Foundation Myths and Politics in Ancient Ionia

This book explores foundation myths in Ionian cities during the archaic and classical periods, showing how civic identity was constructed in relation to wider discourses about ethnicity and cultural difference. It challenges current models of Greek ethnicity and identity, suggesting a more diverse conception of Greekness in antiquity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 253 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2019
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This captivating book delves into the rich tapestry of foundation myths associated with the Ionian cities during the archaic and classical periods. By employing these myths as a lens, it explores the intricate and evolving construction of civic identity in Ionia, intricately linking it to the broader discourses about ethnicity and cultural difference prevalent in the Greek world at that time. The Ionian cities, in their unique approach, seem to have eschewed oppositional models of cultural difference that starkly contrasted East and West, Europe and Asia, Greek and Barbarian. Instead, they embraced a more fluid and nuanced perspective on ethnic and cultural distinctions. The profound conclusions reached in this book not only shed light on the history and culture of Ionia but also challenge prevailing models of Greek ethnicity and identity. It suggests that there existed a more diverse conception of Greekness in antiquity than commonly assumed, challenging our understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of ancient Greek society.

Weight: 502g
Dimension: 238 x 351 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108729963