The Archaeology of Athens [Hardcover]

Professor John M. Camp (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0300081979 | ISBN-13: 978-0300081978 | Publication Date: November 1, 2001

The monuments of ancient Athens and Attica give eloquent testimony to the enduring legacy of Greek civilization. In this book, a leading authority on the archaeology of this area presents a survey of the monuments, first chronologically and then site by site, creating the definitive work on the subject. John M. Camp begins with a comprehensive narrative history of the monuments from the earliest times to the sixth century A.D. Drawing on literary and epigraphic evidence, including Plutarch's biographies, Pausanias's guidebook, and thousands of inscriptions, he discusses who built a given structure, when, and why. Camp presents dozens of passages in translation, allowing the reader easy access to the variety and richness of the ancient sources. In effect, this main part of the book provides an engrossing history of ancient Athens as recorded in its archaeological remains. The second section of the book offers in-depth discussions of individual sites in their physical context, including accounts of excavations in the modern era. Written in a clear and engaging style and lavishly illustrated, Camp's archaeological tour of Athens is certain to appeal not only to scholars and students but also to visitors to the area.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The director of the Agora excavations of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, John M. Camp (The Athenian Agora), presents a masterful interdisciplinary compendium, The Archaeology of Athens. Camp, also a classics professor at Randolph-Macon College, draws from Herodotus, Aristotle, Plutarch, Pausanias and inscriptions found at various sites; on the temple on the Acropolis it reads, among numerous details, "Two leaves of gold were bought for gilding the two eyes of the column, from Adonis, living in Melite: 2 drachmas." He also describes the men responsible for various building projects (Perikles, e.g., gets his due), the buildings' uses and, in some cases, their destruction parts of the Acropolis were brought down, for instance, during the Peloponnesian War. Though Athenian art and architecture have been paid consistent scholarly attention, perhaps no volume has so successfully mined the riches of literature and history (along with 257 b & w and 19 color illustrations) in pursuit of archeological evidence.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

A masterful interdisciplinary compendium. . . successfully mine[s] the riches of literature and history in pursuit of archeological evidence. -- Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300081979
• ISBN-13: 978-0300081978
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #700,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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