Cover
Figures and Source‐Acknowledgments
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations and Citations
Maps
1 Sources for the Archaic Period
1. 1.1 Introduction
2. 1.2 Archaeology and the Material Remains
3. 1.3 Literary Sources
4. 1.4 Managing the Muses
5. Further Reading
2 A Brief Overview of the Archaic Period
1. 2.1 Introduction
2. 2.2 The Environment and Greek Life
3. 2.3 The Early Archaic Period
4. 2.4 The Seventh Century BCE: Expansion and Change
5. 2.5 The Sixth Century BCE: Conflict and Creation
6. 2.6 The Early Fifth Century BCE: The Defeat of Persia
7. 2.7 Sparta and Lakonia
8. 2.8 Athens and Attika
9. Further Reading
10. Brief Timeline for the Archaic Period
3 Polis and Politics in Archaic Greece
1. 3.1 Introduction
2. 3.2 Origins and Nature of the Early Polis
3. 3.3 Transformations of Leadership and Governance in the Archaic Polis
4. 3.4 Demokratia
5. 3.5 The Evolution of Politics and Government in Archaic Greece: A Summary
6. 3.6 Politics and the Archaic Greek Farmer
7. Further Reading
4 War and Violence in Archaic Greece
1. 4.1 Introduction
2. 4.2 Land Warfare in the Early Archaic Period
3. 4.3 Land Warfare in the Later Archaic Period
4. 4.4 Epilogue: The Causes of War
5. 4.5 Summary
6. 4.6 Conflict at Sea
7. Further Reading
5 Archaic Greek Myth and Religion
1. 5.1 Introduction
2. 5.2 The Gods of Hesiod and Homer
3. 5.3 Sanctuaries and Seers
4. 5.4 Gods and Poleis
5. 5.5 The Archaic Greeks and Their Gods: A Summary
6. 5.6 The Olympians
7. Further Reading
6 Early Greek Science
1. 6.1 Darkness and Lumination
2. 6.2 A Farmer’s Handbook: Hesiod’s Works and Days
3. 6.3 The Near East, Miletos, and Science
4. 6.4 “Wonders”
5. 6.5 Medicine
6. 6.6 “Civilians,” Science, and Technology
7. Further Reading
7 Archaic Greek Philosophy
1. 7.1 Introduction
2. 7.2 Hesiod and Zeus
3. 7.3 Ionian Philosophy
4. 7.4 Skeptics, Critics, and Epistemology
5. 7.5 Mathematics and the Mystical
6. 7.6 Summary
7. Further Reading
8 The Art of the Archaic Greeks
1. 8.1 Introduction
2. 8.2 Archaic Pottery‐Painting
3. 8.3 Archaic Greek Sculpture
4. 8.4 Summary
5. Further Reading
9 Archaic Greek Literature
1. 9.1 Introduction
2. 9.2 Homer
3. 9.3 Hesiod
4. 9.4 Early Greek Lyric and Elegaic Poets
5. 9.5 Later Lyric and Elegaic Poets
6. 9.6 Summary
7. Further Reading
10 Festivals and Games of the Archaic Greeks
1. 10.1 Introduction
2. 10.2 The Olympic Festival and Games
3. 10.3 Other Games and Festivals
4. 10.4 Local and Regional Festivals
5. 10.5 Festivals and Culture
6. 10.6 Summary
7. Further Reading
11 Cultural Identity, Social Forces, Values, and Behaviors
1. 11.1 Introduction
2. 11.2 Honor, Fame, and Good Repute
3. 11.3 Excess and Moderation
4. 11.4 Competition
5. 11.5 Old Allegiances and New Realities
6. 11.6 Summary
7. Further Reading
12 Gender and Sexuality in Archaic Greece
1. 12.1 Introduction
2. 12.2 Archaic Greek Females
3. 12.3 Archaic Greek Males
4. 12.4 Sex, Gender, and Archaic Greek Society
5. 12.5 Summary
6. Further Reading
13 Epilogue
Glossary of Greek Terms
Index: Literary Citations
Index
End User License Agreement

List of Illustrations

Chapter 1
1. Figure 1.1 The “Cup of Nestor.” Late Geometric kotyle, c. 750–740 BCE.
2. Figure 1.2 The Law of Dreros. Rendering of schist inscription, c. 650–600 BCE
Chapter 2
1. Figure 2.1 Central Greece landscape.
Chapter 4
1. Figure 4.1 Melee fighting. Drawing from a Late Geometric amphora, Paros, c. 730...
2. Figure 4.2 Fighting over Patroklos’ body. Attic Black‐Figure kalyx krater, c. 5...
3. Figure 4.3 Archaic Greek hoplites about to engage. The Chigi Vase: proto‐Corint...
4. Figure 4.4 Modern Greek fishing boat, Agios Nikolaos, Crete, summer 2017.
Chapter 5
1. Figure 5.1 Olympian gods. Partially restored fragments of Attic Black‐Figure ne...
2. Figure 5.2 Zeus or Poseidon of Artemision. Bronze statue, c. 470–460 BCE.
Chapter 7
1. Figure 7.1 Tetractys.
Chapter 8
1. Figure 8.1 Dipylon Amphora. Dipylon Master, c. 750 BCE.
2. Figure 8.1a Dipylon Amphora: detail: Prothesis.
3. Figure 8.2 Corinthian olpe, Sphinx Painter, 630–610 BCE.
4. Figure 8.3 Nessos Amphora. Proto‐Attic Black‐Figure amphora. Nessos Painter, c....
5. Figure 8.3a Nessos Amphora: detail: Herakles and Nessos.
6. Figure 8.4 François Vase, Attic B‐F volute krater. Kleitias, c. 570 BCE.
7. Figure 8.4a François Vase: detail: Aias and Achilles.
8. Figure 8.5 Suicide of Aias, Attic B‐F amphora, Exekias, c. 530 BCE.
9. Figure 8.6 Achilles and Penthesilea, Attic B‐F amphora, Exekias, c. 530 BCE.
10. Figure 8.7 Three Old Revelers, Attic R‐F amphora. Euthymides, c. 510–500 BCE.
11. Figure 8.8 Youthful Revelers, Attic R‐F skyphos. Brygos Painter, c. 490–480 BCE...
12. Figure 8.9 Figure of a woman, ivory carving, Athens, c. 730 BCE.
13. Figure 8.10 Mantiklos, bronze figure, Thebes, c. 700 BCE.
14. Figure 8.11 Cattle Raid of the Dioskouroi, metope, Sikyonian Treasury, Delphi,
15. Figure 8.12 Gigantomachy, relief sculpture, Siphnian Treasury, Delphi, North Io...
16. Figure 8.13 Herakles leaping on the Keryneian Hind, metope, Treasury of the Ath...
17. Figure 8.14 New York kouros, marble statue, Attica, c. 610–580 BCE.
18. Figure 8.15 Kleobis and Biton, kouroi, marble statues. Delphi, c. 580–570 BCE.
19. Figure 8.16 Kroisos, kouros, marble statue. Anavysos, Attica, c. 530 BCE.
20. Figure 8.17 Aristodikos, kouros, marble statue, Athens, c. 500 BCE.
21. Figure 8.18 Kritios Boy, marble statue, Athens, c. 490–475 BCE.
22. Figure 8.19 Nikandre, kore, marble statue, Delos, c. 640 BCE.
23. Figure 8.20 Berlin Kore, marble statue, Attika, c. 570–560 BCE.
24. Figure 8.21 Phrasikleia, kore, marble statue, Merenda, Attika c. 540 BCE.
25. Figure 8.22 Kore 674, marble statue, Akropolis, Athens, c. 510–500 BCE.
Chapter 9
1. Figure 9.1 Woman playing a lyre. Attic R‐F squat lekythos. c. 470 BCE.
Chapter 10
1. Figure 10.1 The Altis at Olympia: the Philippeion and Temple of Hera.
2. Figure 10.2 The stadion at Olympia.
3. Figure 10.3 Runners in a foot race. Attic B‐F Panathenaic amphora, attributed t...
4. Figure 10.4 Pankration, Attic B‐F skyphos, attributed to the Theseus Painter,
5. Figure 10.5 Chariot‐racing, Attic B‐F Panathenaic amphora, attributed to Group ...
6. Figure 10.6 Delphi: Theatre and Temple of Apollo.
7. Figure 10.7 Panathenaic amphora, Attic B‐F vase attributed to the Princeton Pai...

This edition first published 2020
© 2020 Brian M. Lavelle

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Library of Congress Cataloging‐in‐Publication Data
Names: Lavelle, Brian M., author.
Title: Archaic Greece : the age of new reckonings / Brian M. Lavelle.
Description: Hoboken, NJ : John Wiley & Sons, 2020. | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2018022258 (print) | LCCN 2018032104 (ebook) | ISBN 9781119370451 (Adobe PDF) | ISBN 9781119369943 (ePub) | ISBN 9781405198592 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781405198608 (pbk.)
Subjects: LCSH: Greece–History–To 146 B.C. | Greece–Civilization.
Classification: LCC DF214 (ebook) | LCC DF214 .L34 2018 (print) | DDC 938/.02–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018022258

Cover Design: Wiley
Cover Image: © Paul Fearn/Alamy Stock Photo

Figures and Source‐Acknowledgments

Map 1	The Eastern Mediterranean.
Map 2	Greece and the Aegean.
1.1	The “Cup of Nestor.” Late Geometric kotyle, c. 750–740 BCE. Image of cup and inscription by kind permission of Museo Civico Archeologico di Pithecusae. Source: Museum online site.
1.2	The Law of Dreros. Rendering of schist inscription, c. 650–600 BCE, Dreros, Crete, Museum of Agios Nikolaos, Crete. Source: Author.
2.1	Central Greece landscape. View from Osios Loukas, near Distomo, south‐east toward Mount Helikon, summer 2015. Source: Author.
4.1	Melee fighting. Drawing from a Late Geometric amphora, Paros, c. 730–700 BCE. Archaeological Museum of Paros, 3524. Source: Drawing by Leah Lavelle, Urban Wild Studio.
4.2	Fighting over Patroklos’ body. Attic Black‐Figure kalyx krater, c. 530 BCE. National Museum, Athens, 26746. Source: Art Resource: alb1469481.
4.3	Archaic Greek hoplites about to engage. The Chigi Vase: proto‐Corinthian olpe, c. 650–640 BCE, detail. Villa Giulia Museum, 22679. Source: Art Resource: ART79507.
4.4	Modern Greek fishing boat, Agios Nikolaos, Crete, summer 2017.
5.1	Olympian gods. Partially restored fragments of Attic Black‐Figure neck amphora, Princeton Painter (?), c. 540 BCE, Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1991.11.2.
5.2	Zeus or Poseidon of Artemision. Bronze statue, c. 470–460 BCE. Source: Art Resource: 61981.
6.1	Achilles bandages Patroklos’ upper arm. Rendering of Attic R‐F kylix tondo, Sosias, c. 500 BCE. Berlin Antikensammlung F 2278. Source: Art Resource: AR922049.
7.1	Tetractys.
8.1	Dipylon Amphora. Dipylon Master, c. 750 BCE. Source: Art Resource: ART383136.
8.1a	Dipylon Amphora: detail: Prothesis. Source: Art Resource: ART531993.
8.2	Corinthian olpe, Sphinx Painter, 630–610 BCE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 96.18.38.
8.3	Nessos Amphora. Proto‐Attic B‐F amphora. Nessos Painter, c. 620 BCE National Museum, Athens 1002. Source: Art Resource: ART 98979.
8.3a	Nessos Amphora: detail: Herakles and Nessos. Nessos Painter, 620 BCE National Museum, Athens 1002. Source: Art Resource: ART28240.
8.4	François Vase, Attic B‐F volute krater. Kleitias, c. 570 BCE. Source: Florence Museum 4209. By permission of Florence Museum.
8.4a	François Vase: detail: Aias and Achilles. Source: Florence Museum 4209. By permission of Florence Museum.
8.5	Suicide of Aias, Attic B‐F amphora, Exekias, c. 530 BCE. Source: Boulogne Museum AN 558. By kind permission of the Boulogne Museum.
8.6	Achilles and Penthesilea, Attic B‐F amphora, Exekias, c. 530 BCE. Source: British Museum B 210. By permission of the British Museum.
8.7	Three Old Revelers, Attic R‐F amphora. Euthymides, c. 510–500 BCE. Source: Munich Antikensammlungen 2307. By permission of the Munich Antikensammlungen.
8.8	Youthful Revelers, Attic R‐F skyphos. Brygos Painter, c. 490–480 BCE. Source: Louvre G 156. By permission of the Louvre Museum.
8.9	Figure of a woman, ivory carving, Athens, c. 730 BCE, National Museum, Athens 776. Source: Art Resource: ART383141.
8.10	Mantiklos, bronze figure, Thebes, c. 700 BCE. Source: Boston Museum of Fine Arts 03.997. By permission of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
8.11	Cattle Raid of the Dioskouroi, metope, Sikyonian Treasury, Delphi, c. 560 BCE, Delphi Museum 1322. Source: Art Resource: ART424935.
8.12	Gigantomachy, relief sculpture, Siphnian Treasury, Delphi, North Ionic frieze, c. 530 BCE, Delphi Museum. Source: Art Resource: ART6437.
8.13	Herakles leaping on the Keryneian Hind, metope, Treasury of the Athenians, Delphi, c. 490 BCE, Delphi Museum. Source: Art Resource: ART392383.
8.14	New York kouros, marble statue, Attica, c. 590–580 BCE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Arts, NYC, 32.11.1.
8.15	Kleobis and Biton, kouroi, marble statues. Delphi, c. 580–570 BCE, Delphi Museum 467, 1524. Source: Art Resource: orz107774.
8.16	Kroisos, kouros, marble statue. Anavysos, Attica, c. 530 BCE, National Museum, Athens 3851. Source: Art Resource: ART123355.
8.17	Aristodikos, kouros, marble statue, Athens, c. 500 BCE, National Museum, Athens 3938. Source: Art Resource: ART383176.
8.18	Kritios Boy, marble statue, Athens, c. 490–475 BCE. Source: Akropolis Museum, Athens 698. By permission of Akropolis Museum.
8.19	Nikandre, kore, marble statue, Delos, c. 640 BCE, National Museum, Athens 1, Source: Art Resource: ART383140.
8.20	Berlin Kore, marble statue, Attika, c. 570–560 BCE, Berlin Museum 1800. Source: Art Resource: ART71821.
8.21	Phrasikleia, kore, marble statue, Merenda, Attika c. 540 BCE, National Museum, Athens 4889. Source: Art Resource: ART535186.
8.22	Kore 674, marble statue, Akropolis, Athens, c. 510–500 BCE. Source: Akropolis Museum 674. By permission of the Akropolis Museum.
9.1	Woman playing a lyre. Attic R‐F squat lekythos. c. 470 BCE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, 41.162.169.
10.1	The Altis at Olympia: the Philippeion and Temple of Hera. Source: Author.
10.2	The stadion at Olympia. Source: Author.
10.3	Runners in a foot race. Attic B‐F Panathenaic amphora, attributed to the Euphiletos Painter, c. 530 BCE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, 14.130.12.
10.4	Pankration, Attic B‐F skyphos, attributed to the Theseus Painter, c. 500 BCE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, 06.1021.49.
10.5	Chariot‐racing, Attic B‐F Panathenaic amphora, attributed to Group of Copenhagen 99, c. 530 BCE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, 56.171.5.
10.6	Delphi: Theatre and Temple of Apollo. Source: Author.
10.7	Panathenaic amphora, Attic B‐F vase, attributed to the Princeton Painter, c. 550–540 BCE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, 53.11.1.
12.1	Wedding procession, Attic B‐F lekythos, attributed to the Amasis Painter, c. 550–530 BCE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, 56.11.
12.2	Women at fountain house, Attic B‐F Hydria, attributed to the class of Hamburg 1917.477, c. 510–500 BCE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, 06.1021.77.
12.3	Youth playing a lyre, Attic Red‐Figure chous, attributed to the Berlin Painter, c. 510–500 BCE. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, 22.139.32.

Preface

This aim of this book is to introduce students and interested others to the Archaic period of Greek history and civilization. It is an era when, after the relative dimness of the post‐Mykenaian Dark Ages, c. 1150–750 BCE, the lights come blazing on again almost all at once. Archaic Greeks seem to be in action everywhere in the Mediterranean as well as at home: colonizing, trading, learning and adapting new and better things from older civilizations to the east; overhauling institutions or developing new ones, challenging old beliefs and allegiances while accepting new ones; and moving rather boldly toward broader and deeper understanding of themselves and their world.

As a kind of primer, the book aims to stimulate and so to encourage students and others to probe the Archaic period more deeply and to come to grips with more of its primary evidence. A title like “Archaic Greece” might suggest the “whole story,” but an “introduction” by definition can neither be all‐encompassing nor exhaustively detailed. Economy imposes limitations on subject‐matter and treatment. The goal in sight has always been a concentrated, yet agreeable compendium of essential evidence and careful interpretation that will engage students new to the period and stimulate a desire to go on to learn more about this fascinating, extremely significant period in ancient and world history.

Acknowledgments

For her kindness, acumen, and extraordinary patience throughout the lengthy process of producing this book, I thank above all Haze Humbert, Acquisitions Editor for John Wiley & Sons. I am very grateful to Deirdre Ilkson, who as early Contact Editor assisted greatly in the book’s development by contributing many helpful comments. Thanks, too, to Allison Kostka, Jen Bray, and Denisha Sahadevan for their efforts and comments. Lastly, very deep and sincere thanks to Janani Govindankutty and Rajalakshmi Nadarajan who have helped so very much to see this book into print.

I am especially indebted to the anonymous readers of the draft manuscript, all but one of whom offered very valuable and constructive comments. That helpful advice was indispensable in crafting the revision of the initial manuscript. I also thank my colleague, Dr. Laura Gawlinski, Chair of the Department of Classical Studies, Loyola University Chicago, for advice and assistance at a critical juncture of production.

Finally, it would have been impossible to write this book without the love and support of, in particular, my beloved wife Nancy. There are no words sufficient to express my gratitude to or to approach description of the depths of my feelings for my closest friend, my dearest companion, and the love of my life.

Abbreviations and Citations

Unless otherwise specified, all fragments of Greek poetry derive from M.L. West, ed. Iambi et Elegi Graeci, I and II (Oxford, 1971). Other Greek texts derive from Oxford Greek editions. All translations are the author’s.

CA: P. Rhodes, trans. [Aristotle]. The Athenian Constitution (London, 1984).
Campbell: D. Campbell, Greek Lyric Poetry (London, 1967).
CEG: P. Hansen, Carmina Epigraphica Graeca (Berlin, 1983, 1989).
D‐K: W. Kranz, ed. H. Diehls, Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker ⁶ (Berlin, 1951).
Dillon & Garland: M. Dillon and L. Garland, Ancient Greece: Social and Historial Documents from Archaic Times to the Death of Alexander³ (London, 2010).
FrGrHist: F. Jacoby, ed. Die Fragmente der Griechischen Historiker, I–IV (Leiden, 1950–59).
Graham: D. Graham, ed. The Texts of Early Greek Philosophy (Cambridge, 2010).
IG: Inscriptiones Graecae (Berlin, 1924–).
M&L: R. Meiggs and D. Lewis, A Selection of Greek Historical Inscriptions to the End of the Fifth Century B.C. (Oxford, 1975).
Marm. Par.: F. Jacoby, ed. Chronicum Parium (Berlin, 1904).
Neer: R. Neer, Greek Art and Archaeology: A New History, c. 2500–c. 150 BCE (New York, 2012).
PMG: D. Page, ed. Poetae Melici Graecae (Oxford, 1962).
S&A: D. Page, Sappho and Alcaeus (Oxford, 1959).
SEG: Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum (Leiden, 1923–).

The Age of New Reckonings