Abstract
The doctoral thesis examines the iconography and cult of heroes on the Acropolis of Athens from the late archaic to the classical period. The contribution to the research is based on an interdisciplinary methodology and approach, taking into consideration the literary and epigraphic sources in close relation to the iconographic (sculpture, vase-painting), cultic and topographic evidence, aiming at holistic and exhaustive coverage of the subject. The multi-level examination of the topic in relation to the ideology of autochthony of the classical period aims at putting our research subject into a wider context of modern academic fields, such as identity and gender studies.After the introductory chapter, where the history of research and methodology are presented, follows the book structure. The book consists of six chapters (divided into sub-chapters), as well as a concluding chapter, an appendix with the epigraphic sources and a catalog with pictures. The first five chapters deal with t ...
The doctoral thesis examines the iconography and cult of heroes on the Acropolis of Athens from the late archaic to the classical period. The contribution to the research is based on an interdisciplinary methodology and approach, taking into consideration the literary and epigraphic sources in close relation to the iconographic (sculpture, vase-painting), cultic and topographic evidence, aiming at holistic and exhaustive coverage of the subject. The multi-level examination of the topic in relation to the ideology of autochthony of the classical period aims at putting our research subject into a wider context of modern academic fields, such as identity and gender studies.After the introductory chapter, where the history of research and methodology are presented, follows the book structure. The book consists of six chapters (divided into sub-chapters), as well as a concluding chapter, an appendix with the epigraphic sources and a catalog with pictures. The first five chapters deal with the examination of the heroic figures who received cult on the Acropolis of Athens, while the sixth chapter examines the topography, the cults and the iconography of Erechtheion, and the iconography of the archaic Parthenon. The division of the first five chapters into sub-chapters, examining the literary, topographic and iconographic evidence, aims at a holistic coverage of the subject in all of its aspects. It has to be noted that for the very first time all the mythological motifs related to the heroes and heroines of the Acropolis are examined, while special emphasis is put on iconographic depictions deriving from the Acropolis of Athens itself.The first chapter examines the Aglaurids (Aglauros, Herse and Pandrosos)- daughters of Kekrops, two of them (Aglauros and Pandrosos) received cult on the Acropolis of Athens. More specifically, their possible cult during the archaic period- as Nymphs, as well as the later addition of Herse are discussed, while new iconographic identifications are proposed. Next follows the examination of Erechtheus, the oldest heroic figure according to the literary sources, as well as the relevant figure of Erichthonios. In terms of Erechtheus, his problematic depictions on the iconography of the archaic period are stated, while new iconographic depictions are suggested for the classical period. In the third chapter the figure of Kekrops is examined, while his depiction on the iconography of the archaic period is questioned. The forth and fifth chapters examine the less popular heroic figures of Pandion and Boutes. The possible connection of Pandion with the festival of Pandia is argued, a fact which possibly had an impact on his popularity. In terms of Boutes, besides his problematic appearance in the literary sources and the iconography, his archaic origins are argued, while new iconographic identifications are suggested for the classical period. The examination of the plethora of cults and iconography of the Erechtheion, as well as the iconography of archaic Parthenon, in the sixth chapter, help us to to understand the autochthonous (and sometimes kourotrophic) context of the heroic figures worshiped on the Acropolis of Athens.In the final chapter, the concluding remarks, as well as all the new research proposals are presented- such as new iconographic identifications, questioning or rejections of previous iconographic depictions, as well as the connection of mythological motifs and ideologies with previous historical periods. In the appendix, all the inscriptions included in the foregoing text are presented. Finally, photographs of all of the examined iconographic depictions are presented in a catalog, as well as the topographic plans of the sanctuaries and the areas of worship
show more
