No laughing matter

Antiquity in Greek political cartoons

Bibliographic Data

ID22993142
AuthorsYannis Hamilakis (0000-0002-8392-9450, corresponding author)
Year2000
Volume1
Issue1
Pages57-72
Publication date2000-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1465-5187 • E-ISSN: 1753-5530
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1179/pua.2000.1.1.57
OpenAlexW1999724653
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited24

This article discusses the deployment of antiquity in Greek political cartoons covering the period from 1974 to the present. It argues that in order to function cartoons must rely on preconceptions and widespread popular beliefs; they thus can be seen as an important source for the investigation of popular stereotypes of antiquity. Moreover they engage actively in the construction of visual memory through the visualization of abstract notions. Greek political cartoons are shown often to use the most easily recognisable themes from antiquity and rely on its moral authority (stemming from the position of antiquity in the national imagination and public discourse) in order to critique and ridicule policies and politicians. The authority of antiquity itself, however, is rarely questioned. Cartoons and antiquity are not involved in a simple relationship of representation; theirs is rather a relationship of engagement, a relationship of veneration and submission which constructs a reality where the dividing lines between the past and the present are blurred, a reality which is structured by the powerful symbolic order of national memory.

Aesthetics · Ancient history · Art · Late Antiquity · Literature · Media studies · Order (exchange) · Political science · Politics · Popular culture · Representation (politics) · Sociology · Veneration · Classics · Contemporary and Historical Greek Studies · History · Law · Philippine History and Culture

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