CfP: Rethinking Athens: Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Polis before the Persian Wars.

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Call for Papers

Rethinking Athens: Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Polis before the Persian Wars

International Workshop for Early-Career Researchers, Munich, 23th-24th February 2017

Keynote Speakers: François de Polignac (École Pratique des Hautes Études), Anna Maria D´Onofrio (Università degli Studi di Napoli L’Orientale), Alain Duplouy (Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne), Elisavet Sioumpara (Service for the Restoration of the Acropolis Monuments, Greek Ministry of Culture).

Application Deadline: 15th December 2016

Organisers: Vincenzo Capozzoli (Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne), Annarita Doronzio (Università degli Studi di Napoli L’Orientale), Constanze Graml (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität)

In recent times Athens has not been a focal point of international research in Classical Archaeology. The main cause of this stagnation appears to be, among other factors, the shortage of new perspectives in interpretation. In previous studies the prevailing approach was largely devoted to linking archaeological finds with specific historical events (e.g. the reforms of Solon, the tyranny of Peisistratos or the reforms of Cleisthenes), know from written sources that were normally produced much later than the events recounted (such as Aristotle’s writings). Up to now only a few recent studies have approached the material culture of Athens from a diachronic perspective and investigated its long-term development. Accordingly, the most recent, exciting archaeological discoveries in Athens and Attica, which were made in the course of large construction projects (e.g. upgrades to the metro prior to the 2004 Olympic Games), have hardly been taken into account in international research.

This two-days workshop is conceived as a platform for the presentation of new finds and new interpretive approaches, with the objective of discussing these finds and approaches in an interdisciplinary framework. The workshop will be focused on the pre-classical period (12th –6thc. B.C.) and is expressly intended for early-career scholars (i.e. advanced doctoral students and postdocs). Participation is open to all disciplines of Ancient Studies (i.e. building archaeology, anthropology, religious studies, ancient history, archaeology, and philology). Sessions will be more specifically dedicated to the following subjects:

  1. A) Settlement Planning and Architecture
  2. B) Burial customs
  3. C) Society
  4. D) Religion

While papers may be delivered in French, German, English or Italian, the publication of results to follow the workshop is planned to be in English. Early-career scholars who are interested in participating should submit a comprehensive abstract of max. 500 words by the 15th of December 2016. Talks are expected to last no more than 20 minutes, to be followed each by a discussion of 10 minutes
The costs of travel and accommodation may, depending on the third-party funding of the workshop, be met in part.

Please send questions regarding the workshop and abstracts to the organisers:
trochoeides.network@gmail.com