Nefedov K. The Ruler Cult in the Age of Early Hellеnism (323-281 B.C.)

The object of study - the cultic worship of rulers in Graeco-Macedonian world in the Early Hellenistic age. The purpose of study is the characteristic of the Early Hellenistic ruler cult as the integrate phenomenon and the definition of ruler cult function in the process of the creation of Hellenistic monarchy. The methods been used in the study are genetive-historical, comparative-historical, synchronicle, diachronicle, the method of the historical reconstruction and the method of the symbolic interpretation of the ritual. For the first time in the dissertation the history of ruler cult as the integrate phenomenon is studied in the context of historical events of Early Hellenism. Its prooved that ruler cult had Greek and Macedonian origins and played the role of the adapting for Hellenistic personal kingship, representing a new autocratic power in traditional symbols. In the study the all forms of Early Hellenistic ruler cult has analysed in de tails, the evolution of this phenomenon is completly restored, the place of ruler cult in diadochoi power-legitimizing systems is determined.