The College of Wooster Libraries Open Works Senior Independent Study Theses 2018 Zero to Hero: Elite Burials and Hero Cults in Early Iron Age Greece and Cyprus Alina M. Karapandzich The College of Wooster, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy Part of the Archaeological Anthropology Commons, Classical Archaeology and Art History Commons, and the Classical Literature and Philology Commons Recommended Citation Karapandzich, Alina M., "Zero to Hero: Elite Burials and Hero Cults in Early Iron Age Greece and Cyprus" (2018). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 8234. https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/8234 This Senior Independent Study Thesis Exemplar is brought to you by Open Works, a service of The oC llege of Wooster Libraries. It has been accepted for inclusion in Senior Independent Study Theses by an authorized administrator of Open Works. For more information, please contact [email protected]. © Copyright 2018 Alina M. Karapandzich Zero to Hero: Elite Burials and Hero Cults in Early Iron Age Greece and Cyprus by Alina Karapandzich A Thesis Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements of Independent Study in Archaeology and Classical Studies at The College of Wooster Archaeology 451-452 Classical Studies 451-452 Advisors: Dr. P. Nick Kardulias and Dr. Josephine Shaya March 12, 2018 Abstract Adulation of heroes, including the flawed, militaristic, authoritative men of Homeric epic, was an important feature of ancient Hellenic culture. This phenomenon is reflected in cults and shrines built in the Archaic period. How did these so-called “hero cults” form, and can Early Iron Age (EIA) elite burials form a connection between the tomb cults of the Late Bronze Age (LBA) and the hero cults of the Archaic and later Classical periods? The purpose of this study is to examine EIA burials whose elite goods and archaeologically visible tombs reflect the burial of a “heroic” person. In doing so, I draw connections between the elaborate LBA burials and the less ornate EIA interments of Greece and Cyprus that contain references to the LBA past. To examine this phenomenon, I consult theories of state formation, the cyclical nature of changing levels of social complexity, and cultural memory. In order to draw connections between Archaic hero cults and earlier EIA tombs, the study examines burials at the following sites in Greece and Cyprus: Athens, Lefkandi, Pylos, Nichoria, Portes, Grotta, Paroikia, Knossos, Vrokastro, Kavousi, Mochlos, Kourion, Amathus, and Salamis. Additionally, Homer’s Illiad and Odyssey provide documentary evidence to accompany the archaeological material. i Acknowledgements I would foremost like to thank my wonderful advisors, Professors Kardulias and Shaya, who worked tirelessly with me throughout this year-long process in order to help me complete the most grueling project I have ever undertaken. I additionally would like to thank Professor Kardulias for being the best mentor I could have possibly asked for these last four years. I also want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of my fellow archaeology majors—we really have kept each other sane throughout this entire process. I would also like to thank JAFB Brewery in Wooster, OH for providing me not only with some delicious brews, but also an excellent environment for me to work on my networking skills. Lastly, I must give a special thanks to all my family and friends who supported me throughout the year, especially my parents and my incredible partner. Thank you to everyone who believed I could write this no matter how many times I said I could not. ii Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iii List of Figures and Tables.............................................................................................................. iv List of Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................v Chapter One: Introduction ...............................................................................................................1 Chapter Two: Theory .....................................................................................................................18 Chapter Three: Methods ................................................................................................................36 Chapter Four: Data .........................................................................................................................37 Chapter Five: Analysis ...................................................................................................................70 Chapter Six: Conclusion ................................................................................................................81 Appendix A: Chronology Table.....................................................................................................84 Appendix B: Salamis Pictures .......................................................................................................85 Appendix C: Kourion Pictures .......................................................................................................89 Bibliography ..................................................................................................................................90 iii List of Figures Figure 1............................................................................................................................................6 Figure 2..........................................................................................................................................32 Figure 3..........................................................................................................................................33 Figure 4..........................................................................................................................................34 Figure 5..........................................................................................................................................35 Figure 6..........................................................................................................................................37 Figure 7..........................................................................................................................................39 Figure 8..........................................................................................................................................40 Figure 9..........................................................................................................................................41 Figure 10........................................................................................................................................42 Figures 11-12.................................................................................................................................43 Figure 13........................................................................................................................................46 Figure 14........................................................................................................................................55 Figure 15........................................................................................................................................56 List of Tables Table 1...........................................................................................................................................10 Table 2...........................................................................................................................................14 Table 3......................................................................................................................................44-45 Table 4......................................................................................................................................51-52 Table 5......................................................................................................................................58-59 iv List of Abbreviations BA Bronze Age EBA Early Bronze Age MBA Middle Bronze Age LBA Late Bronze Age EIA Early Iron Age EH Early Helladic MH Middle Helladic LH Late Helladic EM Early Minoan MM Middle Minoan LM Late Minoan EC Early Cypriot MC Middle Cypriot LC Late Cypriot EPG Early Proto-geometric PG Proto-geometric G Geometric MG Middle Geometric LG Late Geometric EO Early Orientalizing O Orientalizing v Chapter One Introduction The Early Iron Age (EIA) in Greece was characterized by a dispersed and depleted population recovering from the collapse of the palatial systems at the end of the Late Bronze Age (LBA). Writing was lost, trade routes were disrupted, there was a mass migration of peoples, and a strong degree of regionalism. However, the EIA is not devoid of social complexity as its popular name, The Dark Ages, would imply. In fact, the Eastern Mediterranean continued to be an active place in production and trade even after