Omschrijving
The concept of kinship is at the heart of understanding the structure of ancient Athenian society and the lives of its citizens. Drawing on epigraphic, literary, and archaeological sources, Kinship in Ancient Athens explores interactions between kin across a range of social contexts, from family life to legal matters, politics, and more.
[The book is] an invaluable reference tool and thought-provoking read, this book will surely take its rightful place on shelves of libraries and scholars seeking an in-depth understanding of the social history of classical Athens.
Recommended.
In the end, this very classic work in its subject and its method, this work with epistemological options (reconstruct the history of Athens at the time of Solon, for example) or with sometimes outdated concepts (and the author recognizes it), this book... fascinates by the sum of the documents used and the height of sight based on an intimate frequentation of ancient texts (thus the speakers) and historiography. Kinship in Ancient Athens is already a must.
[A] monumental study of kinship in ancient Athens...Humphreys' magisterial account...provides the foundations for a new understanding of archaic Athenian history on the basis of a comprehensive study of the material culture of seventh-century Athens in four crucial topographical settings: the Acropolis, the Kerameikos, the Agora, and the south part of the city.
S.C. Humphreys read Greats at Oxford and her first research was on ancient merchant shipping and trade. This led to interest in economic anthropology and a joint appointment at University College London in the History and Anthropology departments, where she founded a Combined Studies BA programme in Ancient History and Social Anthropology. In 1985 she moved to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, as full Professor in history, with honorary appointments in anthropology and Greek; here she was much involved in the Interdepartmental PhD in Anthropology and History. She retired in 2000 and continues to conduct research.