Archaic Greece

The study of archaic Greece (c. 750-480 BC) is being transformed by exciting discoveries and interpretations. In fourteen original studies from a distinguished international cast, this book explores many aspects of a rapidly changing Greek world. Detailed re-interpretation of archaeological material reveals diversity in patterns of settlement, sanctuaries and burial practices, and shows motivations underlying the expanding exchange of goods and the settlement of new communities. Local studies of archaeology and iconography revise our image of the peculiarity of Spartan society and East Greek cult. Texts, from Homer and Hesiod to a newly-found poem of Simonides, are given fresh interpretations. And there are new studies of developments in maritime warfare, the roles of literacy and law-making in Crete, the emergence of a less violent Greek life-style, and the articulation of political thought.

The study of archaic Greece (c. 750-480 BC) is being transformed by exciting discoveries and interpretations. In fourteen original studies from a distinguished international cast, this book explores many aspects of a rapidly changing Greek world. Detailed re-interpretation of archaeological material reveals diversity in patterns of settlement, sanctuaries and burial practices, and shows motivations underlying the expanding exchange of goods and the settlement of new communities. Local studies of archaeology and iconography revise our image of the peculiarity of Spartan society and East Greek cult. Texts, from Homer and Hesiod to a newly-found poem of Simonides, are given fresh interpretations. And there are new studies of developments in maritime warfare, the roles of literacy and law-making in Crete, the emergence of a less violent Greek life-style, and the articulation of political thought.

Preface Abbreviations IntroductionNick Fisher and Hans van Wees PART I: DIVERSITY IN DEVELOPMENT INTERPRETING ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ICONOGRAPHICAL EVIDENCE 1. Archaeology and archaic Greek historyIan Morris 2. Lakonian artistic production and the problem of Spartan austerityStephen Hodkinson 3. Sixth-century Lakonian vase-painting: continuities and discontinuities with the Lykourgan ethosAnton Powell 4. Athena as Ergane and Promachos: the iconography of Athena in archaic east GreeceAlexandra Villing PART II: INTERPRETING POETRY AND MYTH 5. A historian's headache: how to read Homeric society?Kurt Raaflaub 6. Homer's enemies: lyric and epic in the seventh centuryAndrew Dalby 7. What was in Pandora's box?Daniel Ogden 8. The new Simonides and heroization at PlataiaDeborah Boedeker PART III: INTEGRATING THE EVIDENCE. POWER, STATUS, EXCHANGE, AND STATE-FORMATION 9. Early Greek colonization? The nature of Greek settlement in the WestRobin Osborne 10. Towards thalassocracy? Archaic Greek naval developmentsPhilip de Souza 11. Cargoes of the heart's desire: the character of trade in the archaic Mediterranean worldLin Foxhall 12. Literacy and lawmaking: the case of archaic CreteJames Whitley 13. Greeks bearing arms: the state, the leisure class, and the display of weapons in archaic GreeceHans van Wees 14. Writing the history of archaic Greek political thoughtPaul Cartledge Bibliography Index