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.
Jenifer Neils is the Director of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. She has authored and edited several books on ancient Athens, including The Parthenon Frieze, The Parthenon from Antiquity to the Present, and Goddess and Polis: The Panathenaic Festival of Ancient Athens. Dylan K. Rogers is Lecturer in Roman Art and Archaeology at the University of Virginia, and previously served as the Assistant Director of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. He is the author of Water Culture in Roman Society and co-editor of What's New in Roman Greece?
Reviews for The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Athens
'This is an excellent, reasonably priced book. It is both a useful introduction for those new to the topic and a helpful reference book for those looking to refresh their knowledge quickly. The book would probably make an effective textbook for a course on ancient urbanism or as a starting point for an advanced seminar on ancient Athens.' Kathryn Simonsen, C-J Online 'Recommended.' R. T. Ingoglia, Choice Connect
