9 and participants of the OIKOS 2021 Masterclass in Athens. Each of these experiences proved to be turning points in my research. Moreover, I am very grateful for the global network of friends and colleagues for helping each other gain access to literature, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were many platforms on which I shared my research ideas, but discussing my ideas with peers was certainly among the most beneficial. Thanks to Nadine Riegler for our monthly digital research talks, and thanks to our writing support group – Adriaan, Mirte, Lidewij, Joost, Aomi and Maartje – for giving feedback on some of my chapters in its early stages. Running through arguments and research ideas with Melanie, during runs in the forest around our Nijmegen office, helped refine my ideas and combined ‘het nuttige met het aangename’. The same goes for bike rides with Daniel. I furthermore thank Oliver, Melanie, Daniel, Ketty and Joost for proofreading chapters, and Marije, Bart, Mark and Janric for checking some of my Greek translations and thinking along with me on specific passages. Many thanks to Thijs Hermsen of the Humanities Lab of the Faculty of Arts of Radboud University for creating the maps at the end of this thesis. As to get the actual writing done, I greatly benefitted from writing weeks (thank you Mirte and Ketty), home-office mates (thank you again Mirte, but also Stephan, Mirna and Kirsten), and the digital GSH writing support set up by Mirte during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course also thank you, Joost and Aurora, for being great office mates at the Erasmus building. Many other colleagues in this concrete (not ivory) tower, especially at the fifth, ninth, tenth and eleventh floors, contributed to a warm and social research environment, with many chats and essential coffee breaks. I always looked forward to go to the office again on Mondays and I only hope that I will continue to find such welcoming work environments. I was very lucky to be able to stay over at friends’ places regularly, thereby reducing my commuting time on a train from Utrecht to Nijmegen: thank you Daphne, Simon and Soren for always welcoming me in your home, and Ketty, for doing the same. To all my friends and family, thank you for simply being there. The very first seed for my interest in culture and history must have been planted by my parents, who took us to museums as an integral part of our upbringing. Over the last few years, I gladly took my parents with me. My dear sister kept me sharp by always asking (or was it protesting?) what was so special about all these ‘stones’ or other historical monuments. Finally, I wish to thank my wife, who has always been supportive of all my endeavours and who means the world to me.
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