Rituals and the Construction of Identity in Attalid Pergamon

Recent scholarly work on Attalid Pergamon has often depicted the dynasty's creation of a mythical past as entirely artificial, lacking genuine historical and religious memory. However, this study challenges that notion by analyzing individual Pergamene rituals and their contradictions, revealing a more nuanced interplay between Greek and non-Greek influences in religious life. The research identifies factors that prompted the Attalid kings to favor certain deities and heroes while highlighting constraints on imposing their own preferences. By examining the broader context of religious activities beyond royal ambitions, this work sheds light on the complex dynamics of identity construction in Pergamon.

Dignas, B. (2012). Rituals and the Construction of Identity in Attalid Pergamon. Historical and Religious Memory in the Ancient World, 119–144. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199572069.003.0006