Feasting practices and changes in Greek society from the Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age
In this thesis I offer a diachronic survey of feasting practices on the Greek mainland from c. 1600 to c. 700, covering the Early Mycenaean era, the palatial period, and the Early Iron Age. I focus upon three specific spheres of feasting activity in each period under discussion - sociopolitical, funerary and sanctuary-based - and employ multiple sources of evidence in order to create a comprehensive image of feasting styles and behaviour in each of these spheres. In particular, I direct my focus towards the association between feasting practices and sociopolitical changes and the ways that they impact upon each other, in order to increase our understanding of both phenomena. Feasts can be an active way of bringing about sociopolitical developments, for example if they are employed by leaders or members of the elite in order to attain, maintain or express authority over others; conversely, the types of sociopolitical milieu in existence can affect and alter the styles of feasting that people practise. For the Early Mycenaean period, I highlight the fluidity of feasting activities, as this is not only a unique characteristic of commensality in this era but also reflects the competitive sociopolitical environment.
Fox, Rachel Sarah
Feasting practices and changes in Greek society from the Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age. In this thesis I offer a diachronic survey of feasting practices on the Greek mainland from c. 1600 to c. 700, covering the Early Mycenaean era, the palatial period, and the Early Iron Age. I focus upon three specific spheres of feasting activity in each period under discussion - sociopolitical, funerary and sanctuary-based - and employ multiple sources of evidence in order to create a comprehensive image of feasting styles and behaviour in each of these spheres. In particular, I direct my focus towards the association between feasting practices and sociopolitical changes and the ways that they impact upon each other, in order to increase our understanding of both phenomena. Feasts can be an active way of bringing about sociopolitical developments, for example if they are employed by leaders or members of the elite in order to attain, maintain or express authority over others; conversely, the types of sociopolitical milieu in existence can affect and alter the styles of feasting that people practise. For the Early Mycenaean period, I highlight the fluidity of feasting activities, as this is not only a unique characteristic of commensality in this era but also reflects the competitive sociopolitical environment.
feasting practice change greek_society late_bronze_age offer diachronic survey feast practice greek_mainland cover early mycenaean era palatial_period focus_upon specific sphere feast activity period_discussion sociopolitical funerary sanctuary based employ multiple source_evidence order_create comprehensive image feasting style behaviour sphere particular direct focus towards association feasting practice sociopolitical change way impact_upon order increase phenomenon active way bring sociopolitical development example employ leader member elite order attain maintain express authority others conversely type sociopolitical milieu existence affect alter style feast people practise early mycenaean_period highlight fluidity feasting activity unique_characteristic era also reflect competitive sociopolitical environment