17 - Athenian Topography Flashcards
Political structure of Greece
Politically independent city states with shared identity, culture with other city states. The city-state system is prominent especially in the west. In the west, cities with a tribal system. Most city states are pretty small, except for Sparta and Athens.
The size of Athens
Usually refer to Attica when we talk about Athens. Mythological explanation for why all settlements around Athens were incorporated and controlled by Athens - something to do with Theseus. One case of quasi-historical war - Eleusis, annexation. Perhaps conflation of religion and economics - city that controlled an important sanctuary.
Athens during Bronze Age
Evidence in/around acropolis of perhaps a Mycenaean palace as everything happens at the hill - could explain why temples were there eventually. Definitely not a major kingdom - something that bothered Athenians later, as they were not very present in the Homeric poems.
Athens in the 9th century
Begins expanding towards north and south. Presence of graves shows approximate boundaries.
Athens in Archaic times
City expanded to cover some of the parts that used to be cemeteries - these cemeteries abandoned or moved out of city walls.
Kerameikos
Most important Athenian cemetery. Continually used from 11th century to the end of Greek antiquity. Housed some of the most important families; closest to city. The richer, the closer. Outside of two most important city gates - sacred gate and Dromos. So named because of pottery production centre. Streets used for visibility of monuments.
Academus
Hero whose sanctuary was at the Academy. For daily life, some heroes could be more important, as they were the first point of contact with the gods.
Athenian Agora
Religious, political, economic center. Conceived of as open space. Western side important religiously - divinities with a political character based on epithet (12 gods altar, Apollon Patroos). Late 5th becomes more crowded with statues. Eastern part remains very open til later. Stones marking agora boundary - citizens’ rights, purity.
Hephasteion
450-15 BCE. Built at approx same time as Parthenon. Doric. By Agora. Something like a grove around it. Statues of Athena and Hephaistos inside - he was interested in her, rejected, ejaculate on ground led to birth. Unusual because he is not somebody you would venerate in peripteral temple - but associated with Athenian birth from ground.
Hellenistic Agora
Becomes closed from all sides in 2nd century BCE - Attalos II donates an entire stoa to Athens (150). Kings usually donate porticoes and not temples.
Agora under Romans
Seems to lose importance. Construction of Agrippa Odeon in 15 BCE. Also the wandering temple of Ares is brought to the Agora.
“Wandering” temple of Ares
High classical peripteral temple brought to Attica under Augustus. Originally dedicated to Athena - Ares not usually associated with peripteral temple. Rededication because trying to create connection between Athens and Rome (temple of Mars in Rome). Drums reassembled using A/O
Building at Athenian Acropolis.
Completely destroyed by Persians. From the Archaic til end of 5th, building activity in Athens associated with Acropolis. Best materials, workmen, etc. By end of 5th cent, Acropolis is basically done, with Parthenon, Erechtheion, Nike
Immediately south of Acropolis
Odeion of Perikles, Dionysos theatre, Asklepieion, another Odeion.
The “New” Athens
Hadrian is super involved in enhancing the city.Creates gate marking boundary between old and new Athens. Finishes the Olympieion which had been started in the late 6th BCE in 130 CE.
