Early Greece: The Bronze and Archaic Ages by M. I. FinleyReview by: J. D. MuhlyThe American Historical Review, Vol. 80, No. 1 (Feb., 1975), pp. 78-79Published by: Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Historical AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1859069 .

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78 Reviews of Books 78 Reviews of Books

are being made in the areas of Israel and Jor- dan-the birthplace of Christianity.

EDWIN M. YAMAUCHI

Miami University Oxford, Ohio

are being made in the areas of Israel and Jor- dan-the birthplace of Christianity.

EDWIN M. YAMAUCHI

Miami University Oxford, Ohio

M. I. FINLEY. Early Greece: The Bronze and Archaic Ages. (Ancient Culture and Society.) New York: W. W. Norton and Company. 1970. Pp. 155. $5.00.

Moses Finley, the professor of ancient history at Cambridge University, sketches here the hiis- tory of Greece from earliest times to ca. 5oo B.C. in a book of 15i pages. Such a scope does not make for an expansive treatment, but he lhas made good use of his space and it is clear that Finley, the general editor of the series to which this book belongs, has written the book he wanted to write. This work is not the result of boiling down a long manuscript to man- ageable size, nor is it a potted history of Greece.

What Finley does is to give the reader his own interpretation of the historical develop- ment of Greece prior to the Persian Wars, con- sciously setting the stage for what is to follow. He concentrates upon what he considers to be the essential characteristics of each period and makes no attempt at narrative history. In sixty- eight pages Finley summarizes tile history of Greece before 1.200 B.C. emphasizing the palaces of Minoan Crete, the shaft graves of Mycenae, and the writing systems of the Bronze Age Aegean. His account is balanced and up to date, inclucding a discussion of the new-cult objects from Mycenae (p. 57).

Finley is very skeptical about mass migrations and total displacement of populations, stress- ing tile importance of commerce in the foreign expansion of Greece. The Greeks were forced to go abroad for many of their basic needs, especially metals. Finley's explanation of the Minotaur legend (p. 4(f.) is not very convinc- ing, and I certainly would not agree with the statement (p. 45) that "Late 'Minoan II saw Cnossus at the height of its power" (and why Cnossus, when Knossos has become standard and is so preferable?). Any discussion of the Greek Neolithic must now include the material from the Franchthi Cave in the Argolid (com- pare, T. W. jacobsen, Hesperia, 42 [19731: 45-88). The most significant recent publication dealing with the Bronize Age Aegean is Colin Renfrew's The Emergence of Civilisation. The Cyclades and the Aegean in the Third Mlillen- nium B.C. (London, 1972).

As in a number of other publications, Finley

M. I. FINLEY. Early Greece: The Bronze and Archaic Ages. (Ancient Culture and Society.) New York: W. W. Norton and Company. 1970. Pp. 155. $5.00.

Moses Finley, the professor of ancient history at Cambridge University, sketches here the hiis- tory of Greece from earliest times to ca. 5oo B.C. in a book of 15i pages. Such a scope does not make for an expansive treatment, but he lhas made good use of his space and it is clear that Finley, the general editor of the series to which this book belongs, has written the book he wanted to write. This work is not the result of boiling down a long manuscript to man- ageable size, nor is it a potted history of Greece.

What Finley does is to give the reader his own interpretation of the historical develop- ment of Greece prior to the Persian Wars, con- sciously setting the stage for what is to follow. He concentrates upon what he considers to be the essential characteristics of each period and makes no attempt at narrative history. In sixty- eight pages Finley summarizes tile history of Greece before 1.200 B.C. emphasizing the palaces of Minoan Crete, the shaft graves of Mycenae, and the writing systems of the Bronze Age Aegean. His account is balanced and up to date, inclucding a discussion of the new-cult objects from Mycenae (p. 57).

Finley is very skeptical about mass migrations and total displacement of populations, stress- ing tile importance of commerce in the foreign expansion of Greece. The Greeks were forced to go abroad for many of their basic needs, especially metals. Finley's explanation of the Minotaur legend (p. 4(f.) is not very convinc- ing, and I certainly would not agree with the statement (p. 45) that "Late 'Minoan II saw Cnossus at the height of its power" (and why Cnossus, when Knossos has become standard and is so preferable?). Any discussion of the Greek Neolithic must now include the material from the Franchthi Cave in the Argolid (com- pare, T. W. jacobsen, Hesperia, 42 [19731: 45-88). The most significant recent publication dealing with the Bronize Age Aegean is Colin Renfrew's The Emergence of Civilisation. The Cyclades and the Aegean in the Third Mlillen- nium B.C. (London, 1972).

As in a number of other publications, Finley

is very critical of those who are trying to turn Greek legends and myths into history. Finley hiimself has recently been takeni to task by one of hiis favorite targets, George Mylonas-in Mfylonas's Mylcenae's Last Century of Great- ness (Sydney, 1968). I am in full agreement with Finley's position and endorse his remark (p. io) that: "One is free to believe if one wislhes that King Minos of Cnossus, Agamemnon of My- cenae and Priam of Troy were historical per- sonages, not figuires of myth; no one has found them on the spot in any .shape whatsoever, not even as a name on a slab or a seal-stone." As for the "Age of Homer," attention should be given to the discussion by A. M. Snodgrass (Gnornon, -12 [19701: 157-66).

The "Dark Age" of Greek history hlas been treated in recent books by A. M. Snodgrass and V. R. d'A. Desborouigh, both published in 1972. The fall of Mycenaeani civilization, the Trojan War, the Dorian Invasion, and the transition from Bronze Age to Iron Age all still present the historian with many problems. Finley fol- lows recent interpretations, especially that of C. G. Starr, in emphasizing the formative nature of the obscure centuries between 1200 an(d 8oo ni.c. Protogeometric pottery, the introduction of cremation in burials, and the spread of the ulse of iron are the age. The significance of possible contacts with Europe is still an un- resolved question. Desborough emphasizes the presence of northern invaders, while Snodgrass denies their very existence. Finley is ambiguous: northern invaders would provide a welcome explanation, if only their existence could be su1bstan tiiated.

The Archaic periodl (800-500 B.C.) is dom- inated by the intro(duction of hoplite warfare and the rise of the tyrant. Hoplites fightinig in phalanx formationi meant an increase in the nulmber of men bearing arms; fighting for the polis led to demands for a voice in the affairs of that polis. Finley stresses the popuilarity of the Greek tyrants and the paradox that, by b)reaking the hiabit of aristocratic rule, the tyrants actually helped to bring about demo- cratic governmenit (p. 107). The fairly abrupt transitions from monarchy to oligarchy to tyranny to (lemocracy are all related to the social uplheavals resulting from overpopulation amid new social and economic pressures. The most characteristic response was colonization, a movement that cannot be explained in terms of trade and the search for new sources of metal (p. 97).

Early Greece concludes with separate clhap- ters on Sparta and Athens. While this emphasis

is very critical of those who are trying to turn Greek legends and myths into history. Finley hiimself has recently been takeni to task by one of hiis favorite targets, George Mylonas-in Mfylonas's Mylcenae's Last Century of Great- ness (Sydney, 1968). I am in full agreement with Finley's position and endorse his remark (p. io) that: "One is free to believe if one wislhes that King Minos of Cnossus, Agamemnon of My- cenae and Priam of Troy were historical per- sonages, not figuires of myth; no one has found them on the spot in any .shape whatsoever, not even as a name on a slab or a seal-stone." As for the "Age of Homer," attention should be given to the discussion by A. M. Snodgrass (Gnornon, -12 [19701: 157-66).

The "Dark Age" of Greek history hlas been treated in recent books by A. M. Snodgrass and V. R. d'A. Desborouigh, both published in 1972. The fall of Mycenaeani civilization, the Trojan War, the Dorian Invasion, and the transition from Bronze Age to Iron Age all still present the historian with many problems. Finley fol- lows recent interpretations, especially that of C. G. Starr, in emphasizing the formative nature of the obscure centuries between 1200 an(d 8oo ni.c. Protogeometric pottery, the introduction of cremation in burials, and the spread of the ulse of iron are the age. The significance of possible contacts with Europe is still an un- resolved question. Desborough emphasizes the presence of northern invaders, while Snodgrass denies their very existence. Finley is ambiguous: northern invaders would provide a welcome explanation, if only their existence could be su1bstan tiiated.

The Archaic periodl (800-500 B.C.) is dom- inated by the intro(duction of hoplite warfare and the rise of the tyrant. Hoplites fightinig in phalanx formationi meant an increase in the nulmber of men bearing arms; fighting for the polis led to demands for a voice in the affairs of that polis. Finley stresses the popuilarity of the Greek tyrants and the paradox that, by b)reaking the hiabit of aristocratic rule, the tyrants actually helped to bring about demo- cratic governmenit (p. 107). The fairly abrupt transitions from monarchy to oligarchy to tyranny to (lemocracy are all related to the social uplheavals resulting from overpopulation amid new social and economic pressures. The most characteristic response was colonization, a movement that cannot be explained in terms of trade and the search for new sources of metal (p. 97).

Early Greece concludes with separate clhap- ters on Sparta and Athens. While this emphasis

This content downloaded from 62.122.78.91 on Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:51:19 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

A ncient 79 A ncient 79 A ncient 79

provides a convenient introduction to the Classical period, when Greek history was dom- inated by those two states, it does give a mis- leading conception of the Archaic period itself, a time when states such as Argos and Corinth were as important, if not more important, than either Athens or Sparta. The interested reader would do well to consult W. G. Forrest's Emer- gence of Greek Democracy, 8oo-4oo B.C. (1966), an excellent account not even listed in Finley's brief bibliography.

In these days of lavish books, thin on text but rich in gorgeous color illustrations, it is a pleas- ure to find a book that has the text as its cen- tral concern. Early Greece is not a handsome book, not a "tribute to the skill of the modern art of printing," but the printing is adequate and the book provides an excellent introduc- tion to the history of pre-Classical Greece at a very modest price. It only remains to add that the book is now available in a French transla- tion, as Les premiers temps de la Grece, l'dge de bronze et l'e'poque archaique (Paris [Fransois Maspero], 1973). This includes a few minor corrections and additions to the text as well as a revised bibliography.

J. D. MUHLY

University of Pennsylvania

provides a convenient introduction to the Classical period, when Greek history was dom- inated by those two states, it does give a mis- leading conception of the Archaic period itself, a time when states such as Argos and Corinth were as important, if not more important, than either Athens or Sparta. The interested reader would do well to consult W. G. Forrest's Emer- gence of Greek Democracy, 8oo-4oo B.C. (1966), an excellent account not even listed in Finley's brief bibliography.

In these days of lavish books, thin on text but rich in gorgeous color illustrations, it is a pleas- ure to find a book that has the text as its cen- tral concern. Early Greece is not a handsome book, not a "tribute to the skill of the modern art of printing," but the printing is adequate and the book provides an excellent introduc- tion to the history of pre-Classical Greece at a very modest price. It only remains to add that the book is now available in a French transla- tion, as Les premiers temps de la Grece, l'dge de bronze et l'e'poque archaique (Paris [Fransois Maspero], 1973). This includes a few minor corrections and additions to the text as well as a revised bibliography.

J. D. MUHLY

University of Pennsylvania

provides a convenient introduction to the Classical period, when Greek history was dom- inated by those two states, it does give a mis- leading conception of the Archaic period itself, a time when states such as Argos and Corinth were as important, if not more important, than either Athens or Sparta. The interested reader would do well to consult W. G. Forrest's Emer- gence of Greek Democracy, 8oo-4oo B.C. (1966), an excellent account not even listed in Finley's brief bibliography.

In these days of lavish books, thin on text but rich in gorgeous color illustrations, it is a pleas- ure to find a book that has the text as its cen- tral concern. Early Greece is not a handsome book, not a "tribute to the skill of the modern art of printing," but the printing is adequate and the book provides an excellent introduc- tion to the history of pre-Classical Greece at a very modest price. It only remains to add that the book is now available in a French transla- tion, as Les premiers temps de la Grece, l'dge de bronze et l'e'poque archaique (Paris [Fransois Maspero], 1973). This includes a few minor corrections and additions to the text as well as a revised bibliography.

J. D. MUHLY

University of Pennsylvania

CHIARA PECORELLA LONGO. "Eterie" e gruppi politici nell'Atene del IV sec. a.. C. (Universit'a di Padova, Pubblicazioni della Facolta di Lettere e Filosofia, volume 48.) Florence: Leo S. Olschki Editore. 1971. Pp. 162. L. 3,500.

In 1913 George Miller Calhoun had his doctoral dissertation, Athenian Clubs in Politics and Litigation, reprinted from the University of Texas Bulletin, number 262, and that mono- graph remains today a starting point for in- vestigations of this elusive phenomenon at Athens. The earlier clubs were societies made up of men whose backgrounds, interests, and age were about the same. Sometimes the clubs took the form of sworn associations and were so named. In Athens during the sixth and fifth centuries B.C. they were important units of so- cial and political action. From Thucydides es- pecially, we know the part they played in the oligarchic revolution of 411 B.C. Then in the fourth century B.C., although their presence can be detected at publicly and privately motivated legal trials, they seem to have lost the sort of coherence and power that changes governments.

Now Chiara Pecorella Longo in her own doc- toral dissertation reviews the comparatively abundant evidence for political life in fourth-

CHIARA PECORELLA LONGO. "Eterie" e gruppi politici nell'Atene del IV sec. a.. C. (Universit'a di Padova, Pubblicazioni della Facolta di Lettere e Filosofia, volume 48.) Florence: Leo S. Olschki Editore. 1971. Pp. 162. L. 3,500.

In 1913 George Miller Calhoun had his doctoral dissertation, Athenian Clubs in Politics and Litigation, reprinted from the University of Texas Bulletin, number 262, and that mono- graph remains today a starting point for in- vestigations of this elusive phenomenon at Athens. The earlier clubs were societies made up of men whose backgrounds, interests, and age were about the same. Sometimes the clubs took the form of sworn associations and were so named. In Athens during the sixth and fifth centuries B.C. they were important units of so- cial and political action. From Thucydides es- pecially, we know the part they played in the oligarchic revolution of 411 B.C. Then in the fourth century B.C., although their presence can be detected at publicly and privately motivated legal trials, they seem to have lost the sort of coherence and power that changes governments.

Now Chiara Pecorella Longo in her own doc- toral dissertation reviews the comparatively abundant evidence for political life in fourth-

CHIARA PECORELLA LONGO. "Eterie" e gruppi politici nell'Atene del IV sec. a.. C. (Universit'a di Padova, Pubblicazioni della Facolta di Lettere e Filosofia, volume 48.) Florence: Leo S. Olschki Editore. 1971. Pp. 162. L. 3,500.

In 1913 George Miller Calhoun had his doctoral dissertation, Athenian Clubs in Politics and Litigation, reprinted from the University of Texas Bulletin, number 262, and that mono- graph remains today a starting point for in- vestigations of this elusive phenomenon at Athens. The earlier clubs were societies made up of men whose backgrounds, interests, and age were about the same. Sometimes the clubs took the form of sworn associations and were so named. In Athens during the sixth and fifth centuries B.C. they were important units of so- cial and political action. From Thucydides es- pecially, we know the part they played in the oligarchic revolution of 411 B.C. Then in the fourth century B.C., although their presence can be detected at publicly and privately motivated legal trials, they seem to have lost the sort of coherence and power that changes governments.

Now Chiara Pecorella Longo in her own doc- toral dissertation reviews the comparatively abundant evidence for political life in fourth-

century B.C. Athens to test the traditional view that the clubs (hetaireiai) were active and in- fluential only in restricted spheres after ca. 403 B.C. She accordingly surveys possible references to such associations in Plato, Isocrates, Xeno- phon, and Aristotle (ch. i); argues that the im- peachment law preserved in an oration of Hyperides was re-edited in 403-02 B.c. after its initial formulation in 41 1-10 B.C. (ch. 2); dis- cusses the political motivation of Andocides's trial in 399 B.C. (ch. 3); enumerates various groups associated with various Athenian po- litical leaders (chs. 4-7); and concludes that the traditional view is correct. Clubs lost much political power in the fourth century and were most active in law courts. Dr. Longo adds that certain words or phrases that in earlier times were used to denote clubs, in the fourth cen- tury sometimes referred instead merely to groups formed for financial or political rea- sons and identified with a particular man.

Dr. Longo's acquaintance with the literature, both ancient and modern, is wide ranging if not exhaustive. She could, for instance, have speculated on the contents of the defixionum tabellae from Athens that are relevant to her theme. Her assessments of modern scholarship are, however, generally sensible. Her conclu- sions have the sanction of long usage and rep- utable approval, and her study can be cited as a responsible confirmation of a useful hypothe- S1S.

ALAN L. BOEGEHOLD

Brown University

century B.C. Athens to test the traditional view that the clubs (hetaireiai) were active and in- fluential only in restricted spheres after ca. 403 B.C. She accordingly surveys possible references to such associations in Plato, Isocrates, Xeno- phon, and Aristotle (ch. i); argues that the im- peachment law preserved in an oration of Hyperides was re-edited in 403-02 B.c. after its initial formulation in 41 1-10 B.C. (ch. 2); dis- cusses the political motivation of Andocides's trial in 399 B.C. (ch. 3); enumerates various groups associated with various Athenian po- litical leaders (chs. 4-7); and concludes that the traditional view is correct. Clubs lost much political power in the fourth century and were most active in law courts. Dr. Longo adds that certain words or phrases that in earlier times were used to denote clubs, in the fourth cen- tury sometimes referred instead merely to groups formed for financial or political rea- sons and identified with a particular man.

Dr. Longo's acquaintance with the literature, both ancient and modern, is wide ranging if not exhaustive. She could, for instance, have speculated on the contents of the defixionum tabellae from Athens that are relevant to her theme. Her assessments of modern scholarship are, however, generally sensible. Her conclu- sions have the sanction of long usage and rep- utable approval, and her study can be cited as a responsible confirmation of a useful hypothe- S1S.

ALAN L. BOEGEHOLD

Brown University

century B.C. Athens to test the traditional view that the clubs (hetaireiai) were active and in- fluential only in restricted spheres after ca. 403 B.C. She accordingly surveys possible references to such associations in Plato, Isocrates, Xeno- phon, and Aristotle (ch. i); argues that the im- peachment law preserved in an oration of Hyperides was re-edited in 403-02 B.c. after its initial formulation in 41 1-10 B.C. (ch. 2); dis- cusses the political motivation of Andocides's trial in 399 B.C. (ch. 3); enumerates various groups associated with various Athenian po- litical leaders (chs. 4-7); and concludes that the traditional view is correct. Clubs lost much political power in the fourth century and were most active in law courts. Dr. Longo adds that certain words or phrases that in earlier times were used to denote clubs, in the fourth cen- tury sometimes referred instead merely to groups formed for financial or political rea- sons and identified with a particular man.

Dr. Longo's acquaintance with the literature, both ancient and modern, is wide ranging if not exhaustive. She could, for instance, have speculated on the contents of the defixionum tabellae from Athens that are relevant to her theme. Her assessments of modern scholarship are, however, generally sensible. Her conclu- sions have the sanction of long usage and rep- utable approval, and her study can be cited as a responsible confirmation of a useful hypothe- S1S.

ALAN L. BOEGEHOLD

Brown University

K. D. WHITE. Roman Farming. (Aspects of Greek and Roman Life.) Ithaca: Cornell University Press. 1970. Pp. 536. $12.50.

In the Roman imperial period, as throughout the history of the ancient Mediterranean world, agriculture formed the economic basis of so- ciety. The vast administrative structure of the Empire relied upon an agricultural surplus, and agriculture was of similar importance in the private sector of the economy. As under the Republic, although farm management was inliberalis labor, land was the primary form of investment. By the Lex Claudia of 218 B.C. sena- tors were forbidden to own ships other than small ones to transport the produce of their estates; and throughout its existence the sena- torial class remained a landed aristocracy. The pervasive importance of agriculture in the eco- nomic life of ancient Italy secures for it a his- torical significance far above other aspects of ancient industry and technology. Agrarian

K. D. WHITE. Roman Farming. (Aspects of Greek and Roman Life.) Ithaca: Cornell University Press. 1970. Pp. 536. $12.50.

In the Roman imperial period, as throughout the history of the ancient Mediterranean world, agriculture formed the economic basis of so- ciety. The vast administrative structure of the Empire relied upon an agricultural surplus, and agriculture was of similar importance in the private sector of the economy. As under the Republic, although farm management was inliberalis labor, land was the primary form of investment. By the Lex Claudia of 218 B.C. sena- tors were forbidden to own ships other than small ones to transport the produce of their estates; and throughout its existence the sena- torial class remained a landed aristocracy. The pervasive importance of agriculture in the eco- nomic life of ancient Italy secures for it a his- torical significance far above other aspects of ancient industry and technology. Agrarian

K. D. WHITE. Roman Farming. (Aspects of Greek and Roman Life.) Ithaca: Cornell University Press. 1970. Pp. 536. $12.50.

In the Roman imperial period, as throughout the history of the ancient Mediterranean world, agriculture formed the economic basis of so- ciety. The vast administrative structure of the Empire relied upon an agricultural surplus, and agriculture was of similar importance in the private sector of the economy. As under the Republic, although farm management was inliberalis labor, land was the primary form of investment. By the Lex Claudia of 218 B.C. sena- tors were forbidden to own ships other than small ones to transport the produce of their estates; and throughout its existence the sena- torial class remained a landed aristocracy. The pervasive importance of agriculture in the eco- nomic life of ancient Italy secures for it a his- torical significance far above other aspects of ancient industry and technology. Agrarian

This content downloaded from 62.122.78.91 on Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:51:19 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions