This chapter explores how the local and the general dimensions of ancient Greek religion come together on the Greek island of Rhodes in the south-eastern Aegean during the late Classical and Hellenistic periods. McInerney puts the focus squarely on the role of the Lindos Chronicle as a powerful tool to reassert older local identities within a new (pan-Rhodian) context. Through a careful study of the claims and assertions made in different sections of the Chronicle, McInerney visualises different kinds of negotiations between local and general identities at work. In his contribution, the federal city of Rhodes features once as the larger dimension in interaction with which the Lindians sought to maintain their local identity, and once as the local dimension itself that sought to assert its place in negotiation with even larger entities and identities (such as Rome). This shift in focus confirms that the local and the general are ultimately relational categories, the meaning of which changes according to what level of Greek society we look at.

This chapter explores how the local and the general dimensions of ancient Greek religion come together on the Greek island of Rhodes in the south-eastern Aegean during the late Classical and Hellenistic periods. McInerney puts the focus squarely on the role of the Lindos Chronicle as a powerful tool to reassert older local identities within a new (pan-Rhodian) context. Through a careful study of the claims and assertions made in different sections of the Chronicle, McInerney visualises different kinds of negotiations between local and general identities at work. In his contribution, the federal city of Rhodes features once as the larger dimension in interaction with which the Lindians sought to maintain their local identity, and once as the local dimension itself that sought to assert its place in negotiation with even larger entities and identities (such as Rome). This shift in focus confirms that the local and the general are ultimately relational categories, the meaning of which changes according to what level of Greek society we look at.

This chapter situates the key source for the study of localism on the Greek island of Rhodes, the Lindos Chronicle, within the wider context of the often-turbulent history of the island. By drawing on comparative material, including a decree from Kameiros (one of the other two older cities that were incorporated in the new Rhodian polis) Zachhuber highlights just how extraordinary the efforts of the Lindians to reassert their local identity was. The chapter reminds us that all identities, local and otherwise, operate in two dimensions: by establishing internal coherence and emphasising outside difference. Zachhuber elaborates in particular on the latter dimension: in the tension between Lindian and Rhodian identities, the category of the local emerges once again as contested and in flux. The defensive localism mentioned in the title thus refers to the efforts of the Lindians to safeguard their distinctive cults after the foundation of the new federal city.

This chapter situates the key source for the study of localism on the Greek island of Rhodes, the Lindos Chronicle, within the wider context of the often-turbulent history of the island. By drawing on comparative material, including a decree from Kameiros (one of the other two older cities that were incorporated in the new Rhodian polis) Zachhuber highlights just how extraordinary the efforts of the Lindians to reassert their local identity was. The chapter reminds us that all identities, local and otherwise, operate in two dimensions: by establishing internal coherence and emphasising outside difference. Zachhuber elaborates in particular on the latter dimension: in the tension between Lindian and Rhodian identities, the category of the local emerges once again as contested and in flux. The defensive localism mentioned in the title thus refers to the efforts of the Lindians to safeguard their distinctive cults after the foundation of the new federal city.