The Barbarians of Ancient Europe
The Barbarians of Ancient Europe
£54.00
GBPThe Barbarians of Ancient Europe deals with the reality of the indigenous peoples of Europe, in contrast to many publications that explore these peoples in the context of the Greek idea of 'barbarians' as the 'Other'. These varied groups - Thracians, Scythians, Celts, Germans, Etruscans, and other peoples of Italy, the Alps, and beyond - had contact with one another and with Greek culture during its flowering. Images on the spectacular gold and silver objects buried in royal tombs show how the horse-riding nomads and the barbarian women warriors known in antiquity as Amazons saw themselves. Archaeological discoveries show how they dressed, what they ate and drank, where they lived, and how they honored their dead kings with barbaric splendor and human sacrifices, allowing us to change, correct, or confirm the picture given in Greek and Roman literature.
- Provides cutting edge, reliable surveys and studies by the top specialists in their fields, and includes results of the most recent archaeological discoveries
- Explores constructions of national identities, as well as comparisons and contrasts between classical and barbarian art and customs: the role of women, human sacrifice, dress, food, and drink
- Illustrations include maps, artistic monuments, and reconstructions of armor
Reviews & endorsements
'This is an amazing collection of essays and an astonishing illumination of what was happening in Central Europe during the years of Greek civilization. The word 'barbarian' will never lose its detrimental quality, but at least, thanks to this volume, one is better informed as to what was really happening.' Duane W. Roller, AHB Online Reviews
'… the volume is well-planned and consistent. It will be a welcome addition to university and personal libraries. There is much dialogue between individual chapters, and in general they are well-written and clear with a large number of illustrations.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review
'This collection will prove especially useful for readers approaching these topics for the first time, while specialists too will find much of interest.' The Journal of Hellenic Studies
Product details
July 2014Paperback
9781107692404
435 pages
253 × 177 × 18 mm
0.91kg
101 b/w illus. 24 colour illus. 15 maps 1 table
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. Classical and barbarian Larissa Bonfante
- 2. Greek geography of western barbarians Paul Keyser
- 3. The funeral of Scythian kings: the historical reality and the description of Herodotus (4.71–72) Askold Ivantchik
- 4. Scythians: between mobility, tomb architecture and early urban structures Renate Rolle
- 5. Philomele's tongue: pictorial language of myth in ancient Thrace Ivan Marazov
- 6. In the fabulous Celtic twilight Barry Cunliffe
- 7. The ancient Germans Peter S. Wells
- 8. Etruscans and mediators between barbarians and classical civilization Larissa Bonfante
- 9. The world of situla art Otto-Herman Frey
- 10. A barbarian myth? The case of the talking head Nancy Thomson de Grummond
- 11. Romans and/as barbarians John Marincola
- 12. Late barbarians and wine Walter Stevenson
- 13. Some final thoughts Barry Cunliffe.
