Greek protohistories

Bibliographic Data

ID3919833
AuthorsJohn K Papadopoulos (0000-0003-2481-0246, University of California, Los Angeles, corresponding author)
Year2018
Volume50
Issue5
Pages690-705
Publication date2018-10-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueWorld Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0043-8243 • E-ISSN: 1470-1375
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00438243.2019.1568294
OpenAlexW4245426772
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited31

Following some definitions and etymologies of key terms – archaeology, history, prehistory, protohistory – the purpose of this paper is to review the history of Greek protohistories, chronologically beginning with the earliest writing in the Greek world, in the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 1800 BC). Ironically, this early writing did not lead to a period that anyone would call 'historic' or 'protohistoric'. From there, the author traces the passage of writing through the 'prehistoric' period, into the Early Iron Age, and beyond, where we find the first constructions of narrative history. Several early historians will feature prominently in this story: Hekataios, Hellanikos, Herodotos and Thucydides, whose work follows on from that of the earliest Greek alphabetic writing in the eighth century BC in the time of Homer and Hesiod. By so doing, the author's aim is not just to problematize 'prehistory' and 'protohistory' as meaningful terms or appropriate categories of analysis, but to suggest that they are, for Greek antiquity, irrelevant

Ancient Greek · Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Bronze Age · Hesiod · Literature · Narrative · Period (music · Poetry · Prehistory · Ancient Near East History · Classical Antiquity Studies · Classics · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History

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