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A History of the Archaic Greek World: ca. 1200-479 BCE
There is a newer edition of this item:
- A Thematic study of this crucial formative period of Greek history, from the same series as P.J. Rhodes' A History of the Classical Greek World.
- Takes a critical and analytical look at evidence about the history of the archaic Greek World.
- Involves the reader in the practice of history by questioning and reevaluating conventional beliefs.
- Casts new light on traditional themes such as the rise of the city-state, citizen militias, and the origins of egalitarianism.
- ISBN-100631226680
- ISBN-13978-0631226680
- PublisherWiley-Blackwell
- Publication dateNovember 10, 2006
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions6.8 x 0.7 x 9.7 inches
- Print length344 pages
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Jonathan Hall has written a stimulating new history of Archaic Greece ... The book is very well written, with a very helpful glossary of literary sources and a useful index; it does not pre-suppose any knowledge of the evidence or methods ... Hall explores the general problems that a historian faces in practising history, providing an excellent introduction to the issues ... Fundamentally, Hall's book stresses the need to rethink the concept of historical change." (Bryn Mawr Classical Review)
"Very attractive physical appearance … an extensive bibliography and index. Hall’s style is clear and crisp … .The book is to be recommended." (Canadian Journal of History)
Review
—Carol G. Thomas, University of Washington
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Product details
- Publisher : Wiley-Blackwell (November 10, 2006)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 344 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0631226680
- ISBN-13 : 978-0631226680
- Item Weight : 1.33 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.8 x 0.7 x 9.7 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #4,359,891 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4,442 in Ancient Greek History (Books)
- #9,355 in European Politics Books
- #18,299 in History & Theory of Politics
- Customer Reviews:
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As it turns out, what a nine or fourteen years old student is usually taught under the title "History" is mostly a bunch of anecdotal stories from the pens of authors who lived centuries after the actual events. On the other hand, archeology is not that reliable source either, partly because not everything leaves material traces behind and, secondly, only a small fraction of those which do is uncovered or matched with the appropriate historical context.
This book is great in showing the reader how the data available to the historian is insufficient to support certainties in most aspects of archaic Greek life and events and sometimes the careful analysis suggests a different most probable interpretation from the widely accepted one. The further back we look into the murky waters of time, the more common it is to be left with probabilities and trends, and uncertainties and doubts, than with facts and truths. The author does more than teaching history, he helps you learn to think in the historian way.
The method also creates a few problems. First, it doesn't present a chronological view of the period, though with archaic Greece this can't be done anyways. Second, Hall loves to reference secondary sources in the text, which are really useless to his target audience. College freshmen aren't going to bother reading these. I would recommend is reading Hall in conjunction with another history, one centered on a timeline.
Top reviews from other countries
It is certainly a <i>Greek</i> history, too. This book is not for those looking for Etruscan or Phoenician interactions with Greece, for local responses to "colonization"**. Hall would argue that this is because it is a <i>history</i>, rather than an <i>archaeology</i>, and that it is only the Greeks for whom we have (semi-)reliable historical accounts in the Archaic period; indeed, in the last pages of the book he does so. If an archaeological account of such developments is what you are after, The Making of the Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean from the Beginning to the Emergence of the Classical World is perhaps a better bet.
The chronological bounds of this book might seem a bit long; Hall argues well and I agree that there is no significant break between the collapse of the Mycenaean palaces and the Archaic period as it is usually defined. As an archaeologist specializing in the Early Iron Age I do feel that he neglects to discuss very much of this period, but that is probably just my own prejudices getting in the way.
This book is certainly recommended to historians; as a general read it may not be what the layperson expects. But I do think that it would be good for non-academics to see this side of history, highly readable, largely sceptical, but still <i>history</i>, as it should be written.
* Personally, I disagree quite strongly with a lot of what Hall has to say about warfare. I think it's a shame that his sceptical approach to certain elements of the Greek world does not permeate every aspect. Perhaps it is the fault of the editors?
** "Colonization" should always be in inverted commas when discussing the Greeks or the Phoenicians, to distinguish the process from Roman <i>colonia</i> or the British Empire; but this is not the place to discuss the intricate details of the so-called colonial period of early Greek history.
As a monograph rather than a multi-authored book it has a pleasing internal consistency. This first volume has to rely quite heavily on archaeological evidence, which means a straightforward narrative through the centuries is virtually impossible. Like many such books, its most likely audience is undergraduates, but it also a useful book to have to hand for more experienced scholars who may need to seek information outside their specialist field. This book serves both purposes admirably. Bibliographies are offered for each chapter- though so much work is coming out these days that only on-line bibliographieis can hope to be comprehensive.