Athenian Proxenies Of 5th Century

This book has chapters on methodology, on the writing of the first decrees and laws of the years ca. 515 to 450 B.C., on unique examples of writing of ca. 450 to 400, on the inscribers of the Lapis Primus and Lapis Secundus (IG I3 259-280), and on those of the Attic Stelai (IG I3 421-430). These are followed by studies of 11 individual cutters arranged in chronological order. This study brings order to the study of hands of the fifth century by setting out a methodology and by discussing the attempts of others to identify hands. Another aim is to bring out the individuality of the writing of these early inscribers. It shows that from the beginning the writing on Athenian inscriptions on stone was very idiosyncratic, for all intents and purposes individual writing. It identifies the inscribing of the sacred inventories of Athena beginning about 450 B.C. as the genesis of the professional letter cutter in Athens and traces the trajectory of the profession. While the dating of many inscriptions will remain a matter for scholarly discussion, the present study narrows the dates of many texts. It also pinpoints the origin of the mistaken idea that three-bar sigma did not occur on public documents after the year 446 in order to make those who are not expert more aware that this is not a reliable means of dating.

Athenian Power in the Fifth Century BC provides a new analysis of the fifth-century BC Athenian empire, a central topic in ancient Greek history. Challenging orthodox approaches, which have been mostly empirical, monolithic and focused on Athens, the book argues that Athenian power was flexible and a matter of negotiation between the Athenians and their allies. It brings the allies to centre stage as active agents, and considers how the Athenian empire operated in different regions. The first three chapters focus on political, fiscal and religious interactions between the Athenians and their allies in Athenian contexts. The subsequent three chapters then offer studies of the empire in three different regions - the North Aegean, Rhodes, and the straits between the Aegean and the Black Sea - showing how the empire employed overlapping but differentiated regional strategies. This book is distinct from previous contributions in three key ways. First, it offers new perspectives on well-known Athenian epigraphic and literary sources, while also utilising different categories of non-Athenian evidence, including varied forms of material culture. Second, it provides sophisticated economic analysis. Third, the monograph makes use of critical historical comparison: with other imperial powers, with later Athenian power, and with the operation of fifth-century Athenian power in different regions.

This book has chapters on methodology, on the writing of the first decrees and laws of the years ca. 515 to 450 B.C., on unique examples of writing of ca. 450 to 400, on the inscribers of the Lapis Primus and Lapis Secundus (IG I3 259-280), and on those of the Attic Stelai (IG I3 421-430). These are followed by studies of 11 individual cutters arranged in chronological order. This study brings order to the study of hands of the fifth century by setting out a methodology and by discussing the attempts of others to identify hands. Another aim is to bring out the individuality of the writing of these early inscribers. It shows that from the beginning the writing on Athenian inscriptions on stone was very idiosyncratic, for all intents and purposes individual writing. It identifies the inscribing of the sacred inventories of Athena beginning about 450 B.C. as the genesis of the professional letter cutter in Athens and traces the trajectory of the profession. While the dating of many inscriptions will remain a matter for scholarly discussion, the present study narrows the dates of many texts. It also pinpoints the origin of the mistaken idea that three-bar sigma did not occur on public documents after the year 446 in order to make those who are not expert more aware that this is not a reliable means of dating.

A fundamental reference for the study of Athenian magistracies and official life.