Construction Underway at Ephesus

A reconstruction plan for the protection of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, lying 3 kilometers southwest of the town of Selçuk, has been approved during the town’s Municipality Assembly’s November meeting. Turks are expecting that Ephesus will be included to UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The plan has also been submitted to the İzmir General Directorate of Cultural and Natural Heritage for approval.

Ephesus is a declared 1st degree archaeological site. In the framework of the reconstruction plan, new entrances, retail stores and new walking lanes will be constructed within the ancient city. Areas of touristic interest, agricultural fields and parking lots will be clearly separated, and unplanned urbanization around the site prevented. “Also, transportation, trade, displays and other functions will be to modern standards. When the plan is put into effect, there will also be a field for camel wrestling and new entrance gates from the side of the Yedi Uyuyanlar Inn,” according to Selçuk Mayor Vefa Ülgür. On Mount Bülbül a terrace view is planned, which will be reached through a tunnel.

Turkish authorities further wish to underline the commercial character of the ancient city. In Antiquity Ephesus was an important center of commerce. The project the İzmir Culture and Tourism Provincial Director Abdülaziz Ediz announced is called “Ephesus Reunion with the Sea”, and aims to reviving history. The transportation from Ephesus Harbor to the Pamucak Coast will be possible by boats, says Ediz, adding that they want to make Ephesus more attractive to tourists.

Ephesus is currently on the Tentative List of UNESCO – an inventory of properties which are cultural heritage of outstanding universal value and will be considered for nomination to the World’s Heritage List at some point. To be included on the World Heritage List, sites must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria.

Famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Ephesus was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek period, and later, in the Roman era, became the capital of proconsular Asia (which covered western Asia Minor) instead of Pergamum, entering an era of prosperity.

Source: Archaiologia

The Etruscan Mystery

The Etruscan's civilization was based on the celebration of art and ceramics, sexuality, and pure knowledge of all things that make one unique.  It would take centuries to explain the influence of their lives upon modern civilizations, but PastHorizons has completed an exceptional background on the Etruscans.

Using new scientific analysis and documentation as well as several projects, including the Marsiliana D’Albegna Project, which has so far uncovered a residential area of Marsiliana comprising of Poggio del Castello, Uliveto di Banditella and Poggio di Macchiabuia, Pasthorizons sheds light on a completely new aspect of Etruscan living.

At the beginning of the Iron Age, the Villanovan culture was an organic element of Etruscan society with no well-defined hierarchical structure, government or political borders. Distinct from Greek culture from which it drew profound influences, the Etruscan civilisation sprung to importance in the 8th century BCE at the end of which rich aristocracies began to emerge. Deriving influences from the eastern Mediterranean, this Orientalising period was marked by the importation of ceramics and metals.

Read the entire story: Life and Death of an Etruscan Settlement By Pasthorizons

Book Review: Histories of Peirene By Betsey Robinson

I was thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to review the Histories of Peirene by Betsey A. Robinson. I was given this honor by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens several months ago, and due to my hectic schedule, I have now been able to relax with the book and digest the contents. It took me some time to form my opinion of this exquisitely composed academic guide.

The Histories of Peirene by Betsey A Robinson is anything but an average coffee table accessory. At first glance it appears that you’ll be embarking on a rousing adventure of the classical waterways of Greece. But it's so much more that this. The illustrations allow the reader to envision the site in its former glory.

The chapters focus on the organics of the architecture, Roman equivalents, and the biological makeup of the water running in the spring at the Peirene site. You’ll notice, however, that the Peirene Corinthian Fountain and the stringent scientific approach that the author takes to describe it, deviates from the average readers’ ability to dissect, or even understand, an archaeological site. This is not necessarily a bad thing, especially if your academic mind can wrap itself around the in-depth information presented by Robinson.

The cataloguing process in which Robinson uses to organize the site features was impressive, at least in my opinion it was. She further explains these features in the beginning of the chapter in the Illustrations and Tables section. An archaeological student or scholar could understand why Robinson termed the fountain sections and features the way she did, but the average reader might not. Nevertheless, organization of the Peirene Fountain features and artifacts in the books is cleanly and excellently laid out well, thus creating a foundation for further study of the site.

What can you hope to learn from the Histories of Pierene?

• The mythical background of Peirene. Where Bellerophon tamed the Pegasus.
• Information about the features and artifacts excavated at the site.
• The significance of the Faux Marbles and Piscina Paintings.
• The architecture of the fountain and why it built the way it was.
• The organic makeup of the waterways.

Rufus B. Richardson, the first excavator of the site, believes that The Peirene Fountain is “the most famous fountain of Greece.” I can certainly understand the appeal, and furthermore, I can now understand why Robinson approached her book in such a scholarly fashion. She was essentially trying to prove the significance of the Peirene Fountain, and as an archaeology student, I admire her conviction in making this site more visible to the public.

If you'd like to order your copy of the Histories of Peirene, you can do so at ascsa.edu.

Best Graduate Schools for Classical Archaeology

Classical archaeology is a deeply interesting subject that has enchanted researchers and students for ages. Quite simply, it is the study of archaeological excavations from Ancient Greece and Rome. However, some only consider it to be the study of the Roman and Athenian civilizations, but it can include other subjects such as Minoan and Crete civilizations. This field involves not only excavations in the Mediterranean, but the analysis and research into the artifacts, deciphering the ancient texts, and learning about the history of the region. Completion of graduate programs for classical archaeology can mean careers in teaching and writing at major research universities, working at a museum as a curator, or even doing research and excavations.

Special Skills

Applying to graduate programs in classical archaeology can be the beginning of a very rewarding career, but it is important to have the required skills in order to be accepted to graduate programs in the classics. A strong background in Greek and Latin language, culture, and history are required for all classics programs. It is necessary to understand how to read Greek and Latin to decipher the ancient texts. Applicants must have taken previous course work in the field as undergraduates. Many people that apply to classical archaeology programs usually have undergraduate degrees in Latin, philosophy, anthropology, theology or religious studies, or art history. Even if someone has an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field, they still have an opportunity to apply to a program if they are willing to go back and take some undergraduate courses.

In order to be taken seriously by any of the programs, it is strongly recommended that an applicant have at least some experience working in the field or participating in research and study at excavation sites. Due to the fact that the excavations themselves will take place in Europe near the Mediterranean, it is very helpful to have a some language ability in Italian, German, and French. Fluency in those languages are not required, but it is recommended that applicants have a background in the languages to be prepared for professional work in the field.

Best Graduate Schools for Classical Archaeology in the United States

University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is one of America's most selective institutions and it happens to have one of the best graduate programs for classical archaeology in America. They have both PhD and masters programs available ranging from classical languages, ancient Greek or roman philosophy, or the study of the ancient Mediterranean world. There is also a joint PhD program that teaches social thought and classics. Students work closely in conjunction with faculty from the anthropology and art history departments. Current faculty research interests include the ancient Greek economy, political monuments, Roman art and architecture, and the social history of ancient cities. Recently, a faculty member received the National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship and another teacher was awarded the Umhoefer Prize for Achievement in Humanities.

Website

University of Michigan

University of Michigan is "internationally renowned for its scholarly excellence and its graduate programs". The Kelsey Museum at University of Michigan is a world leader in anthropological archeology research, with particular emphasis on material collections from eastern North America and Asia. The Kelsey Museum also contains antiquities and the Papyrus Collection in the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. The department offers a program in Museum Studies, a joint program in Anthropology and Social Work, and a Doctoral Program in Anthropology and History. The University also offers an Interdepartmental Program in Classical Art and Archeology, a doctoral-track course of study.

Website

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of America's oldest public universities with one of the most prestigious programs in classics. Their internationally known program offers both PhDs and masters for the study of the classics (with or without a historical emphasis), archaeology, and classical and medieval Latin. The program works very closely with Duke University, so there are cross registration opportunities available. Current faculty research interests include the Iron Age, Greek archaeology, Roman and Greek architecture and art.

Website

Harvard University

Harvard University is the oldest university in the country and it is one of the world's most prominent institutions, especially for graduate programs for classical archaeology. Harvard offers PhD programs in classical philology, ancient history, archaeology, Byzantine Greek, and Medieval Latin. The program works alongside the other departments like European art and architecture, history, and literature to provide multidisciplinary experience. Current faculty research interests include Greek numismatics, Homeric poetry, Greek and Latin linguistics, and science in ancient Rome and Greece. A faculty member has received a Paideia Award from the Greek Arch Diocese of America.

Website

University of California at Berkeley

The University of California at Berkeley is a major public research institution with a strong classics program. They offer both masters and PhD programs in the field with concentrations in philosophy and archaeology. Current faculty research interests include ancient metrics, Greek and Roman legal and political theory, as well as Greek mythology and religion. Faculty members have received the Charles J. Goodwin Award of Merit of the American Philological Association, the MacArthur Award, and Guggenheim Fellowships.

Website

Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr College is a small women's college in the suburbs of Philadelphia that happens to have graduate programs for classical archaeology. It has a classical studies program with a focus in archaeology and art history for both masters and PhD levels. Students are able to cross register and study alongside faculty members at surrounding institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University. Faculty interests include Greek art, imperialism, and Aegean prehistory.

Website

Cornell University

Cornell University is a large ivy league college in upstate New York with an excellent classical studies program offering a PhD program in areas such as Greek and Latin languages and linguistics, classical literature and philology, ancient history, and ancient philosophy. Faculty members are currently researching ancient philosophy, classical art, Greek historiography and epigraphy.

Website

University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin is a major public research institution and the largest university in Texas. Their classics department offers both masters and PhD programs in the classics, archeology, philosophy, and language. Students have access to the other campuses of the University of Texas and work closely with faculty from other departments such Literature, Geography, Art, and Anthropology. Faculty research interests include Greek and Roman literature, Greek lyric poetry, and Aegean scripts and prehistory.

Website

Stanford University

Stanford University is an ivy league college in Palo Alto, California. It is home to a large classical studies program which offers PhD and masters programs in philosophy, ancient science, archaeology, Greek and Latin language, and ancient history. Faculty members are currently researching ancient Greece, Magna Graecia, and the visual and material culture of the Roman Empire. Faculty members have received the Neumann Prize and National Book Awards.

Website

Best Graduate Schools for Classical Archaeology in the United Kingdom

University of Kent

The University of Kent is known as the UK's European university in Kent, England. The classical studies program takes place at the Canterbury campus, which has a substantial offering of museums, libraries, and resources related to classical art, literature, and culture. They offer a masters and PhD program in the concentrations of classical literature, archaeology, and ancient history. Currently, faculty members are researching Minoan constellations and transmanche archaeology. A faculty member recently became a Fellow of The Society of Antiquaries.

Website

University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is one of the best universities in the world located in Cambridge, England. Their masters and PhD programs specialize in archaeological theory and science. The faculty is currently researching Roman architecture, food globalization in prehistory, and Medieval origins of commercial sea fishing.

Website

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is known as the best university in UK as it is home to the Rhodes Scholars program. Their classical studies program is world renowned and they also have tremendous resources and materials for students at the Sackler Library, which contains one of the largest collections of classics literature in the world. The program offers both masters and PhDs in the areas of ancient history, archaeology, languages, and Literature. Faculty members are currently researching funerary archaeology, historical linguistics, and Greek literature. A faculty member recently received the Wiseman Book Award.

Website

University of London

The University of London is a federal university and actually the largest university in the UK. It has a large department of classics, history, and archaeology that offers masters and PhD programs concentrating in ancient languages, history, and archaeology. The faculty is researching Roman law and political thought, classical Athens, and Roman Provincial Archaeology.

Website

References

1. http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~classics/programs/graduate.html
2. http://www.brynmawr.edu/gradgroup/archaeology/
3. http://www.kent.ac.uk/secl/classics/about.html
4. http://www.gradschools.com/search-programs/archaeology
5. http://classics.cornell.edu/graduate/concentrations/archaeology.cfm
6. http://www.stanford.edu/dept/classics/cgi-bin/web/programs/classical-archaeology
7. http://classics.uchicago.edu/prospective/classical-archaeology
8. http://classics.berkeley.edu/programs/graduate/archPhD.php
9. http://www.utexas.edu/cola/depts/classics/Graduate/Archaeology-Program.php
10. http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/classical_archaeology_and_ancient_history/classical_3.html
11. http://www.greatarchaeology.com/classical_archaeology.htm
12. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_archaeology
13. http://icls.sas.ac.uk/
14. http://www.classics.ox.ac.uk/
15. http://www.utexas.edu/cola/depts/classics/

Author Bio
Harold Smith is a professional writer and blogger.

Monday Ground Up: Why was the Roman Empire so long-lived?

In a five hundred year span, the Roman Empire managed to rise and fall in tandem, yet with the advent of highly credentialed political leaders and a vision to see the straighter path, the empire grew larger, and the people with it. Never had the western world been more organized and more united. In 100 A.D. you could travel on paved roads from Egypt to France using one currency and only a passport and by 200 A.D. there were over 50,000 miles of roads constructed by the Romans [6]. The vast Roman Empire mustered up the largest army the world had ever seen and its political exploits lay the platform for our founding fathers.

In my opinion, Rome’s geographic location and the success of its military encouraged a concentration of politics in the capital, and many experts agree. The “practical engineering skill of the Romans furnished the Empire with the necessary arteries, the famous Roman roads, all radiating from the heart, carrying Roman civilization and life to the farthest limits of Europe” [8]. A combination of law and engineering, military force, and social legislation to combat political fragmentation along with exceptional leaders, allowed the long lived Roman Empire to become one of the greatest superpowers the world has ever seen.

Augustus was the Roman Empires’ first emperor and was the grandnephew of Julius Caesar and adopted son. Augustus went by the name “Octavian” and he brought an end to civil war and appeared to be restoring the republic, but in actuality, he ruled as an autocrat [3]. He was credited as heralding the start of the Roman Empire which would last for over four centuries. Augustus transformed Rome stating “he found a city of bricks and left it a city of marble” [3]. During his rule, we saw the creation of massive architecture and engineering feats, made possible by the discovery of cement to make concrete, and the laws of the land.

Roman law brought about the systematic principle for justification applicable to all people, including the immediately recognizable “innocent until proven guilty” [6]. Citizens could now defend themselves before a judge and the judge was expected to weigh evidence carefully before arriving at a decision. This principle of innocent until proven guilty has lived on in Western civilization. At this same time, Emperor Caracalla extended citizenship to every free person in the Empire in 212 A.D., making Roman law an even more significant factor in binding the empire together [6]. Roman accomplishments in law and engineering have inspired many other cultures. Although their achievements were improvements on older ideas, like the Mesoamerican cobble roads often lined with stones, they were more unique and inventive.

Roman roads were sometimes one foot thick and layered, constructed to fit the needs of the Roman army [7]. If there was an obstacle, they would engineer a solution to the issue. The public roads were accurately divided by mile-stones, and ran in a direct line from one city to another, without respect for the obstacles either of nature or private property” [2]. This highway system therefore linked the provinces, making resources accessible and convenient for marching armies. “It was easy to travel a hundred miles in a day on Roman roads” [2].

Aqueducts were constructed to keep the population supplied with water. Consequently, their firm foundations deterred any issues of transport for trade or army regiments. Aqueducts like the Pont du Gard carried water via a channel on top. Nimes received water from this aqueduct which was located thirty miles away, made possible by the aqueducts’ “gradual decline”, allowing gravity to transport the water from one source to its final destination. In Trier, “an aqueduct was built measuring 12 kilometers long, running down the Ruwer valley in the hills behind the city to serve its fountains and sewers” [4]. Citizens for miles had water flowing into every facet of their city, a variable system of arteries, bringing the lifeblood to the Roman Empire.

Nowhere in the world can the intimidating organization and ruthlessness of the Roman world be better seen in its army. Julius Caesar oversaw the Roman Empire’s army which Augustus maintained, with a stable number of legions to make up the army that would safeguard the empire [3]. Even during the crusades, seven hundred years after the tyrannical reign of Caesar, men still felt the centralizing influence of Rome [8]. The army needed to be a long-service unit and be capable of being deployed at any moment. The command of the Roman army was an executive political office therefore its undertaking could be risky business for unscrupulous generals.

Six months after the tyrannical Caesar was murdered, Augustus sought friendly relations with his generals and friends. After a great naval victory against Marc Antony and forces in 31 B.C., Augustus looked to reshape the Republican institutions of Rome [1]. In 27 B.C., the senate gave him the imperial title “Augustus” and he used this position to reform the army. Military campaigns were utilized to consolidate natural boundaries of the Roman Empire and increase revenues, thus leading to the increased size of the Roman Empire overall [1].

The Roman army was used to protect the Roman frontiers. In 14 A.D., it numbered twenty five legions but had increased to thirty by the time of Trajan [6]. Trajan was a capable leader, acceptable to the army. He established a fund to assist poor parents in raising and educating their children. Trajan “believed that such assistance would materially aid in creating a larger pool of young men in Italy eligible for military service” [6]. At the same time, however, the young men were granted an education in exchange for their duty. The Latin language and Roman institutions, ways of thought and conduct, were all provided in the army’s curriculum.

The five good emperors prior to Commodus, son of Marcus, had competently chosen successors to continue growing the Roman Empire. Nerva was chosen by the senate after the assassination of Domitian. His feeble age and mild disposition was respected, however he could never invoke terror or rule with authority, so he chose to adopt Trajan. Trajan had already commanded a powerful army in Germany so the senate immediately recognized him as a successor to the Roman Empire [2]. At the start of the second century, Trajan launched a series of campaigns which added the whole of Transylvanian Dacia to the Empire [4]. Consequently, Trajan built the highly recognizable forum in Rome to celebrate his victories. Hadrian, Trajan’s second cousin, succeeded Trajan and spent years inspecting the provinces and restoring the military forces to good order. He constructed public works throughout the provinces and in Rome including aqueducts, roads, bridges, and harbor facilities [6]. Hadrian adopted Antoninus Pius, who stayed in Rome and made greater use of the senate. Pius adopted Marcus Aurelius who acted in place of a “philosopher king” Plato envisioned) and Aurelius wrote “Meditations”, reflecting the ideal of stoic duty as a religious concept.

These “Five Good Emperors” as I’ve come to understand them, treated the classes with humility and veneration, collaborated with the senate on every accord, maintained peace in the Roman Empire, and supported domestic policies beneficial to the long lived Roman Empire. They were diplomatic and kind, widely praised for their extensive social and economic programs. They expanded the scope of imperial rule to areas untouched by imperial politics and made humaneness and generosity the themes of their reigns [5].

The Roman Empire was long-lived for many reasons, some of which being new laws and engineering, military potency, and social legislation to combat political fragmentation along with exceptional leaders. The Age of Augustus saw the beginnings of the Roman Empire along with grand feats of architecture and a systematic principle for justification applicable to all people and their rights as citizens. The army of Rome was a fighting machine, marching across the provinces on well paved, one foot thick roads, and all the while drawing the lines of new provinces and towns along the way. The army continued to evolve in the Roman Empire as new emperors with effective leadership and organizational skills adopted new reforms, key to the success of the army and the empire. The Five Good Emperors sustained a peaceful rule, treating citizens and the armament with civility and giving back to the Roman Empire. Their social organization led to the de-fragmenting of politics and their extensive building programs allowed Rome to live on for five hundred years.

REFERENCES CITED

1. Claridge, Amanda 2010 Rome: An Oxford Archaeological Guide. Oxford University Press, New York.
2. Gibbon, Edward 1993 The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Volume I. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc, New York.
3. Hart-Davis, Adam (Editorial Consultant) 2010 History: The Definitive Visual Guide. DK Publishing, New York.
4. Heather, Peter 2006 The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians. Oxford University Press, New York.
5. Noble, Thomas F. X. 2008 Western Civilization: Beyond Boundaries. Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
6. Spielvogel, Jackson J. 2009 Western Civilization, Volume 1: To 1715, Seventh Edition. Thomson Higher Education. Belmont.
7. Trombold, Charles D. 1991 Ancient road networks and settlement hierarchies in the New World. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
8. Young, Norwood 1901 The Story of Rome. J.M Dent & Co, London.

New Classical Archaeology Podcasts from Indiana Jen

April 30, 2011- Indiana Jen is operated by Jennifer Locket who is a Classical Archaeologist by training and is currently teaching history to bright, young students at Trinity Valley School in Fort Worth, TX.

If you enjoy Classical archaeology as much I do, you'll thoroughly enjoy her podcasts featuring the Roman Empires' first emperor  Augustus who changed the landscape of Rome and furthermore is a model of morality, spreading this message via new laws. Jennifer has also conveniently included the history of Trajan and Hadrian, Ancient Eats, Republican Architecture, among many other Classical topics.

If you have a moment, make sure to check out Indiana Jen. For those of you Classical Archaeology majors and hopefuls, these podcasts are an excellent source for gaining understanding of the Classics.

Monday Ground Up: Two Architectural Gems in Rome, Italy

Roman architecture is classical and hardly practical. It could be described as masculine in a sense, with a hint of solitude. No matter how we interpret the structure, we can all agree that it exhibited a solid foundation and architectural form.

The Baths of Caracalla and the Arch of Titus are two such structures that on one hand side represent honor and resolve, but on the other relaxation and educational output.

The Elgin Marbles Argument

The New Acropolis Museum is receiving tons of slack from many archaeologists and residents. The main argument, of course, is about the Elgin Marbles which have been in Great Britain for over 200 years. Dimitrios Pandermalis explains why the marbles should be returned to their homeland.

Dimitrios Pandermalis has been professor of Classical Archaeology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki since 1979. Since 1973 he has been Director of the University's archaeological excavations at Dion and conducted extensive programs converting the excavated area into an expansive archaeological and environmental park. From September 1996 to March 2000 he served as National Member of the Greek Parliament and since May 2000 he is the President of the Organization for the Construction of the New Acropolis Museum. 

Visit The Agenda with Steve Paikin for More Information