Master thesis | Classics and Ancient Civilizations (MA)
open access
The objective of this research is to gain insight into why some deified persons in Classical and early Hellenistic Greece, more specifically in the 100-year period after the Peloponnesian war,...Show moreThe objective of this research is to gain insight into why some deified persons in Classical and early Hellenistic Greece, more specifically in the 100-year period after the Peloponnesian war, received divine cult while others received hero cult. For the purpose of this research, I will be analyzing case studies of deifications concerning divine as well as heroic cults in order to determine what the criteria are for a divine cult and successfully becoming a god. What I deem successful is that the deified person in question is not viewed “as if a god” or on “godlike status” but is viewed as an actual god. For the purpose of this, the research question 'why are some deifications of living mortals succesful, while others are not?’ has been formulated. To find an answer to this question, the following sub-questions have been drawn up: first, what are cults and what is deification? Second, what are the criteria for deified, living mortals to receive divine cult? Third, what are the criteria for the worshippers?Show less
This research aims to identify potential differences and commonalities in the role of social identity across different radicalisation contexts. It conducts a thematic analysis on four (auto...Show moreThis research aims to identify potential differences and commonalities in the role of social identity across different radicalisation contexts. It conducts a thematic analysis on four (auto)biographic accounts to analyse the main themes of the selected Cases radicalisation in relation to their social identity. From this analysis, three themes are defined. The first theme being the development of a social identity during (early) childhood. The second theme is the continuation of the development of the social identity and radicalisation based on negative childhood experiences as evidenced in the Neo-Nazi Cases. The third theme is the development of the social identity and radicalisation based on positive childhood experiences as evidenced in the cult-member Cases. This paper then identifies the role of charismatic leaders in the exploitation and radicalisation of individual social identity Identities. Finally, this research makes a concluding remark on its limitations and potential future research.Show less
Much is unknown about Hadrian's lover Antinous and the success of the cult that was founded after Antinous' death. This thesis answers the question of why the cult of Antinous was successful after...Show moreMuch is unknown about Hadrian's lover Antinous and the success of the cult that was founded after Antinous' death. This thesis answers the question of why the cult of Antinous was successful after the death of Antinous, and why it persisted even after Hadrian's death. With the use of epigraphical, archaeological, numismatic, and papyrological evidence, the thesis has concluded that the widespread use of Antinous' likeness, as well as his ties to his place of birth and place of death, had an impact on the success of the cult. The cult likely thrived too because of spontaneous veneration of Rome's subjects, as well as the aid of grassroots initiatives.Show less
