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Item Home grown; home inspired: the resilience of traditional hand built pottery production in ijaye, Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria(2021) Busari,D; Odetoyinbo, ODespite foreign influence and westernisation, the art of traditional hand built pottery persists in some communities across Nigeria. This study conducted in Ijaye, Abeokuta, South-West Nigeria examined the factors responsible for the resilience of simple hand built pottery production. In-depth interviews of potters and residents of Ijaye were used to collect data on the relevance of traditional pottery in terms of production and usage. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using content analysis. Findings indicated that in contemporary times, the pottery wares were used both for traditional and religious practices. Also, the low cost of the wares encouraged its use. The paper concluded that pottery made in Ijaye served as rich cultural portrayals, had economic provisioning, performed religious functions and aesthetic purposes for awide range of people across all levels of the society.Item Prosopography of the Somatophylakes of Alexander the Great(2022) Aneni O.MAncient authors such as Arrian, Polybius, Plutarch and several others have dedicated a huge amount of literature to the exploits and politics of Alexander the Great. Modern scholars, drawing from the narrations of ancient authors, have analysed several aspects of the times and life of this great leader and those of his Diadochi. However, little attention has been paid to the men who served as his bodyguards. This paper is therefore designed to examine the biographies of the somatophylakes of Alexander the Great, with a view to understanding their roles throughout the period of Alexander's warring years until his death in 323 BC, as well as their positions and influences post Alexander. The paper adopts a historical methodology as it examines the times and lives of the bodyguards. Plutarch's ideology on biography is adopted as framework. Further studies may examine the sphere of control of the Diadochi and their roles in promoting Hellenistic culture in Africa and the Near East after the demise of AlexanderItem HISTORICAL ANALYSES OF THE BATTLES OF THE SELEUCID EMPIRE(2022) Aneni O.MAncient authors such as Plutarch, Appian and Diodorus Siculus narrate the histories of the several wars that the Seleucid Empire was involved in. Modem authors draw from the works of ancient authors in discussing governance and exclusiveness of the Seleucids in their relationship with the people in their sphere of control, the personalities . of the Seleucid rulers, especially Seleucus I Nicator and Antiochus III the Great, with little attention paid to the battles of the Seleucid Empire. This paper, therefore, attempts to examine the battles fought by the Seleucid Empire, with a view to interrogating the strategies employed during the battles, the essence of some of these battles and the peace treaties drawn in the course of the battles. The paper adopts John Mearsheimer's theory of offensive realism as its aid in the discourse of the frequent battles. The paper also implements a historical methodology as it further provides a trajectory of the battles and some of the strategies deployed by the Seleucids in engaging heir enemies. Studies that may examine the tactics employed by the Seleucid rulers in the Syrian wars are recommended.Item Hellenic and Hellenistic Civilization: The Case between Exclusivity and Cultural Diffusion/Acculturation in Antiquity(2021) Aneni O.MHellenic, which is synonymous to the culture of the Greeks in the Classical era; and Hellenistic civilization, which relates to the culture of post-classical Greek era have been discussed variously by Ancient and modem authors, noting their emergence and the consequences of the systems. This study, was therefore designed, to examine Hellenic structure and Hellenistic civilization, with a view to comparing both concepts in the classical and post-classical Greek world, Africa and the near East. The study argued that Hellenistic civilization served a greater purpose than the Hellenic system, due to the fact that it was more inclusive and so brought greater benefits to Greeks and non-Greeks. The Hellenic culture was exclusive to the Greeks. The study continued to argue that Hellenistic civilization, especially beginning from 323 BC, demonstrated some indices of cultural diffusion/acculturation that may have informed our modem assumptions on nationalism, imperialism and colonialism. The paper further argues that given an appropriate balance, cultural diffusion/acculturation whether deliberate or accidental, is an effective strategy for social development in given societies. The study adopts the comparative historical research as its methodology in examining the subject matter. Studies that may examine acculturation policies in ancient Rome and her provinces are recommended.Item Interrogating the Strategies of the Maccabees(2020) Aneni O.MThe Maccabean revolt has elicited reactions in the arena of scholarly debates by experts in the various fields of Hellenistic civilization. Tcherikover, Hengel and Bicker have focused on the Seleucid-Jewish relations, the control of the Ptolemaic, Seleucid and Roman Empires over Judea, the probable causes of the Seleucid-Jewish wars and many other themes, with little attention paid to the strategies adopted by the Maccabees in their resistance against the Seleucid Empire, their victory over the Seleucid Empire and wresting her independence from the Empire. This paper, therefore, narrates the battle fought between the Seleucid Empire and the Jews, with a view to examining the strategies adopted by the Maccabees as she engaged the Seleucids for the control of their social, political and religious .£pace. The study employs the Foco Theory of Revolution as framework. The historical methodology is also adopted as it provides the trajectory of the battles, and the personalities of the chief instigators of the Seleucid and Maccabees' battles. Further studies that may examine the relationship between Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the Jewish High Priest, Jason are recommended.Item INTERROGATING THE SUCCESSES AND FALIURES OF THE SELEUCID EMPIRE(2020) Aneni O.MThe narratives surrounding the Seleucid Empire have been presented by modern historians, and drawing from the works of such ancient authors as Appian, Pliny, Polybius, and Iosephus on the subject matter. These modern scholars namely, Strootman, Houghton and Lorber, Kurt and SherwinWhite among others have discussed the various aspects of the history, culture and structure of the Seleuicid Empire, with little attention paid solely to her attainments and shortcomings. This study attempts to critically interrogate the successes and fiascos of the Empire, with a view to highlighting the workings of the leadership that translated to victories and failures in the Seleucid kingdom. The paper argues that the leaders who were motivated and succeeded in expanding the frontiers ofthe kingdom, in due course, became careless and deficient in employing effective strategic measures in administering the empire, and her weak foreign policies exacerbated the conflicts with allies and foes alike. Further studies may examine allthe wars and peace treaties undertaken bythe Seleucid Empire.Item Understanding the Cross of Emperor Constantine(2020) Aneni O.MAncient and modern authors such as Eusebius of Caeserea, Flavius Josephus, Lanctatius, Cutaru, Nicholson, Torres and several others have variously discussed Emperor Constantine's conversion to the Christian religion. While some have argued about the sincerity of his conversion consequent on his tolerance and participation in some non-Christian rites, others contend that his conversion to the Christian faith was not in doubt. This paper intends to examine Emperor Constantine and his cross, with a view to interrogating his strategy of adopting the cross as a means to achieve victory. The study argued that Constantine's desire to defeat Maxentius, motivated him to accept and adopl a strategy, albeit unpopular, in order to deal a decisive blow on the enemy. This study further argued that the cross of Emperor Constantine consequently had a great impact on the Roman political, cultural and religious spaces. The study adopts a historical methodology as it considered this question of the cross in antiquity. Further studies may critically examine the roles of succeeding emperors to the fate of Christianity in the Roman Empire.Item Conspiracy Theories: Plagues in Antiquity and the Ebola Virus Disease in Africa(2015) Aneni O.MConspiracy theory is the belief that a tactically employed plot by superior instigators and adherents o f a faction is utilized to dethrone any imagined or real opposition thereby achieving an evil end Several scholars have attempted to interrogate conspiracy theories and its appeal in given societies. Others note that conspiracy theories which were once limited to fringe audiences, have become prevalent in mass media and consequently, emerging as a cultural phenomenon around the world today. The aim of this study is to examine conspiracy theories in the light o f the plagues or epidemics that devastated people in antiquity and the ebola virus disease in Africa, with a view to intrinsically interrogating the relevance of conspiracy theories to the growth and development o f society. This study puts forward the argument that society becomes more aware and protective o f herself when she assumes that a form o f conspiracy is being strategized, advertently or inadvertently, by a superior power to completely disable and decimate her bourgeoning population. The study adopts the historical and comparative enquiry approaches in examining the phenomenon with regard to the diseases in both societies. Critical theory is adopted as theoretical framework for the studyItem Exercise in Antiquity and Modern Times: Catholicon for Healthy . Living(2019) Aneni O.MAncient physicians such as Herodicus, Hippocrates and Galen recommended exercises as panacea for healthy living in antiquity. Modern scholars such as Christos and Tipton have variously demonstrated the importance of exercises and sports in ancient and modem European societies citing exercises as treatments for some illnesses by the doctor in the Hippocratic Corpus. This paper examined the importance of exercise in antiquity and modernity, even as it serves as a catholicon for healthy living, with a view to identifying the values and relevance of exercise in dealing with illnesses and promoting good health. Sallis and Owen behavioural epidemiology was adopted as theoretical framework. The historical and comparative methodologies were adopted as the study examined the historical trajectory and cross-cultural variations of exercise in antiquity and today’s world. The discourse in this study demonstrated that exercise has been functional as medicine and for healthy living in antiquity and modernity. Medical practitioners, exercise physiologists, including laymen understand its importance and further recommend exercise suitable for people of varying ages. Further studies may be designed to examine low to medium and medium to high intensity exercise and its health implications.Item Kin Endogamy and the Blood Taint in Ancient Egypt and Nigeria(2019) Aneni O.MKin Endogamy, marriage between siblings, has been a practice among several cultures of the world. This is a deviation from positions of sociologists, anthropologists and psychologists on a universal incest taboo even as they premised it on four theories; the demographic, indifference, repression and evolution theories. Several scholars have discussed kin endogamy in the pre-Christian and Christian eras of the Greco-Roman societies citing evidences; explaining that indication of close-kin marriage could have been adoption rather than incest; and noting that royal incest may have been occasioned by the quest for ultimate power, even in the Ptolemaic dynasty. This paper took an in-depth study of sibling marriage in Ptolemaic Egypt and in some communities in Nigeria, with a view to understanding the rationale behind this socio-cultural practice and its effects on inbred children. The paper argues that it is highly probable that this consanguineous marriage even among the Ptolemies of Egypt may have resulted in genetic/biological and psychological setbacks among inbred descendants such that assassinations among siblings for power became the order of the day. The study further argued that kin endogamy was practiced due to, among others, the ideology of the blood taint or pure blood. Further studies that may examine exogamous culture in the Greco-Roman world and Nigeria were recommended.