Illiterate Geography in Classical Athens and Rome

This study explores how geographic knowledge circulated in classical societies outside of textual transmission, focusing on non-elite understanding and sources such as oral communications, public performances, and visual artefacts. It is of interest to scholars of geography and non-elite culture.

Format: Hardback
Length: 266 pages
Publication date: 27 November 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive study delves into the intricate channels through which geographic knowledge circulated in classical societies, extending beyond mere textual transmission. It explores the understanding of geography among the non-elites, a realm previously limited to the scholarly and scientific domain accessible only to a select few learned individuals. Instead, it focuses on the non-literary knowledge of geography, encompassing the geographical information available to people, regardless of their educational background, who did not engage with written geographic works. At the core of this inquiry lies two central questions: firstly, how and to what extent was geographic data accessible outside of textual transmission, particularly in contexts where writing or reading was not necessary? Secondly, what did the general public know about geography? To answer these questions, this study examines a diverse range of sources, including oral communications preserved in writing, public non-textual performances, and visual artefacts and monuments. These sources are scrutinized as potential reservoirs of the aural and visual geographic knowledge held by the Greco-Roman publics.

This volume holds immense appeal to scholars engaged in the study of geography in the ancient world, as well as those interested in exploring the cultural dynamics of non-elite societies. Its comprehensive approach sheds light on the multifaceted ways in which geographic knowledge was disseminated and interpreted, providing valuable insights into the complex tapestry of ancient civilizations. By examining these diverse sources, the study contributes to our understanding of the historical development of geographic thought and its impact on society, offering a rich and multifaceted perspective on the ancient world.

Weight: 564g
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367439705