FLUID IDENTITIES AND PERFORMATIVE DISCOURSE: HELLENISTIC TEMENE OF DEMETER IN WESTERN ASIA MINOR

Date

2024-2-15

Author

Güner, Havva Gizem

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Taking the Sanctuaries of Demeter produced during the Hellenistic Period in Western Asia Minor into its focus, this research unpacks dichotomies within a broader context. By challenging binary oppositions and investigating dichotomies, this research proposes to contextualize the narrow categorization of the Hellenistic Period. The study explores the formation of identities as a form of appropriation and scrutinizes the historiography of the era for its generalizing tendencies. It analyzes the intricate relationship between religion and politics within which the agency of women emerges as a focal point, prompting an examination of the roles and influence they wielded. The cult of Demeter and its all-women festivals appear as significant sites of performance of agency and further scrutiny is directed towards the potential of the transformative power of religious engagement. These dynamics collectively reverberate beyond individual spheres, impacting the fundamental concepts of oikos and leaving an indelible mark on the larger canvas of the Hellenistic oikoumene. Additionally, the thesis confronts methodological challenges inherent in studying the Hellenistic Period, elaborating on those related to women’s ritual experiences. The study systematically explores "exceptions" within established systems and argues that the inherent fluidity of the Hellenistic period demands a diverse range of perspectives and frameworks to comprehensively contextualize its multi-dimensional nature. In opting for a contextual and experiential outlook that places all identities within a spectrum, this study consistently directs attention to a myriad of overlooked dimensions, including architectural features of temple precincts, often unrecognized as defining elements of spatial experience.

Subject Keywords

Demeter, Hellenistic Period, Women

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/108403

Collections

Graduate School of Social Sciences, Thesis