A Companion to Archaic Greece

A systematic survey of archaic Greek society and culture which introduces the reader to a wide range of new approaches to the period.

• The first comprehensive and accessible survey of developments in the study of archaic Greece
• Places Greek society of c.750-480 BCE in its chronological and geographical context
• Gives equal emphasis to established topics such as tyranny and political reform and newer subjects like gender and ethnicity
• Combines accounts of historical developments with regional surveys of archaeological evidence and in-depth treatments of selected themes
• Explores the impact of Eastern and other non-Greek cultures in the development of Greece
• Uses archaeological and literary evidence to reconstruct broad patterns of social and cultural development

“"For those interested in Classical Greece, this volume is an essential." ( Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin , 11 December 2013) "This is a varied, wide-ranging, stimulating and exciting volume which should open the way to even further investigations of archaic Greece." Bryn Mawr Classical Review , February 2011 "Offers an unprecedented range and depth of perspectives and material, much of which has been otherwise unavailable in English." Ancient West and East”

“For those interested in Classical Greece, this volume is an essential.”  (Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 11 December 2013)

"This is a varied, wide-ranging, stimulating and exciting volume which should open the way to even further investigations of archaic Greece." Bryn Mawr Classical Review, February 2011

“Offers an unprecedented range and depth of perspectives and material, much of which has been otherwise unavailable in English.” Ancient West and East

Kurt A. Raaflaub is David Herlihy University Professor and Professor of Classics and History, Royce Family Professor in Teaching Excellence (2005-8) and Director of the Program in Ancient Studies at Brown University. His recent publications include The Discovery of Freedom in Ancient Greece (2004), Social Struggles in Archaic Rome (Blackwell, 2005) and War and Peace in the Ancient World (Blackwell, 2006).

Hans van Wees is Professor of Ancient History at University College London. His publications include Status Warriors: War, Violence and Society in Homer and History (1992) and Greek Warfare: Myths and Realities (2004), and he has co-edited four volumes on archaic Greece, war and violence, and Herodotus.

Recent years have seen powerful developments in the study of archaic Greece, with the emergence of new areas of interest, new ways of thinking about old problems, radical new approaches to the sources, and new evidence. A Companion to Archaic Greece brings together the strands of these developments in a comprehensive survey of one of the most influential periods in Greek history. The archaic age, c.750-480 BCE, witnessed the rise of cities and states, of social and economic structures, political, religious and military institutions and ideas, and cultural expressions which we see today as typically Greek. No less fascinating are the lesser-known institutions and ideas which were characteristically archaic and did not survive into the classical period. In 31 chapters, this Companion systematically covers the literary and archaeological evidence for all regions of the Greek world and all aspects of archaic Greek society and culture, including their Mediterranean context and the impact of non-Greek cultures on their development. It will be a welcome introduction for undergraduate students and an invaluable reference tool for the professional historian.

Recent years have seen powerful developments in the study of archaic Greece, with the emergence of new areas of interest, new ways of thinking about old problems, radical new approaches to the sources, and new evidence. A Companion to Archaic Greece brings together the strands of these developments in a comprehensive survey of one of the most influential periods in Greek history. The archaic age, c.750-480 BCE, witnessed the rise of cities and states, of social and economic structures, political, religious and military institutions and ideas, and cultural expressions which we see today as typically Greek. No less fascinating are the lesser-known institutions and ideas which were characteristically archaic and did not survive into the classical period. In 31 chapters, this Companion systematically covers the literary and archaeological evidence for all regions of the Greek world and all aspects of archaic Greek society and culture, including their Mediterranean context and the impact of non-Greek cultures on their development. It will be a welcome introduction for undergraduate students and an invaluable reference tool for the professional historian.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.