Multiple geographies : the Greek view of Asia in the archaic period / Philip Gerald Kaplan.

Format:

Book

Manuscript

Microformat

Thesis/Dissertation

Author/Creator:

Kaplan, Philip Gerald.

Contributor:

Graham, A. J., advisor.

University of Pennsylvania.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Penn dissertations--Ancient history.

Ancient history--Penn dissertations.

Local Subjects:

Penn dissertations--Ancient history.

Ancient history--Penn dissertations.

Physical Description:

xii, 322 pages ; 29 cm

Production:

1999.

Summary:

The conception of the lands of the East as a coherent entity contained within the continent of Asia emerged slowly in Greek thought in the Archaic period (c.800--500 BCE). This development was part of the emergence of geographical thought, whereby local toponymies and topographies could be related to larger geophysical entities. This study will examine the way the names of peoples, places and topographical details of regions in Asia are expressed in Greek poetry and prose in this period, starting with Homer and ending with Herodotus. It will examine toponymic references in Homer and Hesiod and the fragments of the later epic and lyric poets, in the earliest writer of prose, Hecataeus of Miletos, and in the Histories of Herodotus. It will also examine the contribution to the Greek understanding of the geography of Asia made by the early philosophers, map-makers and periploi or sailing-accounts, and explorers and settlers in the later Archaic period. In doing so, it will seek to show that a number of distinct paradigms emerged, in which the lands of the East are configured. These include an epic geography, based primarily on Homer; a genealogical scheme, of which Hesiod is the best example, in which places and peoples are mapped through family relationships of eponyms; the geography of periploi and itineraries, in which coasts and routes are charted; and the paradigm which charts the peoples of Asia in relation to one another, which seems to derive ultimately from the interest of the Persian king in enumerating his domain. These different paradigms coexisted and were integrated into a unified geographical view of Asia in the late sixth century under the influence of Ionian philosophical thought, probably by Hecataeus of Miletos. His successor Herodotus of Halikarnassos attempted to improve the model and give it more structure, and in addition to integrate it into his own historiographical program.

Notes:

Supervisor: A. J. Graham.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Ancient History) -- University of Pennsylvania, 1999.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

University Microfilms order no.: 99-37739.

OCLC:

187475688