Archaeologies of the Greek Past: Landscape, Monuments, and Memories (W.B. Stanford Memorial Lectures) (The W. B. Stanford Memorial Lectures) - Softcover

Alcock, Susan E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521890004 ISBN 13: 9780521890007

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2002

Synopsis

Social or collective memory has recently become a much debated subject in academic disciplines and in the popular media. People in antiquity surely possessed similar shared memories, but except for the limited accounts of elite authors--they are notoriously difficult to recover. This book explores how material culture, in particular the evidence of landscape and of monuments, can reveal commemorative practices and collective amnesias in past societies. Three case studies are considered--Greece in the early Roman period, Hellenistic and Roman Crete, and Messenia from Archaic to Hellenistic times.

About this title

Review:

'... the book is never dull.' Minerva

'The possibility of exploring interpretations of the past within the past is an exciting one, and Alcock's book provides a welcome call for more intensive exploration of this theme within Greek archaeology, a field in which (with a few notable exceptions) its potential has not been sufficiently realised ... Overall, this volume, written in an engaging and accessible style, constitutes an inspiring introduction to an intriguing subject.' The Anglo-Hellenic Review

'... pioneering and fascinating study.' Journal of Hellenic Studies

'Alcock offers an insightful study of that dynamic relationship between monument and landscape and encourages students of antiquity to recontextualise the archaeological evidence of the past in the past. All historians, not just landscape historians, should read this book.' Landscape History

Book Description:

Social memory is a powerful political and emotional force, although recovering the shared memories of past societies is notoriously difficult. Employing three case studies from the history of ancient Greece, this 2002 book explores how the evidence of landscape and monuments can reveal commemorative practices and collective amnesias in such societies.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0521890004
• ISBN 13: 9780521890007
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240