JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Verb empoliteuō and Greek Citizenship under Arsacid Rule.

  • Published In: Classical Journal, 2025, v. 120, n. 3. P. 249 1 of 3

  • Database: Art Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Nabel, Jake 3 of 3

Abstract

The primary translation for the ancient Greek verb ἐμπολιτεύω in several dictionaries is "to be a citizen, have civil rights." That definition is untenable. The connotations of ἐμπολιτεύω for citizen status are usually indeterminate, but where they are clear, the verb has the opposite meaning and refers to non-citizens rather than citizens. This sense is crucial to the study of Greek citizenship in the Arsacid empire, because ἐμπολιτεύω appears twice in a key passage from Josephus on Greco-Babylonian relations in the poleis of Arsacid Mesopotamia. The verb's dictionary definition has led some historians to the conclusion that non-Greeks were citizens of these poleis. Along with local evidence in Akkadian, a review of ἐμπολιτεύω 's appearances in literature and epigraphy suggests the opposite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Classical Journal. 2025/02, Vol. 120, Issue 3, p249
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Military History and Science
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0009-8353
  • DOI:10.1353/tcj.2025.a952004
  • Accession Number:183385562
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Classical Journal is the property of Johns Hopkins University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.