Ruling Their Own Way: A Study of the Self-Presentation, Perception and Influences on the Ruling Families of Archaic and Classical Greek Sicily

Abstract

This thesis examines the nature of sole-rule in Greek Sicily and shows that there was a unique tradition of one-man rule that manifested itself only in Sicily. In recent years our understanding of both sole-rule in the ancient world and Greek Sicily as a region have undergone rapid development. In the case of the former, it has become accepted that sole-rule was widespread, and this was especially so in Sicily. In the case of the latter, it has become clear that Sicily was a culturally diverse and socially interactive environment, and a place that should occupy a greater role in the story of the ancient Mediterranean. Here, these two strands of scholarship collide, with Sicily being placed at the centre of a study of a more widespread political phenomenon. At its heart, this thesis asks a simple question: what is the Sicilian Greek tradition of sole-rule, and how was it different from others? It answers this question through showing that we can only understand sole-rulership in Sicily by first understanding the distinctive geographical circumstances of the island, its economic life, cultural history, social life and politics. Sole-rule in Sicily was both affected by these elements of what made Greek Sicily and contributed to them. As such, a Sicilian form of sole-rule can be found.