This exciting new edition of A History of Ancient Greece in its Mediterranean Context has been thoroughly revised and expanded to cover the development of Greece from the Neolithic through the Hellenistic periods from the point of view of its wider Mediterranean context.This approach is growing in popularity with Greek historians as archaeological evidence increasingly demonstrates that the culture and political life of Greece were not isolated developments, but rather formed an integral part of the wider Mediterranean world, shaped by seaborne interactions with other Mediterranean peoples, from the Levant to Italy, Sicily and Sardinia.
Features of the new edition include:
An expansion and updating of the first chapter, which now considers the movement of people from their earliest home in Africa to the Levant and Fertile Crescent, followed by population movements, mostly by sea, to coastal sites across the Mediterranean, including Greece, perhaps brought on by a sudden and disastrous climate change in the east (The Great Exodus of Jacques Cauvin).
A reconsideration of the palatial civilization that developed in the third millennium, including the work of scholars, notably Ilse Schoep, who argues that these monumental building complexes came about, not by copying the earlier palaces of the Near East, but by a gradual expansion of the large courtyard buildings built by successful traders/craftsmen.
The discovery of an early Linear B tablet at Iklaina, which signals a potential revolution in the history of wiring in Greece, of Mycenaean economic organization, and of the relationship between the mainland and Crete.
More Bronze Age discoveries and resulting controversies regarding our understanding of Troy.
More information on the significance of maritime interconnections within the Mediterranean, gained from continuing discoveries of shipwrecks.
The text retains its strong emphasis on the interpretation of archaeological evidence, original source material, and the introduction of the student to discussions of historical questions by noted scholars, as is demonstrated in a number of features that provide useful teaching aids:
Source Analysisboxes.This popular feature asks students to consider pointed and specific analytical questions regarding selections from Herodotus, Thucydides, Solon, Plutarch, and other ancient sources. Instructors who emphasize the study of original documents, texts, and artifacts have found this feature to be especially useful.
Website assignments.The second edition makes structured and focused use of websites from high-end, reputable sources such as Perseus, academic researchers, the Greek government, and archaeological excavations to provide students with guidance in using the vastly extended resources of visual material that such sites offer.
Extensive footnotes.In an unusual feature for an introductory textbook, the footnotes contain extensive references to important secondary sources featuring discussions of historical questions by scholars active in the field. For students who are interested in a more in-depth approach, these can serve as a foundation for research projects and reports that do not depend on the web.
Maps.The text contains numerous political and topological maps, which are reproduced at the end of the book with the place names deleted, offering excellent opportunities for quizzes or student review.
