Editorial for Rosetta Journal issue 16.
Articles
On the basis of three linguistic features of Greek metre: syllabic quantity, synapheia and components, I state the similarity between stichic verses and Lyric periods, and I define the general structure of Lyric Periods and the differences between them and the stichic verses. While stichic verses present a fixed structure, are composed of M- and D-components in perfect alternation, are never isosyllabic, belong to a single rhythm, end in a D-component, and appear in runs of the same structure, Lyric periods present a free structure, only M-components are obligatory, are usually isosyllabic, often present two rhythms, end with a long-M, and appear in groups of different periods, which compose stanzas of the same structure. I shall try to show how the structural approach that I have applied to stichic verses may be satisfactorily projected into Lyric periods. Firstly I will present the differential traits of this approach, and briefly remember the character of the most representative stichic verses.
This paper addresses the stimulus and process(es) of cultural change on the Cycladic island of Melos in the Aegean sea, which sees successive phases of foreign influence and particularly intense Mycenaean interaction during the Late Bronze Age. First, the previous arguments are discussed and reviewed, before the use of interpretative models is rejected. It is argued that interpretative models ascribe uniform behaviour across varying cultures and periods, which does not consider the historical and regional contexts of culture change. Secondly, it is argued that a more contextual approach is required, which asserts the prominent role of Minoan Crete in the transformation of society at Phylakopi. Thirdly, the validity of the process of “Mycenaeanisation” is challenged and it is posited that there was significant negotiation with Mycenaean influence at Phylakopi, as well as a host of other localities in the Aegean.
Book Reviews
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Addendum
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Often, contemporary archaeological research is adapted to fit antiquated notions of time and place; this is a development demonstrated atop the Mycenaean acropolis and throughout the surrounding landscape. This paper explores the temporal boundaries that have traditionally forced the direction or scope of archaeological study, using Mycenae as a case study.
When dealing with a place historically, it is often most efficient and useful to assign strict chronological limitations to a site or a region. At Mycenae, this system is represented by the orderly chronological classification of various ages (Early, Middle, and Late Helladic, etc.). However, I argue that, archaeologically, these traditional boundaries hinder the modern researcher in creating an image of the site that is completely faithful to the data on the ground. While certain pasts may be far removed from one another temporally, they can often be in close proximity archaeologically. Inhabitants of Mycenae regularly interacted with the physical remains of their past. Due to the polychronic nature of material culture, these chronological phases rarely end archaeologically in the clean manner which history provides them.
Consequently, the use of these temporal boundaries inhibits modern excavators in their ability to tease out the subtle nuances for which archaeology is uniquely proficient. I argue that archaeologists should unshackle their research from these historic boundaries which persist from archaic archaeological research. Instead, archaeological focus must turn to the examination of a site or feature as a whole, devoid of temporal limitations. In so doing, features of the past which escape historical perception may exhibit themselves, and otherwise unattainable connections can be explored.