Remembering the Mycenaeans: How the Ancient Greeks Repurposed their Prehistoric Past by Trevor Van Damme BA, University of Victoria, 2010 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of Greek and Roman Studies Trevor Van Damme, 2012 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. ii Supervisory Committee Remembering the Mycenaeans: How the Ancient Greeks Repurposed their Prehistoric Past by Trevor Van Damme B.A.Hons., University of Victoria, 2010 Supervisory Committee Dr. R. Brendan Burke, (Department of Greek and Roman Studies) Supervisor Dr. Geoffrey Kron, (Department of Greek and Roman Studies) Departmental Member iii Abstract Supervisory Committee Dr. R. Brendan Burke, (Department of Greek and Roman Studies) Supervisor Dr. Geoffrey Kron, (Department of Greek and Roman Studies) Departmental Member This thesis argues that in Archaic and Classical Greece (700-336 B.C.E.), the construction of social and civic identities relied on the redeposition and repurposing of older artifacts, including architecture, dating from the Mycenaean period (1600-1100 B.C.E.). By considering the distribution of Mycenaean artifacts in later contexts, this work aims to demonstrate that discernible patterns emerge. From 1000 to 700 B.C.E., the deposition is primarily limited to private burials, but from 700 to 336 B.C.E. deposition switches to sanctuaries, as there is a shift from constructing familial identities to communal identities. This process is intimately linked with the emergence of the political institution known as the polis. Interacting with the prehistoric ruins dotting their landscape, both by building on them, as well as imitating them, the ancient Greeks engaged in the process of memory modification. Because these ruins served as the loci of memory, their survival or loss had a profound effect on historical narratives. Nowhere is this more apparent than in ancient Athens. By tracing the development of Athenian interaction with Mycenaean artifacts and architecture, this thesis demonstrates the profound role Athens’ prehistoric past had on the construction of a singular Athenian identity. iv Table of Contents Supervisory Committee ...................................................................................................... ii Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................... ix Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... x Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1 – Flames from Embers ....................................................................................... 8 Chapter 2 – Prehistoric Presents: Repurposing Bronze Age Artifacts as Votive Objects 37 Chapter 3 – Shvmata in the Plain: Constructing Landscapes of Memory ........................ 63 Chapter 4 – Athens and Autochthony ............................................................................... 91 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 122 Tables .............................................................................................................................. 124 Illustrations ..................................................................................................................... 125 Bibliography ................................................................................................................... 148 Appendix – Greek Chronology ....................................................................................... 175 v List of Tables Table 1 - Literary attested hero bone transferrals ........................................................... 124 vi List of Figures Figure 1 - Map showing extent of Mycenaean culture ................................................... 125 Source: " Mycenaean culture and archaeology." Brill’s New Pauly. Brill Online , 2012. Retrieved on 27 July 2012 <http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/brill-s-new-pauly/mycenaean- culture-and-archaeology-e813850> Figure 2 - View of Grave Circle A at Mycenae .............................................................. 126 Source: Personal Photo. Figure 3 - Plan of Mycenaean megaron and Building T at Tiryns ................................. 126 Source: Maran 2010, 730, Figure. 54.2. Figure 4 - Reconstruction of the Heröon of Lefkandi..................................................... 127 Source: Popham et al. 1993, Pl. 28. Figure 5 - Bronze Krater from Lefkandi ......................................................................... 127 Source: Popham et al. 1993, Pls. 18 & 19. Figure 6 - LH IIIA Piriform Jar (bottom center) found in Protogeometric Tomb .......... 128 Source: Snodgrass 1971, 75, Fig. 34. Figure 7 - LH IIIC Hydria Used as Sema for Protogeometric Tomb.............................. 128 Source: Lambrinoudakis 1988, Fig. 9. Figure 8 - Mycenaean spear point found in eighth century B.C.E. grave at Eretria ....... 129 Source: Bérard 1970. Figure 9 - Map of Menelaion and environs .................................................................... 129 Source: Catling 1976/77, 26, Fig. 2. Figure 10 - Late Geometric louterion with abduction scene ........................................... 130 Source: Langdon 2006, 206, Fig. 1. Figure 11 - Mykonos Vase showing the capture of Troy ............................................... 130 Source: Caskey 1976, Pl.3 Fig. 15 Figure 12 - Mycenaean bronzes repurposed as votive objects ....................................... 131 Source: Kalligas 1980, Pin. 157 & 158. Figure 13 - Coin depicting Zeus Labradeus .................................................................... 131 CoinArchives. Retrieved 29 July 2012 <http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotviewer.php?LotID=497727&AucID=893&Lo t=620&Val=c4b8c1d822bc70fa4eb6e5fa035a7911> Figure 14 – A selection of figurines from the Temple of Athena Pronaia at Delphi ...... 132 Source: Müller 1992, 483, Fig. 18. Figure 15 - Stratigraphy of Ayia Irini shrine (note head on Geometric floor level) ....... 132 Source: Caskey 1986, 9, Fig. 1. Figure 16 - Ayia Irini head in situ ................................................................................... 133 Source: Gorogianni 2011, 644, Fig. 6. Figure 17 - Seventh century B.C.E temple at Mycenae .................................................. 133 Source: Klein 1997, 251, Fig. 2. Figure 18 - The citadel of Mycenae from a distance ...................................................... 134 Source: Personal photo. Figure 19 - The Argive Heraion temple terrace .............................................................. 134 vii Source: Personal photo. Figure 20 - Detailed view of temple terrace (note difference between eighth century B.C.E. architecture [top] and fifth century B.C.E. [bottom] ........................................... 135 Source: Personal photo. Figure 21 - Corinthian aryballos in imitation of a Mycenaean stirrup jar ...................... 135 Source: Boardman et al. 1976, Pl. 4, Fig. 6. Figure 22 - Plan of Pelopeion at Olympia ...................................................................... 136 Source: Rambach 2002, 184, Abb. 6. Figure 23 - State plan of Ophelteion at Nemea............................................................... 136 Source: Bravo 2006, 444, Fig. 2. Figure 24 - Plan of Sanctuary of Athena at Sounion ...................................................... 137 Source: Dinsmoor, Jr. 1974, pg. 38. Figure 25 - Rubble facing on Pelopeion tumulus at Olympia ........................................ 137 Source: Rambach 2002, 185, Abb. 7. Figure 26 - Votive plaque from Sounion showing helmsman ........................................ 138 Source: Cook 1934/1935, Pl. 40b. Figure 27 - Thick layer of burnt material overlying tumulus at Olympia ...................... 138 Source: Kyrieleis 2002, 217, Abb. 3. Figure 28 - Ruins of Arcadian Gate at Messene ............................................................. 139 Source: B. Burke, personal photo. Figure 29 - Arcadian Gate at Messene restored .............................................................. 139 Source: Blouet 1831, Pl. 44. Figure 30 - Tomb of Clytemnestra at Mycene ................................................................ 140 Source: Personal photo. Figure 31 - Theatre retaing wall at Messene ................................................................... 140 Source: Personal photo. Figure 32 - Plan of Erechtheion showing phases of construction ................................... 141 Source: Holland 1924, Pl. VII. Figure 33 - Remaining traces of the Mycenaean fortifications of Athens ...................... 141 Source: