Posts Tagged by Attica
Reading Images and Seeing Epigrams: Image and Text in Attic Dedications
| November 26, 2012 | Posted by Sara Kaczko under Art/Archaeology, Blog, Epigraphy/Papyrology, History, Language/Literature |
In the previous post I argued that some Archaic and Classical dedicatory epigrams deliberately selected non standard and non formulaic features to communicate with their audience. Those features concerned the material and immaterial elements of the dedicatory epigrams, that can be described by the three semantic systems of art and archaeology, epigraphy and literature. Of the two components of a dedicatory epigram — the material and the immaterial — the former was primary in terms of level and timing. In terms of timing, because the visual image is what a viewer, of any level of literacy, firstly encounters; and in terms of level, because at a low level of literacy, even the visual image of the epigram by itself could convey essential information. This was the case, as I argued, of the royal Achaemenid trilingual inscriptions and of some well-known Greek dedications. For example, Hipparchus’ herms had a well-defined aspect:… more
Visualizing Greek Epigrams on Stone
| November 13, 2012 | Posted by Sara Kaczko under Art/Archaeology, Blog, Epigraphy/Papyrology, History, Language/Literature |
The visual medium has always been a powerful way to communicate; this is probably one of the reasons why visual arts are often used to convey a political message. It is usually agreed «that architecture is the most political of all visual arts […]; public buildings represent the polis’ most permanent and official statements».[1] Several ancient examples can be recalled and someone who is writing about this topic at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington D.C. hardly needs to go too far to find a contemporary parallel, both metaphorically and literally: one can, as I did, actually cycle or run on a beautiful trail the few miles towards the Memorials and monuments of the National Mall. And what about a visual medium that necessarily consists of two elements, 1) the monument itself with its shape, aesthetic features etc., and 2) the inscription(s) engraved thereon? This is a substantial difference… more
Archaic and Classical Stone Epigrams: Ordinary, Extra-ordinary or Both?
| October 24, 2012 | Posted by Sara Kaczko under Art/Archaeology, Blog, Epigraphy/Papyrology, Language/Literature, Mythology/Religion |
In dealing with some core aspects of the classical world and its legacy (Attic drama; archaic epigrams collected in post-classical anthologies), I have become increasingly interested in epigrams on stone, and particularly in dedicatory epigrams on stone in the archaic and classical eras. Stone epigrams in fact combine in an unique way features regarded as “ordinary” and “extra-ordinary”, both by the ancient Greeks and by modern scholars, and I will be approaching them in this fashion. During the archaic and classical period, epigrams were inscribed on stone or other durable materials; they were usually short, anonymous, and composed for specific occasions, mostly to serve as epitaphs or dedications. These distinctive features caused epigrams to be, on the one hand, “ordinary” and “formulaic” in their nature and their structure. To begin with, epitaphs and dedications were part of the ordinary life of a Greek citizen: for example, votive offerings were set… more
Crossing the land-borders of Attica
| February 8, 2012 | Posted by Sylvian Fachard under Art/Archaeology, Blog, Epigraphy/Papyrology, History |
We all share personal tales of border-crossings. Whether it involves coming back to the US or passing through several Jordanian check-posts near the Golan Heights, border-crossing is subject to rules and interdictions. Personal effects can be searched at the border. Even if you cross a border without being checked, you are still spontaneously supposed to respect the border regulations. Modern nations impose rules on the movement of persons and goods. In fact, whole arrays of modern regulations characterize modern border-crossing, such as banning the import of meat or a gallon of olive oil. In some cases a visa of entry can be denied. In other cases, the required conditions in order to obtain a visa are such that you might just prefer to stay home instead. Ancient Greek cities had their own rules. In general, people were free to travel during peacetime, but different controls were enforced. At some time,… more
A GIS-based Study of Attica
| January 3, 2012 | Posted by Sylvian Fachard under Art/Archaeology, Blog, History |
A GIS (Geographical Information System) is currently being built up for the landscape study of Attica’s borderland. GIS offers a convenient and powerful tool for adding geographical, geological and historical maps, processing archaeological data and analyzing the geomorphology and the land-use of a historical landscape. GIS is a unique tool for integrating a variety of complex data, including Attica’s immense archaeological heritage. By bringing together different sources of information, the technology can help us rebuild the historical landscape of Athens’ chora by analyzing, for example, the distribution of archaeological sites of a given period on a digital elevation model (DEM), and then linking them with the different types of soils and modern land-use categories (non-irrigated arable land, forest/maquis, pasture, etc.). Such an analysis helps us understand settlement choices, the agricultural potential of the different microregions that compose Attica and the evolution of settlement patterns through time. I believe it is… more
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