Greek World

The work contains new articles by 27 specialists in ancient Greece. Periods studied range from Mycenean to the late Hellenistic; the Greek cultures in question are not only those of mainland Greece but include Asia Minor, Egypt and Italy. As research on the Greeks multiplies and widens, it becomes less practical to attempt to com, pile general summaries of current knowledge. Rather, this volume seeks to illustrate with original work many of the techniques and interests which engage scholars of today. A theme shared by many of the chapters in the volume is social history, and especially the history of those who were, metaphorically, at or beyond the margins of power. Women, the poor and slaves are considered in many Greek settings and from many angles. Also, several of our contribtors look, in keeping with modern interests at those who were on the literal margins of the Greek world. But there is no fashionable disengagement from the more traditional interests of classical scholarship. Rather the opposite: the work seeks to show how research into areas once disregarded as marginal can shed vital light on topics and authors traditionally seen as central. Herodotus' work on Egypt is here shown to reflect on his credibility as a source for affairs. Plato's reforms are illuminated through a consideration of his impatient and revolutionary attitude to women. The most potent symbol of old-fashioned, `central' Greek history, the Parthenon, is shown as understood more fuklly, as political symbol, given a knowledge of the cosmetic techniques (and the gossip about) the women of classical Athens. Social history and political history interact in this volume to the enlightenment of both.