Social coexistence is made possible and regulated by norms. Which actions are labeled and sanctioned as transgressions of norms is the result of social negotiation processes.  Transgression and norm deviance can both stabilize and undermine the existing norm system. The contributions to this anthology aim to provide some impulses on the relationship between norm and deviance in ancient societies by means of selected case studies from the Greek classical period to the Roman imperial period and to investigate the role of transgressive acts for the dynamics of social systems. In 8 contributions, among others on the cult of Artemis, on the tragedian Agathon, on Cicero, Lucan and Tacitus, the topic is treated in a model-like manner.

Lennart Gilhaus is an academic councilor in the Department of Ancient History at the Rheinsiche Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn. He currently holds a DFG research fellowship at the Universiteit Utrecht.

Anja Dorn is a doctoral candidate and research assistant at the Institute of History at the University of Duisburg-Essen.

Imogen Herrad is a lecturer and translator at the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies.

Michael Meurer is a fellow in the Franco-German Research Training Group "Mass and Integration in Ancient Societies" at the Universities of Bonn and Strasbourg.

The representation of norm transgressions and deviant behavior in ancient societies - An introduction.- The tragedian Agathon in Aristophanes and Plato. The dramatic construction of deviant behavior.- Transformation or transgression? Initiation and transition rituals in the Attic cult of Artemis.- Just reward - just punishment? Religious norms, norm transgressions and their consequences in Xenophon's Hellenika.- When is Revolt not Revolting? Rule-breaking and Revolt in Sparta in Plutarch's Lives.- Sanguine non modo se non contaminarunt, sed etiam honestarunt.- Transgressions in Lucan - A necessary evil?.- Dux femina - Transgressive women in Tacitus.- Aesthetic transgressions in ancient art using the example of painted sculptures.