Archaic Greece : New Approaches and New Evidence

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.

How and why did the Greek city-states come into being? The study of Greece in the Archaic period is changing due to new discoveries and interpretations. The 14 essays presented here explore many aspects of this rapidly changing world. The essays detail re-interpretations of archaeological material, emphasize the diversity in patterns of settlement, sancturies and burial practices of the Greek-speaking world and trace the complex trends and 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 texts, from Homer and Hesiod to a newly discovered poem of Simonides, are given fresh interpretations, as are significant developments in maritime warfare, the roles of literacy and law-making in Crete, the emergence of a less violent lifestyle and the articulation of rational political thought.