Parasema: Offizielle Symbole griechischer Poleis und Bundesstaaten

In this study, the original Greek phenomenon of state symbols, so-called Parasema, is examined comprehensively for the first time. These mostly small symbols were used by Greek poleis and states as state symbols from the Archaic period until the end of the Hellenistic epoch. Due to their use and supervision by public institutions and magistrates, they had official character. The Parasema served as a control or guarantee mark, as well as a means of indicating provenance. Because of their widespread use on everyday objects and the positive connotations of their motifs, they were predestined to symbolize a community in an ideal and intelligible manner.