Classical Greek Geography and Culture: Strabo and Pausanias' Accounts

The Classical Period: Strabo and Pausanias

Strabo: Overview

  • Biography:

    • Geographer, philosopher, historian.

    • Born in the Black Sea region of modern Turkey.

    • Existed during the transition between the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire (late 1st century BC).

    • Lived during Augustus's rise as the first emperor of Rome.

  • Major Work:

    • Geographica:

    • Composed of 17 books detailing Europe and the Mediterranean.

    • Book 9 focuses on Attica.

  • Writing Style:

    • Blends observations of physical geography (mountains, plains, seas) with philosophical insights and historical narratives.

    • Descriptive writing incorporates facts, myths, and stories about locations.

    • Presents a travel narrative dividing his journey into segments between different places.

Pausanias: Overview

  • Biography:

    • Travelled approximately 200 years after Strabo (2nd century AD).

    • Originated from a more inland area in Asia Minor.

  • Focus:

    • Detailed descriptions of Greece, particularly monuments, temples, and religious history.

    • Engaged with local priests for firsthand accounts of historical significance.

  • Archaeological Importance:

    • His works are crucial for archaeology as they document sites often corroborated by archaeological findings.

  • Historical Context:

    • Both authors traveled during a time when classical Greece was already ancient (4-7 centuries post-classical Athens).

Strabo's Journey in Attica

  • Context of Attica:

    • Strabo's detailed accounts focus on the regional settlements called demes where the people identified as Athenians.

  • Key Locations in Strabo's Account:

    • Skironian Rock:

    • Located at the beginning of the isthmus connecting Central Greece and Peloponnesus.

    • Associated with the outlaw Skiron from legends who killed travelers.

    • Mythological Significance:

    • Connected to the hero Theseus who made the passage safe, as per Athenian mythology of unity.

  • Cape Manoa and Nisei:

    • Nisei is the harbor of Megara, a significant polis located strategically.

    • Disputed territorial claims due to its positioned nature as a frontier between Athenians and Peloponnesians.

Concept of Etiology

  • Definition:

    • The study or attribution of causes/origins of conditions.

    • In Greek literature, relates to stories that explain territorial claims or origins of practices.

  • Strabo's Analysis:

    • He references historical writings attempting to outline the limits of Athenian control over areas like Megara and initiates discussion on ancient territorial disputes.

Examples from Strabo's Work

  • Diachronic Narrative:

    • Mythological stories provide insight into regional debates regarding lands and borders.

  • Dialects of Ancient Greeks:

    • Discusses the myth of the Heracleidae's return from exile explaining dialectal variations among Greek regions.

    • Highlights how geographical and historical narratives intersect to form cultural identities.

Important Sites Explored by Strabo

  • Salamis Island:

    • Site of the famous battle where Athenians defeated Persians.

    • Discussion on the question of territorial ownership of Salamis.

  • Eleusis:

    • Location known for the Eleusinian Mysteries centered on the myth of Demeter and Persephone, representing cult practices relating to fertility and agricultural cycles, including secret initiation rites.

    • Importance of these mysteries in cultural and religious identity in ancient Greece.

  • Cape Amphiola:

    • Notable for Xerxes’ attempts to attack Salamis during the Persian Wars.

  • Mining at Laurion and Thorikos:

    • The silver mines were crucial to Athenian wealth, and conditions of labor highlighted the dark side of economic gains during this period.

Religious and Cultural Practices

  • Artemis and Women’s Rituals:

    • The sanctuary in Bauron dedicated to Artemis, involving rituals for young girls transitioning into womanhood (including dancing as bears).

  • Marathon:

    • Description of the pivotal battle between Greeks and Persians, emphasizing strategic advantages and historical legacy.

  • Nemesis at Ramnus:

    • Description of sanctuaries as sites of worship and importance in community identity.

Pausanias' Detailed Accounts of Athens

  • Acropolis:

    • Importance of the Parthenon and its sculptures (historical significance described in detail).

    • Notable features include the temple structure dedicated to Athena and a variety of sculptures depicting significant myths and historical moments.

  • Cultural Heritage:

    • Confirms the impact of both historical events and mythological underpinnings on the realization of the Athenian cultural identity.

  • Legacy of the Parthenon:

    • Initial admirations, transitions to churches and mosques, and the eventual damages during military conflicts leading to its current state.

Final Thoughts

  • Strabo and Pausanias’ Contribution:

    • Both authors provide invaluable insights into the geography, history, legends, and cultural practices of Attica during this classical period, establishing a framework for understanding ancient Greek civilization.

  • Intricacies of Regional Identity:

    • The intersection of myth, politics, and geography contributes to a nuanced understanding of how ancient Greeks perceived their world and identities.