proskynesis

Examples of proskynesis in the following topics:

• Hellenization and the Spread of Greek Culture

  • Second, Alexander attempted to create a unified ruling class of Persians and Greeks bound by marriage ties.He used both Greeks and Persians in positions of power, although he depended more on Greeks in unstable positions, and also replaced many Persian satraps in a purge after his return from India.He also attempted to mix the two cultures by adopting elements of the Persian court (such as a version of the royal robes and some of the court ceremony and attendants) and attempting to insist on the practice of proskynesis for his Greek subjects.He likely had intentions to equalize the two races in their behavior towards Alexander as 'Great King', but his actions were bitterly resented by the Macedonians, as the Greek custom was reserved solely for the gods.This policy can be interpreted as an attempt to spread Greek culture, or to create a hybrid culture; however, again, it can also be seen as an attempt to help control the unwieldy empire, as Alexander required loyalty from Persian nobles as much as from his Macedonian officers.A hybrid court culture may have been created so as not to exclude the Persians.Furthermore, Alexander's marriage to, and child with the Bactrian princess Roxane can be interpreted as an attempt to create a royal dynasty which would be acceptable to both Asians and Greeks.

• The Legacy of Alexander the Great

  • Additionally, the custom of proskynesis, a traditional Persian act of bowing or prostrating oneself before a person of higher social rank, was never adopted.