Self-mutilation, multiculturalism and hybridity. Herodotos on the Karians in Egypt (Hdt. 2.61.2)

Introduction The small number of sources which provide sure evidence for the existence of Greek mercenaries in the Archaic age brought a continuous and powerful appeal for the discovery in the most obscure testimonies and through the most speculative constructions of new soldiers of fortune, besides those whose paid military activities are already known for certain. Issues like the social status of mercenaries, both in their home communities and in the foreign polities where they served, thei...