The Invention of Greek Ethnography: From Homer to HerodotusGreek ethnography is commonly believed to have developed in conjunction with the wider sense of Greek identity that emerged during the Greeks' "encounter with the barbarian"--Achaemenid Persia--during the late sixth to early fifth centuries BC. The dramatic nature of this meeting, it was thought, caused previous imaginings to crystallise into the diametric opposition between "Hellene" and "barbarian" that would ultimately give rise to ethnographic prose. The Invention of Greek Ethnography challenges the legitimacy of this conventional narrative. Drawing on recent advances in ethnographic and cultural studies and in the material culture-based analyses of the Ancient Mediterranean, Joseph Skinner argues that ethnographic discourse was already ubiquitous throughout the archaic Greek world, not only in the form of texts but also in a wide range of iconographic and archaeological materials. As such, it can be differentiated both on the margins of the Greek world, like in Olbia and Calabria and in its imagined centers, such as Delphi and Olympia. The reconstruction of this "ethnography before ethnography" demonstrates that discourses of identity and difference played a vital role in defining what it meant to be Greek in the first place long before the fifth century BC. The development of ethnographic writing and historiography are shown to be rooted in this wider process of "positioning" that was continually unfurling across time, as groups and individuals scattered the length and breadth of the Mediterranean world sought to locate themselves in relation to the narratives of the past. This shift in perspective provided by The Invention of Greek Ethnography has significant implications for current understanding of the means by which a sense of Greek identity came into being, the manner in which early discourses of identity and difference should be conceptualized, and the way in which so-called "Great Historiography," or narrative history, should ultimately be interpreted. |
From inside the book
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Page vii
... Material Identities, Intercultural Contact, and Receptions of “Difference” 222 The Invention of Greek Ethnography 233 Ethnography and Identity, from Homer to Herodotus 237 Inventing the Greek 249 Ancient Ethnography: Future Directions ...
... Material Identities, Intercultural Contact, and Receptions of “Difference” 222 The Invention of Greek Ethnography 233 Ethnography and Identity, from Homer to Herodotus 237 Inventing the Greek 249 Ancient Ethnography: Future Directions ...
Page 4
... material evidence attesting to the longue durée of intercultural contact and exchange?9 As questions multiply, the study of Greek ethnography appears far less simple and straightforward—and perhaps more interesting as a result. 3 H. J. ...
... material evidence attesting to the longue durée of intercultural contact and exchange?9 As questions multiply, the study of Greek ethnography appears far less simple and straightforward—and perhaps more interesting as a result. 3 H. J. ...
Page 5
... material on Persia, Egypt, or Lydia could only have had its origins in an independent prose study of a specific tribe or people.13 In contrast, the historic link with imperialism means that modern conceptions of ethnography remain ...
... material on Persia, Egypt, or Lydia could only have had its origins in an independent prose study of a specific tribe or people.13 In contrast, the historic link with imperialism means that modern conceptions of ethnography remain ...
Page 8
... material expressions of an interest in foreign peoples are both comparatively widespread and well documented, they have been largely neglected as a body of evidence relating to ethnographic thought.29 One of the aims of this study ...
... material expressions of an interest in foreign peoples are both comparatively widespread and well documented, they have been largely neglected as a body of evidence relating to ethnographic thought.29 One of the aims of this study ...
Page 9
... material such as Herodotus's excursus on Scythia, insofar as it is indicative of a certain degree of knowledge and interest in the exotic/alien on behalf of both artist and audience.31 While the manner in which individuals “engaged ...
... material such as Herodotus's excursus on Scythia, insofar as it is indicative of a certain degree of knowledge and interest in the exotic/alien on behalf of both artist and audience.31 While the manner in which individuals “engaged ...
Contents
3 | |
CHAPTER 2 Populating the Imaginaire | 59 |
CHAPTER 3 Mapping Ethnography | 111 |
CHAPTER 4 Mapping Identities | 151 |
CHAPTER 5 The Invention of Greek Ethnography | 233 |
Abbreviations | 259 |
Bibliography | 263 |
Index | 327 |
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The Invention of Greek Ethnography: From Homer to Herodotus Joseph E. Skinner No preview available - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
activity ancient appear approach Archaic argued argument associated Athens attempt attributed authors barbarian Cambridge century b.c. chapter Classical coins concepts concerning constructed context cult cultural Cyrene dating defined depicted described detailed difference discourse discussion early effectively emergence engagement entirely equally ethnic ethnographic evidence example extent fact fifth century figure foreign further Greek groups Hall Hellenic Herodotus Homeric ideas identity images imagined important indicative individuals interest interpreted Italy knowledge lands largely least linked Malkin manner material matter means Mediterranean myth narrative nature objects Olbia origins Oxford particular perhaps period Persian played political populations practice prose questions range recent references reflect regarding region relating remains represent result role sanctuaries Scythian sense significant sixth social society suggests thought tion trade traditions University Press variety various widely wider