The focus of the investigation is on the respective capitals of the two empires: both the Seleucid residences of Seleucia on the Tigris and Antioch on the Orontes, as well as Alexandria, the metropolis of the Ptolemaic Empire, were deliberately conceived by the kings as centres of their representation and display of splendour. The population structure of the metropolises reflected the multi-ethnic composition of the kingdoms, which is why processes of "translation" of local traditions can be observed well in the capitals. The Seleucids, for example, repeatedly made reference to Babylonian mythology, but interpreted it in a way that was also comprehensible to the Greek settlers and other subject groups. At the royal court in Alexandria, Ptolemy II and his sister-wife Arsinoe II staged themselves either as the siblings Zeus and Hera or Osiris and Isis, emphasising the divine character of their rule in the tradition of the pharaohs. In both empires, complex interrelationships existed between the ruling dynasty and the capital's population, which were of great importance for the acceptance of the dynastic succession to the throne. Analysing Seleucid and Ptolemaic image policies can thus contribute to a better understanding of the specific challenges of Hellenistic rule.

The team of researchers will use inscriptions, coins, papyri and archaeological finds as relevant sources alongside the historiographical record. Among other things, it is planned to closely investigate recent archaeological findings from Seleucia and Alexandria. The inclusion of all available material evidence is central to balancing the predominantly Grecocentric perspective in the textual tradition. The research results will be published in a joint monograph by both project participants as well as in other publications. In addition, a six-part podcast series on the Hellenistic capitals will be produced for an interested public.