The ethics of ruling: Unearthing an ethical code of a Hellenistic king (embedded in Arrian,Anabasis 1–7) and its affinity to the symposia “On Kingship” in the Letter of Aristeas to Philocrates

Abstract

On the basis of a newly discovered ethical code of a Hellenistic king, the Symposia that deal with kingship in the Letter of Aristeas get a new perspective. It is suggested that the two treatises “On Kingship” originated in the Ptolemaic court in the first quarter of the third century B.C.E.

Keywords

adherence to the laws Arrian of Nicomedia ethics of rulers fairness and moderation kingship Ptolemy I Ptolemy II relationship God-king subjects and races in empires

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