The Nation and its Ruins: Antiquity, Archaeology, and National Imagination in Greece (Classical Presences) [Hardcover]

Yannis Hamilakis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0199230382 | ISBN-13: 978-0199230389 | Publication Date: September 6, 2007

This innovative, extensively illustrated study examines how classical antiquities and archaeology contributed significantly to the production of the modern Greek nation and its national imagination. It also shows how, in return, national imagination has created and shaped classical antiquities and archaeological practice from the nineteenth century to the present. Yannis Hamilakis covers a diverse range of topics, including the role of antiquities in the foundation of the Greek state in the nineteenth century, the Elgin marbles controversy, the role of archaeology under dictatorial regimes, the use of antiquities in the detention camps of the Greek civil war, and the discovery of the so-called tomb of Philip of Macedonia.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A] highly readable and important book."--Saro Wallace, The Classical Review

"Hamilakis gives a fascinating and sympathetic...account of Greek attitudes."--John Boardman, Common Knowledge

About the Author

Yannis Hamilakis is Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Southampton.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0199230382
• ISBN-13: 978-0199230389
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,544,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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