The Other Greek

Victor Hanson shows that the "Greek revolution" was not the rise of a free and democratic urban culture, but rather the historic innovation of the independent family farm."--BOOK JACKET.

Etymology as the principle of Chinese writing -- Introducing Chinese characters -- Deerpark hermitage -- River snow: part one-the other Greek -- River snow: part two-word-building -- River snow: part three-rhythm -- Windows -- Stars and seething pots -- The ballad of the ancient cypress -- On releasing a wild goose -- Ware, ware, snares for hares -- "The way": Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu and Lieh Tzu -- When I was green -- Snow and plum -- Farewell to the god of plagues

A vision of reality in which a pre-eminent human type was defined in opposition to non-ideal 'Others' characterized ancient Greece. In democratic Athens the social structure privileged male citizens, and women, resident aliens, and slaves were marginalized. The Persian Wars polarized the opposition of Greeks and Barbarians. This anthology provides the first investigation of the delineation of otherness across a broad spectrum of the imagery of Greek art. An international cast of authors, with methodologies ranging from traditional to avant-garde, examines manifestations of the Other in Late Archaic and Classical Greek representations that particularly interest them. The 17 chapters develop a nuanced picture of the visual criteria that denoted otherness in regard to gender, class, and ethnicity and also reveal the social and political functions of this remarkable Greek imagery. Also available in paperback (ISBN 9789004117129)

The Greek myths are celebrated as timeless stories in this collection by renowned author Bernard Evslin “The Dolphin Rider” is Arion, who lives in Corinth, a city near the sea. He longs to go on great adventures, but an oracle warns that if he embarks on a voyage, he will never return. When Apollo, the god of music, gives Arion a golden lyre for his twentieth birthday, Arion ignores the oracle’s words and sets sail for Sicily. Everyone falls in love with his singing, and great treasures are heaped on him, but Arion is forced to contend with an unexpected foe: man’s greed. “The Gift of Fire” introduces Prometheus, the young giant who fears no one, including Zeus, mighty ruler of gods and men. However, when Prometheus vows to bring his precious gift to every cave in the land, he makes multiple deadly enemies. This collection also features stories about Narcissus, destined to fall in love with his own beautiful reflection; King Midas, who loves only gold; Cupid, who must suffer the consequences when he is struck down by love; and the fatally curious Pandora.

Zeitlin explores the diversity and complexity of these interactions through the most influential literary texts of the archaic and classical periods, from epic (Homer) and didactic poetry (Hesiod) to the productions of tragedy and comedy in fifth-century Athens.

Explores literary, visual, material and biological evidence of marginality in the ancient Greek world Studies of the ancient Greek world have typically focused on the life histories of elite males as the group that has made the most distinct mark on ancient Greek literature, art and material culture. As a result, the voices of foreigners, the physically impaired, the impoverished and the generally disenfranchised have been silent, which has substantially complicated the creation of a historical narrative of these marginalised groups. To address this lacuna, previous research has turned to the limited evidence found in literature and material culture to reconstruct societal attitudes toward disenfranchised peoples. This book departs from that approach by primarily considering the skeletal remains and burial contexts of the individuals themselves. Drawing upon literary, artistic, material and biological evidence, it sheds new light on groups of individuals who were typically relegated to the periphery of Greek society in the Late Archaic and Classical periods. Offering the first comprehensive treatment of the biological evidence for marginality in the ancient Greek world, this book argues that intersectionality was the driving factor behind social marginalisation in the Late Archaic and Classical Greek world. Carrie L. Sulosky Weaver is a classical archaeologist associated with the Department of Classics at the University of Pittsburgh.

Everyone has been taught that the Greek city-state is the ultimate source of the Western tradition in literature, philosophy, and politics. For generations, scholars have focused on the rise of the city-state and its brilliant cosmopolitan culture. Now Victor Hanson, the author of several studies of ancient warfare and agriculture, has written a book that will completely change our view of Greek society. For Hanson shows that the real "Greek revolution" was not the rise of a free and democratic urban culture, remarkable as this was, but the historic innovation of the independent family farm. The heroes of his book, therefore, are what he calls "the other Greeks" - the neglected free-hold farmers, vinegrowers and herdsmen of ancient Greece who formed the backbone of Hellenic civilization. It was these tough-minded, practical, and fiercely independent agrarians, Hanson contends, who gave Greek culture its distinctive emphasis on private property, constitutional government, contractual agreements, infantry warfare, and individual rights.