations of athletes and artists in the Roman empire. The xystic synod of athletes and the thymelic synod of artists were the only ancient associations that operated on a pan-Mediterranean scale. They were active from southern Gaul to Syria and Egypt and were therefore styled 'ecumenical synods'. They played a key role in Greek festival culture during the imperial period: not only did they defend the professional interests of their members, they also contributed to the organisation of competitions and the maintenance of the festival network. Due to their cultural activities, their connections with the imperial court and their ramified social networks, they left a distinctive stamp on Greco-Roman elite culture during the Principate. Drawing on all available documentation, this book offers new insights into the history and workings of these remarkable associations.

Part I. History: 1. The Hellenistic artists' associations
2. The emergence of the ecumenical synods of competitors
3. The development of the ecumenical synods in the first century AD
4. All roads lead to Rome
5. On tour through the festival world
6. The decline of the ecumenical synods
Part II. Organisation: 7. Internal organisation
8. The members of the ecumenical synods
9. The professional interests of the ecumenical synods
10. The organisation of the festival network
General conclusion.

Subject Areas: Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1]