The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Athens

This book is a comprehensive introduction to ancient Athens, its topography, monuments, inhabitants, institutions, religious rituals, and politics.

Jenifer Neils (Edited by), Dylan K. Rogers (Edited by)

9781108723305, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 18 February 2021

502 pages
24.4 x 16.9 x 2.4 cm, 0.93 kg

'Recommended.' R. T. Ingoglia, Choice Connect

Named for a goddess, epicenter of the first democracy, birthplace of tragic and comic theatre, locus of the major philosophical schools, artistically in the vanguard for centuries, ancient Athens looms large in contemporary study of the ancient world. This Companion is a comprehensive introduction the city, its topography and monuments, inhabitants and cultural institutions, religious rituals and politics. Chapters link the religious, cultural, and political institutions of Athens to the physical locales in which they took place. Discussion of the urban plan, with its streets, gates, walls, and public and private buildings, provides readers with a thorough understanding of how the city operated and what people saw, heard, smelled, and tasted as they flowed through it. Drawing on the latest scholarship, as well as excavation discoveries at the Agora, sanctuaries, and cemeteries, the Companion explores how the city was planned, how it functioned, and how it was transformed from a democratic polis into a Roman city.

An Introduction Jenifer Neils: 1. Leagros: An Athenian life H. A. Shapiro
Part I. The Urban Fabric: 2. Asty and Chora: city and countryside Sylvian Fachard
3. The emergence of the polis John K. Papadopoulos
4. City streets, walls, and gates Leda Costaki and Anna Maria Theocharaki
5. The akropolis Panos Valavanis
6. The agora: public life and administration John McK. Camp II
7. Athenian inscription Elizabeth A. Meyer
8. Water and water management Jutta Stroszeck
9. Housing and domestic architecture Katherine B. Harrington
10. The archaic and classical cemeteries Tim Shea
Part II. Inhabitants: 11. Population and social structure Danielle L. Kellogg
12. The Athenian family Cynthia B. Patterson
13. Death and disease Maria A. Liston
14. Animals in Athenian Life Tyler Jo Smith
Part III. Business/Commerce: 15. Labor and employment David M. Lewis
16. Piraeus: harbors, navy, and shipping George Steinhauer
17. The archaeology of markets and trade Mark L. Lawall
18. Coinage and its economic implications John H. Kroll
19. The ceramic industry Susan I. Rotroff
20. Sculpture and its role in the city Olga Palagia
Part IV. Culture and Sport: 21. The philosophical schools Geoffrey Bakewell
22. Athletics, democracy, and war David M. Pritchard
23. Theatrical spaces Valentina Di Napoli
24. Athenian festivals Margaret M. Miles and Jenifer Neils
25. Eating and drinking Ann Steiner
26. Sex and the city Kirk Ormand
Part V. Politics: 27. Associations James Kierstead
28. Rule of law and law courts Edward M. Harris
29. Armed forces David M. Pritchard
30. Roman Athens Dylan K. Rogers
31. Early travelers and the rediscovery of Athens Robert K. Pitt
32. Modern Athens and its relationship with the past Robert A. Bridges, Jr
33.Urban archaeology: uncovering the ancient city Leda Costaki.

Subject Areas: Classical Greek & Roman archaeology [HDDK], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]