Monash University’s senior lecturer, Eva Anagnostou-Laoutides will share her expertise on classical studies in a lecture titled ‘In the Garden of Gods: Metaphors for Political Power from the Sumerian to the Seleucedes’.

The presentation will he hosted at the Ithacan Philanthropic Society on Thursday as a part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars offered by the Greek Community of Melbourne.

“My presentation, drawing on chapter four of my recent book In the Garden of the Gods, discusses the appropriation of eastern cults by Seleucus I Nicator and his son Antiochus in their struggle to establish their dynasty,” Ms Anagnostou-Laoutides said.

She will examine the roles of Zeus and Apollo, the foremost divine protectors of the Seleucids, against near eastern royal traditions.

“I argue that the founding members of the dynasty had an intimate knowledge of Babylonian traditions that celebrated Šamaš, the Sun god, as protector of royal legitimacy and Marduk as warrantor of military supremacy and that they employed these traditions meticulously to promote their claim to kingship.”

By encouraging the identification of Marduk and Nabû with Zeus and Apollo respectively, Seleucus and Antiochus mirrored the father-son relationship of the gods.

She will also examines the importance of royal gardens under the Seleucids in connection with “sacred marriage” and akītu (New Year) ceremonies which the Hellenistic kings embraced enthusiastically.

Ms Anagnostou-Laoutides holds degrees in Classical Studies from Aristotle University, the University of Leeds and the University of Kent at Canterbury, as well as in Ancient History from Macquarie University. She has published extensively on various aspects of ancient mythology and religion and their appropriation in ancient political agendas. She was recently awarded an ARC Future Fellowship on a project that examines Platonic inebriation and its reception in late antiquity and the Middle Ages.

The lecture will take place on Thursday 6 April at the Ithacan Philanthropic Society (Level 2, 329 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC) at 7.00 pm. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.greekcommunity.com.au/seminars or call (03) 9662 2722.